Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast
Episode: Is Steam Coming to Xbox?! w/ Ben Starr
Release Date: March 21, 2025

Guest Spotlight: Ben Starr

Timestamp: [00:25] - [07:15]

In this episode, host Blessing Adeoye Jr. welcomes Ben Starr, known as the first Berserker, to discuss his recent projects and experiences within the gaming industry. The conversation kicks off with Blessing admiring Ben's recent performance at the GDC Awards, highlighting his ability to blend serious, gruff characters with his inherently goofy personality.

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [02:00]: "I saw your GDC Awards performance from a couple of days ago. It was incredible."

• Ben Starr [03:07]: "I love being able to engage with a community that has given me so much. I'm staying in this sandbox because people have given me a playground."

Ben delves into his role as First Berserker Kazan, emphasizing the depth and intensity of the character while maintaining his authentic self. He also touches upon other projects, including his involvement in Date Everything, a game where players can "date everything in the house," showcasing his versatility as a voice actor.

Timestamp: [07:15] - [15:11]

The discussion transitions to Atom Fall, a new survival action game set in a post-nuclear disaster Britain. Ben shares his enthusiasm for the game's unique blend of survival mechanics and storytelling, expressing hopes for a successful sequel similar to how Kingdom Come: Deliverance spawned a beloved follow-up.

Main News Stories

1. Is Steam Coming to Xbox?

Timestamp: [18:48] - [26:02]

Blessing introduces a hot topic sourced from Tom Warren at The Verge: Microsoft's potential integration of Steam into the Xbox ecosystem. Early mockups suggest that Xbox may allow players to access their Steam libraries directly through the Xbox UI, blurring the lines between console and PC gaming platforms.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Starr [19:26]: "Xbox wants you to play everywhere. It's a strategy to make Xbox synonymous with gaming, providing everything in one place."

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [20:31]: "Xbox is simplifying the user experience by allowing players to access all their games, regardless of the platform they're originally on."

The hosts discuss the implications of this move, pondering whether it could eventually lead to cross-platform play with PlayStation games and further dismantle the traditional console wars. They express optimism about a future where gaming ecosystems are more unified and accessible.

2. Split Fiction Movie Adaptation

Timestamp: [27:00] - [35:21]

A thrilling update from Jennifer Moss at Variety reveals that a film adaptation of the co-op game Split Fiction is underway. A bidding war has ignited among top Hollywood studios, with Story Kitchen, now part of Amazon, spearheading the project. The team is actively assembling a cast, writers, and directors to bring this beloved game to the big screen.

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [29:03]: "Hazelight Studios has redefined co-op gaming, making them prime candidates for a successful film adaptation."

• Ben Starr [33:24]: "It's a fascinating development, but the true test will be how well they capture what makes Split Fiction special."

While the hosts remain excited about the prospect, they also express skepticism about Hollywood's ability to faithfully translate interactive storytelling into a linear medium, hoping that the original game's creators will have significant input in the adaptation process.

3. Atom Fall Reviews Roundup

Timestamp: [35:21] - [53:12]

Blessing presents a comprehensive review roundup for Atom Fall, a survival action game set in a ravaged Britain. Current scores hover around 76 on Metacritic and 77 on Open Critic, with critics praising its engaging exploration and immersive setting.

Notable Quotes:

• Tristan Ogilvie (IGN) [45:48]: "Atom Fall is a compelling post-apocalyptic survival story that blends your choices and discoveries seamlessly."

• Nathan Warby (Dexerto) [45:48]: "The gripping central story and wonderfully realized setting make Atom Fall stand out in the sci-fi mystery genre."

Despite some criticisms regarding enemy AI and combat mechanics, players like Ryan Reynolds find the game's open-world exploration and narrative-driven quests highly addictive, comparing it favorably to titles like Fallout and Elden Ring.

4. Accessible Games Initiative

Timestamp: [53:12] - [56:43]

Evan Campbell from GameSpot reports on the Accessible Games Initiative, a collaborative effort by industry giants like Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Google, EA, and Ubisoft. This initiative aims to standardize accessibility features in video games, introducing 24 tags across auditory, gameplay, input, and visual categories to help players identify games that meet their needs.

Notable Quotes:

• ESA President Stanley Pierre Louis [54:55]: "Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games."

• Ben Starr [55:16]: "In 2025, more people can play more games in ways that are accessible to them. This is where the industry is headed."

The hosts commend the initiative, highlighting its potential to make gaming more inclusive and encouraging developers to prioritize accessibility in their game design processes.

5. WE News: Quick Updates

Timestamp: [56:43] - [65:08]

Blessing and Ben cover a series of brief news bites under the WE News segment:

• Devolver Digital and Francisco announce Pixel Art Survival Horror RPG Look Outside for PC, available now on Steam for $10. The game promises a unique blend of 16-bit RPG aesthetics with survival horror elements.

• 3D Realms and Onshar Studios reveal a reimagined Painkiller for PS5, Xbox, and PC, slated for a fall release.

• Valnet faces backlash for blacklisting over 400 freelance writers who criticized their pay rates, sparking discussions about the state of game journalism and freelancer exploitation.

• Pokemon TCG Pocket Booster Shining Revelry launches on March 27th, introducing shiny Pokemon and characters from the Paldea region.

• Monster Hunter Wild's first free title update scheduled for March 25th, with a new DLC named Ichiban's Holiday launching on April 10th.

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [59:50]: "Valnet's attempt to silence freelancers is a desperate move to control the narrative, but it'll only backfire by stifling quality content."

Ben and Blessing express a mix of excitement and concern over these updates, particularly highlighting the importance of fair treatment in game journalism and the continued evolution of beloved franchises.

Listener Interactions: Super Chats

Timestamp: [41:34] - [65:02]

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with listeners through Super Chats, receiving messages of support and fan interactions. Notable highlights include:

• Zeke Speak: "I fucking love you, Ben. You're such a star."

• Jordan and Dal: Inviting Ben to their podcast to discuss favorite games like Final Fantasy 16.

• Mr. Hawks: Praising Ben's presence at TGS and his role in the community.

Ben graciously acknowledges each message, emphasizing his appreciation for the support and the strong connection he shares with the gaming community.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Blessing and Ben encourage listeners to support their content through memberships on Patreon and YouTube for an ad-free experience and exclusive shows. They tease upcoming segments like Game Showdown and a live stream featuring Dungeons and Dragons, underscoring the dynamic and interactive nature of the Kinda Funny Games Daily community.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Starr [65:35]: "Play the first Berserker Kazan on the 27th. It's a really neat video game, and the team has put a lot of work into it. Enjoy!"

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [65:22]: "There you go. The game looks cool. I played the demo. Really like the demo. Looking forward to the first Berserker Kazan and I hope you guys are too."

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