Kinda Funny Games Daily: Is Xbox FINALLY Winning? – May 21, 2025

Hosted by Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr.

1. Introduction: Xbox's Ascendancy in the Gaming Industry

Timestamp: [00:00 – 01:42]

The episode kicks off with Greg Miller celebrating his father’s 75th birthday, quickly transitioning into the main topic: Xbox's burgeoning dominance in the gaming market. The hosts express excitement over the overwhelming influx of positive gaming news, setting an energetic tone for the discussion.

2. Exclusive Magic: The Gathering Announcements

Timestamp: [02:09 – 07:18]

Magic: The Gathering takes center stage with exclusive reveals tied to iconic franchises:

• Ghostbusters Crossover: Tim Gettys shares, “A huge insult that Final Fantasy gets an entire deck. Oh, Ghostbusters. Got a few insert cards” ([04:54]).

• Final Fantasy Integration: Five new Magic cards based on the Final Fantasy series are unveiled. Tim emphasizes his excitement, stating, “I am. It's true” ([03:10]).

Card Highlights:

• Baron Airship Kingdom ([03:24]): A land card representing the militaristic airship era.
• Final Fantasy 5 – Of Ruin ([04:10]): Depicts the enigmatic Town of Ruin.
• Gado Salama Farplane Gateway ([04:33]): Highlights the resting places of the dead.
• Gongaga Reactor Town ([05:12]): Reflects the somber aftermath of reactor construction.
• Corinne Merchant from Final Fantasy 11 ([05:38]): Introduces a unique character from the ATU Empire.

Tim Gettys passionately discusses the integration, mentioning, “I want to give it a shot for sure” ([06:35]).

3. Guest Segment: Andy Cortez Reviews Lies of P DLC

Timestamp: [08:16 – 24:14]

Andy Cortez joins the show to provide an in-depth analysis of the Lies of P DLC. His review covers:

• Gameplay Mechanics: Describes the "Dark Souls-like" difficulty and innovative weapon customization, stating, “The weapon experimentation... creating the weapon that you want” ([10:35]).

• Boss Fights: Highlights challenging bosses like Mark Iona, noting, “She has a puppet that... turns red with electricity” ([15:00]).

• Overall Impressions: Praises the game’s design and balance, remarking, “This DLC looks to be shaping up to be really, really awesome” ([18:16]).

Andy also touches on community interactions and future content, emphasizing the game’s expansive content for a reasonable price.

4. Roper Report: Xbox's Market Dominance Confirmed

Timestamp: [28:49 – 43:02]

Sales Data Highlights:

• Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remastered led April's sales, outperforming the original's first 15 months ([32:50]).
• Forza Horizon 5 surged to second place following its PlayStation 5 launch ([32:50]).
• MLB The Show 25 and Minecraft also featured prominently, boosted by related media releases like the Minecraft movie ([32:50]).

Analysis by Tim Gettys: Tim confirms, “Yes, yes and yes. I feel like this has been happening for a while and it's only going to continue to happen” ([33:28]). He attributes Xbox’s success to strategic acquisitions and widespread game availability, stating, “Their strategy is working out for selling games. Awesome stuff” ([33:28]).

Key Points:

• Microsoft-published titles dominate PlayStation sales charts.
• The integration of Xbox Game Pass enhances game accessibility across platforms.
• Analysts suggest continued growth as Xbox leverages its extensive game library.

5. Nintendo Updates: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Redesigns

Timestamp: [55:00 – 65:38]

Mario Kart World Transition: Originally developed for the Nintendo Switch, Mario Kart World was transitioned to the Switch 2 in 2020 to enhance visual and performance capabilities. Kenta Sato, Mario Kart World's programming director, explains the pivot was necessary to avoid compromises like reduced frame rates and lower resolutions ([56:39]).

Tim Gettys shares his enthusiasm: “I much prefer it happening this way” ([56:39]), highlighting the benefits of waiting for the Switch 2 to deliver a more refined gaming experience.

Donkey Kong Redesign: Shigeru Miyamoto discusses the redesign aimed at making Donkey Kong more expressive. The new design, approved by former Rare artist Kevin Bayless, bridges nostalgia with modern aesthetics ([62:00]).

Diddy Kong also undergoes a redesign, featuring a new cap with his logo, enhancing his visual appeal without straying far from his classic look ([64:28]).

6. Ubisoft Milan’s AAA Rayman Project

Timestamp: [66:59 – 68:43]

Ubisoft Milan is expanding its team to develop a new AAA Rayman title. A recent job listing highlights the studio's commitment to reviving the franchise with top-tier 3D gameplay animation ([67:57]). Tim Gettys expresses excitement, “I'm stoked for that” ([68:25]), reflecting on Rayman’s potential comeback.

7. PlayStation Studio’s Embrace of Generative AI

Timestamp: [73:12 – 83:16]

A new PlayStation studio, Dark Outlaw Games, seeks concept artists with advanced expertise in generative AI tools for their upcoming AAA project. This move reflects a broader industry trend towards integrating AI in game development, despite ongoing debates about ethics and job sustainability.

• Job Requirements: Proficiency in tools like Stable Diffusion and MidJourney ([73:17]).
• Industry Concerns: Balancing AI innovation with preserving the human touch, as highlighted by PlayStation Studios’ head Herman Hulst ([72:20]).

Greg Miller criticizes the trend, stating, “It's just shitty” ([72:33]), emphasizing concerns over creativity and ethical implications.

8. Additional News Highlights

Timestamp: [39:24 – 77:40]

• Xbox Game Pass Enhancements: Introduction of Retro Classics featuring over 50 classic Activision games, with plans to expand to 100+ titles ([39:22]).

• Prince of Persia Mobile Success: Officially hits 1 million mobile downloads, showcasing the viability of console titles on mobile platforms ([65:32]).

• Epic Games and Fortnite Return: Fortnite is relaunching on the US App Store for iPhones and iPads, alongside the Epic Game Store in the EU ([74:48]).

• PlayStation Stars Program Ending: Nintendo’s PlayStation Stars initiative is concluding, with discussions on the future of loyalty programs in gaming ([77:17]).

• Street Fighter Movie Casting: Epic announcements include high-profile actors like Jason Momoa and Roman Reigns potentially joining a new Street Fighter movie ([77:40]).

9. Listener Interactions and Super Chats

Timestamp: Throughout the Episode

The hosts engage with their audience through Super Chats, addressing fan questions and comments:

• Gaming Suggestions: Listeners recommend titles like Prince of Persia and express excitement for new releases.

• Feedback on Content: Positive reinforcement for guest Andy Cortez’s reviews and discussions.

• Humorous Exchanges: Light-hearted banter about listener comments, such as playful insults and music recommendations.

10. Conclusion: Looking Ahead

Timestamp: [86:54 – End]

Greg and Tim wrap up the episode by previewing upcoming content, including:

• Death Stranding Review: Featuring Mike and Roger.

• Outer Worlds Review: Scheduled for next week with live streaming plans.

• Final Elder Scrolls Online Podcast: Culminating in discussions about cross-play and HBO’s future involvement.

They encourage listeners to support the show through memberships and subscriptions, emphasizing the community-driven nature of Kinda Funny Games Daily.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller: “This DLC looks to be shaping up to be really, really awesome.” ([18:16])

• Tim Gettys: “Their strategy is working out for selling games. Awesome stuff.” ([33:28])

• Shigeru Miyamoto: “We reevaluated what can we do with the design to make it more expressive.” ([62:00])

• PlayStation Studios' Herman Hulst: “Striking the right balance between leveraging AI and preserving the human touch will be crucial.” ([73:12])

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily provides a comprehensive overview of Xbox’s rising dominance, exciting collaborations in the Magic: The Gathering universe, detailed game reviews, and significant updates from major gaming companies. With engaging discussions and insightful analysis, the hosts offer a valuable resource for both avid gamers and industry enthusiasts.