Kinda Funny Games Daily Podcast Summary

Episode: Legend of Zelda Movie First Look REVEALED!
Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Snowbike Mike, Paris Lilly
Notable Segment: Legend of Zelda Movie First Look

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode centers on the newly revealed first look at the highly anticipated Legend of Zelda live-action movie, sharing reactions to the casting, aesthetic, and what fans can expect. The show delves into the broader implications for video game adaptations, gaming culture, and the Zelda franchise, then covers the latest industry news including a wild AI CEO scandal, Capcom performance issues, Game Informer's return to shelves, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legend of Zelda Movie — First Look & Deep Dive

[06:41–21:28]

• First Images Released
  Variety shares first promo pictures of actors Bo Bragginson (Zelda) and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Link) as titular characters. Both are in iconic costumes; field scenery evokes Lord of the Rings vibes.

  • “It looks like they’re out in New Zealand in the Shire somewhere. So it looks good, looks really good. … Zelda looks good. Link looks good. Definitely excited to see more of this.” — Paris Lilly (07:43)

• The Promise and the Stakes
  Paris reflects on being a lifelong Zelda fan, tracing his love back to Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. He expresses both excitement and cautious optimism given the history of game-to-film adaptations.

  • “Normally, you know, back in the day with video game movies, you’re like, ‘Oh no, they’re gonna screw it up.’ But you saw the love and care Nintendo was able to give Mario ... I think they know the assignment.” — Paris Lilly (08:19)

• Should Link Speak? The Big Debate
  Hosts discuss concerns over Link speaking in the film, drawing analogies to the Tom and Jerry movie where giving voices to silent characters was jarring.

  • “He has to talk. I can’t imagine them doing a two-hour plus movie and Link doesn’t talk. … When you break that seal on that and now you’ve basically made it canon … It’s either going to be great or it’s going to be terrible.” — Paris Lilly (10:02)

• What Must-Be in the Movie?
  Paris details what elements must be present:

  • Hyrule rendered with grandeur.
  • Link’s horse Epona, the Master Sword reveal.
  • Zelda as an empowered, active character.
  • Ganon as central antagonist (“It just doesn’t work without Ganon” (11:30)).
  • “Little touchstones,” like a fairy exclaiming, “Hey! Listen!”

• Tone & Easter Eggs
  Striking the balance between epic and fun, Paris lists beloved Zelda moments and items (rupees, ocarina, Dark World references, familiar enemies), hoping such details are woven in without cheesiness.

• Prospects for Success
  Paris predicts a strong outcome: “I’m going to put it 70/30 they’re going to nail it. … Nintendo knows how important this IP is … If the movie flops, what’s the point?” (15:46)
  He expects it won’t reach Mario’s box office but could come close.

• Following-Up with Games & Sequels
  Suggests: Remake Ocarina of Time or Link to the Past as Switch 2 follow-ups.
  Paris does not expect strict canon between movie/game timelines and favors starting a new “cinematic canon.”

• How to Handle Future Zelda Movies
  Proposes keeping Ganon as a trilogy-spanning antagonist, using each movie to develop heroism, world-building, and stakes (“use the first movie to establish the characters … by the end, he is the quote unquote hero that we want him to be” (20:11)).

2. Game Awards Reflections & Snubs

[01:42–04:17, 27:12–28:33]

• Paris’ “biggest snub” is Alex Jordan not receiving a nomination for voicing 11 characters in The Alters, lauding the performance’s range (02:11).
• Praises overall nominations, expects Expedition 33 to sweep.
• Gives kudos to Obsidian for earning multiple RPG nominations with Avowed and Outer Worlds 2; notes Grounded 2 as a great early access survival sim.

3. AI and Corporate Scandal: Krafton’s ChatGPT Scheme

[28:33–35:42]

• Wild Story: Krafton CEO reportedly used ChatGPT to seek ways of denying $250 million in bonuses to Subnautica 2 devs before firing them.
• Paris’s take:
  • “When Skynet becomes self aware, this is why. … The fact you’re trying to leverage AI to give you tips on how to screw people out of money is just insane, dude.” (32:09)
• The hosts decry the scummy, exploitative corporate side of the industry.

4. PC Gaming & Capcom Reassurances

[35:42–41:20]

• Capcom promises Resident Evil Requiem PC port won’t suffer the same performance woes as Monster Hunter Wilds, citing differences in engine architecture.
• Paris emphasizes the growing importance of robust, variable QA for PC games as development increasingly prioritizes PC-first.

5. Game Informer Returns to Newsstands

[41:35–44:46]

• Snowbike Mike and Paris nostalgically recall their love of video game magazines and celebrate Game Informer’s print return.
  • “That was such a big part of my early gaming life, those gaming magazines … that’s how we got information about upcoming games.” — Paris Lilly (43:27)

6. We News Channel & Game Pass Updates

[45:19–47:58]

• Quickfire highlights:
  • Yoko Taro is still working on games, but they keep getting canceled.
  • Reverse-engineered Concord shooter project put on hold due to legal threats.
  • Donkey Kong 64 statues coming to Emerald Rush event.
  • Upcoming Game Pass additions, including Moonlighter 2, Banished: Ghost of New Eden, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, and more.
  • Discussion on Game Pass Premium/premium tiers.

7. The Rise of the “Steam Machine” & Next-Gen Gaming Hardware

[49:19–56:41]

• Paris retells a conversation with his son excited about the upcoming Valve Steam Machine as a living-room device offering full PC gaming convenience.
• Price speculation: $500–600, with debate if this is viable for mainstream adoption.
• The hosts reflect on their own shifting habits–buying and playing nearly everything on Steam, using Discord and appreciating Valve’s consumer trust.

8. Halo Infinite’s Final Update & The Future of Halo Multiplayer

[59:00–62:28]

• Discussion of Halo Infinite’s final update; both hosts express love for Halo Infinite’s multiplayer and speculate about Xbox’s plans for bringing multiplayer Halo to PlayStation.
• Paris predicts a standalone UE5-based multiplayer suite will be announced to coincide with the 25th anniversary and new releases:
  • “You’re introducing Master Chief to the PlayStation audience and the number one thing that makes Halo Halo—multiplayer—is not there... I refuse to believe it until I am proven wrong.” (60:04)
• Both would like to see a thoughtful cross-platform approach with classic maps and modes.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He has to talk. ... It’s either going to be great or it’s going to be terrible.” — Paris Lilly on Link’s voice, (10:02)
• “If you don’t have Epona in there, I’ll be sad.” — Paris Lilly (11:30)
• “They clearly—it worked with Mario and we’re getting the sequel … Could this make $1 billion? Maybe.” — Paris Lilly (16:28)
• “When Skynet becomes self aware, this is why.” — Paris Lilly on the Krafton/ChatGPT scandal (32:09)
• “I just think 600 [dollars] to me seems the ceiling for this thing. Anything more than that … just go build my own PC.” — Paris Lilly on Valve’s Steam Machine (53:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Zelda Movie First Look & Live-Action Adaptations:
  [06:41–21:28]
• Game Awards Snubs & Nominees Recap:
  [01:42–04:17, 27:12–28:33]
• Krafton CEO AI Scandal:
  [28:33–35:42]
• Capcom/Resident Evil PC Worries:
  [35:42–41:20]
• Game Informer Magazine News:
  [41:35–44:46]
• Steam Machine & PC Gaming Discussion:
  [49:19–56:41]
• Halo Infinite Update & PS5 Prospects:
  [59:00–62:28]

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a conversational, playful, yet frank tone, mixing nostalgic and industry-savvy perspectives. Paris delivers passionate, in-depth fan insight, while Mike keeps the discussion accessible and candid.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll get up-to-speed on the excitement and concerns around the Zelda film, industry shenanigans (like an exec trying to use ChatGPT for a shady bonus dodge), Comic culture news, hardware and Game Pass shifts, and open speculation about the future of gaming platforms—including what Halo might look like on PlayStation and what is next for Valve’s living room ambitions. Plus, plenty of gaming dad energy and banter throughout!