Kinda Funny Games Daily: PlayStation ABANDONS PC?!

March 4, 2026 | Hosts: Greg Miller & Snowbike Mike

Episode Overview

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily is dominated by breaking news about PlayStation’s shift back to console exclusivity, abandoning its recent strategy of releasing first-party games on PC. Greg Miller and Snowbike Mike break down Jason Schreier’s Bloomberg report, discuss Ubisoft's official confirmation of an Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake, and dissect drama around Crimson Desert’s review embargo. The show also touches on Bungie’s Marathon roadmap, potential international gaming shakeups, and a round-up of other gaming news.

Main Theme: PlayStation’s Return to Console Exclusivity

(Discussion starts ~04:26)

Key News:

• Per Jason Schreier, Sony will no longer release its major PlayStation 5 exclusives on PC, reversing a six-year experiment with multiplatform releases.
• Ongoing: Multiplayer titles (e.g., Marathon, Marvel’s Souls Fighting) will still launch on additional platforms.
• PlayStation’s PC strategy cited as “muddled and confused” due to inconsistent port timing and requiring PSN accounts.
• Declining PC sales and concerns about diluting the PlayStation brand factored into the decision.
• External releases like Death Stranding 2 and Scars of Kasamura, published by PlayStation but not internally developed, still coming to PC.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller, on the reasoning:
  “If these PlayStation games coming to PC were selling an additional four, five, six million… nobody gives a shit where you’re playing them. They’re lighting cigars [$]100 bills.” (09:25)
• Snowbike Mike, on exclusivity:
  “You want to get players over there, you say, hey, we’re only selling these games on PlayStation. Now’s the time to start taking even more player base away from Xbox.” (08:14)
• Greg Miller, on the PlayStation identity:
  “…it is so PlayStation silo corporate — we publish games that do this thing. I think that identity would help them a lot.” (12:25)

Discussion Points:

• Speculation that PC ports weren’t as profitable as hoped.
• Internal worries about the next Xbox’s rumored Windows-based, PC-game-compatible console.
• Suggestion that, with console market growth stalling, PlayStation is doubling down on monetizing its install base.

Business Impact:

• Possible price increases for PlayStation services or hardware due to increased RAM costs and loss of PC revenue.
  “Do you see PlayStation Online going up in pricing…the tiers going up like we saw with Game Pass?” (12:49)
• Questions regarding the future of Nixxes, PlayStation’s PC porting specialist studio, and broader implications for PlayStation’s studio acquisitions.
  “Nixxes is screwed, isn’t it?” — Kinda Funny audience superchat and ensuing segment (~15:17–18:53)

Secondary Stories and Key Insights

1. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake Confirmed

(32:00–35:38)

• Ubisoft finally released concept art, confirming the much-leaked "Black Flag Resynced" remake is real and coming later this year.
• Hosts are skeptical about its commercial impact:
  “Are people going back to Assassin’s Creed Black Flag…Are sales going to be bonkers for this?” (32:44)
• Black Flag remains the best-selling game in the series, with 15 million copies as of 2025 (35:07).

2. Crimson Desert Review Embargo Controversy

(Discussion ~38:52–46:29)

• Review codes only available for PC; embargo lifts 24 hours before launch, sparking concern this echoes Cyberpunk 2077’s troubled release.
• Pearl Abyss’s marketing assures “we’re not hiding anything…let us cook,” but skepticism persists.
• Greg:
  “You’re seeing the other side of the coin where we’re going to say nothing…[or] you can say you have it, but then this happens.” (43:11)
• Hosts note that “going gold” means less due to ongoing post-launch patches and that hype/sales for Crimson Desert seem secure.

3. Bungie’s Marathon – Post-Launch Plans & Live-Service Landscape

(47:12–55:21)

• Season content will roll out roughly every three months with substantial gameplay and story updates, all free at launch to keep the player base unified.
• Marathon launches March 5, 2026.
• Mike:
  “Content is free for everybody, which means the player base is going to stick together. You don’t want to start segmenting the player base…” (49:18)
• Panel is cautiously optimistic but expects retention to decline after launch, hoping for at least a year of health.

4. Tencent Gaming Stakes Under Review by US Government

(Discussion ~55:42–57:56)

• The Trump administration is reportedly debating whether Tencent can maintain its stakes in Epic, Riot (League of Legends), and Supercell.
• Skepticism that government regulation could be motivated by rivalry and profit rather than genuine security concern.
• Imran Khan (via Barrett):
  “They use Trump to force Tencent out. With added xenophobia, they pick up the pieces financially.”

5. Quick Hits & “WE News” Lightning Round

(58:21–60:38)

• Mike Bithell announces Amber Spire, a city builder out May 6.
• Everhood Hunters (roguelike, 2027), resident Evil Requiem hits 5M sold, more Nintendo Classics coming March 10, and Unity lays off nearly 100 in its French office.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Snowbike Mike (regarding PC gaming for kids):
  “PCs on the lower end that you would be getting a child aren’t as expensive as you think… We’re not buying the child a 5070 here, like, we’re buying a very basic computer!” (25:39)
• Greg Miller on Ubisoft’s PR spin:
  “Stop trying to be fancy. If Youssef was still there, he would put a stop to this.” (32:00)
• On Nixxes and PlayStation leadership:
  “Right now, Herman [Hulst] loading the shotgun, taking Nixxes out back.” (17:07, Greg Miller, jokingly) “My one hope… is that they start pivoting to just being a support studio.” (18:23, Greg Miller)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:26] – Main Story: PlayStation pulls back from PC
• [15:17–18:53] – Deep Dive: Nixxes Studio future
• [32:00–35:38] – Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake segment
• [38:52–46:29] – Crimson Desert Review Embargo
• [47:12–55:21] – Bungie’s Marathon Season Roadmap
• [55:42–57:56] – Tencent stakes/US government scrutiny
• [58:21–60:38] – WE News Rapid Fire
• [60:58–66:03] – Extra banter: Platinums, PC advice, and technical tangents

Tone and Style

• Laid-back, irreverent, and conversational, with the hosts frequently breaking the fourth wall, riffing on chat questions, industry personalities, and each other’s takes.
• Regularly cite personal experiences and history in gaming podcasting for context.
• Mixes serious analysis with banter, running jokes (“little Billy” building a PC, “memory leak/loss,” dragging Ubisoft’s PR, and jabs at industry executives).

Summary Takeaways

• PlayStation is circling the wagons: Sidelining PC not out of pride, but business, hoping exclusivity and monetizing their install base offsets stagnant market growth and increased costs.
• Industry in flux: Studios like Nixxes face uncertain futures; players brace for higher prices and fewer multiplatform launches.
• Other news: Ubisoft finally admits Black Flag remake is real, Bungie promises dynamic Marathon content to fight live-service churn, and Crimson Desert’s review policies spark skepticism.
• Listeners are left with: A clearer sense of PlayStation’s strategy toggling back to old-school exclusivity, skepticism toward certain industry PR strategies, and a reminder of how tumultuous 2026 already is for gaming.

In the words of Greg Miller:

“We wait with bated breath.” (53:04)

For more details, catch the full episode, especially:

• [04:26–19:00] for PlayStation’s PC pivot breakdown
• [38:52–46:29] for Crimson Desert coverage
• [47:12–55:21] for the state of Marathon and the live-service shooter genre

Next up: Stick around for Andy & Blessing’s Resident Evil 9: Requiem review, and more Kinda Funny goodness the rest of the day.