Kinda Funny Games Daily: PlayStation Cancels Unannounced Bluepoint God of War – Episode Summary

Release Date: January 17, 2025

Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and guest Kevin Coelho

1. Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, hosts Greg Miller and Blessing Adeoye Jr. dive deep into the latest developments in the gaming industry, with a primary focus on PlayStation's recent strategic shifts. They engage in lively discussions, share insightful analyses, and react to the newest trailers and community feedback, all while maintaining their signature humor and camaraderie.

2. PlayStation's Cancellation of Bluepoint and Bend Games

The central topic of this episode revolves around PlayStation's recent decision to cancel unannounced projects from two of its esteemed subsidiaries: Bluepoint Games and Bend Studio.

News Overview: Greg introduces the news early in the episode, highlighting that both studios were working on live service projects intended to generate recurring revenue. The cancellation follows a comprehensive review by PlayStation, aiming to refine their gaming portfolio without discontinuing single-player and online games.

Discussion and Analysis: Greg and Blessing delve into the implications of these cancellations, questioning PlayStation's pivot towards live service models at the expense of their traditional single-player blockbusters.

• Greg Miller [08:39]: “Jason Schreier on Top. Jason reports Sony's PlayStation has canceled previously unannounced games at two of its top subsidiaries… Both Bend and Bluepoint are highly accomplished teams…”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [10:25]: "I really dig the green KFC logo on the PlayStation Blue. Yeah, gives a nice pop to it."

They explore the historical context of PlayStation's strategy, noting a gradual shift since around 2021 towards live service games. This move contrasts sharply with their legacy of acclaimed single-player titles like God of War and The Last of Us.

Insights from Shuhei Yoshida Interview: Blessing references an interview with former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida, who critiqued the company's live service push. Yoshida expressed concerns that the resources allocated to live service games could have been better invested in developing new single-player experiences.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [12:34]: "Blue Point, however, is a studio that I think we hold up as. Oh, no, they're fantastic. They went from doing a bunch of remasters, doing a bunch of remakes…"

Yoshida's insights suggest that PlayStation's leadership may have prioritized short-term revenue streams over the long-term strength of their exclusive single-player franchises.

Impact on Studios and Future Projects: Greg and Blessing discuss the potential fallout for both Bend and Bluepoint Studios, speculating on whether these studios will continue to thrive within PlayStation or seek independence.

• Greg Miller [13:24]: “PlayStation Bend is closed before they get another game out. I think Sony Bend is closed before they get another game out.”

The hosts lament the possible loss of innovation and passion that these cancellations represent, fearing it signals a diminishing focus on narrative-driven gaming experiences.

3. Industry Trends: Shift Toward PC Gaming

Transitioning from PlayStation's internal changes, the hosts address broader industry trends, particularly the growing dominance of PC gaming over traditional consoles.

Market Analysis: Referencing a report by Matthew Ball, Greg outlines how PC gaming has continued to grow, accounting for the majority of non-mobile content revenue, while console sales have plateaued.

• Greg Miller [54:58]: “PC Gaming meanwhile, has only continued to grow while console has stagnated since 2021, PC gaming revenue has grown 20%…”

Blessing adds that advancements in PC gaming hardware, extensive game libraries, and higher performance capabilities are driving this growth, posing a significant challenge to console manufacturers like PlayStation.

Implications for PlayStation: The hosts debate how PlayStation's struggles with live service cancellations and stagnant console sales might affect its competitive standing, especially as PC gaming becomes more mainstream and accessible to younger audiences.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [56:07]: "I think we're planning. We have our meeting. I want to steal your blue sky from yesterday…"

They speculate that without revitalizing their game lineup and possibly re-evaluating their business strategies, PlayStation may lose ground to PC gaming's robust expansion.

4. Upcoming PlayStation State of Play

Turning to upcoming events, Greg discusses rumors about PlayStation's next State of Play presentation slated for February 2025. There is uncertainty about whether the presentation will focus on PlayStation's first-party titles or third-party collaborations.

• Greg Miller [47:29]: “The next PlayStation State of Play presentation isn't too far off in the future, according to rumors circulating online today…”

Blessing expresses hope that PlayStation will use this platform to reassure the gaming community of their commitment to quality and innovation, possibly addressing concerns raised by recent cancellations.

5. Trailer Reaction: Until Dawn Movie

A significant segment of the episode is dedicated to reacting to the newly released trailer for the Until Dawn movie adaptation. Greg and Blessing watch and critique the trailer, sharing their thoughts on its faithfulness to the game and its potential appeal to both fans and newcomers.

• Greg Miller [63:46]: “They said use that name… What is that? He's got. It's going to run.”

Blessing offers a critical perspective, noting that the trailer seems to misinterpret the essence of the original game, which was beloved for its branching narratives and player-driven decisions.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [64:38]: "If this wasn't Until Dawn, I watched that trailer and I still think it looks kind of like, whatever, but I'd watch it…"

They debate whether the movie will capture the interactive spirit of the game or simply serve as a conventional horror film, expressing cautious optimism about its execution.

6. Small News Items

Pokémon TCG Trading Feature: The hosts briefly cover the announcement that Pokémon TCG Pocket will introduce a trading feature, allowing players to exchange cards within the game. They discuss the community's mixed reactions to the implementation restrictions.

• Greg Miller [67:44]: “Bless your. Are you still playing? Do you have takes on… What are your takes?”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [68:44]: "Trading is a feature that we've been waiting on…"

EA Sports College Football 26: Greg shares the news about EA Sports releasing College Football 26 this summer, expressing excitement alongside Blessing.

Indie Game "Consume Me" at IGF Awards: The indie game Consume Me leads the IGF Awards with five nominations, prompting Greg and Blessing to highlight its unique qualities and potential impact on the indie scene.

• Greg Miller [70:05]: "Consume Me. It's like some goofy ass that Greg would be about."

7. Conclusion and Wrap-Up

As the episode wraps up, Greg and Blessing recap the key points discussed, emphasizing the significance of PlayStation's strategic decisions and their broader implications for the gaming industry. They encourage listeners to engage with the content through memberships and support, hinting at more in-depth discussions in future episodes.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [73:12]: "Very confident for a man who's lost two seasons in a row…"

• Greg Miller [73:25]: “I think it's like, yeah, we're dovetailing again. Kind of like what last of us did.”

The hosts sign off with a mix of humor and anticipation, setting the stage for continued conversations on the evolving landscape of gaming.

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller [13:24]: “PlayStation Bend is closed before they get another game out. I think Sony Bend is closed before they get another game out.”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [12:34]: "Blue Point, however, is a studio that I think we hold up as. Oh, no, they're fantastic…"

• Greg Miller [54:58]: “PC Gaming meanwhile, has only continued to grow while console has stagnated since 2021, PC gaming revenue has grown 20%…”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. [64:38]: "If this wasn't Until Dawn, I watched that trailer and I still think it looks kind of like, whatever, but I'd watch it…"

Timestamp Highlights:

• [08:39]: Introduction of Jason Schreier's Bloomberg report on PlayStation's cancellations.
• [12:34]: Discussion on Bluepoint Games' reputation and past projects.
• [13:24]: Speculation on the future of Bend Studio.
• [54:58]: Analysis of PC gaming's growth versus console stagnation.
• [63:46]: Reaction to the Until Dawn movie trailer.
• [68:44]: Comments on the Pokémon TCG trading feature.
• [70:05]: Highlighting Consume Me's IGF nominations.
• [73:12]: Final thoughts on PlayStation's direction and future prospects.

Conclusion:

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of PlayStation's recent strategic shifts, industry-wide trends favoring PC gaming, and community reactions to new content releases. Greg Miller and Blessing Adeoye Jr. deliver a thoughtful analysis backed by industry insights, making it a must-listen for gamers keen on understanding the evolving dynamics of their favorite platforms.