Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast Episode: PlayStation Launches New Studio For Multiplayer Games
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, the hosts delve into a variety of gaming news, including PlayStation's launch of a new multiplayer-focused studio, Destiny 2's upcoming Star Wars-themed expansion, and Electronic Arts' strategic release windows for Battlefield and Skate. The discussion is enriched with insights from industry veterans and engaging banter among the hosts, ensuring listeners are well-informed about the latest happenings in the gaming world.

PlayStation Launches Team LFG: A New Multiplayer Studio

Team LFG, a new addition to the PlayStation Studios family, was officially announced by Herman Holtz from the PS Block. Originating from Bungie, Team LFG brings together seasoned developers from various successful franchises such as Destiny, Halo, League of Legends, Fortnite, Roblox, and Rec Room. The studio is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, with team members operating both onsite and remotely across the US and Canada.

Herman Holtz (00:00): "We're passionate about exceptional action-based gameplay, moment-to-moment game feel, and richly social virtual worlds."

Team LFG's Vision: The studio aims to create immersive multiplayer worlds that foster friendship, community, and belonging. Their first project is a team-based action game inspired by fighting games, platformers, MOBAs, life sims, and "frog type games," set in a new mythic science fantasy universe.

Team LFG Representative (13:05): "That's the good stuff."

The studio emphasizes community involvement through early access playtests and live service models, ensuring that player feedback continuously shapes the game's development and growth.

Destiny 2 Renegades: A Star Wars-Themed Expansion

Destiny 2 is set to receive a significant expansion titled Renegades, expected to launch before the end of 2025. Reported by Ethan Gatch from Kotaku and corroborated by Blessing Adeoye Jr., the expansion draws heavy inspiration from the Star Wars universe.

Andy (28:32): "Destiny 2 Renegades. An expansion coming in December, complete with lightsabers and a destination that looks very reminiscent of Tatooine."

Key Features of Renegades:

• Introduction of lightsabers and iconic Star Wars weaponry.
• A lawless frontier within the Destiny solar system, echoing the sci-fi western style of Star Wars.
• Skins for Darth Vader and other Star Wars villains included in the Destiny 2 Year Prophecy Ultimate Edition.

Though Bungie has not confirmed an official collaboration with Lucasfilm, the expansion promises a rich blend of Destiny's iconic shooter mechanics with Star Wars-inspired elements, potentially expanding Destiny 2's universe in exciting new directions.

EA's Strategic Release Windows for Battlefield and Skate

Electronic Arts (EA) has outlined its release strategy for two major titles: Battlefield and Skate.

Battlefield:

• Next installment set for release by March 2026.
• A full public reveal is anticipated to take place during the summer.
• Andrew Wilson, EA CEO, emphasized the game's role in delivering next-generation blockbuster entertainment.

Skate:

• Scheduled for release within the next financial year, ending April 2026.
• Early access is expected to commence later this calendar year.

Andrew Wilson (44:33): "Our objective is always developing and delivering incredible quality and exponential value to our player base."

Pricing Strategy: Despite industry trends towards increasing game prices, EA has stated that it currently has no plans to raise prices for its games. The company aims to balance quality and value, catering to a diverse range of players from free-to-play enthusiasts to those purchasing deluxe editions.

Andrew Wilson (44:33): "Whether we're doing something that costs a dollar or we're doing something that just costs $10, we're doing something that costs $100, our objective is always developing and delivering incredible quality and exponential value to our player base."

Discussions on EA's Pricing and Market Impact

The hosts engage in a thoughtful discussion about EA's stance on game pricing, debating the potential implications for the broader gaming market. Blessing raises concerns about the sustainability of annual releases at high price points, particularly referencing EA's success with franchises like FIFA and EAFC.

Blessing (35:19): "I think they're having a conversation regarding, does this finally go free to play... but I don't hope this isn't like scoped... like crazy."

Andy expresses skepticism about the likelihood of EA shifting to a free-to-play model, given the continued revenue from microtransactions in existing titles.

Andy (51:16): "I don't foresee things changing for a while. My question about going free to play or the thing that I'm kind of doubting that the free to play model will even happen is because the numbers are still there for games like Madden and, you know, NCAA had a successful year."

The conversation highlights the delicate balance EA must maintain between maximizing revenue and retaining player goodwill, especially in the competitive landscape of annual sports titles.

Elden Ring Movie Rumors: Alex Garland at the Helm?

Rumors have surfaced regarding a potential Elden Ring film directed by Alex Garland. An article from Nexus Point News, later retracted, claimed Garland is set to direct the adaptation with shooting planned for 2026. These claims were further complicated by additional reports from Gaming Leaks and Rumors and endorsements from film journalist Jeff Snyder.

Andy (54:12): "There's the chance of this happening is not zero."

However, both A24 and Sophia Shin have declined to comment, leaving the veracity of these rumors uncertain. The hosts discuss the challenges of adapting a game like Elden Ring, which relies heavily on experiential storytelling and open-world exploration, into a linear film format.

Blessing (60:40): "It's something that I would be excited about, but I'm not in any way being like, no, you had the perfect recipe with this director and this story."

The potential collaboration remains speculative, with the hosts expressing both curiosity and reservations about how well Alex Garland's directing style would translate Elden Ring's intricate narrative and expansive universe to the big screen.

Leaked Photos: Microsoft and Asus's Xbox Handheld

Leaked images have emerged of the Asus ROG Ally 2, believed to be part of Microsoft's Project Canon—the Xbox-branded handheld gaming device.

Andy (63:00): "The first photos of the asus Rog Rog Ally 2 have surfaced online thanks to regulatory listings, but with a twist. There are two versions of the gaming handheld and one features a dedicated Xbox button."

Key details from the leaks include:

• Design Variants: A black version featuring a dedicated Xbox button and a white version without it.
• Specifications: 7-inch 120Hz LCD display, eight-core processor.
• Availability: Listings traced to Indonesian certificate and FCC filings, indicating imminent release.

The hosts express excitement about the potential features and speculate on how this device will compete in the handheld market, especially against the Steam Deck series.

Additional News Highlights

Sales Milestones:

• Split Fiction has sold 4 million copies, marking it as a significant success in its genre.
• Hollow Knight has surpassed 3 million sales, positioning it as the 19th most reviewed game on Steam.

New Studio Formation:

• Former Probably Monsters Devs have established a new studio named Zun Zoom Studios, hinting at future projects and innovations within the indie game scene.

Elden Ring Switch Port:

• Reports from Famitsu suggest an upcoming Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring for the Nintendo Switch and other consoles, featuring new classes and armors.

Host Interactions and Super Chats

Throughout the episode, hosts Andy and Blessing engage in lively discussions, often tangentially covering topics like volleyball strategies and the nuances of game genres. They also interact with listener super chats, addressing questions about game pricing, the impact of blockbuster releases like GTA 6 on the gaming industry, and humorous anecdotes related to gaming culture.

Jake Collado (Super Chat at 74:38): "Thanks for presenting the news and making the average workday go a bit faster. You guys are all awesome."

Their camaraderie and responsive dialogue add a personal touch to the news coverage, making the episode both informative and entertaining.

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily provides a comprehensive overview of significant developments in the gaming industry, from PlayStation's strategic studio launch to EA's game release plans and intriguing rumors about Elden Ring's cinematic adaptation. The hosts' insightful commentary and interactive segments ensure that listeners receive a well-rounded perspective on the current state and future of video games.

Notable Quotes:

• Herman Holtz (00:00): "We're passionate about exceptional action-based gameplay, moment-to-moment game feel, and richly social virtual worlds."
• Team LFG Representative (13:05): "That's the good stuff."
• Andrew Wilson (44:33): "Whether we're doing something that costs a dollar or we're doing something that just costs $10, we're doing something that costs $100, our objective is always developing and delivering incredible quality and exponential value to our player base."
• Blessing (35:19): "I think they're having a conversation regarding, does this finally go free to play... but I don't hope this isn't like scoped... like crazy."
• Jake Collado (Super Chat at 74:38): "Thanks for presenting the news and making the average workday go a bit faster. You guys are all awesome."

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, sponsor messages, and non-content sections to focus solely on the core discussions and news presented during the podcast episode.