Podcast Summary: Kinda Funny Games Daily – "Report: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Releases Next Week" (04.15.25)

Release Date: April 15, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Introduction

Kinda Funny Games Daily kicks off this episode with the hosts diving into a mix of personal anecdotes and the day's hot gaming news. Greg Miller and Blessing Adeoye Jr. share light-hearted banter about Tax Day before transitioning into the core topics of the episode.

Main News Items

1. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Release

Timestamp: 11:41 – 23:25

The primary focus of today's episode is the imminent release of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, scheduled for next week. The hosts discuss the leak of remastered images and the details surrounding the release.

• Leak Details:
  According to Ash Paris Parish from The Verge (11:41), leaked images from Virtuous—a developer associated with Bethesda—indicate that Oblivion Remastered is set for a late spring or early summer release. These images showcase enhanced environments and updated box art, suggesting significant graphical improvements.

• Remaster vs. Remake Debate:
  Greg and Blessing engage in a detailed discussion about whether the project qualifies as a remaster or a remake. Blessing leans towards it feeling more like a remake due to substantial changes in the game's assets and environments. Greg concurs, noting that while it’s labeled a remaster, the updates appear more extensive, akin to how Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was revitalized using Unreal Engine 5 (22:22).

• Community Reactions:
  The conversation highlights varying community expectations. Some fans, like Kebabs (14:10), believe it should be a full remake, while others are excited regardless of the extent of changes. Victor’s Super Chat (29:28) expresses high anticipation, positioning the remastered Oblivion as a potential standout release.

• Impact on Modding Community:
  A poignant moment arises when Greg references Skyblivion, a fan-driven project aiming to remake Oblivion within the Skyrim engine. Blessing empathizes with the team behind Skyblivion, discussing how official remasters can overshadow fan projects, but also acknowledging that official releases can bring Oblivion to a broader audience (30:02).

Notable Quotes:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. (14:31): "These images strike me as more remake than remaster. It looks substantial."
• Greg Miller (22:03): "If it's just a visual overlay, then that is definitely just a remaster."

2. Shuhei Yoshida’s Reaction to Nintendo Switch 2

Timestamp: 38:06 – 44:59

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida shares his candid thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, expressing disappointment over its perceived lack of innovation.

• Mixed Signals from Nintendo:
  Yoshida criticizes Nintendo for seemingly losing its unique identity by focusing on incremental hardware improvements rather than groundbreaking innovations. He highlights that the Switch 2 offers better specifications—such as a larger screen and more powerful processor—but lacks the novel experiences that Nintendo is known for (38:06).

• Comparison to Past Nintendo Strategies:
  The hosts compare Yoshida’s sentiments to Nintendo's historical approaches, referencing the Virtual Boy and Wii U as examples where Nintendo took bold steps that didn’t always pay off. Blessing underscores the importance of Nintendo maintaining its quirky and experimental edge, which has led to successes like Ring Fit Adventure and Labo kits (44:59).

• Future Expectations:
  Greg suggests that while Yoshida's critique is valid, Nintendo will likely continue its tradition of unique hardware integrations. He anticipates future innovations stemming from the Switch 2’s capabilities, albeit with uncertainty about how revolutionary these will be (46:36).

Notable Quotes:

• Shuhei Yoshida (38:06): "I think Nintendo is losing their identity... they're just making a better Switch."
• Greg Miller (44:39): "Shuhei's a very high up at PlayStation... I think he might actually be underselling how revolutionary Nintendo is."

3. Assassin's Creed Shadows Sales Success

Timestamp: 47:03 – 54:52

Assassin's Creed Shadows emerges as the second best-selling game of the year in the United States, trailing only behind Monster Hunter Wilds.

• Sales Performance:
  According to Matt Piscatella from vgc (47:03), Assassin's Creed Shadows has dominated retail charts, maintaining the top spot for its first three weeks. It has surpassed other Ubisoft titles, including Star Wars Outlaws, and achieved the biggest physical launch of the year ahead of Monster Hunter Wilds (47:21).

• Development Challenges and Reception:
  Despite a protracted development period and several delays, the game received strong reviews and positive player sentiment, contributing to its commercial success. However, Greg admits a personal disconnect, mentioning he prefers titles like Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Brotherhood, and finds Shadows less engaging (48:43).

• Future Sales Projections:
  The hosts discuss the likelihood of Assassin's Creed Shadows maintaining its sales momentum, with possible challenges from upcoming releases like Night Rain and Borderlands. Blessing points out that while Monster Hunter Wilds has a broad and growing audience, Assassin's Creed Shadows appeals to a specific niche, potentially limiting its long-term dominance (54:10).

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Piscatella (47:21): "Assassin's Creed Shadows has been the best-selling video game in the US for each of its first three weeks."
• Greg Miller (48:37): "I walked away from [Shadows]. So I'm happy people are connected..."

4. The Last of Us Season Two Premiere Viewership

Timestamp: 55:02 – 58:28

The highly anticipated second season premiere of HBO's The Last of Us outperforms its first season in viewership, signaling a strong reception.

• Viewership Statistics:
  Evan Campbell from Gamespot (55:02) reports that the season two premiere drew 5.3 million viewers in the US on the day of its release, a 10% increase over the first season's debut. Overall, the show has amassed 32 million views, marking the most-watched HBO and Max series premiere to date (56:41).

• Comparison to Other Shows:
  The Last of Us surpasses previous high-profile series premieres, only falling short of House of the Dragon (55:02). This success underscores the growing trend of video game adaptations thriving in mainstream media (56:46).

• Minecraft Movie Success:
  Additionally, the Minecraft movie continues its strong performance, grossing $550 million worldwide. Greg and Blessing briefly touch on the success of video game adaptations, noting their increasing popularity despite varying quality (56:46).

Notable Quotes:

• Evan Campbell (55:02): "The Last of Us Season 2 premiere represents a 10% increase over Season 1."
• Greg Miller (56:46): "Video game adaptations are killing it."

5. Additional News: Game Releases, Pre-orders, and Industry Updates

Timestamp: 59:05 – 67:29

The hosts cover a range of other gaming news, including upcoming game releases, pre-order information, and industry layoffs.

• Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders:
  Canadian retailers are set to begin pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 next week, as reported by Bill Coon from gamesindustry.biz. However, details about its availability in the US and pricing remain undisclosed (59:05).

• Industry Layoffs:
  The Escapist has undergone additional layoffs, a concerning trend in the gaming media sector. The hosts express sympathy for those affected, highlighting the volatility within the industry (59:05).

• New Game Pass Releases:
  Upcoming titles on Xbox Game Pass include GTA V, Crime Scene Cleaner, and Tempopo, among others. Greg emphasizes the diverse range of games being added, catering to various gamer interests (59:23).

• Super Chats and Community Interactions:
  Throughout the segment, the hosts interact with viewers’ Super Chats, addressing personal stories, humorous comments, and support messages. Notable interactions include concerns about Greg’s "Stars in the Bank" and viewer experiences with health issues (63:58 – 67:29).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Miller (62:02): "They just told you, you have to feel OK being sad about this open. It sucks but we have to move on."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. (62:38): "April 17th, we're getting Indiana Jones. In a couple of weeks, we're getting Forza."

Community Interaction Highlights

The episode is peppered with engaging interactions with the audience through Super Chats, where listeners share personal anecdotes, humorous remarks, and feedback. Greg and Blessing respond with empathy and humor, fostering a strong sense of community.

Notable Interactions:

• Omega Buster (64:11): Shares a humorous take on Greg’s ongoing "Stars in the Bank" joke.
• DJ Kento (65:34): Opens up about a health issue, prompting heartfelt concern from the hosts.
• Max Lem Game (66:45): Compliments on a sticker, showcasing community support and creativity.

Conclusion

Kinda Funny Games Daily wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of community support and encouraging listeners to subscribe and become members. The hosts tease upcoming segments, including a sponsored Lost Skies stream and a review of Final Fantasy 10 with Tim and Mike, signaling a continuation of engaging and diverse content in future episodes.

Final Remarks: This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily provided an in-depth look into the gaming landscape of April 2025, highlighting major releases, industry sentiments, and the enduring passion of the gaming community. With a blend of news analysis and personal interactions, Greg and Blessing delivered an informative and entertaining session for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.