Kinda Funny Games Daily — October 28, 2025

Significant Layoffs at Amazon Games, Crash Bandicoot Animated Series, and More

Main Theme & Episode Purpose

This episode, hosted by Roger and Michael, focuses on major news in the video game industry—most notably, the significant layoffs at Amazon’s games division. The hosts break down what this means for Amazon’s strategy, the future of their projects like Tomb Raider and Lord of the Rings, and broader industry implications. Lighter fare includes the newly rumored Crash Bandicoot Netflix series, reflections on other game adaptations, and whether Hideo Kojima almost made a Matrix game. The show also covers trending industry stories like EA’s push for AI workplace integration and wraps up with a quick-fire roundup of smaller news.

Major Discussion Points and Insights

[09:45] Amazon Games Layoffs: What Happened and What’s Next?

• Background:
  Amazon has announced major cuts in its video game division as part of a broader move eliminating 14,000+ corporate jobs. The focus is on Irvine, San Diego, and the central publishing division.
• Strategic Refocusing:
  Amazon is reducing investment in big-budget (especially MMO) titles, focusing instead on Luna (cloud gaming), lighter, casual, and AI-powered games.
• Ongoing and Unaffected Projects:
  • Montreal studio continues March of Giants.
  • Crystal Dynamics working on a new Tomb Raider.
  • Maverick Games working on a racing title.
• Amazon's Track Record:
  While Amazon had some publishing hits (e.g., Lost Ark), they struggled to sustain momentum or break new ground.
• Recent Amazon Game Releases:
  • Courtroom Chaos (Luna, AI-powered, Snoop Dogg involvement) failed to make an impact.
  • King of Meats (party game, peaked at just 253 Steam players).

"That's a big. Unfortunate. That sucks to hear about layoffs, especially in a space with Amazon who felt like they were trying to throw their weight around just a couple years ago." — Michael [14:18]

• Why Is Amazon Doubling Down on Luna?
  Roger suspects Amazon is chasing Netflix’s model for casual, living room-based gaming bundled with existing subscriptions.

  "They see Netflix trying to get into the sphere of party games... get casual gaming into the hands of the millions already subscribing to Amazon." — Roger [15:05]

• The Risk for Premium IP:
  Michael is cautiously optimistic Tomb Raider and Lord of the Rings can survive the cull as “bread and butter” IP but Roger worries about Amazon’s fickle commitment.

  "What happens to Amazon and their commitment to video games when Tomb Raider... is just kind of like middle of the road?" — Roger [20:48]

• Cloud Gaming Comparison:
  Luna is positioned against Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now, and (the defunct) Stadia, but neither host knows a real gamer using Luna. Integration with Prime could make it accessible, but the lack of buzz means it may be a vehicle for casuals/families, not dedicated gamers.

Notable Quotes

"It's just unfortunate to start." — Michael [14:38]
"I don't believe in Amazon's commitment to gaming." — Roger [28:39]
"It seems like this pulling back of the Triple A…realizing this is not a space they're going to make a f*** ton of money." — Roger [17:03]

[31:27] Netflix Developing Crash Bandicoot Animated Series?

• Polygon reports Netflix is “quietly developing” an animated Crash Bandicoot show, produced by Wild Brain (Sonic Prime, Carmen Sandiego, upcoming Minecraft).
• Both hosts consider this a natural fit:

  "This seems like a slam dunk—a layup, some would call this." — Michael [33:36]

• They reminisce and hype up Crash Bandicoot’s return, referencing Crash 4 and the multiplayer party game.
• Roger appreciates more game adaptations:

  "I always think it's so important to have these now adaptations and these other pieces of media with these franchises, especially ones that are not being actively, you know, continued." [34:04]

Notable/Funny Moments

• Discussion of Netflix's appetite for adapting "every IP", suggesting Banjo-Kazooie, Bad Fur Day, Blinx the Time Sweeper as future candidates.
• Carmen Sandiego shoutouts and mockery of "brute force" adaptation ideas.

[39:34] Did Kojima Almost Make a Matrix Game?

• Wachowskis reportedly approached Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear creator) to design a Matrix game, but Konami didn't want Kojima diverted from Metal Gear. There’s some dispute about how serious the talks got.
• Hosts agree it was the right call for both sides, considering the success of Metal Gear and notable Matrix games that eventually released.

"I'd love Hideo Kojima working on a Matrix game... but on the flip side... We got a hit here. We're not stopping that and we're not getting distracted." — Michael [39:38]

[41:05] EA's Internal AI Push and Employee Concerns

• Business Insider reports internal unrest as EA executives push AI integration for code, art, and even sensitive HR communication (e.g., using AI to tell staff they didn’t get a raise).
• These changes lead to layoffs and concern about quality.
• Hosts are disturbed, especially by dystopian use of AI for human interaction and reviews.

  "If I'm going to AI to be like, 'How do I tell this guy he's fired?' Give me a good sentence, homie. You're not the guy. You're not the human being for that role." — Michael [44:42]

• Roger maintains some hope:

  "A small part of me...hopes that they see this and see it’s not making them any money so then they pull back." — Roger [46:56]

[49:13] “We News” Quick Hits

Roundup of smaller or breaking stories:

• Dontnod signs with Netflix to make a narrative game based on a major IP (potentially Stranger Things or Squid Game).
• GOG's preservation program expands (classics like Hitman, OG Tomb Raider, Spore).
• Monument Valley 3 gets free DLC (“The Garden of Life”).
• Antonblast coming to PlayStation (2026), Sayonara Wild Hearts/Lorelei and The Laser Eyes coming to Switch 2.
• Escape from Duck Off hits 2M sales—discussion about the term “friend slop”.
• Battlefield 6 Red Sack’s (F2P battle royale) Season 1 launches.

Memorable Quotes & Lighthearted Moments

(with timestamps)

• "Can you believe Luna still exists? ...That is one that I think we saw coming. And we're like, oof, that's not going to. That's not going to last too long." — Roger [15:05]
• "It seems like Netflix just has infinite money and they don't give a f***. Like, they're just like, we will take any garbage IP you have and we will make it into something." — Roger [36:56]
• "[On EA’s AI policy] You're not the human being for that role." — Michael [44:42]
• "If I'm looking for something smaller...let's take you to 'we news.'" — Roger [48:59]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |---------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 09:45 | Breaking down Amazon's games layoffs & strategy | | 20:48 | Risks for Tomb Raider & AAA commitments | | 31:27 | Crash Bandicoot animated Netflix series rumor | | 39:34 | Kojima & The Matrix "what if" scenario | | 41:05 | EA's AI-driven workplace: ethical concerns | | 49:13 | “We News” lightning round: headlines & preservation | | 54:44 | Audience Q&A, Super Chats, funny tangents |

Conclusion & Tone Summary

Roger and Michael tackle tough industry news with empathy for laid-off workers and skepticism for mega-corporate video game ambitions (especially Amazon’s). Their tone is casual, irreverent, and friendly, balancing deep dives about business models with riffs, nostalgia, and fun tangents about cartoons and multiplayer “friend slop.” The show embodies Kinda Funny’s trademark style: knowledgeable, opinionated, and always ready to make video game news entertaining.

For New Listeners

• If you want a smart, honest roundup of today's biggest video game news (presented with a healthy dose of humor and skepticism), this episode is for you.
• The most important takeaway: The video games industry is changing fast, with huge companies pivoting strategies, experimenting with AI, and the streaming wars extending into games and adaptations. But the Kinda Funny crew is here to break it all down, keep it real, and remind us that—through layoffs, metaverse aspirations, and all—the games and the fun endure.