Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Game News Podcast

Episode: "Star Wars Eclipse Studio is Doing WHAT?!"

Date: October 16, 2025

Hosts: Blessing Adeoye Jr., Snowbike Mike, (with appearances from Greg Miller and Tim Gettys)

Episode Overview

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily dives into the surprising pivot by Quantic Dream—the studio behind narrative-heavy hits like Detroit: Become Human and the much-anticipated Star Wars Eclipse—announcing a new multiplayer MOBA-like project, Spellcasters Chronicles. The hosts, Blessing and Snowbike Mike, explore their reactions to Quantic Dream’s genre shift, the state of Star Wars Eclipse, and what it means for the studio’s identity. The show also covers Sony’s foiled attempts to secure a Last of Us mobile adaptation, recent industry news, and the hosts’ lively debate about the state (and future) of major franchises like Pokémon, Battlefield, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pokémon Z-A and the Voice Acting Debate

• Opening Banter:

  • The episode opens with Pokémon Day chatter. Mike laments the lack of voice acting in Pokémon Z-A, noting the "long first hour" and how its heavy cinematics feel jarring without spoken dialogue.
  • Blessing counters:
    • “It’s not like it’s fucking Disco Elysium here – it’s Pokémon.” (04:44)
  • Both agree Pokémon games need to modernize, especially given the production values of the anime and competing titles.

• Discussions include:

  • The tradition of minimal reading/voice acting in Pokémon and whether it still holds up in 2025.
  • The debate finishes with a consensus: every Pokémon fan wants voice acting, but the lack stems more from annualized development crunch and smaller budgets than design intention.
    • “There’s definitely a bigger conversation here about why doesn’t Pokémon have voice acting … my speculation would be just pure development time.” (26:28, Blessing)

2. Quantic Dream’s Surprising Multiplayer Pivot: Spellcasters Chronicles

[12:53–23:02]

• Announcement Reaction:

  • Quantic Dream, known for narrative adventures, unveils its first-ever free-to-play multiplayer MOBA, Spellcasters Chronicles, described as a 3v3 arena battler with deck-building elements.

    • “A multiplayer coming from Quantic Dream. I don't think anyone would have predicted here ... I don't think anyone's looking at this going, ‘I saw this coming.’” (13:31, Mike)

  • Blessing’s skepticism:

    • “Quantic Dream is such an interesting, strange studio… does this look good to you?” (13:52, Blessing)

  • Both hosts note the genre’s crowdedness and the challenge of gaining (and keeping) player attention amid giants like League, Dota, and Marvel Rivals.

    • “Most importantly, it’s hard to get people to drop the games that they already love… once that wears off by day eight, do you still have the staying power?” (15:09, Mike)

• On Studio Identity:

  • Blessing wonders if Quantic Dream is sacrificing its strengths for a risky trend:

    • “Are we in another place where a studio is … chasing after a bag in the wrong place?” (17:46, Blessing)

  • Mike suggests this is likely a side project, to help with cashflow and staff morale, drawing parallels to games like Bleeding Edge (Ninja Theory) and Obsidian’s Grounded.

3. The Lingering Mystery of Star Wars Eclipse

[19:12–22:48]

• The team reviews what’s known (not much) about Star Wars Eclipse, announced back in 2021.

• Blessing reads the official description promising “intricately branching action adventure” with multiple playable characters and strong consequence-driven narratives.

  • “That does sound like a Quantic Dream game … except for the action part.” (20:20, Blessing)

• Discussions center on how Eclipse may blend Quantic Dream’s narrative strengths with more mainstream action gameplay, and what financial or publishing pressures they might be facing post-PlayStation partnership.

• Forecast: The earliest realistic re-reveal for Eclipse is guessed as Summer 2026.

4. Sony’s Mobile Woes: The Last of Us Pitch That Wasn’t

[32:09–41:01]

• Sony reportedly flew to China to discuss a Last of Us mobile game with Tencent’s Aurora Studios, only to be pitched a Horizon clone instead.
• Blessing finds the whole scenario “hilarious”:
  • “It gives…like, you thought you were going on a first date, and then they pull the rug and you’re just watching Five Nights at Freddy’s lore instead.” (34:05, Blessing)
• Both hosts debate the fit of PlayStation IPs for mobile and question whether Sony’s mobile gambit can succeed given their history (Vita, PlayLink, VR) of under-supported initiatives.
  • “PlayStation is very good when they lock in and focus on the thing that's working for them. Just do what works.” (40:46, Blessing)

5. Industry News Roundup

[41:38–53:15]

• Notable headlines from the Roper Report’s “WE News” section:
  • Masahiro Sakurai (Super Smash Bros., Kirby) gets a manga biography. Blessing appreciates giving “legends their flowers while they’re still here.” (43:24, Blessing)
  • Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki passes away at 58; the team pays respects.
  • Battlefield 6 crushes launch sales: 7 million units in three days—biggest series debut ever.
    • Mike celebrates the turnaround, but warns: “Now you have a big challenge, you got to keep this audience ... people are loving this, and that's what I want you to say throughout the rest of the year.” (46:52, Mike)
  • Microsoft moving Xbox and Surface production out of China.
  • McDonald’s Japan launches Street Fighter-themed burgers.
  • US senators urge scrutiny over Saudi-led bid to acquire EA.

6. Open Q&A and Super Chats

[53:19–End]

• Fan questions on:
  • Mobile gaming, phone upgrade habits (Mike’s ancient iPhone 12), and mobile experiences.
  • The Halo/Call of Duty/Battlefield ecosystem and where shooters may evolve next.
  • Arena shooters: why they’ve faded and what could fill that gap (hosts recommend “the finals” and fondly recall Splitgate).
  • Differences between Digimon and Pokémon (Mike: “I’m nine hours into Digimon. I would encourage you to check out Digimon if you’re a digital monster. That’s good.” (56:56, Mike))

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Quantic Dream and the MOBA pivot:

  “Multiplayer coming from Quantic Dream. No one would have predicted here…”
  — Mike, 13:31

• Voice acting in Pokémon:

  “Every Pokémon fan I think would like voice acting at this point.”
  — Blessing, 25:42

• On studio identity crises:

  “Are we in another place where a studio is sacrificing their identity to chase after a bag in the wrong place?”
  — Blessing, 17:46

• On PlayStation’s mobile struggles:

  “PlayStation is very good when they lock in and focus on the thing that's working for them. Just do what works.”
  — Blessing, 40:46

• Battlefield 6’s revival:

  “It feels truly like it’s been ten years since Battlefield has really been up and been the one.”
  — Mike, 45:50

Time-stamped Highlights

• Voice Acting in Pokémon: 03:06–06:55
• Quantic Dream’s MOBA Reveal: 12:53–23:02
• Star Wars Eclipse Update: 19:12–22:48
• Sony’s Mobile Adaptation Snafu: 32:09–41:01
• Battlefield 6 Sales Milestone & Discussion: 44:58–51:08

Episode Tone & Style

The hosts keep a lively, irreverent, and passionate tone throughout—offering genuine industry insight while riffing on news, fan questions, and each other’s quirks (“I’m so ingrained in the Verizon ecosystem” – Mike, 54:34). They balance optimism for new releases with healthy skepticism about publisher moves and maintain a community-focused, conversational energy.

Closing

The episode rounds off with quick-fire fan responses, playful debates about mobile gaming and shooter nostalgia, and shoutouts to gaming legends and industry milestones.

“Until next time, Game Daily.”
— The Kinda Funny Games Daily team