Kinda Funny Games Daily 11.20.25

Episode Title: Steam Machine Will Be HOW MUCH?!
Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Blessing Adeoye Jr. & Andy Cortez

Episode Overview

In today's energetic episode, Blessing and Andy break down the hottest news in gaming: Valve’s new Steam Machine and its eyebrow-raising price speculation, Battlefield 6's record-breaking launch, and a detailed rundown of the 2025 Golden Joystick Award winners. Between deep dives into industry trends, the duo's witty banter keeps things fresh, while their honest takes on tech specs, hardware pricing, and game awards make this a can't-miss discussion for anyone following the modern gaming landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Steam Machine Pricing & Valve’s Approach

[09:39–22:54]

• Main Story: The anticipated Steam Machine from Valve will not follow traditional console pricing. Insider info and context suggest a price much higher than expected, likely $700 or more, possibly even up to $1,000.
• Specs: The machine will feature a 7600 CPU & GPU, 8GB VRAM, relying on AMD's FSR upscaling for 4K gaming.
• Industry Comparison: Valve appears unlikely to subsidize hardware as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have; while those companies offset costs through software revenue, Valve's model is different and less reliant on recurring revenue like PlayStation Plus or Game Pass.
• Consumer Perspective:
  • Andy: "If that's not close to ballpark, if that's not close to like where we're at, I’m really worried about that." [13:24]
  • Blessing: "Once we get into 800-900-1000, I don’t think there’s success for this thing in the way they want it." [15:07]
• Usage & Marketing: The machine is positioned as an "approachable" entry point for those intimidated by PC building, but at high prices, Andy and Blessing question its viability: "Why not just build my own PC? Who is this for?" [18:32]
• Community/Listener Interaction: The chat debates whether PlayStation 6 will also hit $700 or more.

2. Battlefield 6 Smashes U.S. Sales Records

[22:58–31:35]

• Historic Month: Battlefield 6 had the best single-month launch sales in the U.S. in the past three years, outselling recent Call of Duty entries in their debut months.
• Other Chart Highlights:
  • Pokémon Legends ZA is #2, notably only on physical sales (Nintendo doesn’t share digital figures); the hosts marvel at Pokémon’s persistent power.
  • The top 20 chart includes Red Dead Redemption 2 at #20 (still!), Grand Theft Auto V at #19, and recent releases (Little Nightmares 3, Ninja Gaiden 4, Outer Worlds 2).
• Borderlands 4: Despite strong sales, Andy notes it's strangely absent from multiplayer award nominations and current gamer conversation, reflecting on how the franchise’s relevance has shifted.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Blessing: "Pokemon Z to A is number two, not counting digital sales. Meaning this could be Pokemon in the headline if they told us what the digital sales were. That’s the power of Pokemon." [24:18]

3. Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Winners

[39:13–53:36]

• Award Rundown: Blessing and Andy recap and react live to key categories and winners.
  • Best Storytelling: Claire Obscure
  • Best Audio Design: Ghost of Yote
  • Best Multiplayer Game: Peak
  • Best Game Expansion: Lies of P: Overture
  • Best Indie: Claire Obscure Blueprints
  • Studio of the Year: Sandfall Interactive (Claire Obscure devs)
  • Best Remake/Remaster: Elder Scrolls IV Remaster
  • Best Hardware: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (over Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck Pro)
  • PC Game of the Year: Hollow Knight
  • Console Game of the Year: Ghost of Yote
  • Ultimate Game of the Year: Expedition 33
• Comedy Highlight: The hosts joke about the increasing complexity and funding behind "indie" development, and propose new fun categories for their own awards.
• Favorite Quote:
  • Andy: "[Claire Obscure] is about to have a lit award season. It’s about to be crazy." [52:35]

4. File Size Follies: Final Fantasy 7 & The Game Show

[53:36–62:12]

• Big Download Woes: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Integrate’s Switch 2 version will require upwards of 90–100GB, confirming huge modern file sizes and storage concerns.
• "Games With The Biggest File Sizes" Game Show: Andy surprises Blessing with a pop quiz on the games that top storage requirements.
  • Notable entries: Red Dead Redemption 2 (150GB), Call of Duty (~175GB), Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and the shock #1: DCS World on PC.
  • Blessing struggles hilariously, earning or losing pizza parties for every right/wrong answer.

5. WE News: Quick Hits

[62:12–65:39]

• Dispatch hits 2 million players.
• Silent Hill 2 Remake shadow drops on Xbox with a 50% discount.
• Avalanche closes Liverpool studio (Just Cause devs) after Contraband cancellation.
• PS5 Welcome Hub revamp brings new widgets and dynamic backgrounds.
• Alice Dupor Percier, vocalist for Claire Obscure and Expedition 33, is the 4th most-streamed female artist in the U.S.
• Thank Goodness You’re Here! is finally coming to Xbox December 9th.
• Inazuma 11: Victory Road sells over 500k.

6. Steam Machine Debate: Community Responses

[65:48–70:44]

• Viewers react and share their own skepticism about the Steam Machine's role, questioning its value versus building a PC, especially at $700–$1,000.
• Andy clarifies: "It is for ease of use. It’s the reason why people prefer consoles over PCs—plug-and-play." [67:59]
• Blessing wonders if Valve will take special steps to optimize games for the new hardware, similar to Steam Deck’s verification program.

7. Listener Super Chats & End-of-Show Banter

[70:44–73:00]

• Gift recommendations for a Magic: The Gathering fan: secret lairs, special collectors’ boxes, or themed precons.
• More jokes about ads and podcasts possibly using AI voices.
• A final shout-out to the show's producers and patrons before wrapping up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Steam Machine price:

  • Andy Cortez [13:24]: “This throws a lot of predictions out the window for me... I’m really worried about that.”
  • Blessing Adeoye Jr [15:07]: “Once we get past that, once we get into 800-900-1000, I don’t think there’s success for this thing...”

• On Battlefield 6’s surprise dominance:

  • Blessing Adeoye Jr [24:18]: “Pokemon Z to A is number two, not counting digital sales... That’s the power of Pokemon.”

• On Borderlands’ weird reception:

  • Andy Cortez [26:43]: “It’s crazy to me that game is always so popular... and for it not to even be [nominated] is kind of crazy.”

• On the Joystick awards:

  • Andy Cortez [52:35]: “Clear Obscure is about to have a lit award season. It’s about to be crazy.”

• File Size Game Show Antics:

  • Andy Cortez [55:00]: “Welcome everybody. To name the most games with the biggest file sizes!”
  • Blessing Adeoye Jr [60:04]: “Valhalla?”
  • Andy Cortez [60:05]: “Valhalla is number five!”

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Topic | Start | End | |---------------------------------------|------------|-------------| | Steam Machine Price Debate | 09:39 | 22:54 | | Battlefield 6 + U.S. Sales Charts | 22:58 | 31:35 | | Golden Joystick Awards 2025 Recap | 39:13 | 53:36 | | Final Fantasy 7 File Size + Quiz Game | 53:36 | 62:12 | | WE News & Quick Hit Stories | 62:12 | 65:39 | | Steam Machine Community Reactions | 65:48 | 70:44 | | Listener Super Chats & Wrap Up | 70:44 | End |

Episode Tone

Banter-heavy, playful, and occasionally incredulous—Andy and Blessing maintain their quick, joking rapport while offering savvy industry insight. Whether dissecting corporate marketing or poking fun at themselves (or Greg Miller’s gaming habits), the episode is as much a comedic performance as it is a news rundown.

Recommended For:

Anyone interested in where gaming hardware is headed, how giant franchises are performing, or simply looking for sharp, funny, real-time analysis of the industry’s latest events—with plenty of camaraderie and inside jokes to spare.