Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast Summary
Episode: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Announcement is HAPPENING
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr.

1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Remake Announcement

Timestamp: [07:34] – [22:27]

The episode kicks off with a major announcement that has the hosts buzzing with excitement: a remake of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4 is imminent. Tim Gettys expresses his enthusiasm, highlighting the positive reception of the remakes of the first two games released in 2020. He remarks, “I absolutely loved it. It was great. It sold incredibly well on all those systems” ([09:40]).

Andy Cortez adds that the remakes feature enhanced visuals and a new engine, making them feel like brand-new games: “It looks like a brand new video game” ([14:21]). The discussion delves into the potential for a reimagining of Tony Hawk’s Underground, with Tim advocating for a more open and narrative-driven experience akin to the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro Reignited Trilogy successes.

Greg Miller chimes in, reminiscing about iconic moments from the original games and expressing hope that the remake will capture the same magic: “It's the one that I've been warned about the most of it, not of it being the worst. And it was also the one that was not led by Hidetaka Miyazaki because he was working on Bloodborne” ([04:05]).

The hosts speculate on the involvement of Iron Galaxy, the studio handling the remakes, and discuss the implications of the countdown on the official Tony Hawk website, which hints at an imminent announcement: “The official site for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater then updated to have a countdown clock to 10am Pacific Time on March 4, 2025” ([11:00]).

2. NetEase Studios Facing Potential Closures

Timestamp: [31:14] – [38:57]

The conversation shifts to the concerning news that over a dozen NetEase studios, including notable names like Nagoshi Studios and Quantic Dream, are at risk of closure. Tim Gettys summarizes the situation: “Numerous NetEase studios... are reportedly at risk of closure after the Chinese publisher decided to divest its international operations” ([33:00]).

Andy Cortez draws parallels to the volatile nature of VC funding in esports, noting the unpredictability and the impact on talented developers: “It reminds me so much of the boom of VC money in esports... Suddenly it's like me canceling a Netflix subscription” ([34:14]).

Tim elaborates on NetEase's strategic shift, suggesting that the company might be streamlining its operations to focus more on the Chinese market: “They are actively shopping around its non-Chinese studios” ([35:27]). The hosts express their concern for the industry and the potential loss of creative talent, with Andy lamenting the unfulfilled potential of these studios: “It was just bad news all around” ([35:27]).

3. Assassin’s Creed Shadows Leak

Timestamp: [38:57] – [43:30]

A significant breach in security leads to the leak of Assassin’s Creed Shadows a month before its official release. Tim Gettys reports: “Assassin's Creed Shadows leaked online with people streaming the game a month before its official release” ([38:48]).

Andy Cortez underscores the severity of the leak, mentioning how unauthorized early access can harm sales and the game's reception: “This also makes you even more bummed out” ([39:19]). The hosts discuss the challenges Ubisoft faces in securing its projects, emphasizing the negative impact of such leaks: “This is a company and a game that do not need any more bad news” ([40:34]).

Tim and Andy express their hope that Ubisoft can mitigate the fallout and deliver a successful game despite the early disclosure, with Tim asserting, “I hope that this all gets straightened out” ([40:46]).

4. Spider-Man 3 and Yuri Lowenthal’s Commitment

Timestamp: [43:30] – [44:38]

The discussion moves to the Spider-Man franchise, specifically addressing comments from Yuri Lowenthal, the voice actor for Peter Parker. Tim Gettys shares that Lowenthal has assured fans that Peter Parker will remain a central character in the next installment, rejecting the notion of him being sidelined in favor of Miles Morales: “Yuri Lowenthal... has suggested the character won't play second fiddle to Miles Morales in the next series entry” ([43:16]).

Andy Cortez highlights the importance of this commitment for fans who prefer Peter Parker's character, hoping that the upcoming game will honor his legacy: “I hope... that this game's good” ([40:57]). The hosts discuss Lowenthal’s passion for the role and his relationship with the fan community, reinforcing the expectation that Peter Parker will continue to be a prominent figure in the series.

5. WE News: Recap of Additional Stories

Timestamp: [49:53] – [54:50]

In the WE News segment, the hosts briefly cover a variety of smaller but noteworthy gaming updates:

• Steam Demo and Releases: Real World is receiving a Steam demo with a planned summer 2025 release. Wheel World has released its demo, previously known as Ghost Bikes. Skin Deep Photography SIM is out today, followed by its May 28th release on PC, Xbox, and PS5 ([50:04]).

• Upcoming Remakes and Remasters: The discussion touches on the anticipation surrounding the Persona series, with mounting evidence for a Persona 4 remake and the continued success of previous remasters like Persona 3 Reloaded ([54:07]).

• Regulatory Changes: Balatro wins an appeal to reclassify their poker game from an 18+ rating to PEGI 12, highlighting ongoing discussions about game content and age ratings ([54:38]).

6. Listener Super Chats and Casual Talk

Timestamp: [56:00] – [65:22]

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts engage with listener super chats, addressing various comments and questions:

• Apparel Shout-Out: A listener praises Tim Gettys for wearing hoodies, prompting Andy to joke about gifting him a branded hoodie ([58:09]).

• Game Recommendations: Listeners inquire about games like Mecca Break and Valor Pro, leading Andy to explain his experiences and preferences with back paddles for controllers ([59:04]).

• Upcoming Events: The hosts discuss the Final Fantasy Rebirth concert, expressing interest in attending despite high ticket prices ([61:32]).

• Content Discussions: Conversations about potential content in remakes, such as the inclusion of characters from Jackass in the Tony Hawk series, and playful banter about future game features ([65:19]).

7. Concluding Remarks

Timestamp: [65:22] – [66:51]

The episode wraps up with reflections on iconic figures in skateboarding and gaming, such as Rodney Mullen, and a nod to upcoming streams and content related to Predator and Alien:

• Rodney Mullen: Greg Miller recommends the Tony Hawk documentary for its insightful interviews with skating legends like Rodney Mullen: “He really is so into this... As a badge of honor” ([67:04]).

• Future Content: Excitement builds for upcoming interviews and content, with the hosts teasing more discussions and previews in future episodes: “We have a lot of previews. We have a lot of things happening next fest” ([49:26]).

Notable Quotes

• Tim Gettys on Tony Hawk Remakes:
  “I absolutely loved it. It was great. It sold incredibly well on all those systems.” ([09:40])

• Andy Cortez on NetEase Volatility:
  “It reminds me so much of the boom of VC money in esports... Suddenly it's like me canceling a Netflix subscription.” ([34:14])

• Yuri Lowenthal’s Commitment to Peter Parker:
  “I don't think that's what's going to happen now. I don't think that's the last we're going to see of Peter.” ([43:58])

• Tim Gettys on Assassin’s Creed Leak Impact:
  “This is a company and a game that do not need any more bad news.” ([40:34])

Conclusion

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, the hosts delve into significant developments in the gaming world, from the highly anticipated Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater remakes to the troubling potential closures of NetEase studios. They also address a major leak in the Assassin’s Creed series and discuss the evolving role of Peter Parker in the Spider-Man franchise. Complementing these discussions are lighter segments covering additional news, listener interactions, and upcoming events, making for a comprehensive and engaging episode for gaming enthusiasts.