Kinda Funny Games Daily: "What's On Your Gaming Backlog?" – December 5, 2024

Hosted by Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr., the latest episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily delves into the ever-growing world of gaming backlogs, industry updates, and upcoming events. This detailed summary captures the essence of their lively discussions, interspersed with notable quotes and insights.

1. Managing Gaming Backlogs

Tim Gettys opens the episode by addressing the common struggle gamers face with backlogs. Tim shares his perspective on not stressing about his list, stating, "I still got a couple weeks. Who knows how many games I'm going to beat in the next two weeks?" ([02:12]).

Andy Cortez echoes similar sentiments, highlighting the overwhelming number of games he aims to tackle: "There's a lot of backlog right now. Shit, I gotta add Prince of Persia to that backlog." ([02:21]).

The hosts discuss specific titles in their queues:

• Prince of Persia: The Fallen King: Andy mentions his progress, "Prison. Prison. Lost Gun. Stellar Blade. I'm in the final hours." ([04:38]).

• Nine Souls: Andy critiques the animation quality, contrasting it with games that utilize hand-animated characters: "It's easy to make a puppet tool look bad." ([05:00]).

• Arco: Tim introduces Arco, a highly-rated exploration RPG praised for its unique combat system. He describes it as, "a real fascinating combat system that a lot of people enjoy." ([09:46]).

• Anton Blast: Tim recommends Anton Blast as “a game that a lot of people that watch Kinda Funny would enjoy” ([10:19]).

2. Spotlight on New Releases

Anton Blast emerges as a favorite among the hosts. Tim describes it as a blend of Wario Land and Crash Bandicoot, emphasizing its vibrant art style and engaging gameplay mechanics. He notes, "It's incredibly fast-paced. It plays as much like a 2D platformer as it does a kart racer." ([10:21]).

Battle Shapers is another title Andy highlights, drawing comparisons to Doom and Mega Man. He explains the game's rogue-lite nature and boss mechanics: "It's a first-person Mega Man. A lot of bullet hell style stuff with first-person action really, really fast." ([12:40]).

3. Industry News and Updates

Foam Stars Ends Its Run

The hosts discuss the announcement that Foam Stars is concluding after its current season. Tim Gettys summarizes, "Square Enix has confirmed that the party goes on season... will be the final new season of content." ([19:46]). They reflect on the lifecycle of multiplayer games, with Andy expressing sadness but acknowledging the positive nature of the game's closure.

Evercade Partners with SNK

Tim shares exciting news about Evercade’s new partnership with SNK Corporation, aiming to release Neo Geo licensed products in 2025 and 2026. He remarks, "The Evercade's cool Kev. They have a real nice design aesthetic with their products." ([26:19]).

Electronic Arts’ Accessibility Push

A significant highlight is EA’s expansion of its accessibility patents. Tim explains, "Electronic Arts has added a further 23 patents to its ongoing patent pledge... any other game developer can use these patents without having to pay any money or risk being sued." ([42:36]).

The new technologies include:

• Intelligent Personalized Speech Recognition: Enhances speech recognition tailored to individual users.
• Emotion-Based Music Style Change: Adjusts game soundtracks based on player emotions using deep learning.

Andy Cortez emphasizes the importance of such initiatives for smaller development teams: "It's massive for small teams... saving money and not having to hire additional team members." ([48:00]).

4. Upcoming Events and Performances

Snoop Dogg at The Game Awards

A much-anticipated segment covers Snoop Dogg’s performance at The Game Awards. Tim Gettys expresses his enthusiasm: "He performed at the Game Awards... This is a big get from my main man, Jeff Keeley." ([37:00]).

Andy speculates on the performance’s content and potential audience reactions, while also sharing humorous takes on managing the live event with an expanded cast: "We're going to need room, man. We're going to have six people on this set." ([41:37]).

5. Personal Anecdotes and Community Engagement

Throughout the episode, the hosts share personal stories, such as an encounter with a pushy taxi driver in Vegas who unexpectedly connected with their gaming interests ([30:31]). They also engage with listener super chats, discussing game preferences and community questions about titles like Marvel Rivals and GTA 6.

6. End-of-Episode Highlights

In the final segments, Tim and Andy reflect on the episode's discussions and tease upcoming content, including live streams and reviews. They wrap up with a lighthearted look at their set-up and camaraderie, ensuring listeners stay tuned for future episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Gettys ([02:12]): "I still got a couple weeks. Who knows how many games I'm going to beat in the next two weeks?"

• Andy Cortez ([05:00]): "It's easy to make a puppet tool look bad."

• Tim Gettys ([09:46]): "Arco is a real fascinating combat system that a lot of people enjoy."

• Tim Gettys ([19:46]): "Square Enix has confirmed that the party goes on season... will be the final new season of content."

• Tim Gettys ([42:36]): "Electronic Arts has added a further 23 patents to its ongoing patent pledge... any other game developer can use these patents without having to pay any money or risk being sued."

• Tim Gettys ([37:00]): "He performed at the Game Awards... This is a big get from my main man, Jeff Keeley."

Conclusion

The December 5th episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily offers a comprehensive look into current gaming trends, challenges with backlogs, industry partnerships, and significant advancements in game accessibility. The hosts' engaging banter and insightful commentary provide both entertainment and valuable information for gamers looking to navigate their gaming experiences and stay updated with industry developments.

This summary is crafted to provide an engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the episode, highlighting the primary discussions and key takeaways.