Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast
Episode: Wonder Woman in Trouble, Batman Arkham Lives?!
Release Date: February 7, 2025

1. Introduction to Key Topics

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, hosts Greg Miller, Tim Gettys, and Blessing Adeoye Jr. delve into pressing issues within the gaming industry, focusing on the troubled development of the upcoming Wonder Woman game, Rocksteady Studios' return to the Batman franchise, and the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6).

2. Wonder Woman Game Development Issues

Blessing Adeoye Jr. opens the discussion by highlighting concerns surrounding the Wonder Woman video game. Reported issues include significant delays and budget overruns, casting doubt on whether the game will ever reach the market.

"The Wonder Woman game might be in trouble."
(00:30) - Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Key Points:

• Development Reboot: The project was reportedly rebooted last year, leading to a change in directors.
• Budget Concerns: Development costs have exceeded $100 million without a clear release timeline.
• Nemesis System: Monolith Productions plans to incorporate the acclaimed Nemesis system from their previous titles into the Wonder Woman game, aiming for a dynamic storytelling experience.

Greg Miller expresses skepticism about the feasibility of resolving these issues, emphasizing the challenges faced by Warner Bros. in managing large-scale game projects.

"If you don’t chase trends, you're gonna be okay. You're not gonna be rich maybe."
(27:09) - Greg Miller

3. Rocksteady Studios' Return to Batman

The podcast shifts focus to Rocksteady Studios, known for their successful Batman: Arkham series. Despite recent setbacks, including the commercial failure of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and recent layoffs, Rocksteady is reportedly developing a new single-player Batman game.

"Rocksteady is looking to return to Batman for a single player game."
(37:24) - Greg Miller

Key Points:

• Project Timeline: The new Batman game is years away from release, raising concerns about delays.
• Studio Challenges: Rocksteady has faced significant challenges, including layoffs and leadership changes, which may impact the project's success.
• Creative Direction: Hosts discuss potential storylines, suggesting that the new game could explore scenarios like Batman Beyond, offering fresh narratives separate from the Arkham series.

"I think a Beyond game would be sick."
(43:36) - Greg Miller

4. GTA 6 Release Confirmation

Greg Miller and Blessing Adeoye Jr. address the much-anticipated release of GTA 6. Contrary to industry rumors, Take-Two Interactive affirms that GTA 6 is still slated for a fall 2025 release.

"Grand Theft Auto 6 is still set to release in fall 2025."
(52:02) - Greg Miller

Key Points:

• Publisher Assurance: Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick remains confident about meeting the release window despite common delays in the industry.
• Platform Availability: GTA 6 will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
• Financial Impact: The confirmation aims to reassure fans and stakeholders, although skepticism about the timeline persists among hosts.

5. Roper Report: Additional Gaming News

The hosts present the Roper Report, covering a range of smaller yet significant gaming news items:

• Nintendo Switch 2 Enhancements: Patents reveal that new Joy-Con controllers may feature mouse-like functionality, potentially enhancing gameplay versatility.

  "Nintendo has designed a split controller with a more traditional console grip... suggesting mouse-like technology inside the controllers."
  (54:13) - Greg Miller

• Football Manager 25 Cancellation: Sports Interactive and Sega have canceled Football Manager 25, disappointing fans and critics alike.

  "Football Manager 25 is canceled and will shift focus to the next release."
  (56:06) - Greg Miller

• Smite Studio Layoffs: Rez Studio, known for Smite, is laying off 30 employees, highlighting ongoing challenges within game development studios.

• Upcoming Releases: Wario Land 4 is set to join the Nintendo Switch Online expansion pack on February 14th, while Dungeons of Hinterberg will launch on PlayStation 5 on March 13th.

6. Discussion on Warner Bros. Gaming Strategy

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing Warner Bros.' handling of their gaming division. The hosts argue that the company's overreliance on large IPs and trend-chasing has led to a lack of cohesive vision and several project failures.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. passionately argues for a shift towards supporting smaller, innovative studios rather than forcing all projects to fit within major IP frameworks.

"We need to stop making multi bajillion dollar million dollar games. It makes smaller experiences. They get out quicker."
(26:15) - Blessing Adeoye Jr.

Greg Miller echoes these sentiments, suggesting that Warner Bros. should emulate the successful approach of PlayStation in nurturing new IPs alongside established franchises.

"You have all these heroes and there's so much you can do with it. Should have another ultimate alliance from Marvel."
(26:21) - Greg Miller

7. Super Chat Highlights

During the live podcast, listeners contribute via Super Chats, raising points and asking questions:

• Super Chat from Del Walker:
  "Video game developer says asking Monolith to make a new IP is brave. What single player new IP game has sold well in the last decade that isn't from Sony?"
  (58:06) - Greg Miller

• Super Chat from Corbin:
  "Hey Greg, after about 80 hours I finally gotten the Helldivers 2 Platinum pumped to jump into the new War Bond. Congratulations."
  (61:21) - Blessing Adeoye Jr.

8. Upcoming Content and Announcements

The episode concludes with announcements about upcoming shows and events:

• Ted Price Interview: A pre-recorded interview with Ted Price, CEO of Insomniac Games, discussing Resistance 4 and his retirement after over 30 years at Insomniac.

• Magic Con in Chicago: Greg Miller and Mike Gettys plan to attend Magic Con in Chicago, where Greg will be creating a custom Magic: The Gathering deck for Mike. Additionally, Blessing Adeoye Jr. announces his own live show titled Late Night with Greg Miller on April 10th at Benedictine University.

"What a heartbreaking scenario... They have been fumbling the bag."
(21:11) - Greg Miller

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "The Wonder Woman game might be in trouble."

  • Blessing Adeoye Jr. (00:30)

• "Rocksteady is looking to return to Batman for a single player game."

  • Greg Miller (37:24)

• "Grand Theft Auto 6 is still set to release in fall 2025."

  • Greg Miller (52:02)

• "We need to stop making multi bajillion dollar million dollar games. It makes smaller experiences. They get out quicker."

  • Blessing Adeoye Jr. (26:15)

• "We need to get somebody in the door that can spear that up."

  • Greg Miller (27:23)

• "I think a Beyond game would be sick."

  • Greg Miller (43:36)

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily offers a critical examination of Warner Bros.' gaming strategies, the uncertain future of high-profile game projects like Wonder Woman and Batman, and the steadfast anticipation surrounding GTA 6. The hosts advocate for a balanced approach that fosters both established IPs and new, innovative game experiences, emphasizing the need for visionary leadership within game development studios.

Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content discussions have been omitted to focus on the core topics of the episode.