Kinda Funny Games Daily: Xbox Cancels Another First Party Game - August 7, 2025

Released: August 7, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, hosts Tim Geddes, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and guest Barrett Courtney delve into a spectrum of current events in the gaming world. From breaking news about Xbox's latest cancellations to in-depth discussions on PlayStation's financial performance and upcoming game releases showcased at Nintendo's Indie World, this episode promises a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the industry.

Major Stories

1. Xbox Cancels "Contraband" from Avalanche Studios

Timestamp: [15:33] - [23:34]

One of the standout topics of the episode is the cancellation of "Contraband," a first-party title from Avalanche Studios, known for their work on the Just Cause series. Drawing from Jason Schreier's report on Bloomberg News, the hosts discuss the implications of this move by Xbox.

• Tim Geddes remarks at [15:58]:
  “This was the type of game that never really felt like it was going to see the light of day.”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. adds at [16:47]:
  “This comes back to Xbox slash. I think more so even Microsoft just being in a place where it is tough to look at them with trust as far as like the things that have been announced and my faith that those things are going to come out in great quality.”

The conversation extends to Xbox's broader strategy, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of third-party partnerships and the potential overreach in acquisitions leading to project cancellations. They express skepticism about Kojima Productions' "OD" and "Rise of Hydra," questioning whether these titles will come to fruition under the current Xbox management.

2. PlayStation 5 Shipments Surpass 80.3 Million Units

Timestamp: [25:22] - [43:25]

Moving to PlayStation, the hosts analyze the impressive milestone of 80.3 million PS5 units shipped worldwide, as reported by Solanm Gamatsu and shared by Shinobi on Twitter.

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. comments at [26:26]:
  “It's fun, it's... interesting to think about and talk about just for the sense of what PlayStation's output has been this year versus last year.”

They compare current performance with the previous year's releases, noting titles like "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth," "Helldivers 2," and "Ghost of Yote." Tim Geddes reflects on the longevity and iterative advancements of the PS5, expressing satisfaction with its current state and the ecosystem's stability. Meanwhile, Barrett Courtney emphasizes the desire for more single-player games over live services, highlighting the balance between hardware excellence and game variety.

3. Sony’s CFO on "Marathon" and Bungie's Integration

Timestamp: [43:25] - [35:59]

Sony CFO Lynn Tao provided insights into the development and expected release of "Marathon," a highly anticipated title from Bungie. During a Q&A session, Tao confirmed the game's release is slated for March 2026, although she noted, “this is not a commitment” ([31:21]).

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. expresses frustration at [31:00]:
  “This is such a CFO statement too, which is kind of wild and like it feels very cold and direct...”

The hosts lament the shift in Bungie's independence following Sony's acquisition, pointing out that initial promises of autonomy have given way to tighter integration within PlayStation Studios. They critique the lack of transparency and effectiveness in managing Bungie's live service offerings, referencing past issues like "Destiny 2" and "Concord." The discussion underscores broader concerns about corporate acquisitions impacting creative studios' operational freedom and game development quality.

4. Digital Foundry Leaves IGN to Go Independent

Timestamp: [30:59] - [38:57]

In a positive turn, the hosts announce that Digital Foundry, renowned for their technical breakdowns of games, has parted ways with IGN to operate independently. This move is facilitated by acquiring roughly 50% of the company's shares with the support of investor Rupert Loman, co-founder of Eurogamer.

• Tim Geddes enthusiastically states at [37:31]:
  “They are the industry standard when it comes to tech breakdowns and one-to-one comparisons of how games run on different consoles.”

Blessing Adeoye Jr. echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the value of independent media outlets in maintaining quality and integrity in game journalism. They compare this trend to other media entities like Giant Bomb, highlighting a resurgence of dedicated, passionate teams reclaiming their brands to deliver specialized content.

5. Nintendo's Indie World Showcase Announcements

Timestamp: [47:21] - [54:47]

At Nintendo's Indie World Showcase, several exciting indie titles were unveiled for the Switch and Switch 2. The hosts provide an overview of selected announcements, showcasing a variety of genres:

• "Gentlemen" by Top Hat Games
  Coming to Switch in 2026
  A 2D action-platformer where players control Glimmer, a bird with a matchstick weapon, on a quest to save his family.

• "Silk Song" by Studio Heartbeat
  Coming to Switch in 2026
  An action roguelite inspired by Hollow Knight and Vampire Survivors, featuring an avian protagonist battling marine beasts.

• "Demon School"
  Coming September 3, 2025
  A school-life tactics RPG blending elements from Persona, Shin Megami Tensei, and Italian horror cinema.

The hosts express both enthusiasm and skepticism about the showcased games, particularly noting the prevalence of cozy and pixel art titles, while yearning for more diverse offerings with elements like action and blood.

Dead Take: A Deep Dive

Timestamp: [00:00] - [04:21]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing "Dead Take," a horror game that has garnered substantial attention. The game has received mixed reviews, with scores ranging from 5/10 to 8.5/10 across various platforms.

• Tim Geddes summarizes at [06:43]:
  “I love it, like when you got something, you got to just keep rolling with it.”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. adds at [07:38]:
  “I'm curious to see if it hits for me.”

The discussion highlights the polarized reception of "Mafia: The Old Country," another key topic, drawing parallels to Dead Take in terms of community engagement and streaming experiences.

Listener Interactions and Super Chats

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with live listeners through Super Chats, addressing birthday wishes and fan requests. Notable interactions include:

• Rails celebrating his 30th birthday with heartfelt thanks ([60:54]).
• Gold Boy and Guardian Azərbaycanın Raccoon sharing excitement for upcoming game releases ([61:13] - [62:30]).

These segments add a personal touch, allowing the hosts to connect directly with their audience and discuss fan-driven content and future show plans.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease upcoming content, including a special "Gamescast" episode focusing on "Donkey Kong Bonanza". They express their anticipation for future game releases and continued coverage of the evolving gaming landscape.

Tim Geddes concludes at [71:42]:
“We are closer than ever. That couldn’t be more true.”

The episode closes with enthusiastic sign-offs, promising more engaging discussions and insider insights in future broadcasts.

Key Takeaways

• Xbox's Strategic Cancellations: The cancellation of "Contraband" reflects broader challenges in Xbox's third-party partnerships and resource allocation.

• PlayStation's Market Resilience: Strong PS5 shipments and rising PSN users indicate robust market performance, despite mixed game releases.

• Sony and Bungie's Uncertain Future: Increased control over Bungie signals potential shifts in Destiny's live service model and raises concerns about future collaborations.

• Rise of Independent Media Outlets: Digital Foundry's move to independence underscores a trend towards specialized, quality-driven game journalism.

• Nintendo's Indie Focus: The Indie World Showcase highlights a diverse array of indie titles, though the hosts call for more varied genres beyond cozy and pixel art games.

• Community Engagement: Active listener participation through Super Chats enriches the podcast experience, fostering a strong community connection.

Notable Quotes

• Tim Geddes ([15:58]):
  “This was the type of game that never really felt like it was going to see the light of day.”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([16:47]):
  “Xbox slash. I think more so even Microsoft just being in a place where it is tough to look at them with trust as far as like the things that have been announced and my faith that those things are going to come out in great quality.”

• Tim Geddes ([37:31]):
  “They are the industry standard when it comes to tech breakdowns and one-to-one comparisons of how games run on different consoles.”

• Blessing Adeoye Jr. ([26:26]):
  “It's fun, it's... interesting to think about and talk about just for the sense of what PlayStation's output has been this year versus last year.”

• Tim Geddes ([71:42]):
  “We are closer than ever. That couldn’t be more true.”

Looking Forward

Stay tuned for the next episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily, where the team will continue to explore the latest in gaming news, provide insightful analysis, and engage with their passionate community. Don't forget to subscribe and support the show through their Kinda Funny Membership for exclusive content and ad-free listening.

This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode, capturing all key discussions, insights, and notable quotes to inform and engage both regular listeners and new audience members.