Kinda Funny Games Daily Podcast Summary

Episode: Xbox Developer Direct Secret 4th Game?!

Hosts: Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Snowbike Mike
Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively episode dives into rumors around the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct, including speculation about a secret fourth game reveal. The hosts analyze Xbox’s 2026 strategy, Obsidian’s multiplatform moves, Ubisoft’s ambitions with The Division 3, and Larian’s AI policy for Divinity. The cast also touches on GameStop’s financial saga and notable news bites across gaming.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Xbox Developer Direct – The “Secret 4th Game” Rumor

[06:34]

• Xbox’s upcoming Developer Direct (Jan 22) will highlight Forza Horizon 6 (set in Japan), Fable, and Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation.
• Industry insiders (Shinobi602, VGC) suggest a yet-undisclosed fourth game, reportedly a smaller original title from an Xbox first-party studio.
• Greg boasts his track record for calling Xbox showcase patterns:
  “Almost like someone fucking called this yesterday on Kinda Funny Games Daily.” — Greg [06:34]
• Mike and Greg speculate on candidates:
  • Obsidian: possible Pentiment 2, new modes, or a quick-turn project
  • Double Fine: quirky multiplayer experiments like Kiln
  • Shadow drop possibilities (à la Hi-Fi Rush) are discussed.
• Emphasis that Forza and Fable are the showcase’s heavy hitters; the fourth game will likely skew experimental.

2. Avowed Coming to PS5 & Microsoft's Multiplatform Strategy

[23:14]

• Avowed receives a “Game of the Year” style update with new features and comes to PS5 on January 17.
• “It continues Microsoft’s modern strategy of releasing its games across multiple platforms.” — Andy Robinson (VGC), read by Greg [23:14]
• Greg:
  “I like Avowed so much that I’m coming for New Game Plus. I want to see what these weapons are.” [24:53]
• The hosts reflect on changes in exclusivity strategy, a more “rounded” experience for late adopters, and the positive PlayStation sales of Microsoft games.

3. Towerborne Goes Paid/Offline

[14:44]

• Towerborne, initially an online-only, free-to-play RPG, is relaunching as a paid, offline-enabled game after feedback.
• The hosts laud the pivot as a consumer-friendly move that prioritizes player experience over live-service monetization.

4. The Division 3 – Ubisoft’s Big Talk

[34:41]

• Division 3 is marketed by Ubisoft’s Julian Gerighty as “shaping up to be a monster... as big an impact as Division 1 was.”
  “Obviously this is fucking nonsense... Not news. We’re making a game. It’s going to be big.” — Greg [34:53]
• Mike observes that 2016’s landscape was unique:
  “That was a big era, that was a big time. So it’s kind of eye-rolling when it’s like ‘This is going to make waves.’”
• Deep desire for the next city setting—LA, Chicago, London, or non-US locations like Tokyo or Brazil are floated as ideas.
• Greg champions winter settings (evoking Division 1’s New York) for atmosphere; Chicago is a fave.

5. Larian Studios Backtracks on AI in Art/Writing for Divinity

[45:12]

• Larian clarifies: no generative AI in Divinity’s concept art/writing, after Bloomberg raised concerns.
  • CEO Sven Vincke: “We’ve decided to refrain from using Gen AI tools during concept art development. That way there can be no discussion about the origin of the art.” [47:15]
• Studio will experiment with AI only in developmental, background ways (“not for creative assets”) and only with data they own.
• Writing director Adam Smith:
  “No text generation touching our dialogues, journal entries, or other writing... 3/10 at best results.” [47:15]
• Greg reflects on the industry’s ongoing tension with AI:
  “There are going to be good uses for it that do save you time. Not in creating things right, but figuring out your development tool.” [48:20]

6. GameStop Closures and Executive Gambles

[58:17]

• Nearly 300 GameStop stores closed or set to close; employees blindsided with little notice.
• CEO Ryan Cohen offered a $35 billion payout if he can raise GameStop’s market cap from ~$9B to $100B.
• Nostalgic reflections:
  “GameStop is my thing. I love it. I have ties to it... it hurts when we talk about the stores closing.” — Mike [58:34]
• Ongoing skepticism if GameStop will ever hit such heights—“every generation of Games Daily” has had a ‘GameStop is about to die’ story.

7. Quick Hits (Wii News)

• Witcher 3 expansion rumors persist, possibly desert-themed (Zerikania, “Dune style”). [54:18]
• Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance arrives on Nintendo Switch Online (previously $200+ on resale).
• Detroit: Become Human surpasses 15 million copies.
• WB Games SF layoffs, Nier Automata 9th anniversary celebration, Dusk Fade PS5 port.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg (About Fable skepticism):
  “Do not insult Forza... Fable is big for old heads like me. I want to be lost, lost in this game. I don’t know if they can do it.” [18:33]
• Mike (On Towerborne’s pivot):
  “I gotta give them big kudos... That is a big step that we’ve seen other games not able to handle.” [17:36]
• Greg (On modern GameStop):
  “I can’t believe that... we’re still having this thing. This has been a story every generation of Games Daily.” [60:38]
• Mike (On multiplayer trends):
  “Games like this have to cater to a very large audience... 2026, sorry to tell you, there’ll be a large focus on multiplayer competitive.” [38:03]
• Greg (On AI and games):
  “Trying to figure it out and separate what’s good, what’s bad... it’s this nightmare we all live in now.” [49:57]

Important Timestamps

• [06:34]—Xbox Developer Direct “Secret Game” segment begins
• [23:14]—Avowed multiplatform update, PS5 launch details
• [14:44]—Towerborne’s shift to a paid release
• [34:41]—Division 3 ambition and industry skepticism
• [45:12]—Larian’s public clarification (AI use in Divinity)
• [54:18]—Rumors of a new Witcher 3 expansion
• [58:17]—GameStop closures; CEO’s $35B challenge
• [61:30]—Rapid-fire Wii News section

Tone, Format, and Community Vibe

• The episode is energetic, playful, sometimes irreverent (“I fucking knew it off top of the dome” — Greg), but always steeped in the hosts’ deep industry knowledge and passion for games culture.
• Audience interaction via Super Chats is frequent and embraced, with running jokes and community shout-outs.
• The show is aimed at both hardcore and casual listeners seeking authentic, opinionated video game discussion with an easy banter.

Summary for Non-Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’d want to know Xbox’s upcoming showcase may hide an experimental surprise, while Forza and Fable are set as big 2026 tentpoles. Obsidian continues bringing exclusives to PlayStation, Ubisoft is hyping Division 3 in an already-crowded multiplayer market, and Larian is responding in real time to AI controversies. GameStop’s future remains rocky. Finally, legacy titles like Witcher 3 and Fire Emblem are unexpectedly back in the news, illustrating how old favorites continue to shape the gaming landscape.

End of summary.