Kinda Funny Games Daily – Xbox Developer_Direct 2026 Lineup REVEALED
Episode: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Greg Miller & Stella Chung
Special Segment: DICE Awards Nominee Reveal

Episode Overview

This episode of Kinda Funny Games Daily focuses on two major topics: the announcement of the 2026 Xbox Developer_Direct lineup and the exclusive first reveal of the DICE Awards nominees for 2025’s best games. Greg Miller and guest co-host Stella Chung share their industry insights, dish out reactions to surprises and snubs, and field live chat superchats. The show maintains its trademark blend of inside jokes, irreverence, and genuine passion for gaming.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DICE Awards Nominees Reveal ([03:12] – [22:33])

Showkick & Hosting History ([01:05] – [03:02])

• Greg and Stella reflect on their tenure as DICE Awards hosts.
• Greg shares how his iconic 2015 Game Awards speech led to his DICE hosting role (“They made that mistake now for nine years running” – Greg, [01:20]).
• Stella shares her experience growing more comfortable on stage each year.

DICE Awards Overview ([05:06] – [06:59])

• The 29th DICE Awards will be streamed February 12th at 8pm Pacific, hosted by Greg and Stella.
• Emphasis on the DICE Awards’ uniqueness: Votes come from industry peers (developers) rather than the press or public.
  • “The people who MAKE your video games get together and play all the games and then vote on what games they think are the best.” – Greg, [06:07]

Game of the Year Nominees ([06:59] – [10:32])

• Nominees: Arc Raiders, Blueprints, Claire Obscure, Expedition 33, Dispatch, Ghost of Yote
• Stella is impressed by a multiplayer game (Dispatch) making the cut.
• “What a diverse lineup. I love… blueprints break through…Arc Raiders breakthrough…loving dispatch…really nice thing.” – Greg, [09:55]
• The lineup is notably different from the Game Awards, with major games like Silksong, Death Stranding 2, and Hades 2 absent as GOTY nominees.

Deep Dive: Categories and Notable Nominees ([10:51] – [19:39])

• The hosts run through all 23 DICE categories, highlighting standout nominations and snubs.
  • Animation: South of Midnight, Monster Hunter Wilds, Ghost of Yote
  • Art Direction: Clare Obscure, Death Stranding 2, Dispatch, Ghost of Yote
  • Audio: Arc Raiders, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yote, Luminesce (“If this is the only one, I’ll rally behind it” – Greg, [13:12])
  • Roleplaying: Claire Obscure, Expedition 33, Citizen Sleeper 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, Outer Worlds 2
  • Indies: Baby Steps, Blueprints, Consume Me, Despilote, Dispatch
• Hosts debate omissions (Octopath Traveler Zero, Sonic Racing, Silksong’s single nomination, Outer Worlds 2's limited recognition).

Audience Reaction and Snubs

• Superchats and chat react vocally to the surprise absences of expected nominees like Hades 2 and Silksong.
• “I’m shocked. But you know what? At least I like all of these…” – Stella re: RPG nominees [17:06]
• “Do you think the people who make video games just aren’t good?” – Greg joking, [21:18]

2. Xbox Developer_Direct January 2026 – Preview & Predictions ([24:32] – [34:33])

Official Announcement ([24:32] – [26:09])

• Xbox Developer_Direct airs January 22, 2026, 10am PT. Focused on:
  • Fable (extended look)
  • Forza Horizon 6 (gameplay debut)
  • Beasts of Reincarnation (from Game Freak, premiering first deep dive)
  • Hopes/rumors for possibility of a fourth unannounced title “one more thing.”

Host Hype Rankings ([27:29] – [30:19])

• Stella: Most excited for Forza, followed by Fable (never played originals), least for Beasts of Reincarnation.
• Greg differs slightly, “Forza Horizon 6 is going to be my shit…[but] questions about Fable: Can this possibly live up to…the hype and legacy?” [29:08]
• Concerns about nostalgia vs. modern standards with Fable.

“One More Thing” Speculation ([31:46] – [34:33])

• Community recalls precedent of surprise shadow-drops (Hi-Fi Rush, etc.).
• Greg wants/half-expects a Fallout 3 or New Vegas Remaster shadow-drop, or a “big” Xbox 25th anniversary surprise (Halo? Gears? State of Decay 3?).
• “They got to remind you of all the franchises you love, and…put out 8.5/9 out of 10 games.” – Greg [35:23]
• Stella hopes for more info on Halo, but notes anniversary timing and GTA6’s looming launch window could complicate plans.

3. Jason Schreier GTA VI Development Update ([36:37] – [40:53])

• Jason Schreier reports GTA VI is “not content complete” but release in Fall is still plausible.
• Misunderstandings in media coverage discussed; Schreier clarifies he wouldn’t be shocked if it still launches in 2026.
• “You want a pizza bet me that [GTA VI] comes out this year?” – Greg to Stella, [40:05]
• They officially make a bet: Stella = “comes out”; Greg = “delayed”.

4. Other News Bites ([50:32] – [54:38])

• Life is Strange: Double Exposure possibly rated, rumored for shadow-drop at Xbox Direct ([49:28])
• Switch 2’s holiday sales down 35% vs. original, but still strong overall, global hardware/software sales soft ([46:43])
• New Joy-Con color variants coming; My Mario “baby/kids” line launches in US ([50:40])
• Various industry updates: Studio closures/spinouts, sales milestones for Shape of Dream and PEEK, PUBG spinoff news, etc.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“This is such a demonstration of our power because…in years past we’ve had to call the people who run the Dice Awards and ask them what time the awards are…They finally got the note and didn’t want us to call…”
— Greg Miller ([04:58])

“I do have to point out I did a video diving into Arc Raiders’ use of…AI, of course, voice generation. That sucks. But you do have to admire how cool the machine learning is…The fact that it learns with…players and they adapt their behavior. That’s really impressive.”
— Stella ([07:33])

“Do you think the people who make video games just aren’t good? …I’ve seen people online make a lot of money saying that, so maybe we start grifting too?”
— Greg, on player outcry over Dice nominations ([21:15])

“You look at this, what band are saying here: Hi-Fi Rush, Visions of Mana, Ninja Gaiden 2. That sets expectations. Let’s bring down expectations of what the [surprise reveal] could be.”
— Greg ([33:29])

“If Blade drops…don’t f***ing talk to me… I’ll have a broken jaw and I need to play this game in my bed. If they say, ‘here is Blade and it’s out today / in the next three weeks’ …I will ring a ding ding, Tim, and be like, you gotta leave that newborn at home and come to work.”
— Greg, on possible surprise Marvel Blade Xbox shadow drop ([45:06])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:12] — DICE Awards hosts reflect & nominees reveal begins
• [06:59] — Game of the Year/major DICE categories discussion
• [10:51] — Category-by-category rundown (animation/art/sound/etc.)
• [19:39] — Full GOTY category wrap and live reactions
• [24:32] — Xbox Developer_Direct detailed preview
• [27:29] — Fable, Forza, Beasts of Reincarnation: hype rankings
• [31:46] — “One more thing” speculation
• [36:37] — GTA VI development/status update & pizza bet
• [49:28] — Life is Strange possible Xbox Direct shadow-drop
• [50:40] — Wii News (brief news bites: Joy-Con, studio moves, sales milestones, etc.)

Final Thoughts & Flow

The show maintains Kinda Funny’s signature mix: a friendly “inside baseball” industry vibe, plenty of playful banter, and savvy critique of gaming trends and business decisions. Greg and Stella react in real time to what their audience and the industry care about most: which games are being recognized, why some aren’t, and what the next major platform-holder show will mean for the year ahead.

Essential for listeners:

• Full DICE Awards nominations breakdown and what it says about industry peer voting.
• Xbox’s 2026 Developer_Direct is a pivotal moment, with in-depth speculation about what surprises could accompany Fable, Forza, and Game Freak’s new title.
• Community-engaged, meme-driven, and ready for whatever the news cycle throws their way.