Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast - Detailed Summary

Episode Title: Changing Gamescast head to Sam Lake on Control, Alan Wake II, Remedy’s Future - Kinda Funny Gamescast (Ad-Free) (Patreon)
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye, Andy Cortez
Guests: Sam Lake (Creative Director, Remedy Entertainment), Mikael Kasurinen, Ilkka V. Kallio

I. Introduction

The Kinda Funny Gamescast kicks off with hosts Greg Miller and Roger Pokorny welcoming listeners to a special episode celebrating Remedy Entertainment's 30th anniversary. The episode features an in-depth conversation with key Remedy figures: Sam Lake, Mikael Kasurinen, and Ilkka V. Kallio.

II. Remedy Entertainment’s 30th Anniversary

Mikael Kasurinen reflects on Remedy's evolution over three decades, emphasizing the company's growth in handling multiple projects while retaining its foundational "soul and attitude."

Mikael Kasurinen [06:12]: “Remedy is much bigger with multiple projects going on, but I also feel that a certain kind of soul and attitude that has been there from kind of the first days is still there. Yeah. Which is important.”

Ilkka V. Kallio adds that maintaining a balance between expanding their portfolio and preserving their unique culture has been crucial.

III. Remedy’s Future Projects

A. Control 2

Control 2 is highlighted as a major upcoming title. Ilkka Kallio shares excitement about expanding the supernatural action gameplay introduced in the first Control game.

Ilkka V. Kallio [42:50]: “Control can be also so much more than what you saw in the first game. And I'm super excited about the sequel. It's going to be wild and bonkers, but that's all I can say.”

B. FBC Firebreak

FBC Firebreak is introduced as a three-player co-op FPS set within the Remedy Connected Universe (RCU). The game serves as an accessible entry point for new players, focusing on teamwork without heavy narrative demands.

Roger Pokorny [14:17]: “...a three player co op pick up and play experience. Is that something that we're looking towards in the future for more of these things or is this just a little test here?”

Mikael Kasurinen explains the game's role in providing a human perspective within the RCU, allowing players without supernatural abilities to engage using equipment and teamwork.

Ilkka V. Kallio [15:10]: “They can rely on the equipment and each other to be able to survive.”

C. Alan Wake II

Alan Wake II continues Remedy's tradition of deep storytelling within the RCU. Sam Lake emphasizes the game's design to be approachable for newcomers while enriching the existing lore.

Sam Lake [18:11]: “...she is like the every woman, right? She's somebody that you can associate with. And that's such a brilliant move in Alan Wake two to have somebody there that a new player can connect with.”

D. Other Projects and Collaborations

Remedy's partnership with Annapurna Pictures is discussed as a strategic move to expand their franchises into film, TV, and beyond, facilitating broader storytelling avenues.

Mikael Kasurinen [49:21]: “...with Annapurna who are co-financing Control 2 and taking the Control and Alan Wake franchises to film, TV and beyond.”

IV. Remedy Connected Universe (RCU)

The RCU is central to Remedy's strategy, aiming to create a cohesive yet diverse narrative landscape across multiple games. Mikael Kasurinen discusses maintaining each game's uniqueness while allowing for crossover elements.

Ilkka V. Kallio [12:30]: “I think it's good. And us two kind of overseeing, we have our own inclinations, obviously, but there's that kind of a shared love towards like this kind of a heart of what remedy is that I think propagates into everything that we do.”

Sam Lake inquires about the balance between distinct experiences and potential unified titles within the RCU.

Sam Lake [12:00]: “...how important is it to have Control feel different and Alan Wake feel different and potentially other franchises in this RCU feel different? Or is there a world where potentially...”

Mikael Kasurinen responds by highlighting the flexibility of the RCU, allowing for both interconnected and standalone experiences.

Mikael Kasurinen [12:30]: “We can do a game that is in the same universe and has a lot of crossover elements. We can do a game that is... optional content acknowledges the universe.”

V. Storytelling and Game Design

Balancing narrative depth with engaging gameplay remains a cornerstone of Remedy's philosophy. The team delves into their creative process, striving to integrate storytelling seamlessly with interactive elements.

Ilkka V. Kallio cites the Astrology Maze sequence in Control as an example where music, action, and storytelling converge.

Ilkka V. Kallio [26:59]: “...bringing together interactivity, storytelling and the visuals kind of come together, like in this perfect package.”

Mikael Kasurinen emphasizes teamwork and the iterative nature of game development, acknowledging that experimental ideas may require numerous revisions to align with the overall vision.

Mikael Kasurinen [28:30]: “There's a lot of people coming together, putting in their own ideas and energy into it... we never quite know exactly how it's going to go down. And that's part of the fun, honestly.”

VI. Publishing and Collaborations

Remedy's journey with various publishers has shaped their approach to game development. Moving towards self-publishing, the team aims for greater creative control and long-term planning across multiple projects.

Ilkka V. Kallio [24:48]: “...we are taking steps towards self publishing and it is partly the fact that we are building a bigger universe with multiple games.”

Mikael Kasurinen shares positive experiences with publishers like 505 Games and Epic Publishing, appreciating their trust and support in realizing Remedy's visions.

Mikael Kasurinen [23:18]: “...they allowed us to take our vision and create the game and supported us where needed.”

VII. Challenges and Lessons Learned

Transitioning from single-project focus to managing multiple titles brings inherent challenges. Sam Lake addresses the difficulty of maintaining personal investment without burnout.

Sam Lake [10:06]: “...how do you continue to make games feel like Remedy games?...how do you avoid taking too much from yourselves?”

Mikael Kasurinen discusses the conscious division of responsibilities, allowing each creative director to focus on specific projects without overextending.

Mikael Kasurinen [10:19]: “...we divided it up very consciously after the first Control. The idea was that I'll focus now on Alan Wake 2 and Mix will focus on what's next for Control.”

The team reflects on past endeavors, such as the Quantum Break introduction of Alan Wake II, acknowledging both successes and setbacks.

Mikael Kasurinen [32:28]: “I do feel like, like I wanted to do a musical for a long while. Yeah. And I'm. I'm now looking back, I'm really happy it didn't work out in Control, because I honestly think that what we did in Alan Wake 2 fit from the perspective of storytelling and all so well.”

VIII. Interaction with Fans

Remedy places significant emphasis on transparency and community engagement, valuing honest communication with their fanbase. The team shares their experiences in addressing community expectations and managing feedback.

Mikael Kasurinen [47:18]: “...we have found ways of taking the lore, lot of the kind of crazy weirdness and use that as a kind of a foundation.”

Roger Pokorny highlights the positive reception of Remedy’s honesty and openness, especially regarding project announcements and cancellations.

Sam Lake [44:34]: “...the video was such a special video because you're so honest with the audience and with the Remedy fans...”

IX. Notable Quotes

• Greg Miller [00:52]: “What's up everybody? Welcome to the Kind of Funny Games cast for Friday, March 21, 2025.”

• Sam Lake [08:08]: “Yeah, and you both as creative directors,... how does that work at the studio?”

• Ilkka V. Kallio [21:32]: “It's fine. Like you can play this game, just shoot at the bad guys and so on...”

• Roger Pokorny [42:53]: “Hello, Janina Gavankar. How are you? You're live on Twitch and YouTube.”

X. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts thanking Remedy Entertainment for their contributions to the gaming industry, celebrating their 30-year milestone. They reiterate the launch dates for FBC Firebreak and the anticipated release of Control 2. The team encourages new players to engage with Remedy’s diverse portfolio, highlighting the accessibility and rich storytelling of their games.

Roger Pokorny [56:04]: “Remedy's celebrating 30 years... If you are one of those people who hasn't played Control or Alan Wake 2, get your life together.”

The podcast concludes with reminders about ongoing and upcoming Kinda Funny Gamescast content, inviting listeners to subscribe and support through memberships.

Overall Insights:

• Remedy Entertainment is strategically expanding its portfolio while maintaining the unique narrative and gameplay experiences that define their brand.

• Emphasis on Remedy Connected Universe (RCU) allows for both interconnected and standalone titles, catering to diverse player bases.

• Transitioning to self-publishing reflects Remedy’s desire for creative autonomy and long-term project planning.

• Transparency and community engagement remain pivotal in Remedy’s relationship with their fans, fostering trust and loyalty.

• The company continually seeks innovative storytelling methods, balancing experimental elements with coherent game design.

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Remedy's past accomplishments, current projects, and future aspirations, providing valuable insights for both fans and industry enthusiasts.