Kinda Funny Gamescast: Jason Schreier on EVERYTHING WB Games Did Wrong

Released on February 26, 2025

In this compelling episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Andy Cortez, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, and Roger Pokorny engage in an in-depth conversation with renowned games journalist Jason Schreier. The discussion primarily revolves around the tumultuous state of Warner Brothers (WB) Games, examining the factors that led to recent shutdowns, canceled projects, and shifts in leadership. This summary encapsulates the key points, insightful analyses, and notable quotes from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with Andy Cortez setting the stage for a day packed with gaming news, including updates on WB Games and the impending expiration of the Nemesis system patent in 2036. He teases discussions about budget allocations affecting ten games and hints at deep dives into the latest PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo developments.

• Andy Cortez [00:00]: "Today's stories include even more updates on WB games and Wonder Woman the Nemesis system patent expiring in 2036."

As the conversation unfolds, Jason Schreier joins the hosts to shed light on the inner workings and controversies surrounding WB Games.

2. The Downfall of WB Games

Jason Schreier delves into the crux of the issue: the mismanagement and strategic failures within WB Games that have culminated in significant studio shutdowns and project cancellations.

• Jason Schreier [05:00]: "A lot of people are like, oh, fucking David Zaslav ruining everything... But Zaslav has nothing to do with this."

He emphasizes that the problems at WB Games predate current leadership changes, attributing the decline to longstanding indecisiveness and a lack of clear vision.

• Jason Schreier [06:25]: "WB Games was always kind of like, in this intractable position. They were never going to sell, other than, I think they sold one mobile playdemic."

3. Monolith's Closure and Its Implications

One of the most significant developments discussed is the shutdown of Monolith, a studio with a 31-year legacy renowned for titles like Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Schreier provides a detailed timeline of events leading to its closure.

• Jason Schreier [12:00]: "Monolith just shut down. That is like the big story here."

He recounts how Monolith struggled with project Legacy, an ambitious attempt at a procedural narrative game, which ultimately failed to align with WB's preference for established franchises. The refusal to pivot away from Legacy strained the relationship between Monolith and WB's top executives.

• Jason Schreier [14:11]: "Monolith has been around for 30 years... They were working on a new IP, and Warner Brothers knew they weren't going to allow this to happen."

The cancellation of the Wonder Woman game further exacerbated the studio's challenges, forcing Monolith to rebuild amidst ongoing corporate turmoil.

• Jason Schreier [21:55]: "By the way, this is their big drastic movement. And now they're going to see what the fruits of this new strategy look like over the next couple of years."

4. Impact on Other WB Studios

The conversation extends to other WB Studios like WB Montreal and TT Games, highlighting a pattern of closures and strategic realignments.

• Jason Schreier [36:05]: "WB Montreal after Gotham Knights... They wound up putting some people on Wonder Woman and even some other games throughout the org."

He explains that such moves have left studios like WB Montreal in precarious positions, often relegated to support roles without substantial project backing.

• Jason Schreier [38:37]: "They get into mobile, a lot of stuff in mobile that they hope will hit in a way that some of their other mobile games did not."

5. Leadership Changes and Their Consequences

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the leadership vacuum at WB Games, particularly following the departure of David Haddad and the appointment of JB Perret.

• Jason Schreier [30:07]: "So Hadad is gone. So in his place is this guy named JB Perrette who is the head of games and streaming."

Perret's approach aims to steer WB Games back to profitability by consolidating focus on major franchises and cutting non-performing segments.

• Jason Schreier [32:42]: "He strikes me as a smart guy, as a guy who knows what he's talking about... I think there is a vision of the future for WB games that looks pretty good. It just might take a few years before we actually get there."

6. Games as a Service (GaaS) vs. Established Franchises

The hosts and Schreier debate WB Games' strategic pivot towards GaaS and big-name franchises, questioning the sustainability and alignment with their core strengths.

• Jason Schreier [39:29]: "We have not had that experience. Gary Whittaker comes in and complains a lot, but that's about it. That's all I know."

Schreier argues that while GaaS is a trending model, WB Games' execution has been flawed, leading to products like Suicide Squad and Multiverses falling short of expectations.

• Jason Schreier [34:45]: "Maybe we'll see how that looks, like...they are in for a rude awakening."

7. The Nemesis System Patent Expiration

The episode also touches upon the expiration of the Nemesis system patent, a pivotal technology in game development.

• Jason Schreier [53:37]: "I don't know. I think that stuff is overblown because... you're not going to recreate it somewhere else."

While acknowledging the patent's significance, Schreier downplays its immediate impact on the industry.

• Jason Schreier [55:17]: "Patent a video game? It really is."

8. Future Outlook and Remaining Studios

Looking ahead, Schreier provides cautious optimism about the remaining WB Studios, suggesting that with new leadership, there might be a path to recovery.

• Jason Schreier [32:45]: "I think Zaslav is interested in doubling down on games and really just kind of... strategy for doing that is to double down on the big franchises, which seems like a smart one."

He also mentions upcoming projects from TT Games and the potential revival of Rocksteady Studios with new ventures.

• Jason Schreier [44:32]: "Rocksteady is making a Batman game, returning to their roots."

9. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the intense discussion, acknowledging the challenges facing WB Games while remaining hopeful for a positive turnaround under new leadership.

• Greg Miller [56:48]: "This has been the kind of funny games cast it has been for February 26, 2025. We appreciate all of you all. We will see you on Games Daily after this."

Notable Quotes

• Jason Schreier [05:00]: "A lot of people are like, oh, fucking David Zaslav ruining everything... But Zaslav has nothing to do with this."

• Jason Schreier [12:00]: "Monolith just shut down. That is like the big story here."

• Jason Schreier [14:11]: "Monolith has been around for 30 years... They were working on a new IP, and Warner Brothers knew they weren't going to allow this to happen."

• Jason Schreier [32:45]: "I think Zaslav is interested in doubling down on games and really just kind of... strategy for doing that is to double down on the big franchises, which seems like a smart one."

• Jason Schreier [53:37]: "I don't know. I think that stuff is overblown because... you're not going to recreate it somewhere else."

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast provides a thorough examination of the systemic issues plaguing WB Games, from leadership indecisiveness to strategic missteps in game development. Jason Schreier offers invaluable insights into the internal dynamics and external pressures that have led to the current state of WB's gaming division. With the changes at the executive level and a renewed focus on blockbuster franchises, there remains a glimmer of hope for the future. However, time will tell if WB Games can navigate these challenges and reclaim its position in the competitive gaming industry.