Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

Episode: We Played Xbox Ally, Amazing SGF Games!
Release Date: June 9, 2025
Hosts: Tim Gettys, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., and Andy Cortez

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks

The episode kicks off with host Tim Gettys welcoming listeners to the Kinda Funny Gamescast. He introduces the co-hosts:

• Blessing Adeoye Jr.
• Greg Miller

Notable Quotes:

• [00:00] Tim Gettys: "Welcome back to the Kind of Funny Games cast for Monday, June 9, 2025."
• [00:30] Greg Miller: "Eka big timed me at SGF. I don't like throwing developers under the bus, but I'm gonna do it here."

2. Discussing the Xbox Showcase and Greg’s Review

The conversation swiftly moves to the recently held Xbox Showcase, with Greg Miller sharing his insights.

Key Points:

• Greg Rating: He awarded the showcase an 8.5 on their internal scale, praising the overall presentation despite some criticisms.
• Comparison with Other Hosts: Greg contrasts his positive view with Snowbike Mike’s more critical take, particularly regarding the ending of Call of Duty.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:43] Greg Miller: "I thought it was a great one. I gave it an 8.5 on our kind of scale saying it was great."
• [02:45] Tim Gettys: "That's what I called it."

3. Deep Dive into the Xbox Ally

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the new Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming device developed in collaboration with ASUS.

Key Topics:

a. Design and Build Quality

• Greg’s Experience: He praises the Xbox Ally X variant for its weight, balance, and overall feel.
• Design Evolution: Initially skeptical about the grips design from leaked images, Greg changed his mind after hands-on experience.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:09] Tim Gettys: "Just in terms of sheer quality of the plastic and."
• [07:12] Greg Miller: "I like my Rog Ally X right now is my favorite handheld in terms of how it feels, the weight, the balance of it and the shift of it."

b. Operating System and Performance

• Optimized OS: The Xbox Ally runs a specialized OS tailored for gaming, eliminating unnecessary Windows background processes to enhance performance and battery life.
• Future Proofing: The device is built with AI advancements in mind, ensuring it remains relevant with evolving technology.

Notable Quotes:

• [14:01] Greg Miller: "When you turn this on and you're running this, it will bring you straight to the Xbox screen. It will not load Windows."
• [22:37] Tim Gettys: "This is a portable PC, period."

c. Pricing and Market Position

• Price Point: Expected to be around $800-$900, making it a premium offering in the handheld market.
• Target Audience: Aimed primarily at gaming enthusiasts who are already embedded in the Xbox ecosystem.

Notable Quotes:

• [10:14] Greg Miller: "The price will be the biggest one, right?"
• [11:04] Tim Gettys: "You should expect $900 for this."

d. Integration with Xbox Ecosystem

• Play Anywhere: Emphasizes seamless integration with Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing users to access their game libraries across devices.
• Launcher Support: Supports multiple game launchers, including Steam and Discord, enhancing versatility.

Notable Quotes:

• [22:59] Greg Miller: "Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Plan Anywhere... it’s just the same here."
• [23:18] Greg Miller: "It feels like holding an Xbox controller."

4. Game Previews and Reviews

The hosts delve into several upcoming games showcased at the Summer Game Fest (SGF), providing in-depth reviews and first impressions.

a. Mixtape by Greg Miller

A unique blend of cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay.

Description:

• Developer: Beethoven and Dinosaur
• Gameplay: Players relive memories through a mixtape, engaging in mini-games that reflect personal experiences.

Notable Quotes:

• [36:00] Greg Miller: "Mixtape is like playing a coming of age movie, but specifically playing Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
• [44:41] Tim Gettys: "Visuals look great. The backgrounds and the little text that pops up. I love the stuff because it very much feels like Patapon but different."

b. Ratatan

A rhythm roguelike action game inspired by Patapon.

Description:

• Developers: TVT Co with Rattatan
• Features: Combines rhythm-based gameplay with side-scrolling action and online co-op for up to four players.

Notable Quotes:

• [47:00] Blessing Adeoye Jr.: "Ratatan, baby."

c. Escape Academy 2: Back to School

A narrative-driven escape room sequel with open-world elements.

Description:

• Developer: Not specified
• Gameplay: Players solve puzzles across an expansive campus while uncovering a deeper conspiracy.

Notable Quotes:

• [54:54] Blessing Adeoye Jr.: "I just feel like we're at this moment where I'm going to see a lot more of these and I'm worried it's like, is this my one."

d. Blighted by DrinkBox

An action RPG where players battle through a psychedelic western world.

Description:

• Developer: DrinkBox Studios
• Gameplay: Incorporates seamless co-op gameplay and a dynamic difficulty system based on the player's actions.

Notable Quotes:

• [58:48] Greg Miller: "If you are Perry, Poppy, Blessing and you're fucking knocking things back, it's going to fill up and increase your blight level."

e. Directive 8020 by Supermassive

A narrative-driven sci-fi adventure game.

Description:

• Developer: Supermassive Games
• Gameplay: Focuses on story choices and their impacts, reminiscent of Detroit: Become Human.

Notable Quotes:

• [65:07] Greg Miller: "This demo was impressive. It started with Monica Rambo... seamlessly integrating choices into the narrative."

f. Crystal Theater of Idols (Vermila Studios, Published by Blumhouse Games)

A first-person horror action game set in a twisted version of Spain.

Description:

• Developer: Vermila Studios
• Gameplay: Players navigate through a surreal environment, battling mannequins and utilizing blood-based mechanics.

Notable Quotes:

• [66:40] Greg Miller: "The gunplay didn't feel like I was enjoying this."

g. Grave Seasons by Blumhouse Games

A narrative farming simulator with horror elements.

Description:

• Developer: Blumhouse Games
• Gameplay: Balances farming sim mechanics with investigating supernatural occurrences in the town of Ashen Ridge.

Notable Quotes:

• [67:51] Greg Miller: "I love the art style because it looks like that cute, cozy game, but clearly dealing with werewolves and the occult."

h. Crimson Desert by Pearl Abyss

An open-world action-adventure game set in the continent of Pie.

Description:

• Developer: Pearl Abyss
• Gameplay: Features a blend of melee combat, magic, and exploration in a richly detailed open world.

Notable Quotes:

• [69:13] Greg Miller: "It’s an everything everywhere, all at once experience with flying and superpowers."
• [73:22] Tim Gettys: "That's a sick ass logo with the wolf eye."

5. Audience Engagement and Super Chats

Throughout the episode, the hosts address viewer questions and comments, particularly concerning the Xbox Ally and upcoming game releases.

Key Themes:

• Xbox Ally Clarifications: Addressing concerns about library compatibility and Play Anywhere limitations.
• Real-Time Reactions: Responding to audience sentiments about the pace of hardware upgrades in the PC gaming market.

Notable Quotes:

• [73:18] Blessing Adeoye Jr.: "I just kind of feel like we're at this moment where I'm going to see a lot more of these and I'm worried it's like, is this my one."
• [75:05] Tim Gettys: "But the big question is will Steam open up to be able to allow this? And I think that it might, I really do."

6. Advertisements

The episode includes sponsored segments promoting:

• Xreal AR Glasses: Highlighting their utility for gaming on the go with virtual screens.
• Factor Meals: Emphasizing convenient, chef-crafted meals ideal for busy lifestyles.

Sample Ad Scripts:

• Xreal: "Connect Xreal1 glasses to wherever you are playing. Whether it's a handheld console, a PC, phone, home console, you just get a massive 150-inch virtual screen anywhere, anytime."
• Factor Meals: "Factor's chef-crafted dietitian-approved meals are ready in just two minutes. Taking the hassle out of eating."

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Tim Gettys and Greg Miller share their final impressions on the discussed topics, reinforcing their excitement for the future of gaming hardware and upcoming titles.

Notable Quotes:

• [75:26] Snowbike Mike: "Yeah, I just put in just your coffee. I just put in the Games Daily slack and so we'll talk about it tomorrow."
• [75:31] Tim Gettys: "But stay tuned because right after this, it's the kind of funny podcast best get hyped. Love you all. Goodbye."

Takeaways and Insights

• Xbox Ally: Seen as a significant step towards integrating a console-like experience into handheld gaming, leveraging the Play Anywhere ecosystem. Despite its premium price, its build quality and optimized OS make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts.

• Game Diversity: The Summer Game Fest showcased a wide range of genres, from narrative-driven adventures like Mixtape to action-packed titles like Crimson Desert, indicating a vibrant and varied gaming landscape.

• Community Engagement: The hosts actively engage with their audience, addressing concerns and clarifying misconceptions, fostering a sense of community and transparency.

• Future of Gaming Hardware: Discussions reflect a trend towards more versatile and powerful handheld devices, blurring the lines between traditional consoles and PCs.

Conclusion

This episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast offers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in gaming hardware and upcoming titles showcased at the Summer Game Fest. With insightful discussions, firsthand experiences, and active audience engagement, the hosts provide listeners with valuable perspectives on the evolving gaming ecosystem.