Podcast Summary: The Besties Episode - "Our Big Predictions for Video Games in 2025"

Release Date: January 3, 2025

Hosts:

• Christopher Thomas Plant
• Russ Fresh

I. Introduction and Casual Chat (00:00 – 03:27)

The episode opens with Christopher and Russ engaging in a lighthearted conversation about Christopher’s Christmas gift: the Vanillaware Go, a new handheld console dedicated exclusively to Vanillaware's lineup of games. Christopher enthusiastically describes titles like Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Odin Sphere, and Grimoire, highlighting their iconic status and his excitement to finally play them fully on the new device.

Notable Quotes:

• Christopher: “This is actually true. These are a lot of games I've owned but never fully played. Gra. Knight's History. I mean, the list goes on.” (00:41)
• Russ: “So universally beloved that you've long had physical copies of all of these games and now you're finally getting the opportunity to play them.” (00:48)

II. Transition to Main Topic: Predictions for 2025 (03:03 – 04:56)

After their initial discussion, Christopher formally introduces the podcast’s theme: reviewing predictions for 2025 while reflecting on their prior predictions from 2024. They acknowledge the absence of Justin and Griffin McElroy, attributing it humorously to needing a "holiday break." This segment sets the stage for an engaging analysis of their forecasting accuracy and upcoming predictions.

Notable Quotes:

• Christopher: “We rank and review their favorite video games. Because shouldn't the world's best friends pick the world's best games?” (03:03)
• Russ: “This is a chance for you to hear what's been going on behind that wall...” (04:09)

III. Reviewing 2024 Predictions (04:56 – 17:15)

The hosts delve into their 2024 predictions, assessing which ones stood the test of time. They discuss various forecasts, evaluating their accuracy based on developments over the past year.

Key Discussions:

1. Borderlands Movie Reception:

   • Prediction: The Borderlands movie would receive poor reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and spark criticism over Hollywood's rush to adapt video games.
   • Outcome: Confirmed accurate with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 10%. Multiple outlets, including Time Magazine and TechRadar, echoed the sentiment, criticizing the adaptation.

   Quote:

   • Russ: “The score for the Borderlands movie right now sits at 10% cool. Which I believe is rotten.” (09:07)

2. Fortnite's New Standalone Mode:

   • Prediction: Fortnite would release a new standalone mode similar to Lego Rocket Racing or Fortnite Festival.
   • Outcome: Achieved with the release of Ballistic, a 5v5 first-person shooter distinct from Fortnite’s traditional gameplay, developed internally by Epic Games.

   Quote:

   • Russ: “Ballistic is effectively an answer to games like Counter Strike or Valorant.” (10:18)

3. Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remake:

   • Prediction: An Oblivion remake would be announced and released within the year.
   • Outcome: Still pending, with rumors suggesting a potential announcement and release timeline.

4. Nintendo Switch 2 and Iconic IPs:

   • Prediction: The Nintendo Switch 2 would launch within the first three months of 2024 with another iconic IP besides Metroid.
   • Outcome: Adjusted by the hosts due to delays and rebranding, leading to a loss in prediction accuracy.

5. Hades 2 Horde Mode:

   • Prediction: Hades 2 would introduce a horde mode, shifting from the traditional room-by-room gameplay to wave-based challenges.
   • Outcome: Not yet confirmed, leaving this prediction in limbo.

Insights: The hosts emphasize the importance of language in making accurate predictions, as noted by Russ:

“Language is very important. And part of this, as established by the triple click podcast, language is in the way that, you know, we all know the Supreme Court considers language very importantly and never gets anything wrong.” (16:54)

IV. Crafting Predictions for 2025 (17:15 – 43:19)

Transitioning from past evaluations, Christopher and Russ outline their methodology for drafting new predictions. They set rules to ensure fairness and challenge, avoiding easy picks and focusing on significant, impactful forecasts.

Process:

• Selection Pool: A comprehensive list of potential predictions.
• Drafting Mechanism: Each host selects five predictions, alternating picks to balance influence.
• Final Tally: Assessing which host’s predictions come to fruition.

Notable Interaction: Christopher humorously reflects on his previous prediction loss:

"Language is very important. And part of this, as established by the triple click podcast, language is in the way that, you know, we all know the Supreme Court considers language very importantly and never gets anything wrong.” (16:54)

V. Presenting and Drafting 2025 Predictions (43:19 – 51:45)

The hosts present their 2025 predictions, each selecting five from the drafted list. They engage in detailed discussions about the plausibility and implications of each forecast.

Selected Predictions:

1. Christopher:

   • Mafia The Old Country Release: Anticipates the new Mafia installment release in mid-2025, delaying GTA 6 to 2026 to avoid market saturation.
   • Death Stranding Metacritic Score: Predicts Death Stranding will surpass an 85 Metacritic score with positive coverage from major outlets like The New York Times.
   • AAA Game of the Year: Forecasts a high-budget AAA title will win Game of the Year at the Game Awards.
   • Valve Hardware Release: Believes Valve will introduce two new hardware pieces, expanding the Steam Deck line.
   • Nintendo Switch 2 with Iconic IP: Expects the Switch 2 to launch post-June 2025 with a new Mario or Mario Kart title.

   Notable Quote:

   • Christopher: “I think that’s a chance for you to split your bet too. If you do this, then you pick the Switch two option.” (30:50)

2. Russ:

   • Elder Scrolls Oblivion Remake: Predicts the announcement and release of an Oblivion remake within 2025.
   • Samus Speaking Time in Metroid Prime 4: Foresees reduced vocal presence for Samus compared to Metroid Dread.
   • Ubisoft Hostile Takeover: Speculates that Ubisoft will announce intentions for a sale, acquisition, or merger.
   • New Nier Entry Announcement: Anticipates a new Nier title being officially announced for major consoles.
   • Public Reference to Switch 2 Analog Stick Durability: Expects Nintendo to address analog stick durability issues in official communications.

   Notable Quote:

   • Russ: “Language is very important...never gets anything wrong.” (16:54)

Engaging Dialogue: The hosts engage in back-and-forth banter, debating the likelihood of each prediction and refining them based on recent industry trends and insider info.

Notable Exchanges:

• On the Ubisoft Hostile Takeover prediction:

  Russ: “Is there breaking news?”
  Christopher: “No, but I think it feels safe to say...” (35:43)

• On Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Timing:

  Russ: “Needs to come out before June 15th.”
  Christopher: “Okay, let's do that. Nintendo Switch isn't released until after June 15th...” (49:12)

VI. Finalizing Predictions and Draft (51:45 – 57:00)

After selecting their top five predictions each, the hosts finalize their draft. They express optimism about the accuracy of their forecasts, acknowledging the inherent uncertainty in the gaming industry's fast-paced environment.

Key Points:

• Valve’s SteamOS Expansion: Russ believes Valve might release new hardware with native SteamOS support, citing the ecosystem's potential profitability.
• Nvidia’s Government Hearing: Christopher is intrigued by the possibility of Nvidia being compelled to participate in AI-related government hearings, reflecting on the broader implications of AI in gaming.
• Nintendo’s Address of Switch 2 Issues: Both hosts agree that Nintendo addressing hardware durability publicly is a likely scenario to mitigate potential backlash.

Conclusion and Future Content: The episode wraps up with acknowledgments to Patreon supporters and teasers for upcoming episodes, including a special guest segment and a deep dive into the best open-world games.

Notable Closing Remarks:

• Russ: “We have some patrons from the Patreon, if you will. We have Verum, we have Connor, we have Logan, and we have Damodanko. Thank you for being patrons of the Besties.” (54:34)
• Christopher: “Next week we are doing the most anticipated games of 2025 with the whole gang...” (55:32)

VII. Key Takeaways and Insights

• Accuracy in Predictions: The hosts demonstrate a commitment to refining their prediction-making process, emphasizing fairness and the importance of precise language.

• Industry Awareness: Christopher and Russ exhibit deep knowledge of the gaming industry, discussing potential acquisitions, game releases, and hardware innovations with informed perspectives.

• Engaging Presentation: The conversation flows naturally, balancing technical discussions with humor and personal anecdotes, making the content accessible and entertaining for both avid gamers and casual listeners.

• Community Involvement: By acknowledging Patreon supporters and teasing future content, the hosts foster a sense of community and anticipation among their audience.

Final Notable Quote:

• Christopher: “We do pretty okay. I think we did better than we've done previously, if I recall correctly.” (17:15)

This episode of The Besties offers an insightful and entertaining exploration into the future of the video game industry, blending accurate retrospectives with bold forecasts. Whether you're a gaming enthusiast or simply curious about what's next, Christopher and Russ provide a compelling narrative that keeps listeners engaged and informed.