Call of Duty Costs, Nintendo Switch 2 Leaks, and Forgotten Game Features
January 10th, 2025 Podcast Recap
This week on Good Playing With You, Dan Whitehill, Matt Lord, and Matthew Maulding dived into some of the hottest gaming news, from industry-shaking leaks to intriguing game features, and reflected on old gaming favorites. Here’s what went down:
Call of Duty’s Wild Development Costs
The team discussed Forbes’ report on the astronomical development costs of recent Call of Duty titles, with Black Ops Cold War reaching $700 million. While this demonstrates the rising stakes in AAA gaming, the team debated whether spending this much leads to better games or just bloated budgets. They also questioned if these massive costs were matched by proportional profits and marketing expenses. Key takeaway? Money doesn’t always guarantee quality.
Nintendo Switch 2: New Leaks Unveiled
The floodgates opened on Nintendo Switch 2 rumors, revealing specs like 4K texture support, AI-enhanced upscaling, and a mouse-like optical sensor in the Joy-Cons. The team was split: some saw potential for strategy games and new mechanics, while others felt skeptical, prioritizing game quality over gimmicks. One unanimous sentiment? Nintendo needs a standout launch title (Metroid Prime 4, anyone?) to make this worthwhile.
Xbox Series S vs. Developers
The podcast highlighted Black Myth Wukong developers’ issues with optimizing for the Xbox Series S, citing hardware limitations. The Series S’s performance requirements sparked debate on whether Microsoft’s decision to offer a less powerful console has backfired. While Maulding felt the Series S was holding back gaming innovation, Lord defended the console’s potential when games are well-optimized.
Horizon Zero Dawn and Helldivers Movies
Sony announced movie adaptations of Horizon Zero Dawn and Helldivers. While Horizon’s stunning visuals and compelling story could make for a blockbuster, the team noted concerns over CGI execution and uninspired adaptations like Uncharted. Meanwhile, Helldivers’ Starship Troopers-inspired setting offers room for creativity and action-packed spectacle.
Half-Life 3 Hype (Or Not?)
Voice actor Mike Shapiro teased fans with a cryptic 2025 message, sparking renewed hope for Half-Life 3. While Lord was ready to believe, Maulding and Dan remained cautious, suspecting it could be a spinoff or VR title. Regardless, the mere mention of Half-Life 3 has reignited the eternal meme.
Open-World Games and Mental Health
A recent study praised open-world games like Breath of the Wild for their positive impact on mental health, offering relaxation, cognitive escapism, and emotional relief. The hosts reflected on their own experiences, agreeing that gaming can be meditative, especially compared to the stress of social media.
Revisiting Old Favorites: Hits and Misses
The trio shared their experiences replaying classic games. Lord lamented how The Thing didn’t hold up, while Maulding struggled with the dated graphics of Hitman: Blood Money. On the flip side, Far Cry 3 and Red Dead Redemption proved timeless, reminding players why they’re beloved classics.
Forgotten Genius Game Features
The hosts discussed brilliant game mechanics that never saw broader adoption:
Eternal Darkness’s sanity effects that played mind games with players.
Tears of the Kingdom’s inventive glue mechanic for crafting.
The Strand system in Death Stranding, fostering social connections.
Red Faction’s environmental destruction, a mechanic the hosts wish would return.
Dan rounded things out by praising Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’s rewind feature, which felt revolutionary but has since been mostly forgotten.