AJSN WK27A- Bungie Layoffs, PSN Removes FILMS, Elden Ring CEO Drama, HASBRO A.I., Edgerunners 2!

Overview

This video is a “gaming news” roundup with a heavy emphasis on consumer rights, live-service business decisions, and controversial uses of AI.

Key stories and commentary

1) PlayStation removes hundreds of purchased movies

• Sony/PlayStation is deleting 555 films from some users’ libraries, including titles such as:
  • Rambo (First Blood)
  • Bridget Jones’s Diary
  • The Deer Hunter
  • Terminator 2
  • Total Recall
  • and others
• The hosts argue this underscores a core problem with digital ownership: even previously purchased content can be removed due to licensing agreements.
• They criticize Sony for lacking transparency about remedies (e.g., no clear mention of refunds or make-goods), framing it as essentially “you own nothing anymore” in digital terms.
• Takeaway: Avoid buying non-game media on storefronts where licensing may end; prefer ownership models with fewer risks of expiration/recall.

2) Hasbro accused of pushing child voice contracts toward AI use

• Hasbro (and related IPs such as Dungeons & Dragons and Magic) is criticized for efforts involving AI voice retention.
• The segment claims Hasbro is trying to force child actors (e.g., from Peppa Pig) to sign clauses allowing their voices to be used/retained via AI, with the clause designed to prevent removal later.
• The hosts interpret this as exploitative—children (and/or parents) would effectively be giving away control of voices “forever.”
• They argue AI should be used for beneficial tasks, not for replacing people or extracting rights from minors.
• The hosts’ tone is strongly critical, describing the situation as (allegedly) unethical.

3) Quantic Dream warns Star Wars Eclipse may be held back by staffing

• Star Wars Eclipse is reportedly in trouble due to being understaffed, with delays continuing since its initial 2021 showing.
• Quantic Dream management says they aren’t being sabotaged; rather, they need substantially more personnel to meet scope and timelines.
• The hosts suggest industry layoffs could make it easier to hire, implying the project might still be salvageable if properly staffed.

4) Elden Ring CEO drama: investors push for more monetization/control

• The video discusses investor actions targeting leadership/CEO of FromSoftware.
• Investors are portrayed as dissatisfied with the current strategy: even with Elden Ring’s massive sales, they want more aggressive monetization and broader distribution.
• The hosts frame the conflict as shareholder pressure: strong creative/business performance may not matter if it doesn’t maximize revenue growth.

5) Bungie layoffs and live-service mismanagement (Destiny/Marathon)

• Sony Interactive Entertainment reportedly laid off at least 292 people at Bungie, with fears that additional layoffs could follow.
• The hosts claim this impacts major portions of Destiny 2 teams, plus roles tied to Marathon and related support staff.
• They discuss the inconsistency of “sunsetting” Destiny 2 while not fully securing the future pipeline (including concerns about insufficient projects being approved).
• They argue heavy spending on Marathon paired with weak long-term sustainment/planning reflects mismanagement.
• They also comment on Marathon’s declining player sentiment (e.g., “sweaty” vibes and loot adjustments hurting enjoyment).
• A central theme is consumer confidence: layoffs and shutdown talk reduce willingness to buy skins/microtransactions.

Marathon update: “Vault Breaker”

• A new PvE mode, Vault Breaker, is highlighted:
  • Players move through Cryo Archive content in squads (solos/duos/trios) to reach vault endings against difficult enemies.
  • There’s progression across matches to increase power.
  • Loot doesn’t carry over; instead, players earn a new currency to upgrade gear specific to the mode.
• The hosts predict this may reduce exploitation, but also argue it’s unlikely to fully restore player confidence or meaningfully increase engagement enough to stabilize the live-service.

6) Sony still committed to live service despite recent failures

• Sony leadership says they’ll continue pursuing live-service games, comparing the genre to a lottery ticket for a breakout hit.
• The hosts reference failure examples (such as Firewalk/Concord) that flopped quickly.
• They argue Sony’s approach keeps missing the mark rather than pivoting toward what audiences want.
• They speculate what a future Sony/Bungie live-service hit might look like, but remain skeptical.

Closing “bright spot” (Cyberpunk)

• The video ends on more positive news: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is officially in production by Studio Trigger and CD Projekt Red.
• It’s described as a standalone story (not a direct continuation of the original characters), set again in Night City with a new cast.
• The hosts mention:
  • A teaser trailer release (with potential reactions to follow later).
  • Expected tone: darker, violent, and likely adult-themed, similar to the first series.
  • Release window: this fall (suggested months: September–November).

Presenters / contributors

• Alex
• Joe (mentioned repeatedly; also appears as “OJ” alongside Joe)
• OJ (referenced as a host/contributor in the discussion, including with gaming/movie preferences)