Advertise on podcast: Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

Recent data analysis indicates what was already fairly obvious: The online pushback to Sony's discless announcement this past summer was at least partially astroturfed. It's not to say that no one had authentic grievances, or that real people didn't try their hardest to make their voices heard. Rather, it's that a tangible amount of the seemingly-earnest feedback that was plastered underneath everything PlayStation posted for months is demonstrably fake. This revelation brings us back to the original point, which is consumers' unwillingness to hit Sony where it really hurts -- in its wallet -- meaning that PlayStation can continue to merely wait this thing out, sans consequences. Why won't angry consumers do the hard work of removing themselves from the ecosystem entirely? The ramifications of such a move would speak in a language no company can ignore. Other news this week includes the reveal of a 30th anniversary Gran Turismo DualSense, a God of War: Laufey collector's edition that doesn't come with the actual game, trouble percolating over the extreme cost of licenses associated with EA's College Football, and more. Then: Listener inquiries. Was PlayStation 3's brief foray into 3D gaming a waste of time, or a promising technology that was too early to market? Should Sony prepare to lose access to Xbox's catalog of games in the PlayStation 6 era? Why don't animators and artists change the aesthetic of actors during motion capture? Did you know we're now further away from BioShock's release date than BioShock's release date was from the decade of the 1980s? Download the Quince app for exclusive offers or go to https://www.quince.com Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:41:43 - Christmas wedding update0:42:55 - Bioshock is getting old0:47:34 - Treble update0:48:43 - Shoutout James Turner0:55:39 - PlayStation disc backlash was partially bots1:22:18 - PS5 hacking1:41:59 - Midnight Black PS5 only in Japan1:45:41 - God of War Laufey Collector Box1:58:11 - Gran Turismo 7 controller2:00:31 - New PS+ Game Catalog entries2:04:31 - EA College Football issues2:11:05 - Peak rated for PS52:11:27 - Control Resonant sold 1 million copies2:16:04 - What We’re Playing (Control, The Adventures of Elliot, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Silent Hill: Townfall, Hellraiser: Revival, Valor Mortis, Gears)2:44:11 - 3D games on PS32:58:11 - Where are the female game commentators?3:17:11 - Xbox's poll on exclusivity3:38:01 - Real life likeness in games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A common complaint during the PlayStation 5 generation has been that the core fanbase has is being ignored. There's obvious truth to this statement, as Sony pivots more and more towards the free-to-play and games-as-a-service audiences that now sustain the brand. But perhaps they're still listening, after all. Recent rumors indicate a new Ape Escape is in development at an external second party team, joining People Can Fly's alleged Killzone project as yet another look backwards into PlayStation's extensive well of dormant IP. The real question now is: What else would we want to see? We discuss. Plus: Sony sells hundreds of PSVR-related patents to Meta, a new Portal model with an OLED screen may be incoming, Forza Horizon 6 gets a PS5 release date, Warhorse's CEO thinks games should obviously cost more, Alan Wake 3 may be early in development at Remedy, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is 'hybrid gaming' the future of the industry? How do we deal with latent DLC for games we're no longer familiar with? Should Sacred Symbols be focused on attracting more female listeners? Which host has earned the title of Emeritus? Get 10% off your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbolsTimestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro00:19:10 - Chris and the future of Sacred Symbols00:54:12 - A new Ape Escape is in development01:15:30 - Sony offloads VR patents to Meta01:34:23 - New Portal models could be coming01:44:36 - Forza Horizon 6 coming to PS5 in January01:50:01 - Warhorse hope GTA will allow game prices to go up02:04:44 - Vice City Heat rebrand02:07:36 - Is Remedy already making Alan Wake 3?02:16:10 - Paramount-WB merger02:27:00 - PlayStation blind boxes02:30:08 - Crunchyroll's further integration into PS502:33:14 - US Sales data02:37:20 - What We’re Playing (Control, The Adventures of Elliot, Control Resonant, Gears of War: E-Day, Find the Needle)03:04:31 - When to come back for DLC03:14:08 - New options for trophy hunters03:21:56 - Appealing to a female audience03:32:58 - PSN Security updates03:43:15 - Is the future of consoles hybrid?03:49:29 - Sony IPs with different first party teams Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's simply no denying that Naughty Dog's absence this generation is deeply felt. Apart from a couple of ports and a defunct, half-made multiplayer project, Sony's crown jewel studio hasn't contributed much of anything to PS5. Thankfully, that's on the verge of changing, not only as we get late in this cycle, but ever-closer to PlayStation 6. Three important pieces of news emerged: Intergalactic will be shown-off next year, a new Uncharted is indeed in development and will come to market following Intergalactic, and two The Last of Us projects are being incubated as well (one presumably The Last of Us: Part III). For the first time in ages, we have a clearer and more robust view into what Sony's most important team is planning for the next half-decade and well beyond. Is it time to celebrate? Or will the proof be in the pudding? Plus: Sony is skipping CES for the first time since 1967, a new look at God of War: Laufey's combat shows something decidedly DMC, AI upscaling comes to base PlayStation 5, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Why do so many "spiritual successors" fail to live up to the original? What's with all of the 10s IGN gives out these days? Should players embrace 'the grind' in video games, or seek ways around it? Who has the audacity to schedule a wedding on Christmas Eve? Visit https://www.prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/SACRED and use code SACRED and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Get 10% off your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols Download Cash App today and make your money work for you. https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/ty57yree #CashAppPartner Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card (https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement), Sutton debit flex card (https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton), and Bancorp debit flex card (https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp). Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:28:56 - LSM quality0:31:25 - PSP Marcus0:38:23 - Don't play Sacred around your kids0:52:26 - Wedding on Christmas Eve0:59:57 - Mike Tomlin's Minecraft city1:05:29 - Sony is skipping CES1:16:49 - Naughty Dog's future1:39:58 - Uncharted 4 spoilers start2:01:00 - God of War: Laufey pre-orders are live2:09:07 - QSSR introduced on base PS52:16:42 - PlayStation 5 jailbreak2:28:27 - Sony Japan's PS5 Pro lottery2:36:07 - Kena 2 pushed to 20272:39:01 - Portal's battery update2:44:01 - Sony credit card patent2:47:32 - Ubisoft's mega-studio: Massive Entertainment2:51:30 - New Person sales figures2:56:57 - October PS+ games2:59:30 - What We’re Playing (Silent Hill: Townfall, Ace Combat 8, Control Resonant)3:36:36 - Reducing hand holding in games3:47:53 - Spiritual successors missing the mark3:54:43 - Modern gaming ADHD4:02:02 - Physint on PlayStation4:09:59 - Steam's personal calendar4:13:08 - 10/10s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to Bungie, Sony's long been at a crossroads. Either PlayStation needs to invest heavily into keeping the studio afloat so it can support existing products and spin-up new ones, or it needs to pull the plug before more good money went after bad. Well, Sony's made a decision, and it's seemingly very much the former choice. With a new wind at its back, can Bungie turn Marathon around, revive Destiny, and survive and even thrive within the first party family? Or is it simply too little, too late? Plus: More information emerges on the Physint-Kojima situation, ex-Naughty Dog director Bruce Straley tells some hard truths about modern AAA gaming, SEGA got oh-so-close to binning Sonic the Hedgehog entirely, Square Enix intends on letting Final Fantasy VII Revelation players controversially auto-level their characters, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! What are our thoughts on Xbox's recent consolidative efforts? Are we sometimes too cavalier when openly spoiling older games? In what fashion should Crash Bandicoot's 30th anniversary be properly celebrated? How many listeners in total has Dustin gotten into Iron Maiden? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:28:18 - Wearing Sacred merch listening to Sacred0:31:51 - Hogs update0:33:32 - Shoutout Samantha0:35:42 - Aaron and Dimitric0:40:51 - Iron Maiden fandom0:52:40 - Jury duty0:59:55 - Trophy by the clock1:01:32 - Bungie's future1:58:59 - Gene's interview with Kojima2:19:45 - Bruce Straley and God of War2:38:06 - FF7 Revelation allows auto leveling2:49:04 - Sega nearly did the right thing2:51:29 - Lisa Dualsense I guess2:54:30 - Lufia I + II are coming3:00:55 - What We’re Playing (Wolverine, Silent Hill: Townfall, Fire Emblem, Big Walk)3:35:45 - Armed Fantasia canceled3:38:35 - Xbox's reset part 24:01:37 - Were apps on console a mistake?4:03:53 - Asking executives any question4:08:06 - Crash's 30th anniversary4:11:46 - When are spoilers okay?4:20:30 - Do fans care about gold, silver, and bronze trophies? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A player-organized "PlayStation Blackout" recently asked Sony's hardcore customers to stay off of PSN for a mere week. It was a no doubt modest ask -- one that wasn't going to break the brand -- and it's always nice to see people try and do something when they deem it necessary. But if data from reliable US industry tracking firm Circana is any indication, the PlayStation Blackout had no discernable effect on their data whatsoever. When does initiative end and performance begin? If something is clearly not working, should one's tactics change? Perhaps most importantly, does a movement, no matter how laudable, need actually likable leadership to be effective? One thing's for sure: The blackout was a dud, something its most ardent champions cannot (or perhaps will not) square. Other news this week includes rumors surrounding Media Molecule's next game, an altered update approach for Bungie's Marathon, the reported closure of MindsEye studio Build A Rocket Boy, the trademarked sequel to 2023's beloved Lies of P, and much more. Then: Listener inquiries! Are Sony games victimized by over-focus testing? Should we be worried about Housemarque's future? Why don't more scary games launch in October? Does Colin need to remind everyone what about the true definition of "pithy"?Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:22:49 - Colin's "nachos"0:36:21 - Can Mitch McConnell beat Wolverine?0:37:22 - Define pithy0:46:02 - Resident Evil movie is good?0:50:05 - PlayStation blackout had no effect1:06:52 - Details about Media Molecule's next game1:21:33 - Marathon development update1:41:44 - Marvel Tokon's director on the PC launch1:47:18 - Build A Rocket Boy is no more1:58:11 - Lies of P Sequel trademarked2:09:01 - New PlayStation headsets2:20:53 - Powerwash Simulator 2's next DLC2:24:48 - Level 5's AI drama2:29:28 - Wardogs is a hit2:35:38 - Dragon Quest sells over 100 million2:38:48 - Terranigma releases January 14th2:44:28 - What We’re Playing (The Blood of Dawnwalker, Onimusha: Way of the Sword)2:45:15 - PlayStation's side of the Kojima divorce3:00:40 - Is focus testing ruining games?3:19:16 - Bloat and personnel in gaming3:27:25 - Porting trophies to Xbox3:35:03 - Housemarque's future3:39:33 - Horror games in October Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So much bad mojo currently surrounds the PlayStation brand, that the negativity is starting to feel more like a trend than a temporary happenstance. The most recent news -- that Sony cancelled Kojima's Physint project, allowing him to take it to rival Xbox -- is the freshest addition to an increasing line of gut punches. Worse yet, such a move reveals something seemingly deeper: A sick PlayStation, unable to make rational decisions, desperately in-need of going under the knife and emerging with new leadership and a new directive. We discuss. Plus: Killzone Remaster/Remake rumors percolate, a popular PS3 emulator now allows play directly off of Blu-ray discs, the Saudis plot an EA-Savvy merger, Valve accidentally leaks a ton of upcoming games' achievements, and more. Then, we finish things up (as we always do) with listener inquiries. Could the greater multiplayer space benefit from a reorientation away from PvP and towards PvE? Are people severely underestimating the demand for PlayStation 6? Could Sony once again expand its first party sports offerings beyond MLB: The Show? Should we start deploying mouth-agape thumbnail images? Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbolsPlease keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:40:31 - Mega Man amiibo0:40:56 - Advice for divorce0:54:28 - Sacred Make-A-Wish0:58:15 - Thumbnail preference1:03:47 - Sony's physical production was misreported1:06:30 - Sony pulls PHYSINT, Kojima goes to Xbox2:14:20 - Rumor: Killzone is returning2:26:33 - Valve leaks achievements of tons of games2:38:02 - You can play PS3 games on disk on PC2:41:50 - EA and Savvy could combine2:46:43 - SNK announces Metal Slug Ultimate Collectoin2:51:48 - New PS+ Game Catalog titles2:54:27 - August PSN charts2:57:02 - What We’ve Been Playing (Alan Wake II, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Onimusha: WotS, Plague Tale Resonance)3:19:34 - Wolverine discussion3:42:57 - PvE over Pvp3:48:48 - Where is Mega Man Legends?3:55:00 - Is it better to be an early adopter?4:04:23 - Video game innovation4:14:57 - Sony first party sports4:18:34 - The end of remasters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PlayStation's dueling State of Play presentations -- one for western audiences and the other for its native Japanese territory -- hasn't quelled the ever-increasing animus for the brand in some corners. Though widely considered a weak showing (we rank it somewhere between a C and F, depending on which one of us you ask), there were still some great games worth discussing, and we'll do just that. New announcements included shark-eating sequel Maneater 2, an eastern take on New York City with Konami's Rhapsody in Scarlet, old-school bona fides in SlashZero, and the uniquely liminal World Phasebound Control Authority. Plus, release dates flowed for the likes of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Until Dawn 2, and Metro 2039, all excellent-looking titles. But underneath the surface, the same issues remain. Is Sony disconnected from the reality on the ground, or are we too busy misinterpreting the noise while dodging the signal? We discuss at length. Other news this week includes some Grand Theft Auto VI updates, the exit of Housemarque's co-founder, faux rumors of Square Enix going private, and more. Then, we wrap things up (as we always do) with listener inquiries. Do we believe the scuttlebutt out of Gamescom that Sony's development and publishing partners are upset with them? What do we think of the new website Video Games Critic? Does developer Bit Reactor furloughing staff indicate a future trend for sustainable game dev? Is Sacred Symbols the absolutely perfect podcast for the manic depressive? Visit ⁠https://www.prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/SACRED ⁠and use code SACRED and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Download Cash App Today: ⁠https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/ty57yree⁠ #CashAppPod  Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the ⁠Sutton prepaid card⁠, ⁠Sutton debit flex card⁠, and ⁠Bancorp debit flex card⁠.  Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit ⁠cash.app/legal/podcast⁠ for full disclosures. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:16:34 - Pre-Sacred ritual0:28:26 - Chris Ray Goon0:31:09 - Bathroom paper towels0:33:04 - Podcast etiquette0:40:44 - Wendy's encounter0:52:21 - Money flow follow-up0:54:57 - State of Play1:46:37 - Netflix's GTAVI breaks records1:49:41 - Sony's comments on "digital ownership"2:03:08 - Housemarque co-founder leaves2:07:52 - Square Enix denies going private2:10:38 - Sony Music buys 24% stake in Gung Ho Entertainment2:13:06 - Sony brings live TV to PlayStation2:15:48 - Iron Man game leaked2:18:38 - What We’re Playing (Alan Wake 2, Mortal Shell 2, Halloween: The Game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword)2:29:30 - PlayStation getting cold feet?2:38:54 - Naughty Dog’s new reality2:50:52 - Video Games Critic2:59:12 - Physical games replacement3:07:32 - Mega Man’s future3:13:26 - Star Wars: Zero Company furlough Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's finally time! Rockstar has revealed an in-depth look at Grand Theft Auto VI for the first time, with tons of gameplay, details, and more that so many tens of millions of fans have been hungry for. We discuss all we saw and what we loved and didn't, along with in-depth coverage of the hullabaloo surrounding the game's preview cycle and price. Colin even takes some time to educate the masses that GTAVI at $80 is nearly twice as affordable as GTA1 was at $50, based simply on average incomes and not at all adjusting for dreaded inflation (so next time someone tells you pay hasn't kept up with the increase in game pricing, now you know they're unapologetically lying). Other news this week includes fresh rumors of electronics tariffs in America, booming Helldivers 2 sales, a ton of Gamescom ONL fodder (including Witcher 3 Remastered, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Stage Tour, Exodus, Mega Man: Dual Overdrive, and more). Then: Listener inquiries! Is game development in danger of so-called "mode collapse"? How has MiHoYo managed to find so much success across so many high-caliber games? Would Sony ever explore re-releasing old PlayStation hardware? Will Chris and Dustin join Colin in the Fart Corner? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro20:46 - Patreon player22:05 - Free codes26:43 - Sacred is here for you28:28 - Glass Snapple is back32:03 - GTA VI leaks and pricing1:52:47 - GTA VI showcase reaction2:23:20 - New tariffs could be coming2:28:34 - Anti-data center craze2:40:40 - Gamescom catchup3:20:24 - Sony confirms Helldivers is a huge success3:21:27 - Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement delayed3:22:59 - Terranigma confirmed3:23:45 - Dave Bautista cast as Kratos3:24:37 - New PS+ games3:28:07 - What Are We Playing? (Beast of Reincarnation, Alan Wake II, Endacopia, Mortal Shell 2, How to Fish)3:53:48 - Mode Collapse of gaming4:02:30 - HoYoverse expansion4:07:33 - "Legacy PlayStation"4:11:44 - Will this be one of the best years in gaming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sony's mishandling of its games-as-a-service initiative is well-worn territory here on Sacred Symbols, but that doesn't mean the fallout doesn't persist. This time around, Guerrilla's new multiplayer title Horizon: Hunters Gathering is the focal point. Based on recent reporting, it appears Sony is having the dev team rework the game to remove live service and other persistent elements, and its fate will be decided by December, with cancellation still very much on the table. Bungie and Marathon, Haven and Fairgames, Firewalk and Concord, Naughty Dog and The Last of Us Online, the Deviation-turned-Dark Outlaw project, Bluepoint and God of War Online, a cancelled multiplayer Spider-Man game at Insomniac, Twisted Metal never getting far off the ground at Lucid... Truly, it's enough already. Plus: Until Dawn star Hayden Panettiere sadly passes away at 37 years old, Grand Theft Auto VI suffers a catastrophic leak, Hiroko Totoki talks to the Wall Street Journal about Sony's move away from tech and towards entertainment, Square Enix swears Kingdom Hearts IV will launch in 2027, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is Naughty Dog's high-caliber approach ultimately unsustainable? Have we lost sight of the reality of how bad the experience of using physical media actually is? How can we both run Sacred Symbols effectively while ignoring the endless, persistent, and unrealistic negativity? Will Colin ultimately push Dustin over the line by insisting he's Japanese? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro39:18 - Shoutout to Chris and Porter50:08 - "Dustin is Japanese"52:26 - Drinking in the pool1:03:09 - Digital ownership brother in arms1:09:27 - RIP Hayden Panettiere1:15:08 - GTAVI Leaks1:44:20 - Horizon: Hunters Gathering is being reworked2:28:31 - Hiroki Totoki Literature Club interview2:42:15 - Sony's shovelware purge gone wrong?2:55:21 - Kingdom Hearts IV releases late 20273:01:28 - Terranigma port3:05:32 - Pulse Elevate speakers coming in November3:07:53 - Call of Duty beta includes campaign level3:09:44 - Simpsons Hit and Run returns?3:14:25 - July US sales data3:18:42 - What We're Playing (Beast of Reincarnation, Spider-Man 2, Mortal Shell 2)3:40:39 - Toxic fandoms3:56:42 - Enshittification across media4:06:53 - Curbing your expectations4:20:17 - Is Naughty Dog unsustainable?4:24:14 - Is America AAA game dev dead?4:30:34 - Was physical media a nightmare? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On PlayStation 5 in the near future, you're going to be hacking, slashing, stabbing, and serrating your enemies with reckless abandon. For starters, the dangerously-clawed Wolverine emerges in September, along with a newly-announced special edition PS5 console, a couple of DualSense controllers, and even some plates for your existing hardware. (Plus, the previews are quite positive!) September also provides us with horroresque Halloween: The Game from IllFonic, which interestingly enough won't be released in Australia and New Zealand for the stupidest reason. Come October, hack-and-slash RPG Phantom Blade 0 joins the fray -- a long-in-development Chinese game that's getting its own State of Play imminently -- not to mention Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition, packing new single-player content galore alongside the return of the Katana-wielding Atsu. Other news this week includes a surprise PS3-era Lord of the Rings drop, insane data about Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders, and more. But we end, as we always do, with listener inquiries. Will Sony really eschew any sort of external disc drive for PlayStation 6, if only for backwards compatibility purposes? Why is visiting a new town in an RPG typically such an exciting experience? What would a "Digital Bill of Rights" look like? Is Dustin losing his Japanese language skills through atrophy? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro42:56 - Met-cha Chameleon47:49 - Sacred American Gladiator50:20 - 24 minutes53:49 - Almonds vs data centers1:07:26 - Phantom Blade Zero State of Play1:15:00 - Halloween The Game refused classification in Australia and New Zealand1:27:08 - Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition1:35:19 - Wolverine console plates and more1:43:56 - Lord of the Rings: War in the North re-released1:52:42 - New PS+ Game Catalog games2:01:00 - GTAVI's $100 version is the top seller2:14:29 - July's Top PSN Downloads2:17:35 - Spider-Man sales increase thanks to the movie2:20:20 - What We're Playing (Big Walk, Marvel Tokon, Gears of War E-Day, Spider-Man (2000), Beast of Reincarnation)2:59:54- Digital Bill of Rights3:10:07 - Playing PS5 discs on PS63:20:35 - Codes in boxes3:24:14 - RPG towns3:29:23 - Defending big companies3:39:48 - Game discipline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After roughly half-a-dozen episodes of unfortunate absence, we're pleased to welcome Dustin back to the fold, and just in the nick of time at that. A trio of interesting stories have bubbled to the surface over the past week worth examining, and they require further inquiry from the whole cast. For starters, Sony's financials show a stagnant (albeit perfectly healthy) PlayStation brand, as PS5 marches ever-slower towards 100 million units sold. And then there's Electronic Arts, the pioneering American publisher that sold-out to a wealthy foreign interest, with untold ramifications on the other side of the biggest-ever leveraged buyout in human history. Finally, we come to Netflix and Rockstar, who have teamed-up for what can only be described as a unique approach towards showcasing Grand Theft Auto VI, one (perhaps not surprisingly) some people aren't thrilled about. Among other news (and other nonsense), we also get into your listener submissions, as we do each week. How will MLB: The Show 27 be affected next year by what appears to be an inevitable work stoppage in professional baseball? Is there any workable idea for a framework surrounding the second-hand buying, selling, and trading of digital games? Could Sony blunt PlayStation 6's inevitably-high cost by taking a page from Xbox's book and offering hardware on long-term payment plans? Has Colin been saying "beaucoup bucks" wrong, or does one listener simply not know his French? This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols Sign up for your $1 per month trial at https://www.shopify.com/sacred Get 365-day returns and free shipping at https://www.quince.com/sacred Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00 - Intro21:28 - Beaucoup bucks23:15 - Has Colin gone woke?30:57 - Betting on Dustin's return35:44 - Last games during Dustin's leave51:19 - Balancing work, life, and kids58:32 - GTA VI premieres on Netflix1:16:24 - Sony Q1 26 financials1:56:48 - EA's sale to the Saudis is done2:11:37 - Shift Up's AI music video2:21:50 - Dave Bautista as Kratos?2:26:59 - New PlayStation LEGO2:27:31 - Black Ops on PS5 sales2:28:34 - What We're Playing (Halo, GTA SA, Big Walk, Splatoon Raiders)2:55:43 - AI Moderation3:13:54 - MLB Lockout3:17:47 - Optimizing games too much3:24:30 - Buying and selling digital games3:34:09 - Lack of real games media3:41:07 - Buying PS6 via contract Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sure, there's a lot of anger in our ecosystem right now, but what about all that's upcoming, all that could potentially change our moods? For instance, God of War: Laufey has received a February '27 release date, while compelling rumors indicate Naughty Dog's long-awaited Intergalactic may also grace PlayStation 5 in 2027. With Arc System Works promising tons of fixes for Marvel Tokon (especially on PC) in time for its imminent launch, and with Wolverine just around the corner -- not to mention a ton of third-party fare, too -- maybe it's time we lighten up a little bit. Plus: Dragon Age is seemingly dead, Square Enix lives in perpetual fear of the potential scale of a Final Fantasy VI remake, Crazy Taxi: World Tour solicits players for closed tests, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Why do so many people seem so hostile towards so-called "Gun and Ball" gamers? Is Sony's ever-struggling PlayStation Network ready for the crush it will experience with Grand Theft Auto VI? Does PS5 console exclusive Silent Hill: Townfall's approach to stealth and avoidant gameplay interest us? Will Dustin ever return to the show, or is he too busy going to Ohio to find physical games? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro11:58 - R.I.P. Sophie18:56 - R.I.P. Excalibur31:49 - Shoutout to gamer mom35:53 - Changing names41:22 - Dustin's been spotted in the wild43:26 - A rare correction51:39 - PSBlackout1:18:41 - God of War: Laufey launches on February 16th, 20271:26:22 - Reliable insider suggests Naughty Dog will release Intergalactic in 20271:36:40 - Marvel Tokon’s PC test isn’t going great1:42:38 - A Dragon Age trilogy re-release seems very unlikely1:51:02 - Yoshi-P says a Final Fantasy VI remake would require four or five parts1:58:17 - Crazy Taxi: World Tour gets a closed network test2:01:19 - Industry layoffs are accelerating2:09:47 - New PS+ Essential games revealed2:12:36 - Gran Turismo 7 gets a branded steering wheel2:15:56 - Surprise! Capcom continues to do great2:16:16 - What is Kingdom Come: Salvation?2:16:29 - Atari signs a 10-movie deal with Universal2:17:10 - Weird Trophies?2:20:23 - What We're Playing (Halo, Onimusha 2, Powerwash Simulator 2 DLC)2:57:38 - When was the last time a game took over your whole life?3:05:35 - Why is there so much animosity towards Ball-&-Gun gamers?3:20:40 - The physical games drama is getting old3:32:40 - Can the PSN infrastructure handle the GTA VI preload?3:35:35 - Is there no appetite for the PS6?3:45:00 - Silent Hill: Townfall hype level Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PlayStation's self-inflicted physical games fiasco is nearing a month deep, and it seems fairly obvious at this point that nothing's going to change. The good news is that -- amongst all the chatter, arguing, and prognostication -- comes more info from the American market that indicates that Sony is pissing people off, yes, but also making a seemingly rational commercial decision from their perspective. Thus, we find ourselves in a continued bind: Through all of the screaming and insulting is salient data, should one be willing to look with sober eyes. We discuss. Plus: Marathon loses its game director, Bethesda vows to deliver a lot more Fallout, Rebel Wolves promises Mass Effect-like save migration for its nascent Blood of Dawnwalker series, NBA 2K27 skips PlayStation 4, Kratos gets recast in Amazon's God of War series, and more. We then wrap things up, as we always do, with listener inquiries from our audience. What are our expectations for Until Dawn 2? Did the elimination of crunch culture in some corners of the industry have unexpected downstream effects? Should Grand Theft Auto be held to account for the real-world violence it potentially inspires? Has Colin created a new mosquito bite-obliterating trend? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro17:43 - Del Walker has great insight21:03 - Marathon's PVE mode31:45 - Feel better, Brent32:32 - Moriarty X Jaffe summer camp44:43 - More sports talk please48:52 - Dexter can't dance53:24 - Mosquito's suck57:22 - Physical game sales on PS5 are struggling + June US sales data1:59:31 - Marathon's director quits2:17:10 - Bethesda confirms Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters2:33:22 - Blood of the Dawnwalker will carry its saves over into future games2:38:06 - NBA 2K27’s cover athletes revealed, skips PS42:42:34 - Jonathan Blow’s new game confirmed for launch on PS52:45:37 - God of War’s Amazon show is recasting Kratos after on-set injury2:49:45 - The first Call of Duty film is less than a year out2:52:18 - What We're Playing (Onimusha, Onimusha 2, Powerwash Simulator 2 Star Wars DLC, Marathon, Halo Campaign Evolved)3:08:38 - Can Until Dawn 2 live up to its predecessor?3:13:29 - Is the elimination of crunch the cause of ballooning budgets?3:19:34 - The phasing out of trilogies3:24:42 - Will retro hardware prices skyrocket?3:30:38 - Does GTA cause violence?3:40:51 - Should Sony fund smaller single player games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new report from a trusted gaming industry analyst projects PlayStation 6 to launch in 2028 and sell only four million units in its first calendar year on the market. When you consider that even PS3 managed to sell three and a half million units in a mere four months, well, it might be a tough row to hoe. And when you take into account that this analysis assumes PS6 will sell for between $600 and $800, Sony may be in for a rude awakening indeed. We discuss. Then again, other analysis paints a far rosier picture, at least as far as Grand Theft Auto VI pre-sales are concerned, where Sony will be raking it in by the many hundreds of millions in royalties alone. Other news this week includes EA's reversal on its controversial College Football 27 microtransactions, the dominance of Call of Duty: Black Ops I and II's PSN release, the delay of the upcoming first party fight stick FlexStrike, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is PlayStation in dire need of a spokesperson? Does Crunchyroll's new approach with its subscription portend a dicey future for PSN? Have we ever lent a physical game to a friend (or someone else) and never received it back? Could Episode 420 mean throwing all caution to the wind? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro51:17 - PlayStation at San Diego Comic-Con57:15 - Analyst forecasts a soft PS6 launch1:12:07 - GTA VI to make billions in its first week1:20:47 - EA backtracks on controversial monetization1:33:35 - Black Ops 1 and 2 dominate PSN1:44:07 - Sony finally elaborates heavily on Ranger Rumble1:53:14 - Sony’s FlexStrike fight stick hits “unexpected production delays”2:00:10 - Was Sony once exploring an animated Horizon series?2:05:43 - Koei Tecmo rapidly expands headcount2:17:22 - Halo: Campaign Evolved goes gold2:22:50 - The Blood of Dawnwalker goes gold2:24:47 - New Game Catalog additions for July2:34:13 - Mouse: PI and Black Flag sales soar2:42:21 - What We're Playing (GTA V, GTA Online, Librarian, GTA SA)3:09:54 - Is the console doom and gloom overstated?3:19:52 - Are we buying the PS6 at launch?3:27:16 - Should PlayStation invest in a face?3:34:21 - Did a friend ever steal one of your games?3:40:18 - Crunchyroll gets paywalled behind higher tiers3:49:47 - Is it time for Sony to give the PlayStation TV another shot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're more than a week removed from the controversial decision to scrap new physical releases for PlayStation hardware beginning in early 2028, and even with a robust outpouring of rage from a portion of its hardcore audience, Sony doesn't seem like it's going to budge. This has come to surprise some people; yet, the longer Sony continues its silence on the topic, the more unlikely it'll be that anything will change. Will the Japanese megacorporation's wait-and-see approach pay off? Is there still time to turn the ship around? Are physical buyers vastly overestimating their power and positioning? There's much more to discuss surrounding the worst period of PR for the PlayStation brand since 2011. Other news this week includes furor over language in the European PSN's terms of service, drama surrounding Marvel Tokon's release on Steam, significant layoffs at Xbox that deeply affect PlayStation-aligned developers like id and Obsidian, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is it weird that Sony executives sold more than $10 million in stock after their infamous physical games announcement? What's going on with EA's insane monetization policies in College Football 27? Why couldn't Bluepoint spin-out from Sony like Microsoft is allowing some of its teams to do? Does Dustin have similarly arcane powers as Brad, just pointed in the opposite direction? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro22:12 - Yet another Sacred baby24:04 - The Blue Reaper32:32 - Enough of the Euroslander34:18 - Wet wipes are a game changer39:07 - Infamous 2 UGC servers shutting down42:05 - Christopher Barrett settled his lawsuit with Bungie and Sony55:04 - Sony won’t reverse course on physical media1:06:22 - Sony starts repurposing its factories2:24:40 - European fans freak out about account deletion2:29:22 - Marvel Tokon on PC won’t launch in 132 countries2:34:41 - Microsoft guts id Software3:10:33 - Obsidian returns to Fallout3:25:55 - Undead Labs spins-out from Xbox3:32:42 - IO Interactive reclaims its cancelled Xbox second party game3:34:45 - June 2026’s top downloads on PSN3:35:50 - What We're Playing (GTA V, GTA SA, Mercenaries 2, PURE)3:51:27 - Microsoft is good while Sony is evil?3:56:26 - What's stopping Bluepoint from staying together?4:00:53 - Sony CEO sells 50% of his stock?4:06:45 - Crash Team Racing tips and tricks4:09:37 - EA Sports College Football 27 uproar4:17:39 - Bethesda's lay-off memorial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices