Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

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1. #435 | Why'd It Turn From Sweet to Bitter?

   2 november 2026 · 3 uur 56 min

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   In its first month on the market last fall, PlayStation 5's Ghost of Yotei sold more than three million copies. Now that we're a year out from that date, it wouldn't be surprising if that number was at least double. Yet, first party developer Sucker Punch, the team that gave us not only Ghost, but also Sly Cooper and Infamous, has laid off a couple dozen people. How can a modest-sized AAA team that easily turned a healthy profit with its last project still be the subject of downsizing? Should we expect more upheaval in the first party family, whether or not future games sell well? Could it be that this is a mere case of rightsizing, and not at all something more existential? There's much to discuss. Plus: Grand Theft Auto VI's file size on PS5 is humongous, Wolverine's controversial release demonstrably helped sell hardware, Arrowhead talks about the potential (or lack thereof) of a Helldivers 3, Silent Hill 1's remake is apparently more imminent than we thought, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Would Naughty Dog be wise to not have a review cycle for Intergalactic? Why can't players let Mass Effect go? How many disastrous fiscal quarters can Xbox withstand before it becomes clear there's no turning the brand around? Does Chris resemble Jan Cope from Ace Combat, or is this simply another case of Man in Glasses Syndrome? Lees meer

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2. #434 | Prove Yourself, You Are the Move You Make

   26 oktober 2026 · 4 uur 3 min

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   The first bomb has dropped following the Saudi Wealth Fund's purchase of American publisher Electronic Arts, and it's a Canadian studio that suffers the consequences. As predicted, EA has decided to shutter long-running RPG-centric studio BioWare, cancel its forever-percolating Mass Effect title, and instead double-down on sports franchises and shooters. None of this is surprising, of course -- the EA purchase is the largest leveraged buyout in the history of human economics and strapped the company with potentially-insurmountable loads of debt -- but something still has to give. Can an all-new EA rise to the moment in a culture and environment that seems increasingly hostile to predictable and repeatable games? Or is the culling of BioWare only foreshadowing the bloodletting to come? Other news this week includes the potential high cost of PlayStation 6, specious rumors of Sony's acquisition of the Kena IP, Wolverine's strong sales showing, and more. Then, we wrap things up (as we always do) with listener inquiries. Could PlayStation withstand a concentrated attack on the PSN during Grand Theft Auto VI's launch? Will Sony blunt the cost of PS6 by offering payment plans? Which engines and other technologies do the first party studios rely upon? Is Chris ready to disavow the Ritual Network once and for all? Lees meer

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   Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.

   0:00:00 - Intro0:32:24 - The towel after a shower0:35:48 - Chris and the Ritual Network0:37:51 - Best kind of buffet0:45:28 - Are we into e-sports?0:53:16 - EA shutters Bioware, 3% of staff laid off2:04:07 - Will PS6 cost $1000?2:22:49 - Has Sony acquired the Kena IP?2:28:10 - Indie dev backs off playtesting due to AI theft2:44:14 - September 2026 sales data2:54:52 - A few PSAs2:56:17 - What We’re Playing3:19:23 - GTA launch conc…

3. #433 | Wanna Resolve Things In A Bloodier Way?

   19 oktober 2026 · 4 uur 1 min

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   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? Lees meer

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   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 hacking1:41:5…

4. #432 | The Future Is But A Question Mark

   12 oktober 2026 · 4 uur 11 min

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   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? Lees meer

   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 t…

5. #431 | Tastes Like Luck, But Feels Clear

   5 oktober 2026 · 4 uur 33 min

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   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? Lees meer

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6. #430 | Inside My Shell, I Wait and Bleed

   28 september 2026 · 4 uur 34 min

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   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? Lees meer

   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 an…

7. #429 | Your Crystal Ball Ain't So Crystal Clear

   21 september 2026 · 4 uur

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   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 - Terrani… Lees meer

8. #428 | Fetch the Anesthetist

   14 september 2026 · 4 uur 34 min

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   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? Lees meer

   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 o…

9. #427 | You Remain Selfless, Cold, and Composed

   7 september 2026 · 3 uur 30 min

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   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? Lees meer

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10. #426 | It's Interesting When People Die

    31 augustus 2026 · 4 uur 34 min

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    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? Lees meer

    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 - "…

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