Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

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435 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud

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

   Afspelen
   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 - "…

11. #425 | Am I More Than You Bargained For Yet?

    24 augustus 2026 · 4 uur 57 min

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    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? 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 - 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 20…

12. #424 | Think Someone's About To Be Carved

    17 augustus 2026 · 4 uur 4 min

    Afspelen
    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? 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 - 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 - S…

13. #423 | I Swear To God, All I Do Is Cash Out

    10 augustus 2026 · 4 uur 4 min

    Afspelen
    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? Lees meer

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    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…

14. #422 | You're Asking Me, Will My Love Grow?

    3 augustus 2026 · 4 uur 1 min

    Afspelen
    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? 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 - 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 - G…

15. #421 | As They Gas, All I See Are Hieroglyphic Patterns

    27 juli 2026 · 3 uur 59 min

    Afspelen
    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? 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 - 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 aft…

16. #420 | Taste the Thinnest of Oxygen

    20 juli 2026 · 4 uur 6 min

    Afspelen
    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? 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 - 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 sale…

17. #419 | Don't Break the Silence, Don't Let Me Win

    13 juli 2026 · 4 uur 36 min

    Afspelen
    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? 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 - 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…

18. #418 | Nevermind, These Are Horrid Times

    6 juli 2026 · 4 uur 46 min

    Afspelen
    It seems that no matter where one looks in the gaming industry, there's bad news on the horizon. Such is certainly the case with Sony, as the Japanese company announced two pieces of bad news concurrent to one another: That beginning in 2028, PlayStation hardware will no longer receive disc-based releases, and that by next summer, you will no longer be able to buy digital PS3 and Vita games. All things considered, the latter is a more understandable decision (after all, Sony tried to do this back in 2021 before pulling back), but the former situation has set the PlayStation fanbase alight in a way we've not seen since perhaps 2011, if not 2006, both extremely ominous years in the brand's history. We discuss both topics in great detail, incorporate a ton of your inquiries, and try to make sense of what's happening from every conceivable angle. There's other news this week, too, including Sony's stance on hardware subsidies, PlayStation's continuing commitment to the games-as-a-service sector, new roster additions for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is Exodus' scrapping of its in-game character creator a sign of things to come? Why are some publishers and developers so secretive with sales figures? What potential ideas could emulate the interplay between EVE Online and Dust-514? Did Dustin answer the Dustin-signal that Colin sent into the atmospheric ether? Lees meer

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19. #417 | It's Not Far Down to Paradise

    29 juni 2026 · 4 uur 13 min

    Afspelen
    With Grand Theft Auto VI finally launching this November, we've been left without a key piece of information: Its price. Conjecture and prognostication has run rampant, but now we have confirmation that GTA6's base cost is $80 in the United States, with a $100 version offering players some perks and unlocks. With our long-awaited trip down to Leonida drawing closer on the horizon, we've much to discuss, including our hype level, whether we'll buy the base or special edition, the lack of a real physical version, and -- perhaps most intriguingly -- no new trailer or gameplay videos to help sell a product that (let's be honest) probably doesn't need much help to begin with. Other news this week includes significant layoffs at Sony-owned Bungie, indications that God of War: Laufey may launch as early as Q1 2027, more delisted shovelware tripe removed from PlayStation Store, executive-level issues at FromSoft, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! What's with Steam Machine's absurd price? Should Sony look to invest in any of Xbox's distressed assets? Why did PlayStation even bother publishing Midnight Murder Club if they were only going to ignore it? Will Chris and Colin one day have their shared ex-psychiatrist on the show to discuss our many mental ailments? 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 - Intro22:50 - Happy Birthday nerd35:46 - Trophy hunting37:10 - Chris has a new voice47:15 - Release the files55:38 - The Green Reaper57:31 - GTA VI "plays best" on PlayStation 51:46:15 - Bungie lays of hundreds2:11:09 - Bungie pitched a Destiny dating game2:15:35 - God of War: Laufey might launch in Q1 20272:17:02 - Deborah Ann Woll claims Laufey was pitched in 20182:25:06 - PlayStation Store shovelware developer bites the dust2:30:53 - Kadokawa says Fromsoft is being mismanaged2:39:21 - Tencent exits from several game studio investments2:43:47 - What We're Playing (Pragmata, LEGO…

20. #416 | Stare Straight Ahead, Ignore the Responsibility

    22 juni 2026 · 4 uur 16 min

    Afspelen
    PlayStation Network has once again been targeted by nefarious actors, this time exposing flaws in Sony's online infrastructure that we never even considered. If you've noticed weird games popping-up in your recently played list, titles that don't belong in your library, cluttered PSN widgets, and other oddities, you were affected. And while Sony seems to have begun to mend the issue, it feels like they're unable to accept their solemn corporate obligation to protect their customers. Will they ever even publicly admit their problems, nonetheless solve all of them? We discuss. Plus: Other news! Grand Theft Auto VI's pre-orders are imminent, rumors are circulating about a potential delay of PlayStation 6, Housemarque talks about its post-Saros future, Halo: Campaign Evolved's Trophies have been surreally revealed, Mark Hamill is set to appear in Twisted Metal's third season on Peacock, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is PlayStation at risk of losing its hard-earned prestige? Why aren't more at-risk studios sold instead of shuttered? Should Capcom get more credit for their runaway success with RE Engine? Will Dustin ever return to the show, or will Sacred forever move forward as a duo? 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 - Intro37:04 - Leon the Great38:35 - Dustin's weeb degeneracy45:27 - Colin adopts Joshua's wife52:17 - Long Island history55:40 - LSM's extra content58:35 - GTA VI pre-orders1:09:05 - PS4 got a new firmware update1:13:39 - Yet another PSN security issue1:37:16 - Will PS6 be delayed?1:52:02 - Housemarque's future2:07:50 - Halo's first trophy list2:13:29 - Mark Hamill joins Twisted Metal2:18:25 - Black Ops 1 & 2 are coming to Playstation2:23:53 - EA reveals EA Advertising2:32:16 - Rockstar retires PS4 players2:33:20 - Sony patents DualSense with button hardness2:41:21 - Unreal Engine 6 releases in 20272:54:54 - Capcom disempowers its authors3:04:38 - …

21. #415 | What's Real and What's For Sale?

    15 juni 2026 · 4 uur 45 min

    Afspelen
    We're coming off of our Summer Game Fest-related high, toting a bunch of news from publisher-driven events that occurred after we published our last episode. For starters, the Xbox Showcase... showcased... 28 games in total, of which 24 are coming to PlayStation 5, including State of Decay 3, Senua, and Spyro: A Realm Beyond (not to mention release dates for Halo: Combat Evolved and Fable). But Xbox's peculiar, wishy-washy, and inconsistent behavior likewise makes us wonder what the future might hold for Microsoft releases on Sony's hardware, especially because Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution -- both internally slated to migrate to PlayStation 5 until very recently -- won't appear at all. Meanwhile, Nintendo's newest Direct also had some interesting fodder, including a surprise look at Kingdom Hearts IV, a brand new 2D-HD game in the form of Final Fantasy Resonance, and more. Other news this week revolves around Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6, a new Crazy Taxi adventure in the form of World Tour, a promising magic shooter called Magicians: The Devil's Deal, a fall release date for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and extremely strong sales figures for Yacht Club's Mina the Hollower. We wrap things up (as always) with listener inquiries! Now that everything has settled, what are our three most-anticipated games, respectively? Should Sony bite the bullet and greenlight Destiny 3? Where's Naughty Dog hiding? Is Colin falling prey to Big Plumber and Big Sewer propaganda by refusing to flush wipes? Lees meer

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22. #414 | This Is the Revelation of the Year

    8 juni 2026 · 6 uur 30 min

    Afspelen
    What a week! Our jam-packed episode of Sacred Symbols covers all of the announcements from both Sony's State of Play presentation, as well as Geoff Keighley's Summer Games Fest showcase. And let's just say, there's a ton to get through. State of Play's 25 game roster included a fresh, expanded look at Wolverine, the reveal of Firesprite's long-rumored Until Dawn 2, and the confirmation of a brand new God of War game in the form of Laufey (plus a ton of third-party stuff, including Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Silent Hill: Townfall, Control Resonant, Phantom Blade 0, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, and more). Geoff's show went even harder, with a full 53 games displayed, including the culmination of the Final Fantasy VII Remake saga in the form of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the always-assumed Resident Evil: Code Veronica remake en route in 2027, two new Cuphead titles, the Stellar Blade sequel Blood Rain, and so on. We have other news this week, too -- MMORPG Horizon: Steel Frontiers has been delayed, California's legislature is going after developers and publishers who delist games, Fable has been delayed until next year, and so on -- but really, the meat of the show is all about these E3-like pressers. Even the questions at the end! So buckle up for one long episode of Sacred Symbols. Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:08:09 - Another Sacred statistic0:19:59 - dishonored brokers0:26:24 - "the podcast I listen to"0:34:27 - State of Play rundown3:12:55 - Was State of Play underwhelming?3:25:13 - Economic realities of originality3:37:27 - Stagnant first party3:44:25 - Studios stuck on IPs3:50:39 - Less attractive female characters?4:00:40 - September is looking rough4:08:39 - Summer Game Fest rundown5:26:13 - Sony removes more shovelware5:31:48 - Horizon: Steel Frontiers delayed5:33:14 - Amazon and 007 First Light5:40:50 - Toy Story Retro Roundup5:50:18 - New CA b…

23. #413 | People Told Us It Would Never Transpire

    1 juni 2026 · 4 uur 26 min

    Afspelen
    We know many of you are tired of talking about Bungie, and frankly, we're kind of tired of discussing them, too. Then again, we're captive to the news, so blame Sony for purchasing them. On the back of last week's discussion about the end of Destiny 2 comes word that Bungie is planning major layoffs as it attempts to greenlight a new project to develop alongside the ongoing Marathon. And no, Destiny 3 isn't happening. At least not yet. What's next for this beleaguered team? If we're being totally candid and honest, does a future for Bungie even really exist at all? There's lots of other news this week, too, including rumors surrounding Media Molecule's next game, the peculiar re-reveal of the long-in-development Dragon Quest XII, the confirmation of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and its October release, trouble surrounding PlayStation 3 emulation on Linux, The Witcher 3's new expansion coming more than a decade after the last, Persona 4 Remake's surprise South Korean games rating, and much more. Then: Listener inquiries! Are indie games treated more softly than AA/AAA games when it comes to reviews? What could the drastic increase in SteamDeck pricing mean for PlayStation 6? Is former Sony second party partner Quantic Dream doomed? Why would anyone try to talk about Sacred Symbols with Magic: The Gathering nerds? 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 - Intro0:35:05 - AI Questions0:36:44 - assumacide0:57:01 - Naming rights1:01:57 - Do we have drama?1:03:50 - MLB: The Show Mobile is live1:09:32 - Marathon is free June 2-91:20:21 - Bungie layoffs1:52:25 - Media Molecule is working on a new open world IP2:00:12 - Dragon Quest XII re-revealed2:16:16 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 42:23:09 - PS3 emulation on PS52:30:59 - RI…

24. #412 | They Disguise It, Hypnotize It

    22 mei 2026 · 5 uur 4 min

    Afspelen
    What a week! On the back of Colin's PSN account being temporarily hijacked by nefarious forces, we have an enormous amount to get through for our ever-eager audience. We dissect what happened, why it happened, how we've been communicating with Sony to try and convince them to fix the major issues plaguing their online service, and what we feel you should do to protect yourself. But understand this, and understand it well: PSN's security is a complete joke. All an outsider needs to get access to your account is an email address and mundane information like the date you made a random purchase, and they'll give your account to basically anyone. Your password doesn't matter, your 2FA doesn't matter, and your passkey doesn't matter. To repeat: Your password doesn't matter, your 2FA doesn't matter, and your passkey doesn't matter. And if you want more proof, someone in our audience reset two of his own accounts back-to-back with PlayStation's hilariously-deficient (and potentially-compromised) third world customer service call centers, just to make the point. Sony must make serious changes and reunite people with their stolen PSN accounts, and we intend on pressing until they do. We are your loyal and dedicated customers. Remember? Other news this week includes the announcement of a fresh State of Play in early June, confirmation that PlayStation will no longer release its single-player games on PC, the official end of Destiny 2, the renaming of Fairgames, rumors of a return of Infamous, an increase in PS+ pricing, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Could Shuhei Yoshida ever return to PlayStation? Why have mergers and acquisitions dramatically slowed down in the games industry? Will Sony pull PS5s from shelves shortly after PS6 launches due to pricing tensions? Which members of Cobra would Chris and Dustin be? Lees meer

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25. #411 | Neon Signs Flash Other Choices

    18 mei 2026 · 4 uur 29 min

    Afspelen
    It's mid-May, which can mean only one thing: We're at the point in the calendar when most companies release their financials for the previous fiscal year. Sony is one such organization, reporting a relatively flat year-on-year picture both generally, and with PlayStation in particular. With PS5 sales slowing down all the while the console is becoming more expensive, and with recent Housemarque exclusive Saros seemingly selling softly, does Sony have an uphill battle to keep PlayStation relevant? Or will the inevitable PlayStation 6 -- not to mention PS5's likely-strong swan song next year -- be enough to keep the ever-distracted masses engaged with the ecosystem? We discuss. Plus: Sony's second and third party lead gives a candid interview, 007: First Light goes gold, a new externally-manufactured DualSense controller has hit the market, PlayStation Plus Game Catalog receives a refresh, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Why did so many people believe Game Informer was teasing a Grand Theft Auto VI cover? Do we think the rumors indicating that FromSoft is working on a pirate-themed game are true? Is Dragon Quest XII finally going to be properly revealed in a couple of weeks? Could Chris contest Brad's status as the guy who cares the most about Last Stand Media?Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:55:19 - Stand down Jeff0:56:27 - Daxter the pup1:02:39 - Chris on Saint Slayer1:03:59 - Sacred polls1:06:07 - PSN Settlement update1:07:28 - The "original" Uncharted 41:17:07 - Fiscal year financials2:11:35 - Saros sales numbers2:36:15 - Stellar Blade 2 goes multiplatform2:43:42 - Playstation 3rd party lead interview2:50:44 - 007 First Light has gone gold2:55:40 - New Scuf controller2:58:29 - New PS+ Plus catalog games3:03:46 - What Are We Playing? (Saros, Vampire Survivors, Mixtape, Steam Controller)3:26:59 - Breaking point with social media3:46:33 - Obsessed GTA fans3:51:31 -… Lees meer

26. #410 | The PR Transmissions Will Resume

    11 mei 2026 · 4 uur 14 min

    Afspelen
    If the release calendar holds as currently constructed, Grand Theft Auto VI will launch into the waiting arms of millions upon millions of day-one players. And since it's likely to be the highest-grossing entertainment event in the history of mankind, it's fair to assume that the marketing push will be substantial. As we get ever-closer to the fall, Take Two's CEO has been giving revealing interviews about the insane money, expectations, and consequences behind Rockstar's much-anticipated project (and word on these digital streets is that Sony has secured the marketing rights to the game, which is absolutely massive for PlayStation 5). Are you ready to withstand a hype machine the likes of which you've never seen before? Plus: Strauss Zelnick expresses disappointment over Civilization VII and laments the lack of a new BioShock, a majority of consumers polled report never buying games at full price, Call of Duty is finally skipping PlayStation 4 moving forward, Yacht Club's Mina the Hollower gets a release date, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Should Sony reform its existing refund system on PSN? Is there an alternate reality where Sony kept the 007 film license in the '90s, thus opening up PlayStation to a series of James Bond games? Should PlayStation explore surprise reveals a la the new Star Fox? Does Colin have a potential business opportunity in the works naming other people's children? Lees meer

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/sacred

    Timestamps:Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:21:22 - Sacred missed connection UPDATE0:27:12 - Naming ceremony0:43:18 - Magnanimous Colin0:46:21 - DRM thoughts0:56:27 - New PSN settlement1:18:17 - Sony seemingly has the marketing rights to GTA VI1:45:27 - Zelnick on Bioshock and Civ VII2:09:08 - 62% of gamers don't buy full price2:25:56 - Call of Duty is done with PS42:28:36 - Sega revea…

27. #409 | Truth or Consequence, Say It Aloud

    4 mei 2026 · 3 uur 56 min

    Afspelen
    Sometimes, PlayStation's userbase gets upset over nothing, and this past week was a great example of that. Rumors and uninformed conjecture rapidly circulated about Sony unleashing a stringent DRM regimen on PlayStation that would force players to check-in with the PSN every 30 days, or lose their digital licenses. That (of course) was complete nonsense, obviously so -- Sony is instead attempting to throttle dishonest people from taking advantage of a quirk in their refund system -- but it didn't stop many talking points from taking hold. And really, isn't it Sony's fault, ultimately? All they had to do was communicate, good or bad. But they didn't, and so the ne'er-do-wells filled the vacuum. Then again, maybe players should be a little more mad at the actual villains: The losers and degenerates who take advantage of loopholes, steal games, and pirate anything they can get their hands on. We discuss at length. Plus: MLB: The Show Mobile slowly expands around the world, Rebel Wolves' extremely promising vampire title The Dawn of Bloodwalker gets a release date, classic NickToon Rugrats gets a games compilation, Star Wars comes to PowerWash Simulator 2, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! With Xbox's incessant will they/won't they going on, should we expect Microsoft-published games to continue to come to PS5? Is ARC Raiders and The Finals developer Embark guilty of overtuning their titles? What are the origins of "friendslop"-style games? Is Colin's wife quietly attempting to protect him from complete embarrassment by refusing to allow him to participate in the 100 Chicken Nugget Challenge? Lees meer

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/sacred

    Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:22:19 - Sacred missed connection0:30:03 - Group podcast listening0:39:24 - Last Stand gambling ring0:47:17 - Micah saving Colin0:49:56 - Repropoised0:51:16 …

28. #408 | The Thin Line Between Entertainment and War

    27 april 2026 · 3 uur 48 min

    Afspelen
    A duo of interesting stories quietly circulated around the PlayStation ecosystem over the last few days, with potential clarity shone on some lingering, years-long issues. For starters, beloved ex-Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida recently spoke at a gaming event in Australia, where he revealed more precious information on his departure from first party, noting that ex-CEO Jim Ryan ultimately fired him from his role for not acceding to his demands. Meanwhile, an ex-Naughty Dog lighting artist seemed to spill the beans on some of the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Uncharted 4, which -- as you may recall -- was a tortured project. But no one knew things were as bad as they seemingly were, until now. Plus: Age verification is coming to PlayStation hardware near you in the UK and elsewhere, Assassin's Creed IV's remake has finally officially emerged, SEGA's classic Ecco the Dolphin franchise is being revived, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! With Kotaku making aggressive new hires while touting increasing traffic, can the once-storied media brand be saved? Do any of us mess with motion aiming on DualSense? Is there a feeling of melancholy when deleting an old online friend from your PSN list? Would you believe that Colin never even one time suffered from "imposter syndrome"?Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:18:01 - Saint Slayer is here!0:34:43 - Gaming with a new baby0:46:30 - Imposter syndrome0:54:21 - Colin power0:55:07 - More details on Shuhei's exit from Sony1:21:11 - Uncharted 4 drama1:38:29 - PlayStation age verification1:42:25 - Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced1:49:51 - Ecco the Dolphin returns1:54:56 - March 2026 Circana2:01:29 - What We’re Playing (Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege, Pragmata, Mouse PI for Hire, Tomodachi Life,Vampire Crawlers)2:31:12 - Communism and Tetris2:35:44 - Fired for a review?2:48:44 - Can Kotaku be saved?3:00:35 - Motion aiming3:05:37 … Lees meer

29. #407 | Pleasure Spiked With Pain

    20 april 2026 · 4 uur 8 min

    Afspelen
    Things are quiet recently. It feels like we're waiting for something to pop-off; some new announcements, or tantalizing rumors, or whatever. We have a little of that this week, though -- perhaps as usual -- it's good news mixed-up with a few questionable items. Let's start with PS5 sales, which picked up substantially in the days leading up to the hardware's global price increase. We then move into the surreptitious release of once-hidden Grand Theft Auto Online numbers, which shows a game still making around $10 million a week, with around two-thirds of its playerbase on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Then, we get into first and second party fare: More details about the unannounced (but heavily rumored) Faye-driven God of War spinoff, casting and performance capture details for Hideo Kojima's PHYSINT, word of a Bloodborne animated feature in the works, and a Metal Gear Solid film, too, both being steered by Sony Pictures. And did Insomniac's Spider-Man 3 get leaked, too? Inquiries from the audience help us round things out, as always. Why is PlayStation 2 Colin's least-favorite Sony console? Is there room for the point-and-click adventure genre in modern gaming? Will Xbox really go back down the path of exclusivity? Can we act as an effective billboard for a listener's pregnancy announcement? 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 - Intro0:35:29 - Player 30:39:45 - Timothy's weight loss0:44:56 - RIP Juno0:56:18 - Back to PSVR2?0:57:39 - Weird Pragmata discourse1:09:20 - Roblox on PS51:10:14 - PS5 sales boost due to the price increase1:22:13 - GTA Online makes $10 million a week1:36:28…

30. #406 | Now You're Here, Now You're Away

    13 april 2026 · 4 uur 4 min

    Afspelen
    In the world of PlayStation, this past week was one of mystery. For instance, the director of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy seems to be rather blatantly teasing a new Uncharted game on Instagram. But is he actually? Meanwhile, the promise of PlayStation on PC seems to have gone totally up in smoke, with the quiet removal of related iconography from the PSN. Could it be a sign of things to come? Plus, Sony's aggressive new position on the PlayStation Store continues to bear fruit, as even more games are deleted and unpublished that never belonged there to begin with. Are we finally getting the storefront we deserve? Other news this week includes intrigue surrounding an interview with Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki, changes incoming for PS5's UI, potential teases for remakes or remasters of Persona 1 and 2, the wet fart that was the Tales series' 30th anniversary, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Do you have to play the original Resident Evil trilogy on PSone to be a "real" fan, or do the remakes suffice? Why is Square Enix so hesitant to do anything with Chrono Trigger? With Capcom's Pragmata right around the corner, what are our last-minute thoughts? Is Dustin hiding his PlayStation Trophies because he's a fake gamer? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:21:17 - Back to the spread0:21:52 - Read the names0:28:09 - How's everyone doing?0:46:11 - Dustin's hidden trophies0:47:51 - Tacos or burritos0:55:03 - Colin was wrong?0:55:33 - Uncharted tease?1:15:52 - PC and Crossbuy icons removed from PS5 OS1:30:43 - Hiroki Totoki interview1:39:00 - new PS5 interface?1:40:33 - PSN delisting continues1:50:16 - The Playerbase1:58:49 - Persona 1 and 2 remakes/remasters?2:05:25 - Bandai Namco doesn't have anything for Tales 30th anniversary2:11:38 - 007: First Light Dualsense2:18:27 - Top PSN downloads for March2:27:42 - What We’re Playing (SuperStation One, Returnal, Starfield)2:51:09 - Game…

31. #405 | Waiting Like the Stalking Butler

    6 april 2026 · 3 uur 49 min

    Afspelen
    We're in the midst of a promising month of releases on PlayStation 5, and our patience is finally about to be rewarded. For starters, Housemarque's first party third-person shooter Saros has gone gold. So, too, has Capcom's beleaguered (yet incredibly promising) Pragmata, which was first revealed in 2020 for a 2022 release. Starfield's and Hades II's PS5 debuts, Mouse: PI For Hire's launch, the Konami-published Darwin's Paradox, the undoubtedly addictive Vampire Crawlers, and much more have us asking: When are we supposed to find the time to play all of this? It's a good problem to have! Plus: Sony purchases British machine learning firm Cinemersive Labs, Neil Druckmann teases the future of The Last of Us, Stellar Blade developer Shift Up buys Shinji Mikami's new studio outright, Disney executives are apparently interested in acquiring Epic, MindsEye's bizarre drama gets even weirder, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! What's the status of Fairgames? Are there any Life Is Strange fans in the LSM crew? Should gaming be more accessible to the poor? Is it possible that the Artemis II astronauts will listen to this episode of the show while en route to the moon? 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 - Intro0:31:27 - Never give up Krystal0:33:51 - Ernie Anastos RIP in Peace0:40:52 - First to platinum Saint Slayer0:46:23 - Artemis II0:56:09 - Nate's next career1:01:14 - Sony spins off TV business1:08:05 - Sony acquires cinemersive1:14:05 - Saros goes gold1:22:38 - Pragmata goes gold1:27:36 - The Last of Us 3 tease?1:38:35 - Shift Up purchases Shinji Mikami's studio1:48:31 - Disney rumored to buy Epic1:59:02 - MindsEye gets weirder2:09:43 - New PS Plus games for April2:14:02 - What We’re Playing (Returnal, Saint Slay…

32. #404 | Every Single Hope You Had Shattered

    30 maart 2026 · 5 uur 21 min

    Afspelen
    It's another week of bad news for PlayStation, as PlayStation 5 -- as well as PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal -- are getting another fresh round of global price increases. While every previous gaming generation got progressively cheaper over time, our current gen is becoming substantially more expensive, and things are clearly starting to get to a breaking point. There's much to say. Also, more bad news: Newly-minted first party shooter studio Dark Outlaw Games has been unceremoniously shuttered after only a year. Such a move speaks yet again to the uneven leadership, tastemaking ability, and decision making at the top of PlayStation Studios, and begs the question how much bloodletting we need to see before anyone takes responsibility. If this sort of thing doesn't fall on Hermen Hulst's shoulders (an idea which doesn't really make any sense in and of itself), then who or what is responsible, and when will the poor stewardship of the brand's own games and studios finally cease? Plus: PlayStation cuts down on its years-long mobile gaming investments and initiatives, Sly 4 studio Sanzaru at one time readied a pitch for a Jak & Daxter remake, we nearly got a Breaking Bad game on PSVR, Epic Games lays off 1,000 employees, Pearl Abyss owns its AI mistakes in Crimson Desert, Microsoft Flight Simulator on PS5 gets PSVR2 support, Marathon sells a purported (and somewhat soft) 1.2 million copies, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! With Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth courting older gamers on average, is Final Fantasy officially finished with the younger generations? Are platform holders and publishers intentionally underpublishing physical copies of games to drive customers to digital storefronts? Do we believe the incessant rumors that Witcher 3 will get an expansion more than a decade after it first launched? Could Colin be the undisputed typing champion of Last Stand Media? Lees meer

    Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due …

33. #403 | Not For Me, or Anyone Else

    23 maart 2026 · 3 uur 45 min

    Afspelen
    The drama around DLSS 5 has overtaken the gaming industry during the last week. Nvidia's image upscaling tech has been present in our space for years, but its newest iteration (set for a proper fall release) has many people scratching their heads. Have we gone from frame generation to art reinterpretation? Why is this technology being deployed so aggressively, anyway? And how come so many companies were so excited about it until they saw the overwhelmingly negative audience response? Let's delve headfirst into the mystery of the Yassified Grace, and all of the fallout therein. Plus: A fresh rumor indicates PlayStation Network branding will disappear later this year, Sony has apparently automatically refunded people for any spending in the now-cancelled Highguard, PSVR2 second party FPS Firewall Ultra has silently been delisted, PlayStation 3 received its random annual firmware update, legendary Tom Clancy developer Red Storm has been gutted, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Have any of us messed around with a PS3 emulator? What's going on with Street Fighter 6's creepy new storyline? With Bravely Default skipping PS4 and PS5, is it safe to assume Square Enix isn't actually done with exclusives? Did two Sacred Symbols fans miss each other by mere seconds in a Dollar Tree parking lot? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:17:29 - Sacred Symbols missed connection0:18:46 - The Oscars Vs The Game Awards0:27:32 - New Titans logo0:32:29 - This is life huh?0:35:29 - DLSS 51:14:13 - Sony is dropping the PlayStation Network branding1:27:46 - Sony refunding Highguard purchases1:34:14 - Starfield is officially coming to PS51:41:19 - Portal update1:48:15 - Firewall Ultra delisted2:02:31 - New PS3 Firmware2:07:15 - Layoffs at Red Storm2:13:26 - Exodus gameplay2:18:24 - Saudi Arabia buys 5% of Capcom2:19:50 - What We’ve Been Playing (Minishoot Adventures, Chronicles of the Wolf, R…

34. #402 |The Story Was Quite Clear

    16 maart 2026 · 4 uur 23 min

    Afspelen
    With Sony abandoning its chase of easy PC dollars, the megalithic Japanese company instead seems intent on maximizing its dollars at home, and reasonably so. While reporting indicates PlayStation's PC sales were stymied by staggered and unpredictable releases, that was already obvious. What's less clear is how Sony's pursuit of profit might affect the status quo, with a lawsuit in the UK over PSN monopolization and blatant A/B testing for dynamic digital pricing happening right before our eyes. What does the future hold as we begin to move towards next-gen? Plus: EA lays off members of the Battlefield team that created America's best-selling game in 2025, Nagoshi Studio and its Yakuza-like title Gang of Dragon are in big trouble, a LEGO PlayStation (1) console is seemingly en route for the holiday season, adventure classics Myst and Riven are PS5-bound, Crimson Desert finally emerges on PS5 Pro, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! With id finding so much success with the revived Doom trilogy, could Quake be next? What was the deal with that cryptic Bluepoint Tweet from 2019, anyway? Are physical-only players being hurt by the underproduction of copies of big games? Is Dustin intentionally making mistakes in his edits to sabotage our entire operation? 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 - Intro0:28:57 - Ragebaiting Dustin0:38:33 - Geno Smith0:38:56 - Neighborhood dr…

35. #401 | Minimum Waste and Maximum Joy

    9 maart 2026 · 4 uur 39 min

    Afspelen
    Reporting from this past week indicates Sony is abandoning its push to publish more games on PC, a reversal from a six-ish year old initiative that frankly bore little fruit outside of Helldivers 2. And let's be real: Though we were vocal advocates of this approach on the show, a vast majority of the PlayStation fanbase was decidedly not on board. Sony has apparently determined that it's a waste of time to further pursue this path, and that doing so could ultimately eat into their console ecosystem in unacceptable ways. Thus, it's time for many of you to celebrate, as we consider the reasons behind this dramatic course-correction. Plus: Rumors are circulating that Cory Barlog's next game is a God of War spin-off, Bluepoint was apparently eager to work on a Bloodborne remake before behing unceremoniously shut down, Starfield is finally coming to PlayStation 5 this April, Marathon has been mysteriously rated by the ESRB for launch on PlayStation 4, embattled free-to-play shooter Highguard is officially shutting down, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is Sony investing enough into games for kids? In such a hostile environment, could troubled products like No Man's Sky and Cyberpunk 2077 have launched and turned things around today? Why are some games' Trophies published, even if they go unreleased? Will Dustin continue to compile a collection of pictures of complete strangers on his refrigerator? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:14:34 - Preorder Allegheny Hogs shirt!0:25:54 - Shout out Brady0:36:51 - RIP in Peace Bozo0:39:21 - Coming back home0:41:35 - Dustin's polaroids0:44:46 - Sony is done with PC ports1:17:49 - Cory Barlog's game stars Faye1:52:13 - Bluepoint wanted to remake Bloodborne2:25:18 - Leaks show Starfield is coming April 7th2:28:39 - Marathon post release plans2:35:07 - Amazon's God of War screenshot2:42:01 - Highguard is shutting down2:58:30 - Physi…

36. #400 | My Computer Is Future Shockin'

    2 maart 2026 · 4 uur 49 min

    Afspelen
    While the wider world continues to embrace ubiquitous access for their digital products, compelling rumors indicate Sony might opt to go in the other direction. This is particularly surprising considering their pursuit of success on PC, openness in publishing on Nintendo Switch, and the shocking move to bring Helldivers II to Xbox. Then again, the numbers speak for themselves. It appears PlayStation has grossed somewhere between one and two billion dollars in total from their PC releases dating back to 2020, a comically small sum compared to their greater gross over that time, and an amount of money that may simply not justify further jeopardizing their closed ecosystem. Are we about to snap back to the old way of doing things? Many PlayStation fans will be pleased, if so. Plus: Wolverine gets a September release date on PS5, Horizon: Hunters Gathering and Marathon revel in concurrent playtests, Death Stranding 2 is coming to PC very soon, French publisher Nacon declares its insolvency, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Can Sony's first party teams truly be blamed for pitching games-as-a-service when it was clear that's what leadership wanted? Could it be possible that the secret Santa Monica Studio, Cory Barlog-directed game is Uncharted? Is Resident Evil 9's 10-12 hour runtime a selling point or a detriment? Will Sacred Symbols go another 400 episodes, or perhaps even 4,000? 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 - Intro0:34:10 - New merch drop!0:46:42 - Reflecting on 400 episodes1:00:10 - Favorite part of doing the show1:13:26 - 420 special?1:14:25 - capspiracy1:15:39 - USA GOLD1:26:16 - triple space1:27:49 - 100 chicken nuggets1:39:16 - Chris on Bluepoint1:56:17 - Saint Slayer release date2:01:35 - Wolverine release date2:0…

37. #399 | Step Back From That Ledge, My Friend

    23 februari 2026 · 4 uur 3 min

    Afspelen
    We were already recording this episode when unexpected news broke: Sony is shuttering Texas-based first-party remake and port specialist studio Bluepoint. Equally shocking -- when taking into context the many first and second party failures, flubs, and misalignments in recent years -- is PlayStation Studios lead Hermen Hulst still somehow having a job. Bluepoint has an exceptional pedigree alongside untapped potential, but that's been squandered by the same machinery that allowed them to make a multiplayer game in the first place. Who is responsible for all of this first party buffonery? What's with this obsession with established teams all chasing the same exact thing? And how lucky is Sony that the going is so good for PlayStation 5 that none of this really seems to matter? Here's hoping the bloodletting begins and ends here, but we're skeptical. Other news this week includes rumors of PlayStation 6's delayed timeline, when we might expect to see Santa Monica Studios' unannounced title, McFarlane Toys picking up the Sony toy license, and more. Then, we wrap things up with listener inquiries. On the back of Silent Hill: Townfall's PS5 console exclusivity, why does Sony bother chasing these deals these days? Does Fairgame$ have an icecube's chance in hell of succeeding? Will God of War's remake be one compilation or three separate games? Is Dustin ready for his fatherly snot-sucking duties? 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 - Intro0:29:05 - Sacred Symbol ruining lives0:32:14 - Snot sucker0:37:01 - Chris Chan sighting0:43:49 - Baby's first console0:58:13 - RIP Shuntaro Iida1:00:54 - RIP Hideki Sato1:08:46 - Bluepoint shutdown1:44:05 - Will Sony delay PlayStation 6 due to RAM shortages?2:04:44 - Shawn Layden says PS6 won’t be able to be all digital2:18:30 - Santa Monica's next game2:30:45 - New He…

38. #398 | I'm Immortal, Immune To All That Is Wrong

    16 februari 2026 · 5 uur

    Afspelen
    Sony has accomplished a truly rare feat in this contentious era by providing players with a widely-lauded hour-plus State of Play presentation. At the top of the heap of announcements for many are a duo of God of War-related unveilings -- the long-rumored 2.5D Metroidvania game and an early-in-development ground-up remake of the original PS2 and PS3 trilogy -- with the former project stealth released at the time of its reveal. That's right: You can buy it right now! 29 other games were showcased, revealed, and otherwise shown off during the proceedings as well, like a new Castlevania called Belmont's Curse, a sequel to Kena: Bridge of Spirits called Scars of Kosmora, a AAA John Wick project, stealth title Yakoh: Shinobi Ops, the second volume of Konami's Metal Gear Collection, and much, much more. Plus, fresh looks at Saros, Resident Evil: Requiem, Marathon, Mina the Hollower, Beast of Reincarnation, Marvel Tokon, Control Resonant, Pragmata, 4LOOP, and so on. Other news rounds things out this week -- like steep layoffs at Highguard studio Wildlight and casting details for 2027' Helldivers film -- before we move onto listener inquiries. Who are some of our favorite black characters in gaming history? Why exactly doesn't Colin care about sports games anymore? Should Sony more heavily pursue Astro Bot spinoffs? Did the all-Spanish Super Bowl Halftime Show send any of us into an unspeakable rage? 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 - Intro0:28:09 - Love to Sean0:35:17 - Superbowl thoughts0:52:00 - GTA regret after murder0:57:09 - State of Play1:05:20 - Kena: Scars of Scars of Kosmora1:10:20 - Ghost of Yotei: Legends1:16:04 - Death Stranding 2 PC1:18:46 - 4:Loop1:26:26 - Capcom up…

39. #397 | Nothing Seems To Fill This Place

    9 februari 2026 · 4 uur 18 min

    Afspelen
    In the wake the reveal of the PC-only MMORPG Steel Frontiers late last year, the other long-rumored Horizon multiplayer game has finally been announced. It's called Hunters Gathering, it's in development internally at Guerrilla, and it's set to launch on both PS5 and PC at some point in the future. Excited? Well, some of you (and us!) are. But the response at this early hour has been mixed. Is Horizon being overexposed? Where's the third core game? What's with this obsession with multiplayer? From our perspective, it seems like nothing pleases anyone these days. We discuss. Plus: Sony's FY Q3 '25 financials show profit growth and strong console sales, Grand Theft Auto VI's promised November release date seems to be solidifying, The Last of Us on HBO may not go past a third season, rumors say Starfield launches on PlayStation 5 in April, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! What are our favorite gaming-related revelations from the Epstein Files? Is Resident Evil: Requiem being overexposed? Should the industry worry about Google's Genie 3 environmental AI module? Will Colin continue to take unpredictable call-ins on Sacred Streaming? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:22:28 - Colin's superbowl plans0:32:09 - Patreon names0:36:54 - Colin-slop movies0:56:45 - Horizon: Hunters Gathering announced1:40:30 - Sony financials1:52:24 - What is "Wallet Credit"?1:56:54 - New Sony patents2:07:56 - Confidence is growing that GTA VI will launch this year2:26:31 - Rumor: Starfield coming to PS5 in April2:28:38 - No TLOU Season 42:31:48 - Netflix on PS3 is shutting down2:36:42 - January top PSN downloads2:39:18 - What We’re Playing (Castlevania Requiem, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Jak and Daxter, Nioh 3, Neon Inferno)3:06:38 - Gaming characters in the Epstein files3:18:07 - Content creators playing it safe3:27:43 - Marketing going too far3:37:20 - First Dragon Ques…

40. #396 | These Changing Years, They Add To Your Confusion

    2 februari 2026 · 4 uur 12 min

    Afspelen
    With the chase for AI obliterating affordability in computing-related markets, it should come as no surprise that Sony may be deliberating a delay for PlayStation 6's rollout and release. But recent commentary from a well-connected financial analyst suggests that PS6's purported delay may be more substantial than we thought, perhaps precipitated by more factors than we initially thought. When does the gaming world need the next PlayStation? Could we go potentially several more years on PS5 alone? We discuss. Plus: Chris has played Highguard extensively and has a lot to say, Rockstar may take our advice and forego physical copies of GTAVI at launch to avoid spoilers, Ubisoft unions are agitating for an international strike at the publisher's many offices, MLB: The Show 26 gets its cover athlete and a release date, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Are mini-maps useful or distracting? How do we feel about Final Fantasy VII Remake's new "Streamlined Progression" update? Is New Game+ functionality catering to an older, diminishing audience? Did Dustin enjoy his romantic California getaway with Brad? 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 - Intro0:18:45 - Dustin's weekend away0:30:16 - The Persona concert0:42:43 - 2026 snow storm0:53:47 - Football story1:00:25 - PlayStation 6 could be delayed1:28:06 - PS…

41. #395 | It Never Made Much Sense

    26 januari 2026 · 3 uur 57 min

    Afspelen
    The Ubisoft that we knew is dead. In its place, a new structure has emerged, a federalized series of five "Creative Houses," each with its own studios, IP, revenue flow, and responsibilities. Ultimately, it's the new Ubisoft's way of giving their employees all the leeway they need to make great stuff. But then again, you know what they say about getting too much rope. Will the once-great French publisher survive and thrive again? One thing's for sure: The old way of doing things has long been a nonstarter. Other news this week includes a March 5th release date for Marathon, the spinning-off of Sony's TV business, more Xbox games en route to PS5, cumulative 2025 software sales data for the American market, and more. We then end things -- as we always do -- with six listener inquiries from our beloved audience. When should we expect word on Persona 6? Will we replay Returnal in preparation for Saros? How should Naughty Dog navigate the choppy marketing waters surrounding Intergalactic? Will Colin survive the upcoming winter storm? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:25:27 - Prayers for Gene0:32:11 - Colin preparing for snow0:41:07 - Isla Vanal0:46:21 - Burrito mishap0:54:08 - Ubisoft details their reorganization1:45:56 - Sony spins-off TV business1:59:01 - Marathon has a release date2:13:37 - Four new Xbox games coming to PlayStation2:39:02 - ThiGames made a lot of money2:40:40 - December 2025 Circana data2:48:57 - Crimson Desert goes gold2:49:16 - Resident Evil: Code Veronica remake coming2:49:47 - What We’ve Been Playing (Mega Man 11, Front Mission 1st Remake, Jak & Daxter, Kingdom Hearts 23:05:59 - Naughty Dog noise3:14:58 - Settings unexplored in gaming3:19:46 - When will we see Persona 6?3:23:47 - How long will Highguard last?3:32:55 - Plans for Saros3:35:50 - Trendy tropes
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42. #394 | You're A God

    19 januari 2026 · 3 uur 21 min

    Afspelen
    As PlayStation's aggressive pursuit of crossmedia success continues, we have a new piece of news worth considering in the form of the casting of Kratos in Amazon's upcoming God of War series. 6'6" American actor Ryan Hurst has won the coveted role, joining notable writers, directors, and a famous showrunner to make what could very well be Sony's most promising TV property yet. We discuss. Plus: A notorious developer known for more than a thousand asset flip-slash-Trophy farming games has all of its titles removed from the PSN, compelling evidence circulates that 2016's The Division is getting a Definitive Edition on PS5 somewhat imminently, Xbox's Fable joins Avowed as yet another game slated for Sony's console, Call of Duty sales purportedly plummet 60% year-over-year, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! With Colin only a few Platinums away from 200, is there any game he's specifically targeting for the milestone? Following the closure of Meta's largest VR studios, is the pursuit of virtual reality in games officially dead? Could Sea of Thieves be the actual, original extraction shooter (for lack of a better term)? Do we anticipate we'll ever win the Golden Globe for Best Podcast? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:30:04 - Rest in Peace Mojo0:34:17 - Golden Globe's best podcast0:37:48 - Stand down Dave0:38:38 - Long Island lore0:43:56 - Ryan Hurst is Kratos0:56:57 - The Division: Definitive Edition?1:04:21 - Is Sony doing something about Trophy slop games?1:20:34 - Forza Horizon 5 sells over 5 million on PS51:26:51 - Fable is coming to PS51:41:15 - Is Call of Duty failing?2:04:02 - PS+ Extra Games2:06:58 - PSN Top games 20252:11:36 - What We’ve Been Playing (Mega Man 11, Destiny 1, Kingdom Hearts 2)2:28:58 - Colin's 200ths platinum plans2:32:39 - Lillymo DLC2:39:40 - Forgiveness for a 4 year old's gaming skills?2:43:56 - Fallout Season 22:48:49 - Meta shutting down…

43. #393 | Pleasantly Caving In

    12 januari 2026 · 4 uur 57 min

    Afspelen
    Happy New Year! Well, maybe not so happy for Sony. That's because -- if rumors and percolations are true -- PlayStation 5's ROM keys have been leaked, meaning that the console is likely on the verge of being jailbroken. And for veterans of the PS3 era, you know precisely what that means: Chaos. Well, maybe? Let's discuss this potentially serious development. Also: Ruminations on the passing of legendary games producer Vince Zampella, new inbound DualSense and cover colors, Marathon's exiting art director, Gran Turismo 7 quietly amassing a huge player base, Kojima's plans to cast (and begin shooting) PHYSINT this year, China Hero Project title Convallaria running into serious issues, Wolfenstein 3 whispers, and much more. Then: Listener inquiries! With computing component pricing and rarity skyrocketing, should we expect a much-delayed PlayStation 6 launch? With only a few weeks until launch, is Wildlight's F2P shooter Highguard in serious trouble? Following a second Ghost game, what should Sucker Punch make next? Is Dustin quietly morphing into a furry before our very eyes? 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 - Intro0:34:01 - Shout out to Thomas!0:35:25 - Post break mindset0:43:26 - Naming rights college trust fund0:56:34 - Dustin furry allegations1:07:54 - Vince Zampella's passing1:24:17 - Will PS5 be jailbroken soon?1:41:27 - New DualSense and covers coming1:46:19 - Marathon's art director leaves Bungie1:54:11 - GT7 has 2 million MAU2:05:46 - PHYSINT casting and motion capture in 20262:18:45 - Sony patents "AI Ghost"2:27:13 - China Hero Project game Convallaria in trouble2:35:51 - Machine Games is working on Wolfenstein 32:39:22 - New Witcher 3 DLC?2:46:48 - 007: First Light delayed2:48:25 - No Hundred Line on PS52:53:41 - Jan…

44. #392 | Our Most Anticipated Games of 2026

    5 januari 2026 · 1 uur 55 min

    Afspelen
    If rumors about PlayStation 6 are true, then we're well into the back-half of PS5's tenure as Sony's primary console. And -- as is often the case at this point in a generation -- the releases are starting to pick up drastically, especially dramatic considering the sheer number of options on the market these days. Thus, it's time for the second of our two yearly traditions here on Sacred Symbols, as we pre-record a couple of holiday episodes for Christmas break. While we gathered last week to look back at the year that was, it's now time to look forward at the year to come. Each of us has chosen five games (for 15 total) that we're looking forward to. The only rules are that they have to be PS5-bound and either confirmed or assumed for release in '26. That's it! So let's get into it, and see if any of your personal favorites made our list. Lees meer

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45. #391 | Our Favorite PlayStation Moments of 2025

    29 december 2025 · 2 uur 35 min

    Afspelen
    The holiday season is here, which means we're off for a bit. But, of course, new episodes never cease rolling out! Thus, we've arrived at the first of our two Christmastime traditions: Recounting the most consequential 'moments' in the world of PlayStation and beyond for the past calendar year. As usual, we've each selected five choices for 15 total, and they touch on topics like the first concrete rumors surrounding PlayStation 6, Helldivers 2's surprise migration to Xbox as Microsoft itself brings its whole slate of games to PS5, multiple Grand Theft Auto VI delays, the reemergence of Insomniac's Wolverine, Hermen Hulst's sudden demotion, Sony suing Tencent over the blatant Horizon ripoff Light of Motiram, and much more. Enjoy!
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46. #390 | But Without Me, You're Only You

    22 december 2025 · 3 uur 29 min

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    Let's be honest: This whole Light of Motiram thing was shady from the get-go. A game that blatantly rips off Guerrilla's Horizon franchise, created by the publisher-and-developer combo that was later revealed to have unsuccessfully pitched Sony a Horizon spin-off beforehand? They call that 'dead to rights.' And now it's official, because Sony's lawsuit against Tencent over this facsimile has been dropped with prejudice, and the game has been delisted from Steam. That's a win for PlayStation, and an even bigger win for creativity in the AAA space. We discuss. Plus: Sucker Punch co-founder, long-time producer, and studio lead Brian Fleming is officially retiring from the team after 28 years, Bungie's Marathon is slated to come to PS5 in March, Hollow Knight: Silksong is getting a free nautical expansion in '26, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Should we expect devs to lean more deeply into attractive characters? Do we think "made using AI" warnings will appear on games at some point in the near future? Who's to blame for Highguard's tepid response at The Game Awards? Is it strange if a wheelchair-bound listener wants to proudly wear a Stand Down shirt? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:37:46 - A nice note from William0:43:47 - Andrew and Steven0:52:25 - Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble is out in some European countries0:53:55 - Light of Motiram case dropped1:02:24 - Sucker Punch's co-founder is leaving1:15:19 - Marathon gets a release month1:28:21 - Silksong sells 7 million with an expansion on the way1:31:05 - Ubisoft acquires an Amazon team1:32:32 - Mega Man Star Force Legacy collection announced1:35:14 - US sales data1:47:35 - What We’re Playing (Terminator 2D: NO FATE, Dying Light: The Beast, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, The Outer Worlds 2, Destiny 2: Renegades (The Star Wars Expansion), Skate Story, Tomba 2, Metroid Prime 4)2:11:17 - Featuring "attractive female cha…

47. #389 | Something's Magnetic Here

    15 december 2025 · 6 uur 27 min

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    The Game Awards have come and gone, leaving in its wake a whirlwind of game announcements, release date reveals, and fresh perspectives on our industry. Indeed, there's something for everyone, a draw for all comers. For starters, what's new? Two Star Wars offerings, Larian's secret Divinity project, Jonathan Blow's long-awaited Order of the Sinking Star, a sequel to Remedy's Control, Toshihiro Nagoshi's anticipated Yakuza rival Gang of Dragon, two Tomb Raider games in the form of a remake and something unseen, a Cyberpunk-like called NO LAW, and even Mega Man 12 -- well, Mega Man Dual Override, anyway -- to keep Colin fed, and more beyond that. And new looks, too, at PlayStation games like Saros and 4:LOOP, as well as Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, Exodus, and Phantom Blade 0. And then there are the awards themselves, and the pomp and circumstance, and... well... there's a lot to discuss! Plus, we have all of the non-TGA happenings from the past week, too. PlayStation Wrap-Up is live, Deviation's cancelled second party shooter has leaked, London Studio's cancelled multiplayer game has seemingly reemerged under a new team, Call of Duty might be in trouble, and so on. Then: Listener inquiries! Could MLB: The Show succeed on PC with a Football Manager-style experience? Does Netflix really see no value in WB's gaming assets? Is a rumored $1 million for three minutes of advertising at The Game Awards too much? Remember when Dustin called DW from Arthur Double D? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:27:06 - Sacred Compliments0:33:32 - A happy write in for once0:45:45 - Double D0:48:04 - Slandering the English1:01:45 - Glass Snapple1:09:54 - The Game Awards overall thoughts1:25:51 - Pragmata1:30:02 - Tank Rat1:33:16 - Bradley the Badger1:37:49 - Stupid Never Dies1:42:15 - Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic1:50:40 - Divinity1:57:23 - 4LOOP2:04:34 - Coven of the Chickenfoot…

48. #388 | Broken Records Wanna Make A Case

    8 december 2025 · 4 uur 18 min

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    When it comes to the evolving gaming market, there's a lot for Sony to keep an eye on in the years and decades to come. To keep PlayStation the vibrant brand it is today, the company needs to spread the field, and two newly-announced projects -- an all-new co-op multiplayer game from the director of Left 4 Dead and a mobile port of mega-popular baseball franchise MLB: The Show -- fit the bill nicely. It's true that Sony has had more than its fair share of false starts (and even outright failures) in both the mobile and games-as-a-service space. Yet, there's gold in them there hills. Lots of it. Can Sony finally slay some off-platform and off-genre demons and reap some rewards? We discuss. Plus: Nixxes helps reduce Helldivers 2's PC file size by an astounding 85%, Bungie has apparently solved its dispute with the artist it purportedly stole Marathon-related art from, Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games finds itself in self-inflicted financial duress, Amazon has already renewed the God of War TV show for a second season, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Has leaking culture gone too far? Will Micron's exit from the consumer RAM business affect console manufacturing? How can people find likeminded gaming friends online? Can we please do away with adult gift-giving once and for all? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:52:36 - Juices flowing0:54:56 - YouTube Recap1:08:13 - Colin dying1:11:02 - Switching to no presents1:21:02 - PlayStation partners with Bad Robot1:35:15 - The Show: Mobile releases1:46:06 - Helldivers 2 PC install sized down1:53:26 - Helldivers 2 movie has a director2:03:31 - Amazon orders two seasons of God of War2:08:14 - Bungie settles with artist over stolen art2:11:45 - Yacht Club Games may be in trouble2:27:26 - Saudi PIF will own 93.4% of EA2:31:22 - IO confirms Hitman 42:36:53 - Splinter Cell Remake director returns2:40:15 - Tomba 2 gets a re…

49. #387 | Price You Gotta Pay When You Break the Panorama

    1 december 2025 · 3 uur 56 min

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    Two months ago, a now-fired Sucker Punch developer lost her job due to an ill-timed social media post, and she's been fairly quiet ever since, at least until now. In a new article, artist Drew Harrison talks about what befell her, but -- truth be told -- she seems to have missed the biggest part of her own story: How much she could have (and did) harm the hundreds of other people that worked for years on Ghost of Yotei, only to disrupt the entire marketing roll-out of the game on the precipice of its hyped release. Let's revisit the situation with new context and insights, and see if we can make sense of whether her dismissal was fair, unfair, or perhaps just the product of the environment many industry professionals gleefully cheered on when the shoe was on the other foot. Plus: Death Stranding 2 gets an ESRB rating for a PC release, PlayStation 3 emulation is actively being worked on outside of Sony's walls, Stellar Blade 2 is abandoning PlayStation as its publishing partner, RAM price spikes threaten the future of console pricing, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Did Sony's recent update to PlayStation Portal ruin the functionality of the PS button? What happened to the so-called "One Sony" initiative? Could an ex-Housemarque developer's new game spark a renewed love for arcade-style romps? What's the latest on the misadventures of an entity called Young Colin? Lees meer

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

    0:00:00 - Intro0:32:10 - Pursuing your dream0:44:04 - Walking inspiration0:49:29 - Young Colin0:52:29 - Black Friday memories1:04:24 - Colin’s Intergalactic drama1:17:41 - Fired Sucker Punch employee speaks out1:43:21 - Death Stranding 2 PC release leaked1:47:39 - New info on PlayStation emulation from MysticRyan2:00:30 - Sony's PC releases are declining2:04:33 - Stellar Blade 2 will be multiplatform2:13:22 - Is PS5 safe from RAM price increases?2:26:16 - New Marathon closed beta2:37:0…

50. #386 | Baby, It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over

    24 november 2025 · 4 uur 35 min

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    Last year, Sony launched it's service-based third-person shooter Concord, and it bombed worse than virtually any PlayStation-developed title in history. In fact, it was received so poorly that Sony disappeared it off the market in a matter of two weeks, gave everyone their money back, and snuffed the entire project out of existence while closing the studio that made it. Fast-forward more than a year, though, and Concord has kinda-sorta returned. Tech-savvy enthusiasts have revived the game on private servers, but Sony has already caught wind of it all and are working to nip it in the bud. Do we really need Concord to return? Why does Sony care if it does? And why do smart people work so diligently on things they don't own or have control over? Plus: Black Friday will be exceptionally nice for those looking for PlayStation hardware, accessories, and games, Sony dominates The Game Awards nominations with 19, Bungie prods its playerbase for ideas on how to improve Destiny 2, EA's F1 series is taking a year hiatus, possibly indicating the future of EA Sports, Peacock renews Twisted Metal for a third season, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Do we keep the physical boxes for our gaming hardware? Would Sony ever revive The Legend of Dragoon? How does one navigate gaming's ragebait culture? Out of all of our many choices, which type of French Fry is the absolute best? 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 - Intro0:23:07 - Stay well Will0:29:30 - Is Colin an actual curmudgeon?0:36:30 - Best French Fries0:46:01 - Thanksgiving plans1:04:16 - PlayStation Black Friday1:09:18 - Game Awards nominations1:36:53 - Concord returns and dies again1:46:08 - Horizon surpasses 40 million copies sold1:54:16 - Major changes coming to Destiny 22:06:29 - EA is changing up F12:16:…