Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

While they share some commonalities, Microsoft and Sony are chasing next-gen victory in fundamentally different ways. Sony's doubling-down on everything that made it a resounding winner this go-around -- including a full embrace of its proprietary ecosystem -- while Microsoft seems more eager to lower barriers and spread the love. In a recent interview, the head of Xbox's first party studios candidly admitted that Microsoft sees some of its games migrating to other consoles. Such an admission draws a line in the sand and makes a bet on reach as next-gen's most valuable currency. So let's talk about it. Plus: Quantic Dream jumps head-first into independent waters, Death Stranding's PS4 exclusivity causes confusion anew, another game gets whisked away by the digital storefront grim reaper, and Shenmue III and Destroy All Humans Remake up the ante on collector editions. Inquiries from the audience round things out this week, as always. Thanks to you, we chat about our expectations for Remedy's Control, Infamous and Infamous 2's conspicuous absence from PS4, the persistent high cost of Vita memory cards, and much more. Like Microsoft and Sony of the future, let's be friends and have fun together (or die trying).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The popular gaming convention PAX West chose to host the first-ever live show in Sacred Symbols' history. We were excited, and so were many of you. Oh, but wait, never mind! Weeks after confirming our panel, the powers-that-be at PAX uninvited us from the show without explanation and with no recourse for fans. It's completely unacceptable, and we dedicate the beginning portion of our show to what went down. And yeah, fine, things happened in the video game world that had nothing to do with this, too. PS4 passed a staggering sales milestone, August's free PlayStation Plus games are a step in the right direction, Borderlands 3 is just about ready for primetime, and GameStop inches one step closer to death. Listener inquiries round out our show as always, touching on topics like Ninja's lucrative jump to Mixer, the future of game-sharing, the limits of retro appreciation, and the erosion of the console generation. And, of course, there are topics aplenty unmentioned in this meager write-up. So come aboard, friends. We still love you, even if PAX doesn't.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sony-owned Media Molecule is hiring for a most unusual task: The studio is seeking small dev teams to create experiences inside the Early Access version of its PS4 exclusive Dreams. And they're willing to pay. The question, of course, is what that says about the state of Sony's absurdly long-in-development sandbox, and if we're now officially entering Insane Territory. Is there something here we simply cannot see? We discuss. Plus: PS4's next firmware update is officially in beta, Dying Light 2 is crossing generations, Remedy's Control has gone gold, and Ready at Dawn's recent office move suggests some interesting behind-the-scenes happenings. And yes... yes! Of course we let you, the listener, in on the action, with inquiries about the popularity of Mario Maker 2 (and how Sony can replicate its success), Tokyo RPG Factory's quiet existence, the possible physical size of the PlayStation 5, and the likelihood of Red Dead Redemption 2 single player DLC. So wake up, sit up straight, and listen up closely. You can sleep once we're done.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Resistance is futile: The future of video game distribution is digital whether you like it or not. But we're an agile sect of consumers, and even the most stubborn among us can change our buying habits. Corporations entrenched in the ever-stagnant status quo, on the other hand, will inevitably be less fortunate. GameStop in particular seems destined to be consumed by creative destruction, but can the American mega-games-retailer stop the inexorable march of progress? We discuss. Also: PS4's Spider-Man sets sales history, current-gen consoles sales slow to a crawl, Sony's slow censorship march continues, and Plants vs. Zombies is mounting a quiet comeback. As always, listener questions round-out this week's episode, touching on subjects like the future of Konami, Rainbow Six Siege's changing Trophies, the next step for Capcom's Breath of Fire, and much more. Oh, and Sacred Symbols is coming to PAX West 2019! Details within.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our beloved industry has a decades-long tradition of declaring a Game of the Year, which usually occurs in December or January. But such decisions can be quite overwhelming, especially with 12 months' worth of content to go over. So we thought we'd do things just a little bit differently. While you can count on a "proper" Game of the Year episode when you'd usually expect it, we thought we'd throw a six month checkup into the mix, giving us the time and space to discuss the titles we love most now that 2019 is halfway finished. Of course, such an endeavor requires a lot of feedback from you, too, which we've included in this episode. So let's chat about what's impressed us the most as we move into the back half of what can easily be described as one of gaming's strongest years in recent memories. At least so far.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The free market is a splendid thing. And sometimes, it's even a little scary. Today -- unplanned and at the tail end of our episode -- we discuss the eGirl Phenomenon on the back of the Gamer Girl Bathwater controversy. Just what in the actual hell is going on out there? We discuss (and we don't even judge anyone that much). If you're not into perverted stuff, though, that's okay, because most of this week's episode is of a more normal fare. The Batman Arkham Trilogy is coming to PlayStation 4 (again?), Sony pulled 'the ol' switcheroo' with July's free PlayStation Plus offerings, the weeb games are still coming in hot, Dragon's Dogma Online is about to quietly fade away, and an obscure FromSoft game is on the brink of its first western release. Plus, listener inquiries! About what, you might ask?! Possible console tariffs, the upside of censorship, the future of Skate, and Guerrilla's mysterious multiplayer game, of course! C'mon, you godforsaken nerd. Let's do this thing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Until recently, we've been left to wildly speculate about PlayStation 5.  And boy, have we speculated! But since spring, Sony has been more than willing to talk about its next-gen machine, though it still declines to name it publicly. In a wide-ranging Wall Street Journal article, sources both at Sony and familiar with their internal happenings describe a gaming machine with great capabilities, one being aimed at a specific, hardcore market in mind. But does Sony's approach to hardware, games, and player satisfaction in turn satisfy us? We opine. Then: July's PS+ games are lackluster (to say the least), Remedy has reacquired the rights to Alan Wake, a third Ni No Kuni game is incoming, Bernie Sanders gets crazy with the kids on Twitch, and much, much more. And, to close, listener questions about GI Joe video games, Colin's obsession with in-game clocks, the plague of terrible PSVR games, and one Sacred Symbols fan's quest for everlasting love.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you know words are important and have specific meanings? The gaming industry learned these essential lessons this past week, when a mistranslated and misunderstood Japanese interview concerning Final Fantasy VII Remake made it seem like the dev team was ordered to make one of the character's breasts smaller. And so we spiraled into madness... except... that's not what was said at all. Oh well! Also: Ape Escape may be making a comeback, EA failed to let everyone know Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a Metroidvania for some reason, Disaster Report 4 is finally finding its way to the west nine years late, and Platinum Games is none-too-impressed with PlayStation 5. As is tradition, we rounded our episode with some listener mail, on topics like the ever-rarer third party exclusive, the return of Dead Space, and Konami's lack of love for Suikoden. Fear not! We'll speak clearly so there's no confusion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

E3 2019 is behind us, but -- like the persistent radiation of Chernobyl -- its effects still linger. Indeed, there's much to discuss in the afterglow of the show, and we do just that, revisiting The Avengers, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Cyberpunk 2077. We also touch on Square Enix's plans for its own subscription service, the future of Amazon Game Studios, Konami's surprise new Contra game, and more, and take listener questions on Crash Team Racing, PlayStation 5 backwards compatibility, Assassin's Creed, and what our Game of the Year is thus far. As usual, though, all of that merely skims the surface of this episode of The Internet's Most Beloved PlayStation Podcast. So strap in, Little Billy, or whatever your name is. Let's talk about video games.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's early June, which can mean only one thing: The NHL playoffs are nearly over, and it's time to hunker down for several long, lonely months without hockey. But something else happens in early June each year that's especially pertinent to this podcast's audience: E3! And isn't it so strange -- serendipitous, even -- that our very first E3 show would also be our fiftieth core episode? Fate's funny like that, sometimes. To celebrate both E3 and Episode 50, let's talk about the biggest, brightest, and most promising games showcased during the various publisher press conferences, the miscellaneous news items that always accompany such a busy time of year, and even hazard a guess as to E3's longterm future. Not surprisingly, there's a whole lot to get through. Could you imagine if Sony actually showed up? The podcast would never actually end. But perhaps that's what some of you wanted all along. You're not fooling anyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

E3 2019 is Sony-less, which doesn't exactly benefit The World's Most Beloved PlayStation Podcast. Or does it? Because we're as wily and unpredictable as the day is long, such a situation absolutely begged us to make an unusual detour into Xbox Land... fresh off of a 90 minute press conference, no less! Microsoft's showing unleashed a barrage of interesting announcements, including new games (both exclusive and third party), a cool controller, and further details on some neat and not-so-neat things to come. At the end of the day, though, everything was framed around Project Scarlett, PlayStation 5's arch rival-to-be. We now know this much: Next Generation officially begins in the Fall of 2020. Consider this the opening salvo of our focused, methodical, and some might even say unnecessarily long countdown to What's Next.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the week before E3, and all through LA, games keep on leaking much to publishers' dismay. A third Watch Dogs is coming. New Destiny DLC, too. And Modern Warfare's being rebooted, though that one didn't leak, it's true. So to welcome E3, we thought we'd cook up a game. One that replaces 'Predictions,' which have become stale and lame. "Fill in the blank!" Colin loudly declared. "Tell me your thoughts, Ray Gun, and your life will be spared!" With all he could muster, Chris gathered his might: "Doom Eternal will win E3, or your soul I shall smite!" Colin looked puzzled, and meekly added, "I can't control that, Chris, like those Nintendo scores that are padded." And so Sacred Symbols preps for gaming's big week, with all of the info and news that you seek. We suppose that's no different than your normal week, though. So enough of all of that: Let's get on with the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

E3 2019 is right around the corner, and Sony ain't gonna be there. But that doesn't mean the company is being quiet. Quite the opposite! Likely in anticipation of big Xbox-related moves and announcements at the annual convention, PlayStation has loosened its spigot even more than it already had in recent weeks, talking PlayStation 5 (or whatever the hell it's going to be called), not to mention PlayStation 4, which it anticipates will be the brand's primary driver until 2022. We discuss. Plus: Mortal Kombat 11 and Days Gone sell big, the new Call of Duty is causing title confusion, Twisted Metal is coming to a TV near you, and The World Health Organization thinks gaming will kill us all. To wrap things up, we take some listener questions, including on Supermassive's upcoming horror game anthology, Sony's possible exclusive return to the FPS genre, and how Oculus Quest may just help PSVR. Oh, and did you know Chris is creamy? More details within! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In recent days, word emerged of a most unusual alliance: It seems Sony is teaming up with longtime arch-rival Microsoft across a series of initiatives that could have significant impact on both entities' future gaming success. Indeed, the announcement was such a surprise -- and seemed to have so much impact for both companies -- that Sony employees were internally fretting that plans for PlayStation 5 might have been altered. But, of course, there's nothing to worry about. Right? We discuss. Plus: Call of Duty's unannounced 2020 entry is in serious production turmoil, Square Enix closed its Tales-like studio just as quickly as it opened it, the PlayStation brand is eyeing the film industry, and THQ Nordic may just be tantalizing Chris at his innermost core. Also, let's delve into some listener inquiries too, on topics ranging from the philosophy behind menu screens and Final Fantasy VII Remake's possible Trophy conundrum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the seemingly endless march of open world something-or-the-others continues with the release of Bethesda's and Avalanche's Rage 2. How have we been enjoying the FPSRPG's opening hours? We go into all the highs and the lows. The last seven days have also provided fertile soil for news, especially on the back of Sony's second State of Play stream. PS4's Medievil remake finally has a release date, while a new second-party Predator-themed asymmetric multiplayer game is also en route to the console. Meanwhile, Capcom's mega-popular Monster Hunter: World is finally getting a major expansion, John Wick is now a video game, EA Access is coming to PS4 five years too late, and much, much more. Listener questions also bring us on a wild journey, touching on topics ranging from Final Fantasy VII Remake's episodic nature to the mysterious design philosophy of too-long button prompts. Also: Is Chris' shirt red or crimson? This is a podcast, so perhaps you'll never know.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices