Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

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  #428 | Fetch the Anesthetist 14.09.2026 4ч 34мин

  So much bad mojo currently surrounds the PlayStation brand, that the negativity is starting to feel more like a trend than a temporary happenstance. The most recent news -- that Sony cancelled Kojima's Physint project, allowing him to take it to rival Xbox -- is the freshest addition to an increasing line of gut punches. Worse yet, such a move reveals something seemingly deeper: A sick PlayStation, unable to make rational decisions, desperately in-need of going under the knife and emerging with new leadership and a new directive. We discuss. Plus: Killzone Remaster/Remake rumors percolate, a popular PS3 emulator now allows play directly off of Blu-ray discs, the Saudis plot an EA-Savvy merger, Valve accidentally leaks a ton of upcoming games' achievements, and more. Then, we finish things up (as we always do) with listener inquiries. Could the greater multiplayer space benefit from a reorientation away from PvP and towards PvE? Are people severely underestimating the demand for PlayStation 6? Could Sony once again expand its first party sports offerings beyond MLB: The Show? Should we start deploying mouth-agape thumbnail images? Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbolsPlease keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:40:31 - Mega Man amiibo0:40:56 - Advice for divorce0:54:28 - Sacred Make-A-Wish0:58:15 - Thumbnail preference1:03:47 - Sony's physical production was misreported1:06:30 - Sony pulls PHYSINT, Kojima goes to Xbox2:14:20 - Rumor: Killzone is returning2:26:33 - Valve leaks achievements of tons of games2:38:02 - You can play PS3 games on disk on PC2:41:50 - EA and Savvy could combine2:46:43 - SNK announces Metal Slug Ultimate Collectoin2:51:48 - New PS+ Game Catalog titles2:54:27 - August PSN charts2:57:02 - What We’ve Been Playing (Alan Wake II, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Onimusha: WotS, Plague Tale Resonance)3:19:34 - Wolverine discussion3:42:57 - PvE over Pvp3:48:48 - Where is Mega Man Legends?3:55:00 - Is it better to be an early adopter?4:04:23 - Video game innovation4:14:57 - Sony first party sports4:18:34 - The end of remasters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #427 | You Remain Selfless, Cold, and Composed 07.09.2026 3ч 30мин

  PlayStation's dueling State of Play presentations -- one for western audiences and the other for its native Japanese territory -- hasn't quelled the ever-increasing animus for the brand in some corners. Though widely considered a weak showing (we rank it somewhere between a C and F, depending on which one of us you ask), there were still some great games worth discussing, and we'll do just that. New announcements included shark-eating sequel Maneater 2, an eastern take on New York City with Konami's Rhapsody in Scarlet, old-school bona fides in SlashZero, and the uniquely liminal World Phasebound Control Authority. Plus, release dates flowed for the likes of Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Until Dawn 2, and Metro 2039, all excellent-looking titles. But underneath the surface, the same issues remain. Is Sony disconnected from the reality on the ground, or are we too busy misinterpreting the noise while dodging the signal? We discuss at length. Other news this week includes some Grand Theft Auto VI updates, the exit of Housemarque's co-founder, faux rumors of Square Enix going private, and more. Then, we wrap things up (as we always do) with listener inquiries. Do we believe the scuttlebutt out of Gamescom that Sony's development and publishing partners are upset with them? What do we think of the new website Video Games Critic? Does developer Bit Reactor furloughing staff indicate a future trend for sustainable game dev? Is Sacred Symbols the absolutely perfect podcast for the manic depressive? Visit ⁠https://www.prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/SACRED ⁠and use code SACRED and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Download Cash App Today: ⁠https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/ty57yree⁠ #CashAppPod  Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the ⁠Sutton prepaid card⁠, ⁠Sutton debit flex card⁠, and ⁠Bancorp debit flex card⁠.  Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit ⁠cash.app/legal/podcast⁠ for full disclosures. Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:16:34 - Pre-Sacred ritual0:28:26 - Chris Ray Goon0:31:09 - Bathroom paper towels0:33:04 - Podcast etiquette0:40:44 - Wendy's encounter0:52:21 - Money flow follow-up0:54:57 - State of Play1:46:37 - Netflix's GTAVI breaks records1:49:41 - Sony's comments on "digital ownership"2:03:08 - Housemarque co-founder leaves2:07:52 - Square Enix denies going private2:10:38 - Sony Music buys 24% stake in Gung Ho Entertainment2:13:06 - Sony brings live TV to PlayStation2:15:48 - Iron Man game leaked2:18:38 - What We’re Playing (Alan Wake 2, Mortal Shell 2, Halloween: The Game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword)2:29:30 - PlayStation getting cold feet?2:38:54 - Naughty Dog’s new reality2:50:52 - Video Games Critic2:59:12 - Physical games replacement3:07:32 - Mega Man’s future3:13:26 - Star Wars: Zero Company furlough Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #426 | It's Interesting When People Die 31.08.2026 4ч 33мин

  It's finally time! Rockstar has revealed an in-depth look at Grand Theft Auto VI for the first time, with tons of gameplay, details, and more that so many tens of millions of fans have been hungry for. We discuss all we saw and what we loved and didn't, along with in-depth coverage of the hullabaloo surrounding the game's preview cycle and price. Colin even takes some time to educate the masses that GTAVI at $80 is nearly twice as affordable as GTA1 was at $50, based simply on average incomes and not at all adjusting for dreaded inflation (so next time someone tells you pay hasn't kept up with the increase in game pricing, now you know they're unapologetically lying). Other news this week includes fresh rumors of electronics tariffs in America, booming Helldivers 2 sales, a ton of Gamescom ONL fodder (including Witcher 3 Remastered, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Stage Tour, Exodus, Mega Man: Dual Overdrive, and more). Then: Listener inquiries! Is game development in danger of so-called "mode collapse"? How has MiHoYo managed to find so much success across so many high-caliber games? Would Sony ever explore re-releasing old PlayStation hardware? Will Chris and Dustin join Colin in the Fart Corner? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro20:46 - Patreon player22:05 - Free codes26:43 - Sacred is here for you28:28 - Glass Snapple is back32:03 - GTA VI leaks and pricing1:52:47 - GTA VI showcase reaction2:23:20 - New tariffs could be coming2:28:34 - Anti-data center craze2:40:40 - Gamescom catchup3:20:24 - Sony confirms Helldivers is a huge success3:21:27 - Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement delayed3:22:59 - Terranigma confirmed3:23:45 - Dave Bautista cast as Kratos3:24:37 - New PS+ games3:28:07 - What Are We Playing? (Beast of Reincarnation, Alan Wake II, Endacopia, Mortal Shell 2, How to Fish)3:53:48 - Mode Collapse of gaming4:02:30 - HoYoverse expansion4:07:33 - "Legacy PlayStation"4:11:44 - Will this be one of the best years in gaming? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #425 | Am I More Than You Bargained For Yet? 24.08.2026 4ч 57мин

  Sony's mishandling of its games-as-a-service initiative is well-worn territory here on Sacred Symbols, but that doesn't mean the fallout doesn't persist. This time around, Guerrilla's new multiplayer title Horizon: Hunters Gathering is the focal point. Based on recent reporting, it appears Sony is having the dev team rework the game to remove live service and other persistent elements, and its fate will be decided by December, with cancellation still very much on the table. Bungie and Marathon, Haven and Fairgames, Firewalk and Concord, Naughty Dog and The Last of Us Online, the Deviation-turned-Dark Outlaw project, Bluepoint and God of War Online, a cancelled multiplayer Spider-Man game at Insomniac, Twisted Metal never getting far off the ground at Lucid... Truly, it's enough already. Plus: Until Dawn star Hayden Panettiere sadly passes away at 37 years old, Grand Theft Auto VI suffers a catastrophic leak, Hiroko Totoki talks to the Wall Street Journal about Sony's move away from tech and towards entertainment, Square Enix swears Kingdom Hearts IV will launch in 2027, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is Naughty Dog's high-caliber approach ultimately unsustainable? Have we lost sight of the reality of how bad the experience of using physical media actually is? How can we both run Sacred Symbols effectively while ignoring the endless, persistent, and unrealistic negativity? Will Colin ultimately push Dustin over the line by insisting he's Japanese? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro39:18 - Shoutout to Chris and Porter50:08 - "Dustin is Japanese"52:26 - Drinking in the pool1:03:09 - Digital ownership brother in arms1:09:27 - RIP Hayden Panettiere1:15:08 - GTAVI Leaks1:44:20 - Horizon: Hunters Gathering is being reworked2:28:31 - Hiroki Totoki Literature Club interview2:42:15 - Sony's shovelware purge gone wrong?2:55:21 - Kingdom Hearts IV releases late 20273:01:28 - Terranigma port3:05:32 - Pulse Elevate speakers coming in November3:07:53 - Call of Duty beta includes campaign level3:09:44 - Simpsons Hit and Run returns?3:14:25 - July US sales data3:18:42 - What We're Playing (Beast of Reincarnation, Spider-Man 2, Mortal Shell 2)3:40:39 - Toxic fandoms3:56:42 - Enshittification across media4:06:53 - Curbing your expectations4:20:17 - Is Naughty Dog unsustainable?4:24:14 - Is America AAA game dev dead?4:30:34 - Was physical media a nightmare? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #424 | Think Someone's About To Be Carved 17.08.2026 4ч 4мин

  On PlayStation 5 in the near future, you're going to be hacking, slashing, stabbing, and serrating your enemies with reckless abandon. For starters, the dangerously-clawed Wolverine emerges in September, along with a newly-announced special edition PS5 console, a couple of DualSense controllers, and even some plates for your existing hardware. (Plus, the previews are quite positive!) September also provides us with horroresque Halloween: The Game from IllFonic, which interestingly enough won't be released in Australia and New Zealand for the stupidest reason. Come October, hack-and-slash RPG Phantom Blade 0 joins the fray -- a long-in-development Chinese game that's getting its own State of Play imminently -- not to mention Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition, packing new single-player content galore alongside the return of the Katana-wielding Atsu. Other news this week includes a surprise PS3-era Lord of the Rings drop, insane data about Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders, and more. But we end, as we always do, with listener inquiries. Will Sony really eschew any sort of external disc drive for PlayStation 6, if only for backwards compatibility purposes? Why is visiting a new town in an RPG typically such an exciting experience? What would a "Digital Bill of Rights" look like? Is Dustin losing his Japanese language skills through atrophy? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro42:56 - Met-cha Chameleon47:49 - Sacred American Gladiator50:20 - 24 minutes53:49 - Almonds vs data centers1:07:26 - Phantom Blade Zero State of Play1:15:00 - Halloween The Game refused classification in Australia and New Zealand1:27:08 - Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition1:35:19 - Wolverine console plates and more1:43:56 - Lord of the Rings: War in the North re-released1:52:42 - New PS+ Game Catalog games2:01:00 - GTAVI's $100 version is the top seller2:14:29 - July's Top PSN Downloads2:17:35 - Spider-Man sales increase thanks to the movie2:20:20 - What We're Playing (Big Walk, Marvel Tokon, Gears of War E-Day, Spider-Man (2000), Beast of Reincarnation)2:59:54- Digital Bill of Rights3:10:07 - Playing PS5 discs on PS63:20:35 - Codes in boxes3:24:14 - RPG towns3:29:23 - Defending big companies3:39:48 - Game discipline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #423 | I Swear To God, All I Do Is Cash Out 10.08.2026 4ч 3мин

  After roughly half-a-dozen episodes of unfortunate absence, we're pleased to welcome Dustin back to the fold, and just in the nick of time at that. A trio of interesting stories have bubbled to the surface over the past week worth examining, and they require further inquiry from the whole cast. For starters, Sony's financials show a stagnant (albeit perfectly healthy) PlayStation brand, as PS5 marches ever-slower towards 100 million units sold. And then there's Electronic Arts, the pioneering American publisher that sold-out to a wealthy foreign interest, with untold ramifications on the other side of the biggest-ever leveraged buyout in human history. Finally, we come to Netflix and Rockstar, who have teamed-up for what can only be described as a unique approach towards showcasing Grand Theft Auto VI, one (perhaps not surprisingly) some people aren't thrilled about. Among other news (and other nonsense), we also get into your listener submissions, as we do each week. How will MLB: The Show 27 be affected next year by what appears to be an inevitable work stoppage in professional baseball? Is there any workable idea for a framework surrounding the second-hand buying, selling, and trading of digital games? Could Sony blunt PlayStation 6's inevitably-high cost by taking a page from Xbox's book and offering hardware on long-term payment plans? Has Colin been saying "beaucoup bucks" wrong, or does one listener simply not know his French? This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols Sign up for your $1 per month trial at https://www.shopify.com/sacred Get 365-day returns and free shipping at https://www.quince.com/sacred Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00 - Intro21:28 - Beaucoup bucks23:15 - Has Colin gone woke?30:57 - Betting on Dustin's return35:44 - Last games during Dustin's leave51:19 - Balancing work, life, and kids58:32 - GTA VI premieres on Netflix1:16:24 - Sony Q1 26 financials1:56:48 - EA's sale to the Saudis is done2:11:37 - Shift Up's AI music video2:21:50 - Dave Bautista as Kratos?2:26:59 - New PlayStation LEGO2:27:31 - Black Ops on PS5 sales2:28:34 - What We're Playing (Halo, GTA SA, Big Walk, Splatoon Raiders)2:55:43 - AI Moderation3:13:54 - MLB Lockout3:17:47 - Optimizing games too much3:24:30 - Buying and selling digital games3:34:09 - Lack of real games media3:41:07 - Buying PS6 via contract Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #422 | You're Asking Me, Will My Love Grow? 03.08.2026 4ч 1мин

  Sure, there's a lot of anger in our ecosystem right now, but what about all that's upcoming, all that could potentially change our moods? For instance, God of War: Laufey has received a February '27 release date, while compelling rumors indicate Naughty Dog's long-awaited Intergalactic may also grace PlayStation 5 in 2027. With Arc System Works promising tons of fixes for Marvel Tokon (especially on PC) in time for its imminent launch, and with Wolverine just around the corner -- not to mention a ton of third-party fare, too -- maybe it's time we lighten up a little bit. Plus: Dragon Age is seemingly dead, Square Enix lives in perpetual fear of the potential scale of a Final Fantasy VI remake, Crazy Taxi: World Tour solicits players for closed tests, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Why do so many people seem so hostile towards so-called "Gun and Ball" gamers? Is Sony's ever-struggling PlayStation Network ready for the crush it will experience with Grand Theft Auto VI? Does PS5 console exclusive Silent Hill: Townfall's approach to stealth and avoidant gameplay interest us? Will Dustin ever return to the show, or is he too busy going to Ohio to find physical games? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro11:58 - R.I.P. Sophie18:56 - R.I.P. Excalibur31:49 - Shoutout to gamer mom35:53 - Changing names41:22 - Dustin's been spotted in the wild43:26 - A rare correction51:39 - PSBlackout1:18:41 - God of War: Laufey launches on February 16th, 20271:26:22 - Reliable insider suggests Naughty Dog will release Intergalactic in 20271:36:40 - Marvel Tokon’s PC test isn’t going great1:42:38 - A Dragon Age trilogy re-release seems very unlikely1:51:02 - Yoshi-P says a Final Fantasy VI remake would require four or five parts1:58:17 - Crazy Taxi: World Tour gets a closed network test2:01:19 - Industry layoffs are accelerating2:09:47 - New PS+ Essential games revealed2:12:36 - Gran Turismo 7 gets a branded steering wheel2:15:56 - Surprise! Capcom continues to do great2:16:16 - What is Kingdom Come: Salvation?2:16:29 - Atari signs a 10-movie deal with Universal2:17:10 - Weird Trophies?2:20:23 - What We're Playing (Halo, Onimusha 2, Powerwash Simulator 2 DLC)2:57:38 - When was the last time a game took over your whole life?3:05:35 - Why is there so much animosity towards Ball-&-Gun gamers?3:20:40 - The physical games drama is getting old3:32:40 - Can the PSN infrastructure handle the GTA VI preload?3:35:35 - Is there no appetite for the PS6?3:45:00 - Silent Hill: Townfall hype level Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #421 | As They Gas, All I See Are Hieroglyphic Patterns 27.07.2026 3ч 59мин

  PlayStation's self-inflicted physical games fiasco is nearing a month deep, and it seems fairly obvious at this point that nothing's going to change. The good news is that -- amongst all the chatter, arguing, and prognostication -- comes more info from the American market that indicates that Sony is pissing people off, yes, but also making a seemingly rational commercial decision from their perspective. Thus, we find ourselves in a continued bind: Through all of the screaming and insulting is salient data, should one be willing to look with sober eyes. We discuss. Plus: Marathon loses its game director, Bethesda vows to deliver a lot more Fallout, Rebel Wolves promises Mass Effect-like save migration for its nascent Blood of Dawnwalker series, NBA 2K27 skips PlayStation 4, Kratos gets recast in Amazon's God of War series, and more. We then wrap things up, as we always do, with listener inquiries from our audience. What are our expectations for Until Dawn 2? Did the elimination of crunch culture in some corners of the industry have unexpected downstream effects? Should Grand Theft Auto be held to account for the real-world violence it potentially inspires? Has Colin created a new mosquito bite-obliterating trend? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro17:43 - Del Walker has great insight21:03 - Marathon's PVE mode31:45 - Feel better, Brent32:32 - Moriarty X Jaffe summer camp44:43 - More sports talk please48:52 - Dexter can't dance53:24 - Mosquito's suck57:22 - Physical game sales on PS5 are struggling + June US sales data1:59:31 - Marathon's director quits2:17:10 - Bethesda confirms Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters2:33:22 - Blood of the Dawnwalker will carry its saves over into future games2:38:06 - NBA 2K27’s cover athletes revealed, skips PS42:42:34 - Jonathan Blow’s new game confirmed for launch on PS52:45:37 - God of War’s Amazon show is recasting Kratos after on-set injury2:49:45 - The first Call of Duty film is less than a year out2:52:18 - What We're Playing (Onimusha, Onimusha 2, Powerwash Simulator 2 Star Wars DLC, Marathon, Halo Campaign Evolved)3:08:38 - Can Until Dawn 2 live up to its predecessor?3:13:29 - Is the elimination of crunch the cause of ballooning budgets?3:19:34 - The phasing out of trilogies3:24:42 - Will retro hardware prices skyrocket?3:30:38 - Does GTA cause violence?3:40:51 - Should Sony fund smaller single player games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #420 | Taste the Thinnest of Oxygen 20.07.2026 4ч 6мин

  A new report from a trusted gaming industry analyst projects PlayStation 6 to launch in 2028 and sell only four million units in its first calendar year on the market. When you consider that even PS3 managed to sell three and a half million units in a mere four months, well, it might be a tough row to hoe. And when you take into account that this analysis assumes PS6 will sell for between $600 and $800, Sony may be in for a rude awakening indeed. We discuss. Then again, other analysis paints a far rosier picture, at least as far as Grand Theft Auto VI pre-sales are concerned, where Sony will be raking it in by the many hundreds of millions in royalties alone. Other news this week includes EA's reversal on its controversial College Football 27 microtransactions, the dominance of Call of Duty: Black Ops I and II's PSN release, the delay of the upcoming first party fight stick FlexStrike, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is PlayStation in dire need of a spokesperson? Does Crunchyroll's new approach with its subscription portend a dicey future for PSN? Have we ever lent a physical game to a friend (or someone else) and never received it back? Could Episode 420 mean throwing all caution to the wind? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro51:17 - PlayStation at San Diego Comic-Con57:15 - Analyst forecasts a soft PS6 launch1:12:07 - GTA VI to make billions in its first week1:20:47 - EA backtracks on controversial monetization1:33:35 - Black Ops 1 and 2 dominate PSN1:44:07 - Sony finally elaborates heavily on Ranger Rumble1:53:14 - Sony’s FlexStrike fight stick hits “unexpected production delays”2:00:10 - Was Sony once exploring an animated Horizon series?2:05:43 - Koei Tecmo rapidly expands headcount2:17:22 - Halo: Campaign Evolved goes gold2:22:50 - The Blood of Dawnwalker goes gold2:24:47 - New Game Catalog additions for July2:34:13 - Mouse: PI and Black Flag sales soar2:42:21 - What We're Playing (GTA V, GTA Online, Librarian, GTA SA)3:09:54 - Is the console doom and gloom overstated?3:19:52 - Are we buying the PS6 at launch?3:27:16 - Should PlayStation invest in a face?3:34:21 - Did a friend ever steal one of your games?3:40:18 - Crunchyroll gets paywalled behind higher tiers3:49:47 - Is it time for Sony to give the PlayStation TV another shot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #419 | Don't Break the Silence, Don't Let Me Win 13.07.2026 4ч 35мин

  We're more than a week removed from the controversial decision to scrap new physical releases for PlayStation hardware beginning in early 2028, and even with a robust outpouring of rage from a portion of its hardcore audience, Sony doesn't seem like it's going to budge. This has come to surprise some people; yet, the longer Sony continues its silence on the topic, the more unlikely it'll be that anything will change. Will the Japanese megacorporation's wait-and-see approach pay off? Is there still time to turn the ship around? Are physical buyers vastly overestimating their power and positioning? There's much more to discuss surrounding the worst period of PR for the PlayStation brand since 2011. Other news this week includes furor over language in the European PSN's terms of service, drama surrounding Marvel Tokon's release on Steam, significant layoffs at Xbox that deeply affect PlayStation-aligned developers like id and Obsidian, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Is it weird that Sony executives sold more than $10 million in stock after their infamous physical games announcement? What's going on with EA's insane monetization policies in College Football 27? Why couldn't Bluepoint spin-out from Sony like Microsoft is allowing some of its teams to do? Does Dustin have similarly arcane powers as Brad, just pointed in the opposite direction? Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro22:12 - Yet another Sacred baby24:04 - The Blue Reaper32:32 - Enough of the Euroslander34:18 - Wet wipes are a game changer39:07 - Infamous 2 UGC servers shutting down42:05 - Christopher Barrett settled his lawsuit with Bungie and Sony55:04 - Sony won’t reverse course on physical media1:06:22 - Sony starts repurposing its factories2:24:40 - European fans freak out about account deletion2:29:22 - Marvel Tokon on PC won’t launch in 132 countries2:34:41 - Microsoft guts id Software3:10:33 - Obsidian returns to Fallout3:25:55 - Undead Labs spins-out from Xbox3:32:42 - IO Interactive reclaims its cancelled Xbox second party game3:34:45 - June 2026’s top downloads on PSN3:35:50 - What We're Playing (GTA V, GTA SA, Mercenaries 2, PURE)3:51:27 - Microsoft is good while Sony is evil?3:56:26 - What's stopping Bluepoint from staying together?4:00:53 - Sony CEO sells 50% of his stock?4:06:45 - Crash Team Racing tips and tricks4:09:37 - EA Sports College Football 27 uproar4:17:39 - Bethesda's lay-off memorial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #418 | Nevermind, These Are Horrid Times 06.07.2026 4ч 46мин

  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? This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/ty57yree #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00 - Intro20:52 - Welcome Lily24:01 - Loud neighbors39:11 – Colin's plan of succession42:13 – The return of the King46:23 – Starting in 2028, PlayStation consoles will no longer receive new games on disc1:17:23 – Sony’s strategy1:39:54 – Why is Sony removing this option?1:52:50 – The passive income of disc production1:57:49 – What’s this mean for pricing?2:03:19 – Improving the storefront2:09:10 – Should the ownership paradigm shift?2:18:48 – Codes at stores again?2:25:58 – Multiple storefronts, buying outside of PSN2:30:07 – Does “pro-consumerism” even work?2:32:04 – Have the people spoken?2:33:47 – The never-ending rural problem2:37:00 – Lillymo2:42:32 – PS3 and Vita’s digital storefronts will go offline forever in one year3:15:53 – Sony won’t subsidize its hardware beyond a certain point3:19:29 – PS5 has its worst May on the US market since the late PSone era3:24:44 – Sony says it has to (and will) keep investing in games-as-a-service3:31:59 – Sony pulls Studio Canal films from the PSN backend3:35:24 – Shaun Layden says Sony is making a mistake by stopping its PC support3:43:11 – Blade, Loki, and Deadpool revealed for Marvel Tokon3:46:37 – Capcom moves Onimusha’s date up3:47:46 – July’s PS+ Essential games3:49:40 – Persona is getting a live action TV series3:51:54 – What We're Playing (Luna Abyss, GTA V, GTA: San Andreas)4:07:45 – When will consumers vote with their wallet?4:14:11 – Exodus will no longer feature a full character creator4:19:04 – Why are companies so reluctant to share sales data?4:22:24 – Does end game DLC generate more revenue?4:27:35 – Why won't the PS6 be delayed?4:30:40 – What franchises could benefit from a Dust-like shared world? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #417 | It's Not Far Down to Paradise 29.06.2026 4ч 12мин

  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? 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 Batman, Luna Abyss, GTA: San Andreas)3:05:33 - Steam Machine pricing3:26:19 - Could Sony invest in XBOX?3:31:15 - What's next for Sony?3:40:03 - Midnight Murder Club received its final update3:46:05 - Is gambling software okay?3:54:55 - Should Sony stick to its existing IP catalog? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #416 | Stare Straight Ahead, Ignore the Responsibility 22.06.2026 4ч 15мин

  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? 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 - Devil May Cry 5 sold more copies in 20253:06:03 - Sony speaks on PC cancellations3:08:49 - What We're Playing (007 First Light, Pragmata, Crazy Taxi 2)3:14:03 - Has Playstation lost its riz?3:20:25 - Could Sony relocate?3:25:58 - Why are studios shut down?3:33:26 - Should Playstation exit the A and AA space?3:43:51 - RE Engine praise3:51:36 - Grifting doesn't earn much Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #415 | What's Real and What's For Sale? 15.06.2026 4ч 44мин

  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? Sign up for your $1 per month trial at https://www.shopify.com/sacred Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/ty57yree #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card.  Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Timestamps: Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 00:00 - Intro08:01 - Letters for Dustin14:59 - From the PO Box27:49 - LSM's big week29:08 - When she likes Sacred...33:03 - World Cup48:26 - Going to a water park alone56:50 - Flushing the poo wipes1:00:39 - Halo: Campaign Evolved launches July 281:22:01 - Persona 4 Revival + Persona 61:39:09 - Kingdom Hearts Collection + IV1:53:15 - Fable 4 Release Date2:01:34 - State of Decay 32:10:37 - Senua2:15:49 - Crazy Taxi: World Tour2:23:36 - Join Us2:26:41 - Final Fantasy Resonance2:30:25 - Magicians: The Devils Deal2:34:39 - Castlevania: Belmont's Curse2:36:33 - Spyro: A Realm Beyond2:42:53 - Thief remaster2:45:18 - Muramasa2:47:25 - Tales of Eternia Remastered2:49:05 - Mina the Hollower surpasses 500,000 copies sold2:49:53 - New PS+ Game Catalog titles2:52:52 - What We're Playing3:10:23 - Top moments of SGF season3:16:48 - Xbox and exclusivity3:55:41 - The Order 1886 Comeback?4:04:12 - Destiny frustration4:22:55 - Beating ritual4:27:37 - Where is Naughty Dog? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #414 | This Is the Revelation of the Year 08.06.2026 6ч 29мин

  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. 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 bill for game preservation6:02:53 - Fallout 76 coming to PS56:03:43 - Fable delayed6:04:11 - Gravity Circuit 2 announced6:04:57 - May 2026 PSN top downloads6:06:59 - What We're Playing (Pragmata, Saros, Mina the Hollower, 007: First Light) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #413 | People Told Us It Would Never Transpire 01.06.2026 4ч 25мин

  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? This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/sacred Sign up for your $1 per month trial at https://www.shopify.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 - Intro0:35:05 - 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 - RIP Destruction AllStars2:36:03 - New Witcher 3 expansion2:43:22 - Remedy's CEO claims2:52:04 - Persona 4 Revival rated in South Korea2:57:21 - June PS+ Games3:02:37 - What We’re Playing (Pragmata, 007: First Light)3:23:26 - Indie game boost3:31:57 - Steam's price issues and Sony3:44:53 - Are platinum trophies getting easier?3:49:34 - Will retro games lose value?3:59:25 - Will Quantic Dream be okay?4:08:55 - Are Sony First Party teams too protective? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #412 | They Disguise It, Hypnotize It 22.05.2026 5ч 3мин

  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? Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/SACRED and use code SACRED and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Go to PrizePicks.com/DoItLiveSweepstakes or check out PrizePicks social pages for more info. Timestamps:Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement. 0:00:00 - Intro0:22:05 - To Grace and Leo0:26:05 - Reverse Jesus0:28:25 - Children of wealth0:38:55 - Chris and Dustin in Cobra0:42:18 - Candle compromise0:43:09 - The Great Hack2:30:04 - State of Play incoming2:41:09 - Sony single player games are no longer coming to PC2:55:10 - Destiny 2 is ending3:15:58 - Fairgames renamed?3:27:38 - PS Plus price increase3:34:26 - Is Infamous coming back?3:43:00 - Warhorse Studios is working on two games3:52:07 - Embracer reorganizes4:00:14 - Circana data for April4:05:33 - What We're Playing (Mouse: PI For Hire, Pragmata, Saros, Marathon)4:14:40 - Shuhei spotted4:16:47 - PSN keys4:29:46 - What happened to consolidation?4:33:45 - Player analytics4:39:01 - PS5 after PS64:46:48 - Difficulty tuning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #411 | Neon Signs Flash Other Choices 18.05.2026 4ч 29мин

  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 - Fromsoft "leaks"3:58:55 - Marathon Season 24:09:29 - New Dragon Quest4:14:58 - Day and night cycle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #410 | The PR Transmissions Will Resume 11.05.2026 4ч 14мин

  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? 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 reveals Stranger Than Heaven2:30:55 - Mina the Hollower has a release date2:48:45 - PSN April 2026 Sales2:52:24 - What We’re Playing (Saros, Vampire Crawlers, Saint Slayer)3:21:28 - Better ways for DRM3:26:17 - Fix the refund system3:30:51 - Alternate 007 timeline3:37:40 - Easy modes3:44:10 - Surprise announcements3:50:49 - Marketing for Marathon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  #409 | Truth or Consequence, Say It Aloud 04.05.2026 3ч 56мин

  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? 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 - Old IGN scores0:59:40 - PlayStation DRM story1:34:17 - MLB: The Show Mobile pre-register1:42:13 - Blood of Dawnwalker gets a release date and new info1:48:57 - Rugrats: Retro Rewind collection1:58:46 - Star Wars DLC for Power Wash Simulator 22:05:19 - May PS+ games2:09:05 - What We’re Playing2:47:04 - Xbox's future on PlayStation3:04:20 - Investing in video game companies3:13:23 - Overfixing a game3:26:55 - Halo 3 = Friendslop?3:32:00 - Steam Controller and next gen controllers3:41:58 - Proud dad story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices