Unbelievably, the moment has finally come: A PlayStation showcase draws near. By the time the hour-plus event concludes, it'll have been more than 600 days since the last showcase in '21. In other words, Sony simply has to bring the heat, and we suspect they will. This week, let's take the time to dissect PlayStation's potential first, second, and third party plans for its mid-gen coming-out, and get into some other news in the ecosystem, too, including the reveal of a Mortal Kombat reboot and strong indications that Grand Theft Auto VI is nearing its end-phase of development. Listener inquiries help us explore other interesting topics as well, including nudity in games, Sony's potential to sell Zelda-like numbers, and how we "earn" our gaming time. Colin also nails himself in the nuts mid-show, much to everyone's delight. Thanks to our sponsors! Get 20% off at https://www.liquidiv.com and use code Sacred This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols and get on your way to being your best self Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

#255 | Showcase Showdown

A minor culling is underway at and around PlayStation, with a smaller first party studio going away and an in-production second party FPS seemingly cancelled. But it's unclear why this would necessarily be looked at as a bad thing. If teams and products aren't living up to their promise -- and if they presumably don't reach an ever-increasing quality bar internally -- shouldn't they be cut loose? Still, at a time when consolidation and headcount means anything, that Sony is taking these risks indicates there's more at play, with the potential of a brighter future on the other side. Let's discuss. Other news this week includes massive numbers for the Horizon franchise, now Sony's sixth best-selling series ever, while Pokémon studio GameFreak gets into bed with Take Two and PS+ gets its strongest slate of new additions in months. Finally, we wrap things up -- as always -- with listener inquiries. Was IGN wrong to say that games its staff has never heard of aren't worth your attention to begin with? Have the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters invoked a new interest in Stranger of Paradise? Can anything be done to halt the death of game rentals? Will we ever recover from how hard The Good Doctor makes us laugh? Thanks to our sponsors! Get 20% off at https://www.liquidiv.com and use code Sacred at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#254 | I Hear the Magic in Your Sighs

In a recent interview, Hermen Hulst -- the head of PlayStation's first party studios -- spoke extensively about Sony's plans with its vaunted 10 in-development games-as-a-service. Through his words, we can begin to formulate a vision of a future where PlayStation first and second party games are both of the expected and unexpected variety, a marked change from a brand known first-and-foremost for marquee single player experiences. And in the wake of Xbox's disastrous launch of Redfall and the obviously-plateauing numbers of GamePass, a conversation about the very philosophy of PlayStation seems as timely as ever. We also take the time this week to go over the trailers for the Gran Turismo movie and Twisted Metal TV show, celebrate some recent Square Enix sales successes, discuss the continued destruction of games media, touch on new PS5 Pro rumors, and more. Listener inquiries round things out, per usual, on topics like reviews taking into account the technical performance of a game, Sony's dearth of WRPG heft, players' toxic relationship with publishers, and Colin's increasingly dramatic southern man voice. Thanks to our sponsor! Get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 travel packs for free at https://www.athleticgreens.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#253 | I'm Gonna Learn You My Philosophy

Naughty Dog and Insomniac are the two studios often looked at as the bulwarks of PlayStation's first party family. But it's clear that -- over in Europe -- a third team is quickly climbing the depth chart: Guerrilla. In recent days, the team revealed a complete shakeup of their executive staff, and for the second time in just a few years, they're losing their leader to PlayStation proper. In other words, many compliments are being paid to a studio not only working on Horizon 3, but a Horizon multiplayer game as well, in addition to shepherding the increasingly-important Decima engine. What's the future look like for Sony with Guerrilla in increasing control? We've much to chat about. Plus: The CMA surprisingly blocks Microsoft's acquisition of Activision, a new Sony patent seemingly confirms a detachable PS5 disc drive is en route, Burning Shores' review bombing convinces Metacritic to clean up their site, and more. Then: Nearly three years out, what are our thoughts on Ghost of Tsushima? Are we ever tempted to try Final Fantasy XIV? How come Colin loves sports so much, but hates competitive gaming? Will Chris' and Colin's portraits hang in an Ohio deli like two communist dictators? Thanks to our sponsors! Get 20% off at https://www.liquidiv.com and use code Sacred at checkout Sign up for a Chime Checking Account at https://www.chime.com/sacred Get up to 55% off your subscription at https://www.babbel.com/sacred Get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 travel packs for free at https://www.athleticgreens.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#252 | Don’t Break the Branches off the Family Tree

As it comes to grips with the new realities of an ever-consolidating market, Sony has opted to increase its aggressiveness by purchasing Firewalk Studios. Like Haven and Nixxes before it, buying Firewalk is an unusually premature move for a company that typically likes to conduct extensive second party dances before putting a ring on it. But its arch-rival and third party publishers alike have made it clear that the old rules of buying teams no longer apply, and that courtships can no longer span the production of multiple titles. Will this increasing embrace of size benefit PlayStation or hinder it? Only time will tell, but we've obviously much to discuss. Other big news this week includes PlayStation 5's staggering sales figures, the exit of more high-level talent from Media Molecule, and much more, and we round things out -- as always -- with listener inquiries. Is enemy scaling really necessary? Could Ubisoft be readying a low-key banger with XDefiant? Do players rerally 'graduate' from Nintendo to PlayStation? Is Colin developing a hankering for gardening? Thanks to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols and get on your way to being your best self Get a 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 travel packs for free at https://www.athleticgreens.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#251 | The Heat Is On

After witnessing its death in slow motion, Media Molecule is mercifully pulling the plug on its beleaguered project Dreams. And it's sad, no doubt. But here's the reality: Dreams was a bad idea and a waste of time. Sony voluntarily hamstrung its most creative team for the better part of two generations on a dead end, and you can't really blame artists-types for taking all the corporate rope you'll give them. After all, Media Molecule hasn't released a AAA game in more than 12 years, an unfathomable gap. How that's even possible is anyone's guess. Who's responsible for Dreams' abject failure? Why was this idea allowed to go along so staggeringly beyond its expiration date? And what's next for the House of Sackboy? Other news this week includes tacit confirmation of a Persona 3 remake, Sony's aggressive push into cloud gaming, an official delay for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and more. The conversation's rounded out with listener inquiries sent from Patreon, touching on topics like the Redfall 30-frames controversy, the cost of putting Call of Duty on PlayStation Plus, the best order to play the original Final Fantasy games, and a continued ode to a deli that's become a central icon of show lore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#250 | The Dream Is Finally Dead

 A new Sony handheld is rumored to be in the works, but don't get all hot-and-bothered. It's not another PSP or Vita, but rather a device codenamed Q-Lite, essentially a DualSense controller with an 8-inch screen affixed to it that facilitates (presumably high quality) local remote play. But with PSVR2 seemingly floundering, is it a good idea to release another distraction from the main goal? That being the production and release of the highest-quality AAA games imaginable. We discuss Sony's presumed strategy. We also delve into awesome Final Fantasy-related news, including word that XVI has gone gold on PS5, with the Pixel Remasters right around the corner for PS4, while the Saudi Arabian government is preparing tens of billions of dollars in new gaming investments that will undoubtedly encroach into our space. Also: Listener inquiries! Will Spider-Man 2 be co-op? Why aren't Monster Hunter fans showing Wild Hearts any respect? If Sony purchased Square Enix, would it be left alone (a la Bungie)? Was Queen Elizabeth II a closet Sacred Symbols listener? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#249 | Q (For Questionable)

It's a week of surprise turnarounds and unexpected outcomes. First up: Has Sony flown too close to the sun? In trying to halt Microsoft's acquisition of Activision, it may have exposed itself to critical governmental and social attention it would have otherwise never garnered. And the deal's probably going to go through anyway. Meanwhile, reporting indicates PSVR2 is bombing in its first month on the market, which our eyes and ears were already telling us. Meanwhile, E3 is cancelled (probably forever) after the promise of a triumphant comeback, The Last of Us: Part I on PC wildly misses the Naughty Dog bar of quality, once-accused games writer Chris Avellone clears his name, and more news rounds our upside-down episode, dotted as always with listener inquiries. Your topics this week? The potential of animated PlayStation TV series and films, the best third-party publisher ever, a defense of day one DLC, and much more. Thanks to our sponsors! Get a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 travel packs at https://www.athleticgreens.com/sacred Get up to 55% off your subscription at https://www.babbel.com/sacred Get 20% off anything you order at https://www.liquidiv.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#248 | Trap Card

In September of 2018, one of the biggest PlayStation games of all-time -- Insomniac's Spider-Man -- came to PlayStation 4. Along with its '1.5-style' follow-up Miles Morales, the fledgling franchise has sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 million copies, and it seems like the original's direct sequel will launch five years to the month of its street date, in September of 2023. Word comes by way of the loose-lipped voice actor playing Venom, who would absolutely and obviously know these details in preparation for his press tour, so we believe what he says to be true, and it all begs the singular question: When will we see more? Other news this week revolves around Horizon: Forbidden West's upcoming DLC Burning Shores, the sunsetting of a trio of Battlefield games on PSN, Sony's ability (or lack thereof) to make a viable Call of Duty competitor, and more. Listener inquiries help us round things out, as always. What's up with all of the 10s being given out by games media? Is Ubisoft's Ghostwriter technology a harbinger of things to come? Why the heck won't some games let you pause? Will you bet cold-hard cash on Chris in his Creator Clash bout? Thanks to our sponsors! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy at try at https://www.betterhelp.com/symbols and get on your way to being your best self.  Make your financial dreams a reality at https://www.chime.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#247 | Do You Remember Swinging Around in September?

Rumors are percolating anew of a PlayStation 5 Pro console that may launch as soon as 2024, but in reality, this isn't news at all. Our very own tech analyst told us about PS5 Pro last year right here on this very show, and with more information now garnered, it sounds like this thing is really happening. Or is it? Deep economic pain lingers (with more potentially on the way). And how much more power does the PS5 need, anyway? Let's discuss the freshest hardware murmurings. Then: Neil Druckmann spills the beans on The Last of Us' future on HBO and the potential of a third core game, Konami's Project Zircon indicates Castlevania is about to return, Chinese developers voluntarily submit to self-censorship in a new pact, and more, buttressed -- as always -- by listener inquiries. What's going on with Capcom's Pragmata? Could gaming magazines ever make a comeback? How long should a game be? Has Dustin's coffee snobbery gone a step too far? Thanks to our sponsor! Right now, get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to https://www.babbel.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#246 | How Refreshing

Interesting news broke while we were recording the episode, and we made sure to incorporate it: Rocksteady's beleaguered Suicide Squad game (Kill the Justice League) has been indefinitely delayed from its May release on PlayStation 5, no doubt a response to the drubbing-by-consensus it recently took. Is such a move necessary, and could it right the game's trajectory? Did it even need saving it all? Other news items this week include a wild Jim Ryan quote regarding the Activision-Microsoft deal, a huge firmware update for PS5, the potential of Spider-Man 2 going head-to-head with Starfield, and more. We intersperse our show, as we always do, with listener inquiries, ranging on issues like a remake's eligibility for Game of the Year, skipping cutscenes, playing a single-player title via multiple roles, and the reveal of the soon-to-be-famous Sacred Symbols-themed sandwich at a very special Ohio deli. Thanks to our sponsors! Get a free 1-year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase at https://www.athleticgreens.com/sacred Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#245 | Delayed Execution

As you well-know, Sacred Symbols doesn't work with any publishers, developers, or manufacturers. As such, we're excited to talk about PSVR2 for the very first time now that we've gotten our own purchased units in the mail. We go into some of our varying experiences so far, particularly with Horizon: Call of the Mountain, and Colin in particular wonders if his unit is broken or just permanently blurry ('sweet spot' be damned). We also get into all of the week's news, of course, starting with IO Interactive's big reveal of a new fantasy RPG in the works, Elden Ring's mysterious upcoming DLC, the closure of Square Enix's Luminous Productions, and more. As usual, listener inquiries round things out for us on topics like 3D platformers, endemic industry negativity, the potentially offensive nature of the term 'JRPG', and one funny anecdote from our live show in Houston about a few mystified men who thought they were there to see Moulin Rouge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#244 | Lights Out

Xbox's pursuit of Activision Blizzard reached a new crescendo in recent days, as Microsoft President Brad Smith gave both private and public presentations to the European Commission about the virtues of the proposed deal. In its persistent recalcitrance and total unwillingness to get out of the way (particularly when it comes to Call of Duty's availability on PlayStation), Sony's strategy of silence may actually be paying off. Is Cryin' Jim really Thrivin' Jim? As always, we go deep into the weeds of this never-ending saga. Other news this week includes word of Diablo IV's open beta, Bungie suing cheaters into oblivion, and Embracer's presumably overleveraged position. Listener inquiries round things out, touching on topics like games that solve puzzles for you, our favorite so-called Sony-isms, the upcoming biblical title I Am Jesus Christ, and a potential Sacred Symbols sandwich at an Ohio-based deli. (Remember: We recorded a day earlier than usual because of our live event in Houston.) Thanks to our sponsor! Shop spring designs at https://www.tommyjohn.com/sacred and get 20% off your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#243 | Desperate Measures

Sony has never so much as acknowledged the existence of the British team known as Ballistic Moon, but that hasn't stopped sleuths from figuring out as far back as last summer that they're working on a PlayStation exclusive called Project Bates. But in recent days, something interesting happened: Sony kinda-sorta referred to Ballistic Moon as a first party team in a job listing, which they later amended. And you may remember that Sony in fact clumsily leaked their acquisition of Bluepoint months before they properly revealed it. Is something up here? Possibly so; we'll let you decide. Other news this week includes an awesome new array of games on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, rumors of PlayStation-branded earbuds, the approach of the long-shambling Dead Island 2, and more. Listener inquiries round things out, as always. Is it okay to dislike BioShock? How come Colin thinks it's weird when media-types jump to publishers and developers? What exactly does the term 'survival horror' actually mean? Just what's happening at Wal-Mart, anyway? Thanks to our sponsors! Shop spring designs at https://www.tommyjohn.com/sacred and get 20% off your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#242 | Rogue Satellite

The brand-new Harry Potter adventure Hogwarts Legacy will very easily go down as one of 2023's best-sellers, a testament to its high quality and faithful treatment of the so-called Wizarding World. But its success is also a triumph for reason and truth, and a major defeat for the outrage machine that tried to destroy it via a distorted game of telephone. Nestled within the maelstrom is nonetheless a heck of a game, and we're eager to talk about Avalanche Software's release in-depth. Plus: BioWare's continuing troubles, PixelJunk's triumphant return to PlayStation, and much more news. Then: Listener inquiries! Should we be more mindful of old game spoilers to help the younger generations 'go in fresh'? Was the Nier: Automata Platinum Trophy a step too far? Did Take Two announce Ken Levine's Judas too early? Will Colin ever recover from the precipitous decline in almond volume in his Honey Bunches of Oats... With Almonds? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

#241 | The Wizard Who Won

Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast is a weekly show all about PS5, PS4, PS Vita, and PSVR. Co-hosted by games industry veteran Colin Moriarty, comedian Chris "Ray Gun" Maldonado, and Dustin Furman, Sacred Symbols aims to both inform and entertain, going through the news of the day, scouring the most recent games, and taking plenty of questions and comments from the audience. New episodes post each Monday. To get early access to each episode, support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/laststandmedia. We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4  For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com    Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy

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Sacred Symbols: A PlayStation Podcast

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