#353 | Like A Worn-Out Recording of A Favorite Song
#353 | Like A Worn-Out Recording of A Favorite SongDigest
This episode of the Sacred Symbols podcast covers a wide range of topics within the gaming industry and beyond. It begins with listener mail, addressing questions about the hosts' on-camera demeanor, personal anecdotes, and listener experiences. A significant portion focuses on the newly announced Nintendo Switch 2, analyzing its price point, game pricing, and potential impact on the market. The discussion extends to broader industry trends, including the rising cost of AAA games, the success of the original Nintendo Switch, and the effectiveness of different sales metrics (player counts vs. sales figures). Specific games are analyzed, including sales data for Xbox games on PlayStation, the potential for a Last of Us special edition, and the cancellation of Hogwarts Legacy DLC. The podcast also delves into game reviews, offering insights into Schedule One (a drug-dealing sim), Adam's Fall, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Further discussions cover industry news, such as Helldivers' unexpected resurgence, Ubisoft's restructuring, and Sony's PR communication. The hosts debate the merits of physical vs. digital game ownership, the studio system vs. independent development, and platform agnosticism vs. platform loyalty. Finally, the podcast includes sponsor ads for OperaGX, ORA (identity theft protection), and Aura, along with acknowledgements of Patreon supporters.
Outlines
Introduction, Sponsors, and Listener Mail
The podcast opens with sponsor ads (OperaGX, ORA), host introductions, and initial listener emails discussing personal anecdotes and a child's reaction to a podcast joke.
Listener Mail and Personal Anecdotes Continued
Further listener emails are discussed, including one about a listener's wife's cancer recovery and another about the podcast's unexpected online appearances. Hosts share more personal anecdotes.
Nintendo Switch 2 Deep Dive
Detailed discussion of the Nintendo Switch 2, focusing on its specifications, price point, game pricing, and overall impact on the gaming market.
Nintendo Switch Sales and Game Pricing Analysis
Analysis of Nintendo Switch sales, comparing it to previous consoles, and a debate on the impact of the $80 price point for games, considering consumer acceptance and economic factors.
Xbox Game Sales, Last of Us Special Edition, and Cancelled DLC
Examination of Xbox game sales on PlayStation, speculation on a new Last of Us special edition, and discussion of the cancelled Hogwarts Legacy DLC, analyzing Warner Bros. Games' management.
Monster Hunter Rise, Sales Metrics, and Game Design Trends
Analysis of Monster Hunter Rise's sales, discussion on the usefulness of player count vs. sales figures, and the changing dynamics of the gaming market.
Onimusha, Final Fantasy IX, and Mind's Eye Game Previews
Discussion of new details about Onimusha: Way of the Sword, speculation about a Final Fantasy IX remake, and a preview of the upcoming game Mind's Eye.
Game Updates and Impressions: Adam's Fall and Assassin's Creed Valhalla
The hosts discuss their ongoing playthroughs of Adam's Fall and Assassin's Creed Valhalla, highlighting both positive and negative aspects.
Schedule One Review and Hitman 3 VR Discussion
A detailed review of the early access game Schedule One, and a discussion on the Hitman 3 VR experience, including motion sickness and ESRB ratings.
Helldivers' Resurgence and Industry Insights
Discussion of an article detailing how Call of Duty players impacted Helldivers' sales, highlighting sustainable growth in the gaming industry.
Sony PR Communication, Bloodborne Speculation, and Dusk Falls
The hosts discuss renewed communication with Sony PR, speculation on the future of Bloodborne, and a discussion on Dusk Falls.
Ubisoft Restructuring, Physical vs. Digital Game Ownership, and Take-Two's Perspective
Concerns regarding Massive Entertainment's future following Ubisoft's acquisition, a debate on physical vs. digital game ownership, and a discussion on Take-Two's perspective on the studio system.
Platform Agnosticism, Independent Development, and Podcast Conclusion
A discussion on platform agnosticism vs. platform loyalty, the benefits of independent game development, podcast outro, and acknowledgements (Patreon, sponsors).
Keywords
Nintendo Switch 2
The next generation Nintendo handheld console with improved specs and a higher price point.
Game Pricing
The increasing cost of video games and its impact on the gaming industry.
Identity Theft Protection
Services like ORA that monitor the dark web for personal information leaks.
Dark Web Monitoring
Actively scanning the dark web for stolen personal data.
Hybrid Console
A gaming console combining handheld and home console features.
Sales Metrics
Data used to measure the success of a video game (units sold, player counts, revenue).
Sustainable Game Development
A business model focusing on long-term growth and stability.
Game Preservation
Archiving and preserving video games for future access.
Adam's Fall
A puzzle-adventure game focusing on exploration and environmental storytelling.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
A historical action RPG set in 9th-century England.
Q&A
What are the key features and specifications of the Nintendo Switch 2?
Improved screen (1080p 120Hz HDR), ray tracing, DLSS, and higher game prices.
What are the hosts' opinions on the Nintendo Switch 2?
Excited about hardware improvements but concerned about higher game prices.
What factors contributed to the Nintendo Switch's success?
Hybrid design, first-party titles, and affordable price point.
Is the $80 price point for AAA games sustainable?
Debatable; impacts consumer spending and potential backlash.
How useful are player count announcements compared to sales figures?
Player counts can be misleading; sales figures are more accurate.
What are the implications of the cancelled Hogwarts Legacy DLC?
Suggests internal issues at Warner Bros. Games and a missed opportunity.
What are the key takeaways from Xbox game sales on PlayStation?
Varied success rates, highlighting the impact of porting strategy and game genre.
What are the main arguments for and against owning physical game copies?
Physical: tangible aspect, lending, preservation; Digital: convenience, day-one patches.
What services are available to protect against identity theft?
Services like ORA offer dark web monitoring, alerts, and identity theft insurance.
How can listeners support the Sacred Symbols podcast?
Patreon (patreon.com/lastdaymedia) and merchandise from lastdaymedia.store.
Show Notes
We don't make the news; we merely report and dissect it. So it's not our fault that this week's episode focuses quite a bit on some older topics come alight, starting with a new Helldivers 2 postmortem. Developer Arrowhead's CEO recently gave an interview, displaying a surprising level of accountability and levelheadedness about the ups and downs of their mega-popular game. Then, we talk a whole lot about Nintendo, because literally half of our listener inquiries this week were on the topic of Switch 2. Switch's successor is a mere months away, and while there's no doubt a lot of excitement, there also seems to exist an unusual amount of skepticism, and even anger and animosity. Will Nintendo be able to capture its first generation-to-generation success story since NES and SNES? Or are we looking at more of the same-old same-old? After, we get into rumors of yet another The Last of Us-related re-release, a mysterious physical edition at a premium price, but with contents unknown. Have we had enough, already? Other news includes data on Xbox's publishing performance on PS5, fresh sales and player numbers for the likes of Death Stranding and Atomfall, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! With the reveal of The Duskbloods on Switch 2 and because there's no Bloodborne news seemingly ever, is it clear that FromSoft has beef with Sony? Should we be worried about the survival of Ubisoft's studio Massive, and thus the future of The Division? Are physical game gimmicks getting awfully close to jumping the shark? How did we accidentally appear in a popular YouTube series about
bad drivers?
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Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:12:35 - Congrats Crystal!
0:23:48 - Sacred x Idiots in Cars
0:31:41 - sugrör
0:33:15 - Colin's garden
0:34:46 - Indulgences
0:41:29 - Is Colin pissed?
0:44:17 - Listener write in exposed
0:48:46 - Shout out Barry
0:49:51 - Colin on interstitial games
0:51:26 - Nintendo Switch 2
1:39:03 - Performance of Xbox game on PlayStation
1:48:03 - TLOU special edition
1:53:25 - WB cancels HogLeg expansion
1:58:46 - Game sales
2:06:49 - Onimusha details
2:08:53 - Final Fantasy IX 25th anniversary
2:11:21 - MindsEye new trailer
2:16:25 - What Are We Playing?
2:36:51 - Helldivers 2 interview
2:48:46 - Sacred and Sony PR
2:56:38 - PlayStation and Bloodborne
3:04:55 - Is Massive Entertainment safe?
3:08:24 - What's the point of physical games?
3:20:28 - Studio system
3:22:45 - platform specific podcasts
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