#361 | The Most Natural Thing, But Nothing We'd Expect
#361 | The Most Natural Thing, But Nothing We'd ExpectDigest
This episode of Sacred Symbols begins with the hosts recounting a trip to Cedar Point and discussing a vandalized Cybertruck. Colin shares his healthy blood test results. The hosts then delve into predictions for Summer Game Fest and answer listener questions about their podcast and gaming in general. Listener feedback leads to a discussion about improving the consistency of Sacred Symbols Plus Patreon content. Further listener emails spark conversations about food preferences and Mica's critique of Colin's podcasting habits. The episode covers the auction of a Concord plaque, the Days of Play sale, and a detailed analysis of PlayStation and Xbox console pricing strategies. The cancellation of EA's Black Panther game and the controversy surrounding Minds Eye's negative reception are also discussed. The June PlayStation Plus games are announced, followed by the hosts sharing their current gaming experiences, including Claire Obscure, Borderlands 2, and PowerWash Simulator. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to listener inquiries, covering topics such as PC gaming vs. console gaming, JRPG settings, the rumored PlayStation handheld, the upcoming Switch 2, watching playthroughs before sequels, the resurgence of Battlefront II, and the appeal (and challenges) of Souls-like games. The hosts also discuss their experiences with Death Stranding and Doom Eternal, touching upon gaming fatigue and burnout.
Outlines
Introduction, Cedar Point Trip & Blood Test Results
The hosts introduce the episode, discuss a Cedar Point trip, and Colin shares his healthy blood test results.
Summer Game Fest Predictions & Initial Listener Questions
Predictions for Summer Game Fest and initial listener questions about gaming and the podcast are discussed.
Listener Feedback & Sacred Symbols Plus Future
Listener concerns about Sacred Symbols Plus inconsistency are addressed, and plans for restructuring Patreon content are discussed.
Listener Mail: Food & Mica's Critique
Listener emails about food preferences and Mica's critique of Colin's podcasting habits are discussed.
Concord Plaque Auction & Days of Play Sale
Discussion of a Concord plaque auction and the Days of Play sale.
PlayStation Console Price Analysis & Game Cancellations
Analysis of PlayStation and Xbox console pricing, and discussion of EA cancelling its Black Panther game.
The Order 1886 Sequel Plans & Minds Eye Controversy
Discussion of cancelled Order 1886 sequels and the controversy surrounding Minds Eye's negative reception.
June PlayStation Plus Games & What We're Playing
Announcement of June PlayStation Plus games and the hosts share their current gaming experiences.
Gaming Update & Borderlands Discussion
Further discussion of current gaming projects, focusing on Borderlands and Death Stranding.
Doom Eternal & Gaming Fatigue
Discussion of Doom Eternal and gaming fatigue.
Listener Inquiries: PC Gaming vs. Console
Listener questions about PC vs. console gaming are discussed.
Listener Inquiries: JRPG Settings & Western Influences
Discussion on JRPGs set in Western settings.
Listener Inquiries: PlayStation Handheld & Switch 2
Speculation on a potential PlayStation handheld and the upcoming Switch 2.
Listener Inquiries: Playthroughs Before Sequels
Discussion on watching playthroughs before playing sequels.
Listener Inquiries: Battlefront II Resurgence
Discussion on the resurgence of Battlefront II players.
Listener Inquiries: Souls-like Games & Difficulty
Discussion on Souls-like games and their difficulty.
Keywords
Sacred Symbols
A popular gaming podcast known for its insightful discussions and analysis of the gaming industry.
Summer Game Fest
An annual video game showcase event featuring announcements and trailers for upcoming games.
PlayStation 5
Sony's latest home video game console.
Xbox Series X
Microsoft's latest home video game console.
Game Pass
Microsoft's subscription service offering access to a library of video games.
Days of Play
An annual PlayStation sale event offering discounts on PlayStation consoles, games, and accessories.
Souls-like Games
A subgenre of action role-playing games known for their challenging combat.
JRPG
Japanese Role-Playing Game.
PC Gaming
Playing video games on a personal computer.
Console Gaming
Playing video games on a dedicated gaming console.
Q&A
What are the hosts' predictions for the upcoming Summer Game Fest?
The hosts offer various predictions, including the number of PlayStation Studios games that will be showcased.
What changes are planned for the Sacred Symbols Plus Patreon content?
The hosts plan to restructure the content to provide more consistent and universally appealing offerings.
What is the significance of the Concord commemorative plaque being auctioned on Goodwill?
The auction highlights the game's unexpected popularity despite its short lifespan.
What are the key deals offered during the Days of Play sale?
The sale offers discounts on PS5 consoles, DualSense controllers, PSVR2, and various games.
What are the key factors influencing the current pricing strategies of major gaming consoles?
Competition between Microsoft and Sony, manufacturing costs, and subscription services are significant factors.
Why are so many licensed games being cancelled recently?
High licensing fees, risks associated with adapting existing IP, and games not meeting expectations are contributing factors.
Is the negative online reaction to *Minds Eye* genuinely organic?
The hosts believe the co-CEO's claims are likely a "cope" mechanism, and the negative reaction could be a combination of factors.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of *Claire Obscure: Expedition 33*?
Strengths include its combat system and writing; weaknesses include an overabundance of systems and lack of a clear quest log.
How does *Borderlands 2* hold up compared to *Borderlands 3*?
*Borderlands 2*'s writing and tone are considered more charming than *Borderlands 3*.
What are your thoughts on the potential for a new PlayStation handheld console?
A new PlayStation handheld is likely to integrate seamlessly with the next PlayStation console.
Show Notes
The global economy is in a tumultuous state, inflation has carved away everyone's purchasing power, and prices are almost universally going up. So naturally, PlayStation will follow suit and jack its rates up too, right? Well, no. Instead, they're doing the exact opposite of what seems natural: For their annual, weeks-long Days of Play sales event, Sony has slashed prices on PS5 and PS5 Pro, PSVR2 and DualSense, and even DualSense Edge and the Access controller. Is Sony's boldness in risking economic erosion worth it? Is its strategy simply to put its boot on Xbox's neck once and for all? We discuss. Plus: If all went according to plan, The Order: 1886 would have gotten two sequels, EA cancels its Black Panther project while shutting down the studio behind it, Build A Rocket Boy suggests there may be a paid, organized campaign against its upcoming title MindsEye, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! What does Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's success mean for the future of global JRPGs? Could Star Wars Battlefront be revived on the basis of a recent resurgence in popularity? Is Colin ignoring an obvious connection between Souls games and his beloved Castlevania? Should we invest thousands in a commemorative Concord plaque, currently for sale on an online auction site?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
0:39:27 - Store bought pasta
0:47:19 - Micah cooked Colin
0:49:13 - **TLOU2 spoiler** Jerkin Joel
0:53:34 - New YouTube censorship words
0:58:50 - Concord plaque found
1:07:37 - Days of Play 2025
1:17:56 - The Order's canceled sequels
1:26:43 - EA cancels Black Panther game
1:39:50 - MindsEye under attack?
1:57:53 - PS+ for June
2:05:40 - Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD release date
2:09:53 - Video game sales numbers
2:38:38 - What We've Been Playing (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Shovel Knight Dig, Powerwash Simulator Shrek DLC, Borderlands 2, Death Stranding)
2:47:09 - Gaming "moment of clarity"
2:52:29 - More JPRG settings
3:07:37 - PlayStation's return to handheld
2:08:32 - Watching a playthrough to catch up
3:14:16 - Battlefront 2 resurgence
3:22:31 - When will Colin play a Souls game?
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Table of contents
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