Digest

Sacred Symbols podcast episode 363 features Colin, Chris, and Dustin discussing their personal lives, recent trips, and experiences with the JW Marriott and the now-defunct crowdfunding platform "FIG." The conversation touches upon memory, beer consumption, home improvement, and AI assistants. They delve into discussions about Joe Rogan, online personalities, and the challenges of maintaining authenticity online. The episode also covers gaming news, including the poorly received launch of *Mind's Eye*, the unexpected success of *Stellar Blade*, Bend Studio layoffs, and Sony's game strategy. Announcements of Resident Evil Requiem, Silent Hill Remake, Persona 4 Revival, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and Gears of War Reloaded are discussed, along with rumors about a new Halo game on PlayStation and the pricing strategy of *The Outer Worlds 2*. The hosts share their thoughts on Game Pass's impact on the industry, the sustainability of subscription models, and the gaming industry's hiring spree during the pandemic. Listener questions are addressed, covering topics such as AAA Megaman games, GameStop experiences, handheld gaming, and the presence of PS5 logos in the Xbox showcase. Finally, they discuss the sales and player count of *Revenge of the Savage Planet* and the impact of Xbox Game Pass on the industry.

Outlines

00:00:00

Podcast Introduction, Personal Updates, and LA Anecdotes

The podcast begins with personal updates from the hosts, including a discussion of their recent trip to LA, experiences at the JW Marriott and Fig hotel, and anecdotes about a homeless man and near riot. The defunct crowdfunding platform "FIG" is also discussed.

00:04:33

Memories, Habits, and Home Improvement

Colin shares a story about a former girlfriend and rediscovering old clothes, leading to a discussion about memory and its reliability. The conversation shifts to beer consumption, pool maintenance, and home improvement projects.

00:12:21

AI, Lost Arts, and Online Personalities

The hosts discuss AI assistants, contrasting them with the lost art of finding information in libraries. The conversation shifts to Joe Rogan, online personalities, and the authenticity of online personas.

00:19:33

Podcast Wrap-up, Merchandise, and Game Sales

The podcast concludes with a discussion about the episode number, personal memories, upcoming merchandise releases (available at lastamedia.store), and a listener question about game sales revenue share (70% for the hosts).

00:50:46

Too Many Games, Mind's Eye, and Stellar Blade

The hosts announce their participation in the Too Many Games event. They discuss the negative reception of *Mind's Eye* and the unexpected success of *Stellar Blade* on PC.

01:39:26

Bend Studio Layoffs and Sony's Mismanagement

The discussion centers on the layoffs at Bend Studio, analyzing Sony's strategic decisions regarding live-service games and the subsequent mismanagement impacting its internal studios.

01:52:30

Devil's Advocate: Bend Studio's Perspective and Resident Evil Requiem

The hosts explore a hypothetical scenario where Bend Studio's live-service game pitch was successful. The announcement of Resident Evil Requiem (potentially Resident Evil 9) is discussed, highlighting its first-person perspective and gameplay details.

02:19:26

Silent Hill Remake, Persona 4 Revival, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Konami announces a remake of the original Silent Hill game, developed by Bloober Team. The announcement of Persona 4 Revival and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on PlayStation 4 are also discussed.

02:39:17

Gears of War Reloaded, Gaming Trophies, and Halo Rumors

Details about the Gears of War Reloaded multiplayer beta are shared. The discussion shifts to gaming trophies and a rumor about a new Halo game potentially releasing on PlayStation.

02:55:31

The Outer Worlds 2, DualSense Update, and What the Speakers are Playing

The upcoming release of The Outer Worlds 2 at an $80 price point is analyzed. An upcoming update for the DualSense controller is announced. The hosts share what games they've been playing recently.

03:33:50

Listener Questions and Answers, Revenge of the Savage Planet

The final segment addresses listener questions, covering topics such as a hypothetical AAA Megaman game, negative experiences with GameStop, the future of handheld gaming consoles, and the unusual presence of PS5 logos in the recent Xbox showcase. The sales and player count of *Revenge of the Savage Planet* are discussed.

04:06:24

Game Pass's Impact, Subscription Models, and Pandemic's Impact

A debate on the long-term effects of Game Pass and similar subscription services. Comparison of Sony and Xbox's approaches to subscription services. Analysis of the gaming industry's over-hiring during the pandemic and the subsequent layoffs.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the main criticisms of Sony's recent game development strategies?

  Critics point to Sony's overemphasis on live-service games, leading to the neglect of single-player titles and the mismanagement of internal studios, resulting in layoffs and project cancellations.

• What are the key features of Resident Evil Requiem?

  Resident Evil Requiem is a survival horror game offering both first-person and third-person perspectives. Early gameplay previews suggest a focus on atmosphere, puzzle-solving, and avoidance of enemies.

• What is the significance of The Outer Worlds 2's $80 price point?

  The speakers believe the high price is a strategic move by Microsoft to make Game Pass appear more attractive.

• How has Xbox Game Pass affected the sales and player acquisition of "Revenge of the Savage Planet"?

  While Game Pass resulted in a large player base, it also impacted direct sales. The developers acknowledge a balance between exposure and profitability.

• What are the potential long-term consequences of the current subscription model in the gaming industry?

  Concerns include content devaluation, reduced willingness to pay for games, and the potential for fewer games being made due to decreased profitability for smaller studios.

• How do the strategies of Xbox and Sony regarding subscription services differ?

  Xbox adopted an aggressive day-one release strategy for Game Pass, while Sony has taken a more cautious approach.

• Was the gaming industry's massive hiring during the pandemic a strategic decision or a miscalculation?

  The discussion suggests that while there was a "gold rush" mentality, the rapid hiring wasn't necessarily intended to lead to layoffs. However, it's argued that some companies may have prioritized short-term gains over long-term stability.

• Why is the reception of *Mind's Eye* so negative?

  The game suffers from significant technical issues, particularly a very low frame rate, even on PS5, leading to widespread criticism and refunds being issued by PlayStation.

• What factors contributed to Stellar Blade's high PC sales?

  A combination of the game's quality, its anime-esque style, and its appeal to specific markets (particularly China) likely contributed to its success. The quality of the PC port also played a role.

• How does a game sale affect the revenue share for developers?

  The developers in this case receive 70% of the sale price, regardless of whether the game was purchased at full price or a discounted price.

Show Notes