Sacred Symbols+, Episode 122: Breaking Down the Numbers With Benji-Sales (Video)

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

So awesome that you guys got Benji on! Excellent episode.

Michael Miller

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

This was a fascinating discussion, really enjoyed this one guys.

Nigel

I suppose. It's a massive surprise considering Wii U.

Colin Moriarty

Not giving MS credit for Psychonauts 2 is very disingenuous. I won't repeat what others replied to you with but Double Fine has been very public with how being under Microsoft helped shape the game.

David P

DoubleFine has said that the verison of Psychonauts 2 we have today wouldn't exist without Microsoft. It was the funding they provided that allowed them to add features like boss battles back into the game. Microsoft fundamentally made Psychonauts 2 better. Deathloop is what it is. Microsoft provided some of the funding to finish the game but at the end of the day. Its like being on practice squad of a Superbowl champion. You still get the ring. At the end of the day deathloop is a Microsoft title. Were they instrumental in its creation no. But they did pay the staff for almost a year. They paid the benefits, 401k contributions and gave arkane one of the most valuable assets which is time. They allowed them to delay a title to make it better and paid for it. When tehy could have just said release it in its current state to complete the contract and move on to something for us.

Parker Petrov

I think the switch’s success isn’t all that surprising when you think of it as a Nintendo handheld

Brian Salazar

Psychonauts 2 has been in development under Xbox for over two years, Deathloop six months. Keep moving those goalposts, Colin.

In no way, shape, or form am I going to let Microsoft take credit for Psychonauts 2 or Deathloop, neither of which they had anything to do with.

Colin Moriarty

I don't know about that; we already have a lot of mouths to feed. But we'll certainly collaborate again.

Colin Moriarty

“They still haven’t delivered the goods yet.” Psychonauts 2 is my GOTY and Deathloop is one of the best games I’ve recently played. Flight simulator was a 90+ critically and Forza Horizon 5 is very likely to score similarly. Age of Empires 4 and Halo Infinite are still slated for this year, too. Xbox is delivering on quantity, quality and diversity of genre.

Great episode!! I love hearing more about the business side of gaming. Any thought to bringing Benji into the LSM family? He would really bring a unique, valuable insight in the gaming industry that would be right at home here. 🤞🏼

Napoleon in Rags

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed.

Colin Moriarty

That's true. But they are indeed coming. =)

Colin Moriarty

Excellent discussion, always love your insight, Colin. And Benji seems like a treasure of a human being. Per your guys’ discussion on Xbox on other platforms potentially and who wants or would do what—Phil already talked about it this year. Essentially Phil said Sony and Nintendo aren’t interested right now because apparently Game Pass would be disruptive to those platforms’ strategies, so Phil is open to discussions in the future but is just focusing on open platforms for now (PC, mobile, desktop, etc.). So yeah, looks like he asked them already. Last couple paragraphs of the article if interested. https://www.gamesradar.com/amp/xbox-everywhere-phil-spencer-wants-an-xbox-app-on-as-many-devices-as-possible/

Caleb Greer

The thing that annoys me most about Xbox is that I feel like for at least 5 years the message has been "the game are coming" and we are still waiting. I really hope this generation they actually have some quality exclusives and new IP

Walker Simmons

Thank you. I do, too.

Colin Moriarty

I hope you enjoy!

Colin Moriarty

Can you imagine how much Grand Theft Auto would cost to buy?

Colin Moriarty

Such an amazing episode and very interesting! I think the blue point acquisition is still in the works.

Mike

Very excited for this episode! Benji is the man!

Plastic Hearts Podcast

Expect a larger acquisition especially in the wake of Sony securing timed deals. Microsoft is a different class of entity, why would take two be off the table when Microsoft has tried to make acquisitions that were double their size lol. Stop thinking small.

John Pliskin