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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 89: Sending Out an SOS

A new report from Bloomberg has us reeling, so much so that we decided to record (and release) Sacred Symbols+ some four days early (you're welcome). Here's the rub: It appears that the secret San Diego-based PlayStation team we've been talking about for a couple of years has indeed been working on something. Then another thing. Then other teams' things. Now its things are other teams'. Follow all of that? Also: Bend isn't making Days Gone 2, and -- in 2019, after they weren't greenlit on the sequel -- they were split in two. One-half went to work on Factions with Naughty Dog, while the other team went to make a new Uncharted game... also with Naughty Dog. They were so afraid of being absorbed by their big cousins down south, it seems, that they asked to be liberated from their projects, and finally were. It's all so confusing. And concerning. And baffling. Let's talk about it.

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 89: Sending Out an SOS

Comments

Go play!

Colin Moriarty

I think we all understand that.

Colin Moriarty

I think we'll be okay, ultimately.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

It will.

Colin Moriarty

They listened. =)

Colin Moriarty

Yes.

Colin Moriarty

I've not heard that.

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

He's not going to. He was clearly removed.

Colin Moriarty

Maybe. He's had two years.

Colin Moriarty

We're gonna find out! I think they're gonna get away with it during these early hours because there's nothing to play.

Colin Moriarty

I don't mind that they're not making Days Gone 2. I mind that they wasted 18 months on a fucking Uncharted game. Give it a rest!

Colin Moriarty

Totally off subject so if this gets buried I deserve it. But I’m starting FFXIV for basically the first time on PS5. Anyone want to join? Psn-twa556

Thomas Adamson

With all due respect, you can not underestimate the effect COVID had on the lunch of PS5 and Sony. Let alone the industry. We have seen this with delay after delay. It's like you said, I am sure Sony and the 3rd parties would love to have games for PS5 users to play... now, but it's not possible. I suspect Sony was working on a solution for the PS3/Vita situation but it was delayed, they probably had scheduled the stores to be shut down last year but were waiting on the solution to be complete until COVID and technical issues delayed it. I suspect the solution to PS3/Vita is going to be intergrated into Sony's response to Games Pass. This makes the most sense. As for the Bend situation, you can only blame Jim Ryan and upper management. I feel bad for them. O and P.S. Do not forget about the love letter Astro Bot was to Playstation. It was a beautiful showcase.

Joseph Cerini

Well said, guys. I'm a Nintendo and Sony guy, and it's looking bleak right now, with small, distant shimmers of light.

Dylan Neves

Did anyone else sing the title in Sting’s voice? No?

tone

I do wonder if Last of Us Remake will come to pc like Horizon Zero Dawn.

darkhorse325

Fantastic episode Colin and Dustin. Do you think Sony will listen to this and fan feedback or will they carry on being arrogant?

Gareth Handa

So I should just go ahead and die on my hill of ever getting a new syphon filter game :(

Cammoses87

My understanding was that this team formed from VASG was done in secrecy and without the backing of Sony to begin with. Sony really only got involved when the last of us remake was approved, Likely the team wanted to create a vertical slice of the remake to sell to Herman and the team for funding. I don’t think Sony was planning a Last of Us Remake until the vertical slice was shown. Am I off here ?

Joshua La Rosa

Great conversation! Only wish it was a little longer. Also I hope you listened to the Jaffe & Jeff Ross podcast episode, lots of great insights that can add a lot to the conversation. :D

Jeremy

Man, if Shawn Layden came back it would be The Return of the King. Honestly, I'm ready for an underdog Sony again. I know I might be dreaming, but seriously, current PlayStation essentially spitting on their heritage leaves a horrible taste in my mouth. It's not just the store closings. It's Japan Studio. It's going from O to X. It's having Jim Ryan mouth off like an idiot asking why anyone would want to play PS/PS2 games. It's been a never ending fuck you to Japan for too long.

Erik Schuessler

I still think we need to give ol Jimmy a little bit more time. Unfortunately for everyone else it seems PS is catering to the consumer that I am. A dad that loves big budget titles that got no time to finish the back log and loves the new new. Though I am upset about Days Gone 2, I am happy that it worked out for bend in the end. I was tired of zombies 4 years ago. So here's to hoping we all at least get the horde mechanic in a different style game. Ps its killing me that I never misspelled titles. Anyways back to cold beer, yard duties and a nap later.

Josh Frampton

I agree about the risk averse thing, but do you really think a $70 returnal and a $70 ratchet and clank aren’t risky? I think while returnal could be Amazing, that it’s super risky. It could really flop.

Tom Smith

Excellent episode gents and I’m hoping that Sony feels like they are on their heels and can pivot soon enough. As shitty as the Bend situation seems, I tried to get into days gone but have to admit the bros of anarchy vibe got old fast. I’d be interested if they can reuse some of their hoard mechanics that you guys praised in some kind of futuristic/space setting. So long as they don’t just make Oregon-in-a-terraforming-dome on Ganymede or something like that. Shit now I want to reread (and rewatch) the expanse

Anthony Maltese

I'm really looking forward to both games! =)

Colin Moriarty

Hey Colin, love the militant attitude in this episode. I gotta say you're totally right, and I agree completely. It feels as if I'm being disappointed by Playstation more and more on a daily basis. And I fucking love Playstation. I think it's time for me to buy my first ever Xbox and be a multi-platform guy, Gamepass is stupid to pass up at this point. Xbox really seems to care about their player base and giving them the absolute most that they possibly can. Love the show, and stay strong for Returnal and Ratchet. Thanks for all you guys do.

PuppiesOnParade

To be fair, that's 1995. =D

Colin Moriarty

This doesn't sound like the Sony that went on stage after Sega announced the Saturn's price and had one word to say: "$299". And then walk off stage. This doesn't sound like the Sony that took a giant leap of faith and made a console in a really competitive space because they really had a grudge against Nintendo and then absolutely flattened Nintendo because of disc and diverse range of games.

FluffyNeko

<3

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for listening.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. I think we'll learn more soon, but it's WHAT we might learn that could disappoint...

Colin Moriarty

I FEEL legit fired up!

Colin Moriarty

I'm not so sure about that. But maybe they're right! We'll see.

Colin Moriarty

I dunno. =\

Colin Moriarty

I love The Police. =)

Colin Moriarty

What in tarnation, indeed!

Colin Moriarty

It's so dumb.

Colin Moriarty

Spoiled, perhaps... but this has also been brewing for a while.

Colin Moriarty

Sometimes, Firebrand Colin must emerge.

Colin Moriarty

We gotta talk about big news in a timely fashion!

Colin Moriarty

Yeah. =\

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. I am certainly passionate about PlayStation!

Colin Moriarty

Woah, please tell surprise to wake up to this information I loooove it

Jordan Dedo

Really great episode and your passion shows. I feel like a lot of these issues are symptoms of a bigger problem in communication, PR, and complete disregard of generating good will with customers. Xbox knows this and are being the complete opposite and making it their strength. Perception is crucial.

Mason M

As usual Colin you're on point. I feel exactly the same when I boot up my ps5 to play a ps4 VR horror game. There's not enough ps5 content we know about right now. Hopefully we will know more around E3 time.

Josef Barker

Can’t recall the last time I’ve heard you legit fired up like that. Nice to see. I think Days Gone 2 not being green lit and them wanting to do an Uncharted or TLoU remake is wild. Neither need it yet. Additionally, like you said, Media Molecule gets better treatment off an inferior game. I don’t think it’s SOS time for Sony just yet because I do agree that they should focus on their big games but this is another questionable move for sure. Like you guys mentioned in the proper ep, could it be Jim’s leadership? Who knows? But the perception and ground Xbox is making up this generation feels like it’s growing by the minute. My decision to purchase the Series X feels better every day.

NeO JD

The sad part is there are fanboys on Twitter saying all Sony has to do is show us a another preview of horizon and every one will be praising them again and forget this

Hose A Contra Razz

Right after making days gone free for ps plus this month too lol. What are they doing?

Michael Limauro

Love the police reference

BigPapiJ

What in tarnation is goin on in that Japanese turned Amercan company, them boys got it pretty hard up there...lmao Holy shit I can't wait to make that plank bridge for Ellie in 4k and 60fps it's everything I've ever wanted 😂

Frank G.

Hahahaha check that dudes trophies

Frank G.

They’re remaking last of us part 1? After releasing it twice already and also having the same story produced in a tv show at the same time? What is this? Skyrim?

Random Integer

Phil Spencer plays more Playstation games than Jim Ryan, and that's a fucking problem.

Jeremy Seal

I feel like a lot of Sony fans got way to spoiled last gen. I feel like there’s this weird level of blind arrogance for Nintendo and Microsoft not being amazing at all last gen that they either always undervalue or say it will be bad when either Nintendo or Xbox make any move. Even in this podcast you keep saying these games will be great that’s a major issue cause it’s not a wise view to have. We have seen way to many times devs can let us down even though Colin loved tlou 2 there is still a legit honest amount of people who didn’t for non political reasons. It’s something I feel like a lot of these things people trashed Xbox for specifically are realizing now that hey wait a minute.

Adamthm

You were a real firebrand this episode— I appreciated the passion and felt all your points were very well-said. Bend needs to be given the chance to realize their full potential, and this whole debacle seems to have only hurt them in terms of time and manpower. Hopefully for this new IP they are provided all the resources they need to succeed and not hamstrung by Sony right out of the gate, which seems to be the case...

Jake H.

So happy this came out as soon as it did! This is a massive blunder on Sony's part, and they've given Microsoft more of the one thing that they need... time. I feel like regardless of what Sony do there's no way they're going to be able to out maneuver Phil Spencer and Satya Nadella. All they can do is make great games, but if they're just rehashing the same old thing again and again fandom will wane, and Xbox will have the green grass everyone is after.

Reuben Barrett

Colin, great episode. I totally agreed with everything you said. Sony is being incredibly tone deaf with their fan base, it’s unreal.

Will Hahn

Love the passion, Colin. PlayStation fans deserve much better than to eat shit and have everyone’s ass to kiss. Everyone hates on Sony nowadays and it’s really not fair. But they have themselves to blame.

Brandon Soto

No one is ever going to want a remake of that game.

Colin Moriarty

To be fair, that's MY phrase that he has co-opted. =D (It's true, though.)

Colin Moriarty

Who in the world wants a remake of Last of Us 1 right now? I can imagine everyone who is working on it is also scratching their heads about it. Sony is making it so hard to be a Playstation fan these days. Xbox is doing really good things but I think because Sony is fumbling so hard its making them look like total geniuses.

Luke Silletta

Yeah, pretty bonkers.

Colin Moriarty

I liked the whole package. Sony PR did that game dirty by letting it go out to critics without a patch.

Colin Moriarty

Thank God we have Tom Holland trying to look buff in Uncharted to look forward to.

Colin Moriarty

There's a clear change in culture there that's concerning.

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

I'd rather see Uncharted remade... but in reality, neither.

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

I think they just wanna milk the cow.

Colin Moriarty

I don't mind it coming later (or not at all)... just have a little respect for Bend.

Colin Moriarty

I definitely care; I'd love to see them snap out of this spell.

Colin Moriarty

To kind of steal a phrase you and Chris use often, "We already have a George." I feel that encompasses my feelings on remaking The Last of Us. The game is already a classic and not at all dated.

Billy Wright

I'd agree with your analysis.

Colin Moriarty

No one ever stays on top for long in this industry...

Colin Moriarty

Thanks. <3

Colin Moriarty

I'll see what I can do.

Colin Moriarty

It's a bummer to squander so much of their time.

Colin Moriarty

Yes.

Colin Moriarty

It feels like different standards, for sure.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

I don't mind that they didn't greenlight a sequel. It just sucks that they wasted a lot of Bend's time, and lost some talent, too.

Colin Moriarty

Absolutely.

Colin Moriarty

We couldn't help ourselves.

Colin Moriarty

!!!

Colin Moriarty

It is.

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

That's good to hear!

Colin Moriarty

Yes.

Colin Moriarty

It's technically next week's episode, so...

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

Didn't wanna ruin it.

Colin Moriarty

You're welcome. =)

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

You're welcome! Thanks for your support.

Colin Moriarty

It felt weird to make you wait.

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

Please enjoy.

Colin Moriarty

!!!

Colin Moriarty

Enjoy!

Colin Moriarty

Kinda feels like it.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. <3

Colin Moriarty

!!!

Colin Moriarty

You're very welcome.

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. <3

Colin Moriarty

You too.

Colin Moriarty

I don’t think it was mentioned but I find it absolutely hilarious that Jason seriously tried to compare Dreams to Roblox. Like if Sony tried marketing Dreams it would become ROBLOX. Absolutely hilarious

Stephen Forgione

I'm sad to hear about Days Gone 2. I really liked the first game. Not only was the combat fun, but I actually liked the story of it too. Even if it was a little silly at times. Was really wanting to see where things would go after a crazy cliffhanger. With what they learned from the first game. I truly believe you could have had an amazing second. Too bad. On a side note, it's interesting that it is the ps+ game of the month. Kind of a stab at the heart.

Joshua Hutchens

Really happy to hear you go off on a classic Colin is Pissed rant. I only ever play my PS5 if my kid wants to play Sackboy. The talk about all these movies and TV shows concerns me. I am so pissed about Days Gone. I have been waiting for months for Bend to be ready to officially unveil a sequel. And as someone who basically thinks the Last of Us games are little more than "fine", it hurts even more to see other studios screwed over in favor of Naughty Dog.

Shane Hendrickson

Been a fan since the “AWHAAAT?” days and I have not heard concern about PlayStation in your voice like this, Colin. But I’m 100% with you. This is not the Sony I signed up for. The leadership is all new, but they’re not inspiring confidence so far. As CD Projekt proved, good will can be thought of as a literal currency. CD Projekt exchanged all of theirs to sell 13 million copies of Cyberpunk. Alongside this article, the way Sony’s treated studios that earn them a huge chunk of good will, it appears they’re too focused on actual dollars, too scared of risk, and undervaluing sentiment.

Chris

I'm just going to say I got my subscription's worth with this episode. Like goddamn Colin was on fire!

Cody Kolodziejski

A remake of tlou is a giant waste of time and resources. Uncharted makes more sense even though it's still not needed Triple dipping is in skyrim and gtav territory

Wayde

What a fantastic episode. Agree 100% with Colin and this all needed to be said.

BraveSurRobin

I really though announcing days gone for PC was an effort to build a bigger fan base for the enviable sequel, im really bummed by this news

Big Swingin' Rick

I have never been so disappointed by the fact we aren’t getting days gone 2.

Jack Doheny

I liked Days Gone but I felt the back half of the game was what could have been the sequel. Felt like they knew it was one and done and wrapped the whole thing up in one game.

Piston Pants

I'm glad they're not making a Days Gone 2. That game is uninspired and boring as hell. At least Dreams is inspired and shows Sony still takes risks. I don't get this argument that Sony is complacent. They're the only console maker in the VR space, the most experimental space in gaming. They still go after weird indies. They just released TLOU2, a super bold game. They reimagined God of War and started many new IP last generation. They pioneered the new standard for controller design. Meanwhile, Nintendo is releasing Wii U port after Wii U port, reselling old Mario games with hardly anything done to them for $60, and complacently continuing all of their old franchises. Xbox is largely continuing their old franchises too and hardly innovating either aside from the Game Pass model. I get that this recent news puts Sony in a bad light, but all this doom and gloom is entirely premature.

Jake Z

Finished the episode and Colin, I love the energy you’re giving off. I can feel the vibe of “hey I care for your product, but WHY ARE THESE DECISIONS BEING MADE” as an Xbox fan I feel this to the core and it sucks this is happening. Considering I bought a PS4 last Gen and was loving what Sony was pumping out. This reminds me of a sports franchise. Maybe a little New England patriots esc? Riding highs and then Bill not drafting well and setting the team up for the future.

Andrew

I wonder if this more risk averse Playstation is the reason for Kojima supposedly working with Microsoft. I doubt a company that wouldn’t green light a sequel to a profitable game like Days Gone would go in for another game like Kojima would make

Mike W

I find it weird that Nintendo was the censor, proprietary on carts, top dog and Sony was not. Now the roles are reverse.

Hose A Contra Razz

Colin was so on point in this episode I got chills.

Robbie Agnew

This was needed. Great episode, and I am very excited at the idea of Shawn Layden appearing on the show, even though I feel it is extremely unlikely.

Frank

It pisses me off what they did to Sony Bend. I feel like not only will there be internal animosity towards naughty dog but external as well. I can see people jumping to conclusions already.

Kenneth Oms

🎵 Message in a bottle🎵

SLtheFMA

That argument that Colin made about Dreams and Media Molecule is what REALLY struck home about this whole thing. It totally is different rules. I would take another Days Gone over another Dreams any day.

Mitch Krassin

🎵Sending out an SOS!🎵

Brandon Soto

There’s is a lot but here’s my little 2 cents. Is Sony fucking dumb?! Days gone had some of the best moment to moment gameplay I’ve EVER PLAYED. It was frantic, intense and had me sweating every time. Insert Oprah meme “you work for naughty dog, you work for naughty dog”

Andrew

This era of Sony is fascinating

GameSimp

Thank christ you guys decided to follow up on this!

Khyle Claeys

FUCK YES!

Daniel Boyer

I feel like this is a The Police referance.

Marius Skarsem Pedersen

I hit pause on the regular episode cause I needed to hear this one brother! I saw Shawn Layden replied to your tweet

Kenneth Oms

Colin you made my day.

Jonathan Gonzalez

Such a goddamn clusterfuck

KomakiKhaos

Damn, you pamper us Colin.

Your Boi Nicky V

But also glad for an extra podcast!!

Ben Williams

Dang, wish they would've taken some questions!

Ben Williams

#Legends! Massive thanks!

Mike

THIS IS THE CONTENT I NEED!

Andrew Arana

I literally just finished the last podcast. Perfect timing. Thanks guys!

Johannes

THANK YOU for acknowledging we needed this. The day felt wrong with a new episode without coverage of this.

Andres

In little Ani voice: "NOW THIS IS PODCASTING"

Dustin Goncharoff

Damn, this post came in clutch for my ride home.

Matthew Clem

This is so exciting

Bobby T

Heart dropped when this released 🤣 thank you GUYS! Was dying to know your thoughts

Ambitious Casual

This is the beginning of the PS3 era all over again

Anthony J Sanchez

2 podcasts in 1 day. Bruh we spoiled out here.

Anthony Palerino

Oh let’s fucking goooooooo

Nick La Creta

Unexpected but a great surprise. Thanks for doing this for us.

Antonio Pereira

EMERGENCY POD!!! I love it.

Andrew

Colin, you're a legend mate, just thought I'd let you know

The Late Nate

Holy sheesh, love the turnaround on this! Hope you guys have a great weekend all around

Kendrick Luckenbach


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