Sacred Symbols, Episode 59: Tantalizing Possibilities

While they share some commonalities, Microsoft and Sony are chasing next-gen victory in fundamentally different ways. Sony's doubling-down on everything that made it a resounding winner this go-around -- including a full embrace of its proprietary ecosystem -- while Microsoft seems more eager to lower barriers and spread the love. In a recent interview, the head of Xbox's first party studios candidly admitted that Microsoft sees some of its games migrating to other consoles. Such an admission draws a line in the sand and makes a bet on reach as next-gen's most valuable currency. So let's talk about it. Plus: Quantic Dream jumps head-first into independent waters, Death Stranding's PS4 exclusivity causes confusion anew, another game gets whisked away by the digital storefront grim reaper, and Shenmue III and Destroy All Humans Remake up the ante on collector editions. Inquiries from the audience round things out this week, as always. Thanks to you, we chat about our expectations for Remedy's Control, Infamous and Infamous 2's conspicuous absence from PS4, the persistent high cost of Vita memory cards, and much more. Like Microsoft and Sony of the future, let's be friends and have fun together (or die trying).

Timestamps:

0:00:17 - Intro.
0:02:31 - Will there be new shirts for Sacred Symbols+?
0:03:32 - No: Wal-Mart isn't banning violent video games.
0:08:47 - Surprise! Sony may be announcing new stuff at Gamescom.
0:10:24 - What’s going on with #BoycottBorderlands3?
0:12:52 - Could Death Stranding no longer be a PS4 exclusive?
0:14:08 - A few corrections from the audience on last week’s show (etc).
0:23:26 - What games are we playing?
0:23:44 - One fan tries to trick Colin into playing Persona 5.
0:32:42 - The American gaming industry has voluntarily adopted lootbox regulations.
0:37:06 - Sony has revealed the best selling game on PSN for the month of July.
0:38:34 - Quantic Dream is stoked about its post-PlayStation life.
0:41:15 - Microsoft is potentially interested in publishing future games on PlayStation.
0:45:35 - Anthem gets a major update.
0:48:40 - Sekiro sells (very) big.
0:49:24 - Some interesting tidbits from last week's Activision earnings call.
0:52:48 - Japanese man arrested for making violent threats against Square Enix.
0:53:55 - Cooking Mama is headed to PlayStation for the first time.
0:54:51 - The XIII remake has been delayed to 2020.
0:55:59 - One of the new PvZ games will be called Battle for Neighborville.
0:56:36 - Duck Tales Remastered has been delisted from digital stores.
0:57:42 - Shenmue III and Destroy All Humans Remake go crazy with the collectors editions.
0:59:12 - Minor game announcements and release date information.
1:00:25 - This week's new releases for PS4, PS Vita, and PSVR.
1:07:21 - What are our expectations for Control?
1:10:11 - What unannounced game sequel do we want most?
1:11:47 - Why are Vita memory cards still so expensive?
1:13:02 - Why do so many big games try to distance themselves from politics?
1:19:14 - What’s the ultimate goal of game development?
1:22:36 - Why hasn’t there been a remastered Infamous collection?
1:26:23 - Could there be online matchmaking not based on skill, but age?
1:29:18 - One listener uses Trophies as a timeline to look back on life.