Sacred Symbols+, Episode 204 | They're Wild For Those ARMs
Added 2022-07-05 16:01:06 +0000 UTCIt's time, my friends, for a call-in episode. Dustin and I (Colin) sat on Discord and took more than half-a-dozen inquiries -- with very little notice given and without any foreknowledge of what would be discussed -- on topics ranging from the politicization of game studios and how we deal with negativity online to the true scarcity of PlayStation 5 and the expense of gaming in the developing world. And two different callers reach out with love and admiration for Wild ARMs, one of my favorite games of all-time and a recent recipient of Trophies on PS4 and PS5. So we discuss that truly wonderful JRPG in-depth, too. More call-ins are coming, so stay-tuned!
Comments
I love listening to Last Stand Media. Having these call in episodes is a lot of fun, just wanted to say thank you.
Uicreate
2022-07-30 23:36:02 +0000 UTCThe point of the price adjustment over time is that the cost used to literally go into making the game, physically creating it. Now the money goes into the creation, and it's still not enough, because expectations are too high. It'll all come crashing down if the money isn't there to support it. It is what it is; I own an indie studio, that's fine with me.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-10 16:23:50 +0000 UTCThis is good news.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-10 16:22:48 +0000 UTCI can only speak through an American lens, and this is, ostensibly, an American show with a mostly-American audience. We do the best we can.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-10 16:22:37 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-10 16:21:59 +0000 UTCThanks for listening.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-10 16:21:54 +0000 UTC?
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-10 16:21:48 +0000 UTCHey guys, appreciate your work. Game prices have definitely became too steep, here in Poland - $100 for a base edition of a new PS5 Sony game is just too much. Especially when we've been strained by Covid, and crushed even further by the war. Electricity, gas, liquid gas, interest rate on credits, everything has gone up in the last few months as much as 50%, and that goes for groceries and basic amenities, too(and our minimum wage is ~$530/month after social and tax). No sane person would be buying $100 video games here atm, when some of us are struggling to survive to the next paycheck atm. We know that NES and SNES games were expensive, cause printing cartridges and smaller user base/hardware adoption, point that Colin's been hammering down every time the subject's been brought up, but that's not the prices we've had in the video game space during the last 20 years since the introduction of optic media, and growing user bases - $60 was all good for a long time, for everyone included. I know that budgets are getting bigger and bigger in the AAA space, but if a game like Control can be made for $30m with industry leading tech, a proprietary engine, and all other bells and whistles, maybe we're being somewhat frivolous with the spending? Do we really NEED A-list Hollywood actors in the games? A Hans Zimmer score recorded at some world class philharmonia? E3 showcases, massive marketing budgets and ads during the superbowl? Does everything need to be photorealistic and open world, too, nowadays? I know that EU tax is none of Sony's concern, but if you're talking about how unfair it would be for some countries to be paying more for games, we've been paying ~$80 for base PS3 and PS4 games here since like 2011, we're paying ~$100 now, and the story's the same or worse in other regions - AU, NZ, countries like Brazil, etc. I would be personally f*king thrilled to be paying only $70(plus $7 in tax in some states) for a PS5 game. This generation Sony decided to not decrease the prices of their exclusives over time on PS Store, too, so that's an extra kick in the nuts. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if Sony backed out of some regions by the end of this gen, if things are going to proceed as they do now (though I do hope the war will end soon). They might stop making profit in some regions, and keeping the lights on of their local offices, localizing games or the app, commerce cost, hardware service centers, etc, all costs money. Nintendo has very little presence here, after all, they didn't even have a distributor for their games or consoles till like 2014.
MISZCZOGRZMOT
2022-07-09 22:26:00 +0000 UTCThe other day I went into a local GameStop. I asked the employees if they had any PS5’s in stock. I was told they had atleast enough to supply quite a lot of people with either an Elden Ring + Horizon bundle, Horizon bundle, & the disc based PS5’s. Had they had a digital version I would’ve bought one and given my disc one to my kids. The employees were saying they are starting to get them in more frequently. So hopefully the demand is being met.
Samuel Zamora
2022-07-09 14:42:03 +0000 UTCWas nice to see someone finally challenge Colin's attitude to games pricing by pointing out the US isn't the whole world.
Mark Whittington
2022-07-08 08:41:34 +0000 UTCI think the last part is key. If you're patient, you're going to get a great machine with a better and better library. And you really do need a 4K TV first and foremost, in my opinion.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-08 00:44:29 +0000 UTC=\
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-08 00:43:58 +0000 UTCSLIT
Adam James
2022-07-07 20:31:44 +0000 UTCI think the issue around Ps5 is a combination of many different factors, many of which you all touched on. In my circles it comes down to 3 main issues. We refuse to support scalping, we don't want to spend all our time hunting and tracking one down, and there's really no good reason to be in a rush since there still aren't any big Ps5 only games. Ps5's will sell when people can walk into a store and buy one, along with a big new game that requires a Ps5. On the other side of things, Microsoft now has Bethesda and Starfield is on the way. Series S consoles are in stores and available. I wish Sony would compete with an affordable console. I don't need native 4K 120 FPS, or any of that pc garbage. I don't even have a 4K tv. All I need is a good quality, Hi def console and some great RPG's. For now, my Ps4 Pro is enough, and my next console will be the Series S.
Michael Rogers
2022-07-07 18:35:10 +0000 UTCSame here. He even called out my home state!
Man of Constant Sbarro
2022-07-07 17:59:25 +0000 UTCThank goodness for Meow Meow, I’m glad I’m not the only member here with a southern drawl.
Logan
2022-07-07 14:44:20 +0000 UTCLoved the episode! And I would like to throw myself in the ring of “international gamers telling their stories and experiences”. Dan, from Israel. Either way, can’t wait to hear & learn more from other international gamers 💪🏻 Shalom to everyone! ❤️ Game on.
Dan Luxembourg
2022-07-07 11:05:06 +0000 UTCno video for this one ?
somar
2022-07-07 01:51:39 +0000 UTCYeah, I don't need games constantly breathing down my neck. It's why I was happy to buy Wild Arms a la carte instead of subscribing.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-06 15:33:23 +0000 UTCIndeed. Not worth it.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-06 15:32:44 +0000 UTCYes.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-06 15:32:35 +0000 UTCI didn’t even know the quarry was on Xbox lol. That being said, I still wouldn’t buy it on either Xbox or ps5 as the reviews have been so-so and I’m sure it will go on sale soon.
Knightsofray
2022-07-06 12:00:17 +0000 UTCMy problem with subscription services in general is why limit yourself? I just looked at gamepass for the first time in months and realized I don't really care about anything on it and canceled my subscription because I already have a backlog of stuff to play on ps5. Same with the new ps+ it would only cost me $47 to upgrade for 286 days to the highest tier but I'd rather just buy what I want to play and keep going into my backlog or even replaying games like I have been doing with the re2, 3, and 7 ps5 releases and then I have tlou remake in September and mario + rabbids in October and so on and now man of medan is free on ps+. I don't have time for a subscription service. As for the ps5 availability my problem was everytime they put it on sale I would be at work and couldn't sit and wait to buy one so I just said screw it last year and got it on eBay and have been happily playing ps5 for almost a year. Sure it sucks I paid more but at least I'm not obsessing over it
thefury4815
2022-07-06 11:46:47 +0000 UTCI guess I gotta buy Wild Arms now
Reon Williams
2022-07-06 10:17:17 +0000 UTCAs we said, it's geographic and anecdotal. I think you're vastly overstating the regional difference between game sales in the US and UK.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-06 00:27:54 +0000 UTCSMALL correction. When Colin is referring to 85% sales of The Quarry were Playstation its just wrong. Unfortunately I see this EVERYWHERE. This is SPECIFICALY PHYSICAL BOX COPY sales in the UK only and from select distributors AND pulling estimates that aren't 100% accurate. To apply these stats to the entirety of a US centric market in Xbox and use it as evidence that Xbox players dont buy games is a little suspect. The UK is not remotely close to the USA in terns of sales data. THAT does have evidence to back it, however. I firmly believe that Playstation players DO buy more than Xbox players (without real evidence) but I think this example is a little unfair. Tis all! Loved the episode.
Shawn Yorn
2022-07-05 22:24:21 +0000 UTCNice.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 21:29:47 +0000 UTCPlease.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 21:29:40 +0000 UTCColin is the Wild Arms Pope. We need to get him one of those crazy hats, Wild Arms themed, of course.
Jeremy Seal
2022-07-05 21:18:08 +0000 UTCIn the past month I have seen PS5 in multiple places on the shelf. They were all gone by the time I left the store but are out there if you are looking. Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Fred Meyer.
Ryan Greenwood
2022-07-05 20:20:55 +0000 UTCI dunno, I think it feels very slow right now. It's almost normalized after a decade of a lot of frenetic action in terms of release cadence.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:55:03 +0000 UTCGood boy.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:54:20 +0000 UTCNo doubt.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:54:17 +0000 UTCThe PS5 does look like a vagina 😂😂😂😂😭😭
Will Hahn
2022-07-05 19:39:29 +0000 UTCGuess I’m playing Wild Arms now!
Jason K
2022-07-05 19:36:59 +0000 UTCThe lack of ps5 games argument always perplexes me. I mean when you look at these 1st 2 years they have had at least 3 big exclusives each year of the ps5. While Xbox really hasn’t had anything at all. Just because you have a ton of game announcements means nothing if you don’t actually deliver them. Also in terms of Xbox outselling ps5 in certain situations it’s not a demand issue but an availability and price thing. The series s is CONSTANTLY available for 300$ or less , I think people just get that console as a consolation prize when they can’t get a ps5 for whatever reason. I think that’s what drives up Xbox numbers in certain situations. But as far as xbox consoles being in demand than ps5 ? Nah not even close in my opinion
Big titty drinker
2022-07-05 19:29:41 +0000 UTCThanks for calling in. =)
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:04:53 +0000 UTCInteresting.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:04:48 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:04:41 +0000 UTCThank you. That would be fun!
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:04:29 +0000 UTCIt's free content for people who hate you.
Colin Moriarty
2022-07-05 19:04:24 +0000 UTCThis episode was great! Please more like this, the sort of "behind the scenes" feel of the banter between calls is amazing. A permanent or semi-permament Dustin & Chris show would print gold for LSM! Thanks for all you do.
Bambi_Cobblestone
2022-07-05 18:53:33 +0000 UTCColin’s “just stop posting” is simple but profound. Save opinions for serious people whose views you respect, not strangers online.
NotJack
2022-07-05 18:52:49 +0000 UTCSame here, when they announced a “Call-In with Colin,” I didn’t even think to say hi to Dustin :(
Jeremiah
2022-07-05 17:51:06 +0000 UTCLoved the episode and I really appreciated that Colin thought hard about the affordability of games in other countries! P.S. I realise I didn’t even say hi to Dustin and didn’t even wish a happy 4th but I am a tool so it evens out
Sam
2022-07-05 17:34:29 +0000 UTC“ hope nobody gets too cute, might have to give them a little smack! “ Lmaooo 😂😭
Big titty drinker
2022-07-05 17:31:52 +0000 UTCAfter you asked the question in regards to PlayStation 5 here in the uk I checked uk store in most stores you can get a Xbox no problem both types . In regards to PlayStation there isn’t any available on any of the uk websites so I do think there is still am availability issues for them.
Garry
2022-07-05 17:21:36 +0000 UTCVery stoked to listen to this. I was nervous and happy to be the first caller. I’ve been slowly removing myself from negativity in the social space. I pick my poison like you suggested and try to interact with nice people like Gene Park etc. it’s really become too much. It’s even effected my enjoyment of things like horizon and the last of us 2, where I can’t tell if I’m just not enjoying those experiences or I’ve just been influenced by the negativity
Kenneth Oms
2022-07-05 16:19:25 +0000 UTC
