Sacred Symbols+, Episode 160: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (Video)

But what if we're sad?

Colin Moriarty

I miss the Sacred Symbols that wasn’t tears all the time. “Look up, the sky…it’s falling! I’m telling you! It’s falling.” Dude…it’s called rain.

BlindRiot

Me neither.

Colin Moriarty

This one surprised me. I still dont know if its a good thing.

NIXNE

M&A drives prices up.

Colin Moriarty

I do believe that this move is more about Sony than PlayStation.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. <3

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. Could put them in a tough spot!

Colin Moriarty

They weren't in a deal with Netease; Netease had a board seat.

Colin Moriarty

Hoeg apparently made some salient points on the danger of this deal.

Colin Moriarty

I just don't see that in what they're saying. It's explicit.

Colin Moriarty

I think it's a good bargaining chip, for sure.

Colin Moriarty

Up is down.

Colin Moriarty

Maybe! It seems like a unique situation.

Colin Moriarty

Sorry. =\

Colin Moriarty

Sony can learn a thing or two about pretty much everything.

Colin Moriarty

I actually had an interesting theory leveled to me overnight, which was that this is done for literal talent. Like, heads.

Colin Moriarty

Awesome episode, boys. One question I had that i feel was overtly missed in this episode that was covered heavily in the other acquisition episodes was the Financials of the deal. We've been consistent in talking about how all of these companies have wildly overpaid in these deals but 3.6 BILLION for BUNGIE? Maybe this just hit me harder that yall? Was this a bidding war? I realize what they've gotten and what this all could mean but this is and would the most bloated gaming deal yet. This makes the Zenimax deal that we were talking about being bloated look like a STEAL. MOJANG FOR 2.5? Craziness out here. Unless my numbers are off, Bungies market cap is around 2 ish B. Getting wild out here. Thanks for the episode guys!

Shawn Yorn

I am wondering If Sony is trying to pivot their company quietly in a new direction. They might see a future of consoles being of less importance to profit and may want to have a strong publishing arm for long-term survival outside of their tech. Maybe having reliable long-term studios to keep producing games of a wider variety might be seen as their future internally.

Peter Campbell

I'm pretty neutral on this buy... SONY just trying to evolve and change to a live service company instead of a hardware-only company. this is just under a microscope because MS has been making crazy (but shrewd ) moves. My only question would be why do I need a PS5 for the future of SONY if they are multi-platform? My answer would be you don't you just need a subscription to project Sparticus... Great content Stand Down Media!!

warren chue

I think the other aspect no one is talking about is Bungie getting out from under obligations to NETEASE development.

Alex Eddy

Have to agree with Dustin. The multiplat stance all came from Bungie and not Sony. Def agree that this is along the lines of Microsoft buying Minecraft than anything else they've bought. The hope that Sony can turn Destiny and its world into a Marvel like cinematic experience cannot be understated and Def is a far more reason for this purchase that people have been mentioning. As stated "we will propel Bungie into becoming a global multi-media entertainment company dedicated to delivering on our creative vision,". As this obviously was in the works before the Activision deal, I'd go as far as this purchases is as much for the movie theater as the live game service. That Marvel movie is twisting Sony's other arm.

Gar Kelleher

Nah, this is Bungie getting out of a bad deal with Netease. They want better support where they dont have to be forced to make Mobile BS. Which was part of their startup deal when they left Activision. This is beneficial for both parties. Bungie gets money to expand, supposedly Sony saw their future game they are working on and liked what they saw. So I think they see Bungie being more than just a shooter studio.

Alex Eddy

I'll be interested to see if this is a permanent situation. Bungie has a history of splitting from Microsoft as well as getting out of their partnership with Activision. Bungie wants Sony for its multimedia outlet with films, which they're adamant about pursuing. Once they get what they want and Sony has made enough profit from them could that happen? Or could Bungie in the future buy themselves out again. This just seems like a very unusual deal. I am glad that their games will remain multi-platform though, a silver lining indeed.

Fourth dimentional hypercube

My interpretation of this is that yes Destiny would remain on all platforms but future new IP would be PlayStation and PC exclusive, thus meeting the “Multiplatform” requirement. This would align with Jim Ryan's previous comments on "beyond console" and reaching "100's of millions of players".

Joshua La Rosa

Could this be a way for Sony to compete with MS when approaching studios? Let them know that the studio has full control and will be multi platform but also stops MS from taking their games away from PlayStation.

The Lizard King

Wow...Microsoft owns Crash and Spyro, and now Sony owns former Halo devs. Truly a strange timeline we're in. And as a Bungie fan, it's very interesting to see how this goes. Because I love Destiny, and I was happy when they went independent, for SO many reasons - however, I maintain that the two best Destiny DLC happened under Activision; The Taken King and Forsaken. Bungie with money have output some incredible experiences. Consolidations gives me concern, but it's a reality now.

JusticeSoulTuna

I take it the Bungie acquisition was in reality the response to the Zenimax acquisition. However all this recent news will definitely be getting discussed at every gaming/digital/entertainment company in the world. Which makes me think with only so many big pieces of the pie left for grabs the execs at Tencent, Facebook, Amazon, Google etc. will be discussing whether they should go in now before someone else does and purchase what they can i.e. EA, Ubisoft, 2k etc. All this most likely leading to 8 different monthly subscription services of watered down content... Dark days ahead for the gaming industry.

Reuben Barrett

I’m never going to get a bungie halo game again nooooooooooooooooo. Oh well maybe Sony gamers can (I am one of you but I prefer my Xbox games a little more) finally get a great FPS exclusive not ah that was good what’s next. Ps I know bungie doesn’t make halo anymore but I was hoping that they could come back once and maybe make a Arbiter game or can someone anyone make a game about Arbiter either taking over the galaxy or like a ghost of Tsushima like game with them energy swords and Keith David’s voice. It is a crime too humanity that there has not been a spin off game of that character.

Tyee

Well maybe Sony cam learn a thing or 2 about community management as well, Bungie has a weekly trickle of news condensed by their manager on what's going on at Bungie. Or as we lovingly call it the TWAB. I'd still say its a win for Sony because they can expand the TV branding on top of the TLOU series. I know Mandalorian and Boba Fett are popular. In the right hands however, Bungies lore can do it a whole lot better.

Frank G.

I'm a massive Destiny fan (even mod the /r/destinythegame subreddit, I'm actually fairly hopeful about this from a multiplatform perspective. Since Activision split Bungie have done pretty well to grow the studio, greenlight new projects (there's at least two that I've heard of) and continue producing content for Destiny. The reason for this sale I think is mostly due to the pandemic which caused a lot of internal issues for the studio. Many internal delays especially. I think they wanted/needed security because they're trying to transition to a multi-media brand/studio. Sony has the things they need to accelerate this + it gives them access to vast resources as well. I think Sony really will allow them to remain independant for the forseeable future and instead their focus is on everything except the games like Talent and IP

Clarkey7163

It does if you're all-in on GaaS.

Colin Moriarty

It's one of them, for sure.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

It's comparable to Gaikai in that they are buying expertise.

Colin Moriarty

It's definitely a building block in the long-term.

Colin Moriarty

That's not rich enough for my blood.

Colin Moriarty

I don't see them similarly at all. Bethesda's deal is far more consequential.

Colin Moriarty

SoE was a Sony property; it wasn't under PlayStation.

Colin Moriarty

Doesn't seem so cold to me...

Colin Moriarty

Glad to hear it. Welcome!

Colin Moriarty

It's a pretty neutral deal for me, in that it will be more about effect than literal production, at least in the realm of exclusives.

Colin Moriarty

Probably very little. But I'm sure Netease was happy to make a tidy profit.

Colin Moriarty

Perhaps so.

Colin Moriarty

I wouldn't even consider them first party, per se.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you.

Colin Moriarty

Maybe so!

Colin Moriarty

It could be. I think it's far more simple than that: They want content.

Colin Moriarty

I don't disagree, but I don't see how it makes sense for either party.

Colin Moriarty

The numbers speak: $1 in $4 spent on PSN is in games as a service.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I agree; this is more about Sony than PlayStation.

Colin Moriarty

Pipe dream, perhaps. =)

Colin Moriarty

Maybe we can get both, but I agree that focused investment would be better.

Colin Moriarty

Not a huge surprise, I suppose. =)

Colin Moriarty

I know, we are swimming in backlog right now.

Colin Moriarty

But at what cost? And to what end?!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you.

Colin Moriarty

We shall see.

Colin Moriarty

SEGA would be interesting.

Colin Moriarty

<3

Colin Moriarty

Anything Bungie makes will be multiplatform, so I fail to see it as a short or midterm win for PlayStation if the idea is to create a sustainable ecosystem for exclusives.

Colin Moriarty

I appreciate it. Chris is traveling, so he couldn't make it today.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! Duo today, however.

Colin Moriarty

Enjoy.

Colin Moriarty

They're not getting games out of it, though. At best, they are getting shared expertise.

Colin Moriarty

I get PlayStation needs some FPS, but paying 3.6 billion for a single developer than only has one known IP in Destiny doesn’t make much sense.

Keenan

Definitely part of it

Keenan

Lol. Not quite bud.

Keenan

Biggest steal in gaming history; Sony buying Insomniac.

Brandon Soto

Some of you in the community may have seen my comment on the YouTube video of the Sacred Symbols+ episode reacting to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King, in which I jokingly commented #SonyBuyBungie. While I never meant any ill will, or to support any form of corporate consolidation in the gaming industry, my comment was irresponsible and dangerous. I am so deeply sorry to everyone involved in this incident. I will take this incident and learn from it - and use my platform to fight against mergers and acquisitions in our industry. Again, I am so deeply sorry for my actions. Love you all ❤️

Jon Barnett

Destiny 2 makes something $300 million a year, maybe more. It's already proven for the purpose they wanted to purchase it. Not really comparable to Gaikai. And not that it factored in Sony wanting to purchase them, It doesn't hurt them to own a game they keep on Xbox when it comes to Xbox keeping games on Playstation.

Nik peltier

Out of what I've learned about Sony is that they communicate with the studios to an extent. They're going to them and asking them what they think they should do. And these acquisitions are for the whole family of studios. IMO

james glenn roten

With all of these acquisitions lately I’m ready to make my offer. Colin. I’ll buy Lillymo Games for £1000, some sealed G.I Joe’s and an NFT of a monkey dressed as Dr Wily… ? … Great show as always guys!

This is the similar to the Bethesda situation in that Bethesda will still publish and kind of manage their own things. Its not entirely the same but Bethesda is still separate in some way though not as much as Bungo it seems. Also funny that people clown on Phil for wanting their games on PC in 2018 but no one talking about but Jim Ryan saying the same today and crickets...

OCEL0T

Sorry won't be able to watch until the morning but I just wanted to ask real quick, wasn't Sony Online Entertainment largely independent until it got sold off?

Jorge Sosa

This is the Cold War all over again

Collin Love

These acquisitions have driven me to subscribe.

John Olden

I love this deal for PlayStation. Collaboration between two of the best in the business at making games will be awesome to see. Sony Pictures definitely plays a role here, and something I want to see from Sony is them folding their Spider man movies and other IP into whatever Spartacus will be. Spidey is the hottest in the streets right now and Sony should make it so that when you think Spidey you also think PlayStation.

Mr. Plow

I want the question asked what’s going on with that Netease deal in 2018 they took a $100 million of there money for investment to “Build New Worlds” and have provided nothing how much of this has to do with this sale.

Christopher Morgan

Also Kojima really wants to move into films/TV — Sony would be perfect fit

Aswad Charles

I can see Kojima Productions joining PlayStation studios — which would definitely feel like a organic move

Aswad Charles

I think the silver lining for PlayStation is they now have a 1st party studio that knows how to make them

Zack Fair

Love the immediate response to record a show! Mad love 🙏🏾

Aswad Charles

I think that Naughty Dog must be very eager to discuss with Bungie about the Last of Us Factions project they’re working on.

Ryan Harvey

Is this about taking fiat currency that is dwindling in value due to inflation, and making it a commodity? All these massive acquisitions seem like a purposeful response to losing millions and possibly billions with that devaluation of the worldwide currencies. High art sales are up, the people I know are buying properties. Is this not what this is about?

Nathan Densley

I think Kojima Productions could be considered organic.. they did not make Kojima, but they did significant help to setup hia studio with money and engine.

Adam Basye

Eww gross games as a service. Playstation continues to make moves that alienate me as a gamer. They are investing way to heavily into multiplayer games. I really hope they continue to understand that single player narrative , 3rd person needs to be thier focus. Dance with the ones that brought you sony. Ps. Sony should buy remedy if your talking about teams that fit

Big titty drinker

Love the quick turn around! I think this is definitely… 1. Play at garnering IP for Movies/TV 2. How to maximize online titles moving forward through Sony Worldwide Studios.

Payton Stone

With Insomniac’s future tied up, am I allowed to dream about a Resistance game from a Bungie team?

Richard Duflo

Maybe they'll snag them too. In-between them being 'too broke for acquisitions' they sure are finding a few billions in-between couch cushions. Funny how that works.

Anthony P.

"best FPS studio" you mean Respawn right???

GenDroid

I'm not a Destiny fan but it is much better than recent Call Of Duty games in my opinion and Sony needs shooters so this is smart I guess? Still would've rather had them invest that money into Killzone, Resistance or Socom but maybe those are coming also. I just hope the industry trend isn't to just buy existing popular studios for there successful ip rather than creating new 1st party games

Walker Simmons

Great episode boys, can’t believe you guys jokingly said that Sony would buy Bungie last week and it actually happened.

Kenneth Oms

So much news has come out in January that other episodes of SS+ keep getting pushed back! Ya'll are on a crazy grind. Thanks for all the content <3

Wyvborn

glad sony punched back. MS opened this can of worms and now must deal with the consequences. Sony now owns the best FPS studio in the world - unbelievable!

Anthony P.

Man this is going to get old fast… hoping these acquisitions will slow down, but I’m not feeling great about any of this. Appreciate the coverage though fellas. Excited to give this one a listen.

Also, my thought on Last of Us Factions 2 was that it would be similarly structured to Destiny. That resonates with me even more now, but we will see whenever we finally get it.

TL

I feel like SegaSammy might be next/ make the most sense. Hopefully then we can get Phantasy Star Online 2+ for PS4/PS5. Maybe the latest beta test of DnF the Duel being PlayStation exclusive back in December could have been a clue to this.

Alex Jones

I'm so glad we can trust the guys to jump on and cover this kind of breaking news at the drop of a hat.

Ro_Shambo

So this happened. Look if there's no more of that BS they did in the past with strike exclusivity, exotics and other content in general than this is a good get. The side projects bungies been working on can have the potential to be a big FPS whatever since Halo CE it's a quality acquisition for sure and it fits right in with current bungie and Playstation. No 69 billion dollar overpaid here. It was looking kinda budget for D2 that Shadowkeep was looking a bit dire for a second. But ever since Beyond Light it's been on the up and up.

Frank G.

Definitely appreciate the quick reactions on these i actions, these are the voices I want to hear first (Chris too of course).

TL

Really appreciate the timely episodes when the big news breaks. Looking forward to hearing the trio's input.

Cody Richter

Was waiting for this! Thanks guys!

Cameron Lee

I felt this was an acquisition that would make a lot of sense for Sony. They need a big fps, one with proven mainstream success, and a games of service game. I don’t think it’s as bad as buying a whole publisher, let alone just one, but bungie has value for Sony for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had an eye on them since they’ve gone “independent.”

Ren Quin

=)

Colin Moriarty

I don't feel like it makes sense for PlayStation. It makes sense for Sony, to a degree, and it makes sense to Bungie. But I'm not seeing this is sensical.

Colin Moriarty

Here we are. <3

Colin Moriarty

Could be.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

Trying our best. =)

Colin Moriarty

Yes.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed.

Colin Moriarty

Got the show on now =)

Liam Mcnulty

Thank you.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Yes.

Colin Moriarty

You could argue it's the third: Nixxes (which we talk about in the show), though I'm not sure that really counts, and Psygnosis, which I'm also not really sure counts because Sony bought it before PlayStation was even a thing. So... basically. =)

Colin Moriarty

Suppose this is the first time Sony bought a studio they don't really have a history with, unlike the acquisition of all other studios. Thanks for the quick upload, gonna watch this now

Liam Mcnulty

Jack Toland

Is this good? Xbox built up Bungie, they have been third party since then and they are almost as large as many publishers. Just curious, seems some are doing full 360s. I think it seems pretty smart by Sony personally, but the incosistency in talking points is really becoming obvious.

Jakson

I heard this and I was wondering if Sacred Symbols were going to do an emergency episode

Raul Hernandez

I wonder who's next? Square?

Dencio

Love this Monday cadence.

Riley Brewer

love yall coming in with the timely words.

FourEyes Malone

Oh boy. And so the consolidation wars begin.

Nathan

The bidding wars have begun.

RFK Rodgers 2024

YES!!!

Luis N.

Yeah??

GenDroid

fantastic timing

Alex Williams