Sacred Symbols, Episode 9: Cyberpunk 2077 and the Gamescom Afterglow

You really should give Donut County a try. It's great

Kenneth Fegley

Codes'll go out this week! <3

Colin Moriarty

I was very surprised to hear my question getting read especially having heard about the rainbow skies give away! Looking forward to trying it when I get the code. Thank you so much Colin!

John Lynch

There is a natural ebb and flow to console generations that is very true, I simply meant in the end that would it be such a bad thing if Sony didnt try and follow Microsoft into the breach of a streaming box and all these subscriptions and just stayed as your friendly neighborhood home console that has the best exclusives. My fear is that if Sony tries to follow they will crash and burn. PS Now is a good example. The worst 10 dollars I have ever spent. Such a giant library stuck behind a streaming wall that barely anyone in this country has the bandwidth to run at any type of great fidelity. It would be nice to really have a competition. 3 companies with 3 distinct offerings for gaming.

Brett Carlson

I'm not sure I ever said Sony lacked a dominance in their market? I simply said that it's very rare to continue that dominance, and I have a sneaking feeling you're not going to see a dominant Sony next-gen.

Colin Moriarty

I have to say Colin I am a non apologetic Sony fan through and through as well ( I have all consoles), but I just dont agree with your assertion that they have no shown consistent dominance in the marketplace. The Vita and PSP were a foray into a market dominated by Nintendo who has a stranglehold on the handheld community, so those failings are more equivalent to Samsung Gear VR not getting traction compartivatvely to the heavy hitters, but when it comes to Console Hardware and games I would argue no one has ever been more consistent then Sony. PS1, PS2, PS4 all generation dominated by Sony with a library of games in the pantheon of the all time greats. 360 undercut songs baffonery pricing and had a better internet infrastructure so controlled most of the generation, but even then PS3 glossed the gap by generations end and followed up with a stellar PS4 console. Microsoft has always had the subscription services and online down ahead of Sony partly due to there software PC background. Would it really be so bad for Sony to always be the home console, the tried and true game playing machine. Just a thought.

Brett Carlson

I'm not so sure it would, though I don't think that's going to be the jump. Chris' financial reasoning for that kind of jump is actually sound, because it's commensurate to the jump from $50 to $60 in real value. I think the jump is gonna be $60 to $70, and I think everyone should get ready for that to be a reality.

Colin Moriarty

Quite honestly, if the games raised from 60 to 80 usd it would kill most of the gaming industry and only FTP games would survive. 60usd is 80cad in Canada right now, 91 after taxes if you buy physical copies. I know it's similar in Australia and Europe respectively.

Andrew

Nice. Thanks for the insight. And thank you for your kind words and support, too!

Colin Moriarty

There you go. That's a great example.

Colin Moriarty

I think I'll do something with Tomb Raider. What I'm trying to determine is if it'll be a full review, or an LP.

Colin Moriarty

In less than a week from now, Spider-Man will be yours.

Colin Moriarty

Hey guys, awesome show as always. I just wanted to give my experience with GTA 5 and it's sales. I bought it at launch on PS3, played it al the way through and really enjoyed it. In 2014 I got a PS4 bundle that came with GTA 5, and played the story again and spent a lot of time doing heists with my group of friends. I currently do not own a copy of the game anymore and have really been missing the online fun my buddies and I had. It has been consistently on sale digitally for under 20 bucks on PS4 and I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about pulling that trigger several times over the past few months that I have seen said sale. If I end up buying it again that would be my third copy, I'm not saying it's massive sales numbers can bee chalked up to tools like myself that seem to keep buying it, but 20 bucks is a hell of a deal for such a major game like GTA 5 and when all is said and done I'll most likely end up with it again. Thanks for the awesome content guys, I'm really loving the show and all of the CLS content.

Michael Candelaria

On the subject of respectful religious subject matter being a core part of a game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a good example. I know it's supposed to be historical and all, but they treat it super respectfully. Love those dudes at that studio already.

bk200jj

What up Colin. I just happened to see you asking if you are doing to many reviews and if you should review Tomb Raider. Personally I dont think it's too much at all. Your not throwing arbitrary scores out at us, but rather giving us 20 to 30 minutes of discussion from your experienced point of view. I think this structure is very beneficial to people on the fence about specific games. A thorough conversation can have a more profound effect compared to a cookie cutter review with a score at the end.

Brett Carlson

Hey, first time writing in with a question and it gets answered. Neat! Another great show. Spider Man is so close for us plebs that have to wait for the game. Can't fucking wait. Then next up is Red Dead! The malevolent force in Blade Strangers must be Lena Dunham.

Matthew Skora

Fair enough. For the past 10 years I’ve been purchasing games like I work in the industry and have to review each one. My backlog is insane. Ive decided to wait on spiderman and just focus on DQ11 until it’s 100% done. Unless Spiderman turns out to be the second coming that will not change. (Hopefully)

Jean-Francois Forsey

I've not, and I'm not eager to put more games on the pile. I'm playing Spider-Man now. Then I wanna go back and beat Chasm (and possibly Plat) Chasm, Platinum Guacamelee! 2, and mess around more with Dead Cells. But that might be hard, as Tomb Raider codes are going out soon, too. Plus, I need to get back to DQXI. I'm actually somewhat grateful that, apart from Red Dead, I'm not really all that eager to play anything (save maybe Fallout 76), so it should give me ample time to catch up and solidify my thoughts on 2018's offerings.

Colin Moriarty

Have you checked out The Messenger yet? I hear great things!

Jean-Francois Forsey

That was the worst.

Colin Moriarty

Well, to be fair, Cyberpunk is an RPG, and they very rarely only exist in the realm of gameplay. It just might not be a game for either of you. We shall see!

Colin Moriarty

It's entirely possible, if not likely. Nice analysis. =)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much! &lt;3

Colin Moriarty

Hey dude. Submit your questions to the thread! (Goes live Fridays.)

Colin Moriarty

Also, if you guys ever do merch, please make a shirt that says, "WHO'S GOING TO LOSE?!"

Korey Burns

Remember when people were screaming up and down about mobile being the future of games? Glad that's over!

Korey Burns

I agree with Chris when it comes to Cyberpunk and games in general on “getting to the fun stuff”. My game time is very limited so I need the games to get to it quickly and obviously be fun. Doom 2016 is a perfect example of this and so are games like Rocket League and PUBG.

Tyler

I wonder if Ubi's move to skip a 2019 AC shows that they're gearing up for a next gen release with their next AC game. Would be cool to see a blow-out with a next gen Assassin's Creed in 2020 on new machines only, after a hiatus. I'm sure people would be extremely eager to jump on it, I just can't decide whether or not Ubisoft is willing to limit their sales to a relatively small new install base. Would be a cool signal from them if they did though. Would also make for an awesome launch title.

Michal Dudic

Loving the podcast Colin, sending all the love from Saudi Arabia

I won't say you're wrong. This is obviously your experience. I will say that that's the exact draw of handhelds going back to the late '80s, so it's in no way unique to Switch, or to this era. Switch's sales are slowing down. Smash is gonna be big; that off-brand Pokémon game, less so. I just ask: What will be the console's Zelda and Mario in the years to come?

Colin Moriarty

I have no problem spending to get the right TV.

Colin Moriarty

I'm not entirely sure sales are what he's referencing, but I'd need to go back to listen.

Colin Moriarty

I am serious! Perhaps you'll be hearing from me.

Colin Moriarty

You're very welcome. =)

Colin Moriarty

LOL. Why are they white if they're tires? That's my question.

Colin Moriarty

As the keeper of Grimace lore, while the Michelin man looks disturbing, Grimace has been sealed away even by corporate McDonald’s for fear of him absorbing all in his path

PairOfShuse

I think the clear factor in the Grimace or Michelin Man argument is that the Michelin Man is CLEARLY SUPERNATURAL. He can throw a tire across time and space and attach it to a vehicle as the car is moving. We're lucky Michelin Man is altruistic. Imagine what he could if slighted.

Michael Schofield (making Audio Dramas)

I think you might be missing something regarding the Switch due to your personal situation. I think it's really popular with a lot of us that can't find very much time to play games at home, but can elsewhere. Having console quality games on the go is a pretty big deal in those circumstances. For example, I end up having more time to play games at work than I do at home. I really only get to touch my PS4 on the weekends, but during the week, my Switch goes to work with me and sees a lot of use. I've definitely beaten more games on my Switch this year than I have my PS4, though not for lack of want to. I'm sure I'm not alone in this being the big draw of the Switch. I hear tons of anecdotal evidence from busy fathers, students, etc. Not knocking you, your opinion is just as valid as mine, I just wanted to give a perspective you may not have thought of. My dream Sony system would be a system where I could also do this, but not dependent on wifi (wifi at work sucks. :P)

Jason Stafford

Colin, definitely get an OLED TV they are pricey but they are the best ones out there. LG seems to be the most reasonable.

strawhatninja

"CoD WII tried that last year and it didn't turn out to well" Except for being, you know, the best selling game of 2017 after only two weeks on the market and the best selling CoD in years.

Colin if you are ever serious about buying a tv I'm the supervisor for a magnolia home theater in best buy and have been in the industry for 8 years. I won't steer you wrong!

Dan Cadogan

Thanks for answering my multiplayer question Colin! Its a question I’ve been thinking about since I started following you back at IGN around when Freedom Wars came out. I’m just glad I got my question answered on the episode you give away rainbow skies lol

The Chicken Chaser

Oh my god!! When you guys were saying the Michelin Man was made of "cylindrical rings", I was literally shouting at my shower wall, "TIRES; They're fucking tires guys!" Lmao... You truly made me laugh out loud tonight. Thank you. I needed that.

Dave Carsley

I've been in favor of raising game prices for years. *IF* you'll stop shipping broken shit; stop with the season passes; stop with the "horse armor"; stop with the pre-order bullshit, and stop with the day one DLC, I'll pay $80 for your fuckin video game!!! Fine! Hell, spend another 6 months making a TRUE, HONEST 10 or 15 hour expansion with new plotlines and characters, I might even throw you another $20 if I liked your base game. The price of everything else has gone up since N64 days, and these things sometimes take hundreds of people hundreds of millions of dollars to make. I get it. I'm reasonable. But you gotta do two things- Stop with all the bullshit, and finish your game before selling it to me.... and publishers just CANNOT seem to handle doing either.

Dave Carsley

I believe Chasm was just teased/confirmed by the dev on Twitter yesterday.

Joe Bellotta

My switch is my side scrolling and indie machine. Really hoping chasm and deaths gambit makes their way over there.

Chad Lewis

You're certainly dead-on that pricing is gonna be a huge component. I'm wondering if Sony will be able to hit that $400 sweet spot again. I find it unlikely, unless they're willing to subsidize...

Colin Moriarty

Glad you enjoyed the show. Thanks for listening!

Colin Moriarty

I got confirmation today that I'm getting a code (which should come today or tomorrow). Nothing for Chris, it looks like, which pisses me off to no end, and is another rant for another time. It's strange how every publisher I speak with is eager to work with me, but Sony makes things difficult for seemingly no reason.

Colin Moriarty

Playstation 5 and Xbox Two's potential strategies interest me more than almost anything else in gaming news right now - I really think it'll be that transformative. I don't think many of the common concerns people have matter at all, even backwards comparability. People want the new thing, if they can play the old things on the new thing, that barely matters by and large - imo. What is huge is price. Xbox doing the phone model is huge, mostly because I don't think next gen consoles can be cheap like the 4 and One were. Nvidia just announced their new RTX model cards (which the new consoles are apparently going to be based off) and they're stupidly expensive (over $600 for entry level). I'm thinking the new consoles are going to be premium products, like your phone, that you can either buy outright for six to eight hundred dollars or pay monthly for, then they'll get into a war on who provides the best service for your money. It's why I think the machines will be pretty premium. Xbox doesn't want to be pants'd again be power and Sony is only letting it happen now because they're rolling in cash. For now. I'd never buy an xbox, but if Sony were to come out with a $400 ps5 and Microsoft with an $800 Xbox Two, with a $40 a month sku... I really think there's only one winner. This would be an absolute dream for me btw. No more budget consoles, hopefully 60fps standard and services that are constantly at war to provide the best value. Yes please. P.S I think my only hesitation is that I'm not sure consoles are at the level of addiction /staple in our lives like phones are (maybe they are. Unsure). There are loads of budget phone options on the market though. Know what the three best selling phones in the world are? Galaxy, Huawei and iPhone. All premium, $1000+ products most casually discard every one/two years. /shrug

hugplx

As a huge fan of Ubisoft, and the Assassins Creed franchise I'm glad they are taking a break. Those are huge games to make annually. Also I'm super hyped for Cyberpunk 2077 even though I didn't want to have too much spoiled I've waited for so long for this so I had to watch all 48 minutes. Great show as always.

Marcus Brown

Hopefully Sony can get the #1 PlayStation podcast a copy of a major PS exclusive. If only traditional media has copies, maybe they are worried about releasing copies to the more Wild West-esque of so called “influencers” in regards to spoilers. Then again there are surely podcasts, websites, channels etc that have good track records of being responsible.

Zack E

I gotta be honest: It's all way too much for me to keep up with on a narrative front. That said, I'm somewhat keen to get into the last few Assassin's Creed games (and Odyssey) when time finally allows (which may be never, truth be told).

Colin Moriarty

Awesome! Glad to be here for you.

Colin Moriarty

I actually hold off on my marking so I can work through a giant stack while listening to this glorious podcast. Thanks for making Wednesday's great again C &amp; C!

Phillip Guglielmo

=D

Colin Moriarty

If we don't laugh, we'll cry.

Colin Moriarty

I do remember when I got my first 720p TV in 2007, I was blown away by watching football on it. LOL. Times have changed!

Colin Moriarty

Hmmm...

Colin Moriarty

Wednesday?! You're a time traveler.

Colin Moriarty

Anytime I can contribute to a rant from Colin is a good time.

David Graham

That drop man, funny stuff

Tanner Brant

Get that 4K tv Colin.. I wasn’t a believer until I finally made the plunge.. do not regret it whatsoever, you can really tell the difference

Craig Carter

The New 3DS was a beefier 3DS, Great show Colin

Hose A Contra Razz

That Wednesday morning feel when you wake up to a new sacred symbols 😍

Ryan Taylor

I'm sure it'll happen.

Colin Moriarty

Yes, but that's not what I said! =)

Colin Moriarty

Good pulls.

Colin Moriarty

&lt;3

Colin Moriarty

It should effectively seal out their talking.

Colin Moriarty

The other side of the coin (which I'm writing down so we can discuss next week) is that overseas markets that typically pay more for games compared to USD prices may be immune to the overall (or partial) hike in prices. I really do think the US is a unique market in that we're paying very little for games today. I know this isn't the case in, say, Australia.

Colin Moriarty

What drought?! =D

Colin Moriarty

A Final Fantasy VI knockback episode would be amazing.

Jorge Pal

MTGA.

Colin Moriarty

Very cool. Have fun!

Colin Moriarty

Read him the exact letter I read, but do it in your prayers.

Colin Moriarty

Yes, brother!

Colin Moriarty

&lt;3

Colin Moriarty

Enjoy!

Colin Moriarty

NES to SNES won the generations no? Then PS1 and PS3, and then it kind of became different (Wii, PS4)

Stephen Crane

Although not real religions I think Final Fantasy X and the Dragon Age games have some very religious themes. RPGs in general have some sort of religious component whether it be a cult you can join or a wise priest that can help you so I kinda associate rpgs with religion. Mafia 3 has some blatant and subtle religious tones.

Tyson Williams

Love it!

Tyson Wilken

I am waiting for a holiday bundle to pick up a switch and at least one of the games I’ve missed since launch. Too many good games for me not to join the Switch party.

James Galos

He needs to get an LG OLED. Hands down the best TV I have ever owned. I will continue to get OLED from now on. What are your thoughts Owen? The price is obviously an issue for most. 4K HDR on my OLED blows my mind over and over again.

Jimmy Valentine

waiting for the walk/park with my kids to listen to this

Matthew Clarkson

When I hear talk about games raise from 60usd to 80usd makes me and others I know in the PAL and Europe region a bit scared because rarely it's a fair conversion rate (UK with their pounds has historically been more lucky at times with fair pricing, maybe that has risen with brexit). If online stores like PSN kept the 60 eur by removing the middle man like Gamestop, I would be happy, but here in Europe, the pricing of a AAA-game mostly ends up around 69eur, when I can get it physical at Gamestop for 60 eur or a electronics store for 55 eur. So I end up only buying on PSN when there's sales.

Philip Andersen

You have a multitude of fans to help you get the right TV Colin. One of us. One of us.

Owen

Ironic hearing you guys talk about music peripheral games, I just randomly ordered DJ Hero (PS3) a couple days ago. Never played it before and haven't played the genre since The Beatles Rock Band 8 years ago. I blame the Summer drought of games for this random purchase.

four24twenty

I think you guys are vastly underestimating the power of Pokemon, even if it's not a mainline, but especially Smash. The new Smash will easily sell 10-15 million copies and will move a shit ton of Switch consoles. The marketing blitz that Nintendo has and will ramp up from now till December will insure it's success. In regards to Smash Wii U, that was a great game on a dead console. The new Smash is gonna be a great game on a wildly popular and successful system. Big difference. Great show as always guys!

Joe Bellotta

#makingtuesdaygreatagain

Will Caldwell

Hey Colin, just wanted to let you know I'm seeing 311 for the first time on Thursday here in Toronto. I've been a fan for a long time but have never actually attended a show, can't wait. Also, the Offspring is opening.

I remember my first time, 3 weeks ago :) Tuesdays are Great again

Cory Schaffernoth

Fuck man, I couldn’t go to PAX this year, tell Chris I’ll be watching over him in spirit

Tyson Williams

that weird moment when you finally subscribe and can finally listen to this early &lt;3.

Kenneth Oms

Excitement levels rising!

Jorge Pal

&lt;3

Saulius Vekteris

Downloading now looking forward to it!

Murray. M