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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 224 | Letting Some Steam Out

You probably already know that I (Colin) employ a certain analogy when it comes to PlayStation's current situation: A boiling pot with a lid securely on top. You know something is in there -- the metal is hot to the touch, it's rattling, and maybe you've even caught an aromatic tease or two -- but you still don't know what's within. Well, today's State of Play let some of the steam out of that pot. But enough of the vague illustrations. For your listening and viewing pleasure, Dustin and...

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 85 | Bonnie Ross Has Left 343 (Video)

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Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 85 | Bonnie Ross Has Left 343

Just a mere week after our last Defining Duke Ultimate featuring Chris Ray Gun and Ains of Seasoned Gaming, we're (mostly) back to gather around the Halo campfire for a bit of a chat on the latest development. As I'm sure many of you have already heard, Bonnie Ross who helped found 343 Industries 15 years ago and has served as studio head since, has departed from the company. With that comes a shake-up in the leadership over at 343 and huge ramifications for the future of Xbox's current flags...

Defining Duke, Episode 89: The Thread

Hey All!  It's time to submit your questions, comments, concerns, thoughts, and ideas for Episode 89 of Defining Duke. 

Great ways to get your write-up used: Be pithy, be topical, and be insightful. Walls-of-text, posts littered with poor grammar and punctuation, etc., are promptly (though respectfully) ignored.  

As this is an Xbox podcast, be sure your submission makes sense within that realm. You have until Wednesday, 9/14 at 1PM ET to make your submission.

KnockBack, Episode 240 | Lost (Season 2) (Video)

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Topic starts at 0:09:33

KnockBack, Episode 240 | Lost (Season 2)

Hey yourself. The reality on the other side of 'The Hatch' has finally been revealed, but really, such an answer only multiplied the mystery. Lost's second season, which first aired on ABC in 2005 and 2006, is widely considered the strongest run of episodes in its six season arc. In all actuality, it's hard to even explain much more without spoiling the show, what with its riddles upon riddles and all. So we'll keep it short. The Others, the Numbers, the Tail, the Dharma Initiative. It's all ...

Sacred Symbols, Episode 219 | Oh, Oh, Oh, Jimmy's Cryin' (Video)

For your viewing pleasure.

Note: After Ubisoft's underwhelming presentation, we decided to keep this episode as is with no pickup. We'll be covering the Ubisoft news on episode 220.

Timestamps to skip ads:
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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 223 | The Past, Present, and Future of Wrestling Games (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 223 | The Past, Present, and Future of Wrestling Games

Please welcome Ian Scherer of 616Entertainment to the show. I (Colin) invited Ian onto + to discuss the wide spectrum and rich history of wrestling video games, of which he is a bona fide expert and of which I know very little. After all, my days of wrestling gaming began with Pro Wrestling on NES and ended sometime in the SNES and Genesis era just a few short years later. As it turns out, I've missed a vibrant near-three decade run of amazing fare, both licensed and unlicensed, fro...

Sacred Symbols, Episode 219 | Oh, Oh, Oh, Jimmy's Cryin'

It's clear: PlayStation's problems with Microsoft's in-motion purchase of Activision-Blizzard run deep. The financial implications are enormous, of course, but in going public with his dismay in potentially losing Call of Duty on PlayStation platforms beginning in 2028, CEO Jim Ryan illustrates Sony's concern is material enough that it's willing to take a PR beating to make its point. Our theory? They're simply trying to buy time as they continue to sort out their strategy and make sense of a...

Defining Duke, Episode 88 | The Activision Deal Is Making PlayStation Desperate (Video)

For your viewing pleasure. 

Defining Duke, Episode 88 | The Activision Deal Is Making PlayStation Desperate

Want to know a fate more painful than being forced to play Yakuza: Like A Dragon and enduring the wrath of the LSM audience? Ask Jim Ryan! Through statements publicly delivered to press outlets, Xbox and PlayStation are trading blows over the status of Call Of Duty and the fulfillment of contracts on PlayStation's end. Indeed, it appears there is a legitimate fear over on PlayStation's side of the fence that Microsoft has been "inadequate" in delivering what is necessary for Call Of Duty to t...

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 84 | Halo Infinite Is In Trouble - Is It Time For Change? (Video)

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Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 84 | Halo Infinite Is In Trouble - Is It Time For Change?

Hot on the heels of our 87th episode for Defining Duke, the gaming industry set ablaze as 343 announced another setback to Halo Infinite. Many are out for blood and saying that the studio isn't cut out for the task of handling what is currently Xbox's flagship IP any longer. Joining the Dukes is our very own Chris Ray Gun along with Ains of Seasoned Gaming to get into the meat and potatoes of what the hell is happening with this studio. For over a generation and then some, the team has consis...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 222 | Dustin Mailbag (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 222 | Dustin Mailbag

It's time for another mailbag with you favorite round-headed Sacred Symbols cohost! What type of changes should we expect in God of War Ragnarok? What is the best console to collect for? How do you get started editing your own videos? I jam packed this episode more questions than ever before. Enjoy!

KnockBack, Episode 239 | Gym Class (Video)

For your viewing pleasure.

Note: Colin's video cuts out about half way through due to a recording glitch.

KnockBack, Episode 239 | Gym Class

For school children around the world, gym class is a grueling, years-long rite of passage, and when we were growing up, it was especially arduous. Climbing ropes. Getting picked last. The dreaded Presidential Challenge. Square dancing?! Let's be honest: Gym was (and still is) complete nonsense -- a distraction from learning the fundamentals -- but it's a collective memory for most of us, and it's the perfect topic for KnockBack. So nock your arrow, pull yourself up, go watch film, and then jo...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 221 | Atari's Silent Return (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 221 | Atari's Silent Return

Atari is one of the most important brands the gaming industry has ever seen, full-stop. Progenitors of what we would come to know as home console gaming, Atari's ups and downs are the stuff of legend, and indeed, the Atari that exists today isn't remotely the Atari of the past. But that's what makes it so interesting. The reformed, smaller, more nimble Atari is quietly releasing console games again, and gearing up to do even more. To get into the company's plans, its present, its future, and ...

Sacred Symbols, Episode 218 | Savage Guardin' (Video)

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Timestamps to skip ads:

0:30:22

0:55:13

Sacred Symbols, Episode 218 | Savage Guardin'

Sony's procurement of its first-ever mobile studio isn't something to get excited about, and we're not even gonna pretend to try. However, the acquisition of Savage Game Studios does suggest a new strategy for PlayStation, one that seeks to protect its various flanks even if it's not yet necessarily begun to fight on said front. Mobile gaming is a good example: They've said they've wanted to do something, and they have, but they don't acknowledge or pay attention to anything that results. It'...

Defining Duke, Episode 87 | Xbox Needs To Capitalize On PlayStation's Mistakes (Video)

NOTE: Video may be processing at the time of release.

For your viewing pleasure.

Timestamps to skip ads:
0:00:55

0:29:50

Defining Duke, Episode 87 | Xbox Needs To Capitalize On PlayStation's Mistakes

As the days go by, PlayStation replicates Nintendo more and more. From 'premium allure,' to highly priced games rooted in nostalgia, and much more, these two are walking a scarily similar path. Then there's Xbox, and while there is room for improvement, it's hard to think of many ways they can be more pro-consumer. With the PlayStation 5 moving its asking price above the Xbox Series consoles where Microsoft has confirmed they will remain at their current retail value, there has never been an ...

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 83 | Xbox & PlayStation's Mobile Initiative (Video)

For your viewing pleasure.

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 83 | Xbox & PlayStation's Mobile Initiative

Mobile gaming. Some would say it's about as unappealing as playing past chapter 2 of Danganronpa. Despite that, we cannot deny the reach those games have and with both Xbox and PlayStation moving more into the space; it demands a discussion of its own. Contrary to popular belief, the hardcore gamer should be the most invested in this subject as the money made from mobile likely comes full circle to what they hold dearest. However, the expanion doesn't stop their as both platforms are up to th...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 220 | We Miss You, Strategy Guides (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 220 | We Miss You, Strategy Guides

If you grew up in the '80s and '90s, and even into the early aughts, print strategy guides were a staple of our hobby. They lined the walls and counters of your local games store, had a space in Toys 'R' Us, were promoted in ads, and were even pimped by the hardware manufacturers and developers themselves, most notably Nintendo. Brady, Prima, and even smaller labels like Versus released thousands of print guides, but these days, it's pretty much a dead end. The Internet -- first GameFAQs, the...

KnockBack, Episode 238 | Lethal Weapon (Video)

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Topic starts at 0:21:51

KnockBack, Episode 238 | Lethal Weapon

When you think of 'buddy cop'-style movies, Lethal Weapon likely comes to mind. The 1987 smash-hit film starring a young Mel Gibson and a relatively unknown Danny Glover is one of the archetypes of this subgenre of action, with two polar opposites finding out on the fly that they have much more in common than they think. Featuring the likes of a pre-accident Gary Busey and chock-full of zany moments that all somehow make sense in context, Lethal Weapon remains a master class in the once-domin...