Episode Details

If the release calendar holds as currently constructed, Grand Theft Auto VI will launch into the waiting arms of millions upon millions of day-one players. And since it's likely to be the highest-grossing entertainment event in the history of mankind, it's fair to assume that the marketing push will be substantial. As we get ever-closer to the fall, Take Two's CEO has been giving revealing interviews about the insane money, expectations, and consequences behind Rockstar's much-anticipated project (and word on these digital streets is that Sony has secured the marketing rights to the game, which is absolutely massive for PlayStation 5). Are you ready to withstand a hype machine the likes of which you've never seen before? Plus: Strauss Zelnick expresses disappointment over Civilization VII and laments the lack of a new BioShock, a majority of consumers polled report never buying games at full price, Call of Duty is finally skipping PlayStation 4 moving forward, Yacht Club's Mina the Hollower gets a release date, and more. Then: Listener inquiries! Should Sony reform its existing refund system on PSN? Is there an alternate reality where Sony kept the 007 film license in the '90s, thus opening up PlayStation to a series of James Bond games? Should PlayStation explore surprise reveals a la the new Star Fox? Does Colin have a potential business opportunity in the works naming other people's children?

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/sacred

Timestamps:
Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.
0:00:00 - Intro
0:21:22 - Sacred missed connection UPDATE
0:27:12 - Naming ceremony
0:43:18 - Magnanimous Colin
0:46:21 - DRM thoughts
0:56:27 - New PSN settlement
1:18:17 - Sony seemingly has the marketing rights to GTA VI
1:45:27 - Zelnick on Bioshock and Civ VII
2:09:08 - 62% of gamers don't buy full price
2:25:56 - Call of Duty is done with PS4
2:28:36 - Sega reveals Stranger Than Heaven
2:30:55 - Mina the Hollower has a release date
2:48:45 - PSN April 2026 Sales
2:52:24 - What We’re Playing (Saros, Vampire Crawlers, Saint Slayer)
3:21:28 - Better ways for DRM
3:26:17 - Fix the refund system
3:30:51 - Alternate 007 timeline
3:37:40 - Easy modes
3:44:10 - Surprise announcements
3:50:49 - Marketing for Marathon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices