Constellation, Episode 130 | Turning 30, Titan Submersible Drama, Easy/Story Mode Gaming
Added 2025-06-30 16:00:22 +0000 UTCWelcome back to Constellation, Last Stand Media's conversational podcast. This week, Colin hosts, and is joined by the Dukes -- Matty and Cog -- as well as Punching Up's Gene Park. Topics include the trials and tribulations of turning 30 years old, dueling documentaries covering 2023's tragic Titan/Titanic situation, and whether it's 'okay' to play games on the easiest difficulty. Enjoy!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
00:08:08 - Turning 30
01:08:35 - Titan Submersible Drama
01:39:20 - Easy/Story Mode Gaming
Comments
I hated that the news acted like they were alive for coverage and ratings
Jason Thompson
2025-07-25 20:13:40 +0000 UTCNothing wrong with playing on easy imo. Scaling difficulty is the worst Also - FF16 combat isn’t awful, just repetitive and braindead
TheMuff1nMon
2025-07-11 12:38:11 +0000 UTCI like scaling! It's how I played Rebirth. I wanted to be able to do side quests as much as I liked and not find main story content too easy because I leveled. What I found is that weaker enemies were still weaker because I had more tools at my disposal to take care of them, as well as just naturally getting better at the game. And yes, I like FF8
David P
2025-07-11 05:17:28 +0000 UTCMatty’s topic brings all sorts of new meaning to the term “petty bourgeois”
Kojima Made Me Gay
2025-07-10 07:58:36 +0000 UTCI love Dagan but glad to have Colin hosting again
Jake Whitaker
2025-07-04 03:30:14 +0000 UTCColin choosing to play the inferior versions of games (Miles Morales on PS4, Last of Us on PS3 for KnockBack) when he has access to the superior version, just to get trophies, will never not completely baffle me. I find it insane.
The Anus From Whence You Came
2025-07-03 17:37:52 +0000 UTCColin, so we never have to hear you pretend to be confused again. Here is something you could have done in 3 seconds: Xbox (more specifically, Microsoft Gaming) benefits in multiple ways from having its games on Steam, even though Steam is technically a competitor’s platform. Here’s a breakdown of the strategic advantages: ⸻ 🔁 1. Wider Audience = More Sales • Steam has over 120 million monthly active users—far more than the Xbox console base or Microsoft Store. • By putting Xbox Game Studios titles like Halo, Sea of Thieves, or Starfield on Steam, Microsoft massively increases its reach and sells more copies. • Steam users often prefer the platform’s ecosystem (achievements, modding support, friends list, etc.), and Microsoft is tapping into that market instead of trying to force them into Xbox or the Windows Store. ⸻ 💵 2. Revenue Is Better Than Exclusivity (in many cases) • Even though Valve takes a ~30% cut of each sale, Microsoft still makes significant profit on high-selling games. • The alternative—keeping the game exclusive to Xbox/PC Game Pass—might build the ecosystem, but it limits revenue from one-time purchases. • A hybrid model (Game Pass for value, Steam for sales) diversifies income streams. ⸻ 🤝 3. Builds Goodwill with PC Gamers • Microsoft’s own Windows Store had a rough reputation (slow, buggy, limited modding support). Steam is the gold standard for PC gaming. • By embracing Steam, Microsoft shows it respects gamer preferences instead of forcing them into its ecosystem—building trust and positive PR in the PC gaming community. ⸻ 🧠 4. Long-Term Ecosystem Play • Microsoft’s strategy isn’t just about selling consoles—it’s about building an ecosystem that includes Xbox, PC, cloud, and Game Pass. • If someone buys Forza Horizon 5 on Steam and loves it, they might consider Game Pass later, buy DLC, or play other Xbox titles. • Xbox accounts can be linked inside games, which helps pull players subtly into the Xbox ecosystem (friends lists, achievements, cross-play, cloud saves). ⸻ 📈 5. Game Pass Growth Synergy • Some games launch on both Steam and Game Pass. Players who try the game on Game Pass might later buy it on Steam for modding or permanence. • Steam sales can act as a funnel for Game Pass adoption, and vice versa. ⸻ 🧰 6. Modding, Community Features, and Longevity • Steam Workshop and general modding support breathe long life into games (like Skyrim or Cities: Skylines). • Microsoft-published games like Flight Simulator or Halo: MCC benefit from this community-driven longevity—keeping games relevant and profitable longer. ⸻ Summary: Microsoft benefits from putting Xbox games on Steam because it: • Expands its player base • Increases revenue • Builds goodwill among PC gamers • Funnels users toward the Xbox ecosystem • Supports longevity through modding and community tools It’s part of Xbox’s shift from platform exclusivity to ecosystem dominance—they don’t need to “win the console war” anymore. They just need people playing their games and paying for content, wherever that happens.
Jimmer
2025-07-02 23:59:25 +0000 UTCMatty watching the Eagles win the Super Bowl both against the patriots and the chiefs is what dreams are made of.
CastingCouch
2025-07-02 13:40:50 +0000 UTCI loved how Colin tried to exit the pod, like, three different times, and Gene and Matty just kept on going
Wibble
2025-07-01 20:52:09 +0000 UTCFor better or for worse, the pandemic provided a convenient way for people to cut others out of their life and that fell around the 30th birthday for my generation.
Chris Fazio
2025-07-01 18:22:14 +0000 UTCFor Gene’s take on naughty dog games, I do the same with the Elder Scrolls titles. I want to hit a basic enemy with a sword 3-4 times max or it feels like a noodle
TheWubbz
2025-07-01 18:07:51 +0000 UTCYeah being buffeted with whiny matty and his constant complaining is just gold.
Michael Thew
2025-07-01 17:45:21 +0000 UTCThe gene humble bragging gets sooooo old. Hate me all you want but you know I’m right lol
Ryan
2025-07-01 17:22:47 +0000 UTCCog feeling bad for playing FF16 on Easy? Someone needs to tell him even normal mode is one of the easiest AAA releases in years.
Your Boi Nicky V
2025-07-01 07:31:52 +0000 UTCClosest constellation to the SSxDDxPU we’ve been asking for.
Viktor
2025-06-30 23:38:29 +0000 UTCI had no idea the submersible used a Logitech controller for navigation. They should’ve used joycons so they could drift!
Bloated Backlog
2025-06-30 22:07:55 +0000 UTCHe meant to say split fiction. Splitgate is not a goaty lol
Zachary
2025-06-30 21:57:49 +0000 UTCThis episode hit home with the 30 year old topic. I’m 38 now but two years ago or so, I needed to get away from a couple people in a friend group and when I did, even after talking to the person who was supposed to be my best friend, they all ended up abandoning me. At the time I was going through the worst break up of my life and various health issues. When I needed some of those people the most, they decided to just peace out instead of being a good friend. It was sort of a long time coming as the group of friends stopped checking in with each other as much and with some issues with a few people, some of those connections became more stressful to maintain than to not. I pretty much have no close friends anymore after almost 20 years. It sucks in some ways, in other ways it’s less stress, but it’s definitely hard being by yourself most of the time, especially without a support system from medical issues. You really do find out who actually cares when things get rough.
PairOfShuse
2025-06-30 21:31:59 +0000 UTCWould like this as well, but I know Colin has made it pretty clear he’s not interested in doing anymore political content due to the audience. Not allowing comments on that specific episode is a good idea.
Michael McCoy
2025-06-30 21:15:21 +0000 UTCNo Dagster? 😔 Hoping he’s available for the next one!
Michael McCoy
2025-06-30 21:12:14 +0000 UTCI find it funny you guys had problems with the valkyrie because, they weren't that hard. If you used the right armor sets
Carlos Hernandez
2025-06-30 20:05:29 +0000 UTCS-tier permutation of people
John
2025-06-30 18:48:55 +0000 UTCAt a much less cool and popular level, I really relate to Gene with feeling introverted but still being very social. Just need that recharge time.
Anthony Palerino
2025-06-30 18:13:12 +0000 UTCSaw the topic and immediately thought Chris was on this week, only to be disappointed
J Reid
2025-06-30 16:08:41 +0000 UTCHey, how about a 6 month review of the Donald Trump 2? Would love to hear your thoughts. Maybe even turn off comments to avoid any arguments in the comments?
Serial crop dusting Harry Potter actor ManYou’ll AssSniff
2025-06-30 16:02:39 +0000 UTC
