LastStandMedia

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 136: 30 Questions With Colin

It's been more than two months since we last did a Colin-centric + mailbag, and this episode seeks to break the trend. Better yet, while we went through last go around, this time there are 30 inquiries in the hopper. So let's chat about subjects like the meaning of criticism and reviews, whether games have become too complex, which Microsoft-owned studio makes the most sense with PlayStation, and dive deep into games, both real and hypothetical, ranging from The Getaway and The Last...

KnockBack, Episode 196 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Video)

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KnockBack, Episode 196 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The third entry in the Metal Gear Solid franchise is the first game to take us backwards in time. While the original two adventures took place slightly ahead of their release window, MGS3 takes place 40 years prior to its 2004 launch, and within is a captivating Cold War-slash-alternate history tale about the Soviet Union, some American (and other foreign) agents, and a vaunted, nuclear-armed super weapon that will change the face of warfare forever. Infused with memorable characters and dial...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 135: For the Love of Trophies

The PlayStation ecosystem received the Trophy metagame update in the Summer of 2008. And well over a decade later, Trophies are still going strong, though a lot has changed, too. First on PlayStation 3, then on Vita, and then on PS4 and PS5 (though PSP plans were abandoned), Trophies are the tethers that tie generations together, and act as a wonderful 'gaming journal' of sorts, reminding you of where you've been and when in your digital escapades. To get into why Trophies are an importa...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 135: For the Love of Trophies (Video)

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Sacred Symbols, Episode 175: Chasing Amy (Video)

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Sacred Symbols, Episode 175: Chasing Amy

We have some awesome news for long-time PlayStation fans: The Mother of Uncharted, Amy Hennig, is finally returning with something new. Seriously. And it's just in the nick of time, since it's been a staggering 10 years since Uncharted 3 launched on PS3, which was her last brainchild. Heck, it's been nearly eight years since she left Naughty Dog! So it's great to know what she's working on next, but there's a catch, of course: She's making a Marvel game. And thus, both the excitement and...

Battle of the Bastards Part II - Lockmort's Edit

A new challenger has entered the arena.

Defining Duke, Episode 44: Is Something Big Brewing Between Xbox & SEGA? (Video)

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Defining Duke, Episode 44: Is Something Big Brewing Between Xbox & SEGA?

Over the following weekend, a seemingly PR loaded announcement came out of SEGA in regards to them teaming up with Xbox. However, after the Dukes did some digging, there is much more than what meets the eye here. The last year and change has been decorated by under-the-radar dealing between the two and now they have revealed their most significant partnership to date. Is an acquisition happening in the coming years? If not, what are the bare minimum expectations from such a partnership? With ...

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 40: SEGA Has Entered A New Partnership With Xbox (Video)

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Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 40: SEGA Has Entered A New Partnership With Xbox

Late at night, SEGA and Xbox announced a new strategic alliance! What are the deets and how does this impact the future of their relationship? The Dukes dial in.

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 134: Deathloop Spoilercast and Review Discussion (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 134: Deathloop Spoilercast and Review Discussion

After countless teasers, State of Play presentations, trailers, and previews, Deathloop is finally here. While the marketing was arguably a bit oversaturated by the time it was released, Deathloop still had many players in anticipation due to the studio behind it. Since 2012 with the release of Dishonored, Arkane has risen to become a fan favorite studio, with to its dedication to immersive sim gameplay. Despite titles like Dishonored 2 and Prey releasing to critical and fan acclaim, both unf...

KnockBack, Episode 195: Poltergeist (Video)

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KnockBack, Episode 195: Poltergeist

1982's Poltergeist is a fascinating film to examine. It's a Steven Spielberg horror production that also wasn't, a movie with what was essentially a 'shadow director,' allowing Spielberg to navigate around contractual issues with ET, which he (also) directed, and which came to theaters at nearly the same time. But production curiosities aside, Poltergeist is akin to the collision of two Spielberg pictures -- Jaws and The Goonies -- a sometimes dire and scary while at other times upbeat a...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 133: Konami's Many Possibilities

Over in Japan, Konami is holding a tantalizing contest: Developers can choose from select Konami IP and pitch the publisher on new projects, with potential funding waiting for them on the other side. This raises tantalizing possibilities for the dormant Japanese powerhouse, since they happen to own some of gaming's most beloved licenses, and today's + is dedicated to the what-ifs. Joining me (Colin!) is Ains Bowden, founder and EIC of Seasoned Gaming and a very experienced old-school gam...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 133: Konami's Many Possibilities (Video)

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Sacred Symbols, Episode 174: Running Up the Score (Video)

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Sacred Symbols, Episode 174: Running Up the Score

While there's no doubt Microsoft's Xbox Series X is doing great, there's also no doubt that Sony's PlayStation 5 is doing even better. Markedly so. Microsoft stubbornly refuses to publicly state how many consoles it has sold, but we now know that Sony has surpassed 13 million in less than a year, almost certainly beginning to put some distance between PS5 and XSX. Let's discuss what these new sales figures mean, and whether inertia might be turning into new momentum. Also: Guerrilla is hiring...

Defining Duke, Episode 43: Our Extended Thoughts On Halo Infinite's Campaign Re-Reveal (Video)

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Defining Duke, Episode 43: Our Extended Thoughts On Halo Infinite's Campaign Re-Reveal

Finally! After a year and change, Halo Infinite's campaign has been shown off again. We see a familiar open world structure and with that comes the fear that Ubisoft has placed in many of us. What do Matty & Cog feel about all that has changed between August 2020 and now? As of late, it isn't an episode of Defining Duke without a noteworthy leak and, again, we have both Jez Corden and Jeff Grubb to thank for that. It comes in the forms of details on both Project Shaolin and Project Belfry...

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 39: Ask Cog

Duke Cognito returns for his 2nd mailbag for Defining Duke Ultimate! What does the "gaming ninja" recommend for those new to the Xbox ecosystem? Which Xbox Partnerships does he want to see? Why is fitness and mental health so important to him? All that and more in this episode!

Defining Duke Ultimate, Episode 39: Ask Cog (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 132: The Potential of Artificial Intelligence (Video)

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Sacred Symbols+, Episode 132: The Potential of Artificial Intelligence

Please welcome Kirill Demochkin to the show. Kirill works on content generation and photo editing at Samsung's AI Center in Moscow, and he's come to Sacred Symbols+ to talk about some of the many ways artificial intelligence is infiltrating gaming. There's generative text, of course, and lip syncing, too. (Did you know Horizon's lip syncing was done by AI?) There's dynamic lighting and ray tracing, single player design assisted by deep learning, online matchmaking, difficulty settings an...

KnockBack, Episode 194 | Battlestar Galactica (Season 3) (Video)

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KnockBack, Episode 194 | Battlestar Galactica (Season 3)

Our return to Battlestar Galactica brings us to what many consider the show's weakest season, and that's certainly a valid perspective. But the reality is that, while season three took some weird turns and bottlenecked the show with some frustrating one-offs that felt more procedural and drama, it's still full of emotional moments, excellent acting, and a continuation of a core plot that finds our fledgling band of human survivors still seeking Earth, fleeing from their Cylon pursuers who are...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 131: Meet Micah

Hey everyone, Mama Micah here! As the coordinator for Last Stand Media, I'm usually behind the scenes (and haunting the LSM Discord). In the coming weeks though, you'll be seeing me a bit more for upcoming spoilercasts and such. I thought it would be cool if the listeners could have a better idea of who Mama Micah is, before I start infiltrating your favorite podcast. In this Q&A we'll talk about my most loved games and consoles, and what it's like living with Mr. Moriarty himself. So wet...

Sacred Symbols+, Episode 131: Meet Micah (Video)

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