Sacred Symbols+, Episode 429 | Colin Mailbag: On Last Stand, The Games Industry, Music, Sports, and More
Added 2025-01-04 17:00:03 +0000 UTCHappy Holidays, and welcome to a mailbag episode of Sacred+. It's me, Colin. This go-around, we solicited inquiries from the audience as usual, but I wanted to focus on mostly (though not entirely) off-topic fare. So here are 22 questions -- fully answered! -- on topics like how the company is doing and what the future holds, as well as brief ventures into games on issues like leaking, layoffs, and reviews. But we also spend time on my beloved Jets and Islanders, the Southern Man and Fantasy Slop voices, 311, Limp Bizkit, and nu-metal, my Boston Terriers, book recommendations, and more. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and be well. See you in '25.
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Intro
0:02:40 - What kind of AAA game would Lillymo want to make?
0:08:46 - What role does writing currently play in my life?
0:14:13 - How does Last Stand's in-house merch operation work?
0:20:07 - What are my thoughts on Brad's first year with LSM?
0:23:10 - What's the most valuable lesson I've learned as a leader?
0:28:00 - How has social media worked (or not) for LSM?
0:34:04 - Why don't I listen to more new music?
0:39:32 - What's the best Limp Bizkit record?
0:42:05 - What are the best three 311 records?
0:48:21 - How do I feel about the re-recording of Incubus' Morning View record?
0:52:05 - Where do the New York Jets go from here?
1:01:59 - How would I assess the New York Islanders' season so far?
1:05:41 - What are my thoughts about basketball?
1:08:54 - How do I navigate interviews where there are things that cannot be asked?
1:12:27 - Why don't I like receiving media recommendations?
1:15:19 - Is the games industry unsustainable as it's currently modeled?
1:21:47 - What would happen if the Southern Man met the Fantasy Slop Guy?
1:22:41 - Why don't critics adhere to stricter scoring rubrics?
1:26:50 - How are Rush and Treble doing, and what are they like?
1:33:12 - Why do people leak information to me?
1:35:32 - Have I read any good books lately?
1:38:17 - How do I feel about recent feedback concerning Constellation?
Comments
Constellation is absolutely worse with three people. I did a poll on reddit. 112 for four guests, 44 for three.
Steve Bitto
2025-01-10 13:37:44 +0000 UTCColin has the shiesty on
Nick Pacheco
2025-01-09 16:39:19 +0000 UTCThe irony of “new music sucks” and then immediately moving into how good Limp Bizkit is lmao. Love it.
Tyler
2025-01-08 21:15:21 +0000 UTCRegular listeners 2 cents on the whole Constellation thing, I think the secret sauce for me was having Colin and Dagan together mixing with other members of LSM, you two are a scream when you’re together and when you were throwing one or two more people into the mix it made for some good podcasting, obviously not realistic as you’re both super busy but it’d be nice to see more of you two together in the next year
Daddy T
2025-01-08 16:36:22 +0000 UTCMy biggest problem with const is honestly that half the cast are rather dull on it, no offense. Main ones that get me excited are Colin, Jaffe and Gene. Also love Brad, but mainly only when he's discussing games.
Bailey Callis
2025-01-08 02:09:32 +0000 UTCPersonally, I liked having Constellation be four as it often brought another opinion or perspective on each topic. Even if it meant lowering the number of topics per show to shorten runtimes, it’d continue to provide more viewpoints since the topics are usually not repeated.
Andrew Long
2025-01-07 22:38:46 +0000 UTCConstellation has been too long and needs to be tighter I definitely agree. Fully support the change!
JustInsane
2025-01-07 17:02:03 +0000 UTCbig brrr
Jonathan Turner
2025-01-07 16:33:38 +0000 UTCI have enjoyed the change to three people. The conversation seems to flow better and the length is much more digestible. I like constellation but it was getting too long to keep up with.
Dave A.
2025-01-07 08:40:23 +0000 UTCRick Beato is just an old man yelling at the clouds, 2024 was a FANTASTIC year for new music! Especially hip hop.
Chris saying 'Yeah, I don't know' 1000 times per episode
2025-01-06 05:49:03 +0000 UTCSince you like 80s electronic new wave music, I would recommend checking out Skinty Fia by Fontaines D.C. As someone whose all time favorite band is Depeche Mode, this album really scratched a similar itch for me and revitalized my enjoyment of listening to new music again.
Haru Discourse
2025-01-06 02:17:57 +0000 UTCOmg I COMPLETELY agree with the Incubus re-record of morning view. It’s terrible. I was so excited to listen to it and I feel like they ruined every single song. I never want to listen to it again. Incubus is also coming to LA (where I live) this coming weekend, and this album scared me off from seeing them live and ruining my good memories. Btw saw 311 a few months ago just north of LA, and they still rock! Was so much fun.
MollyMog
2025-01-06 00:36:40 +0000 UTCJust want to point out that the exact same thing you said would happen to the Jets is currently happening, they’re about to pick in the back end of the top 10 lmao
RoughSlpr
2025-01-05 23:33:33 +0000 UTCI think people are being dramatic about the 4 person/3 person change. But, I will say I think the minor difference for me is more about 4 topics going down to 3 topics. Not so much the number of people. With 4 topics it’s just better chance that a topic will be there that makes me more excited to listen to the episode. Many times during the 4 person run it would be mainly 1 topic that intrigued me the most. Now I’d listen to the whole show, and many times I’d enjoy the other topics. But just first instinct it’s usually only 1 maybe 2 topic that catches my eye. So maybe there is a middle ground there? Maybe have 4 topics even when there is only 3 people? Just another way to look at the situation, look at it as number of topics not number of people.
Zack E
2025-01-05 19:14:10 +0000 UTCColin is 100% right, constellation runs too long and it’s the topics and convo, not the amount of people. 4 is too much, 3 is the sweet spot
The Rose Experience
2025-01-05 19:11:28 +0000 UTCI see your 4 people stelly and remove 1 😂
Cami Black
2025-01-05 15:24:44 +0000 UTCI tip my hat to Colin’s continued support of the Jets, I doubt I would be able to endure that Sisyphean task
Jason H
2025-01-05 14:48:35 +0000 UTC4 People Stelly tho 😉
NeO JD
2025-01-05 14:23:56 +0000 UTCHas the radio ever really been GREAT? I remember hearing trash on the radio in the early 2000s 🤣. You can literally pick any song you love on Spotify/Apple Music and hit “make me a playlist” and they’ll find you more songs similar to that one. You’ll find plenty of hidden gems man!
Diddy’s Dong Quest
2025-01-05 13:45:40 +0000 UTC3 people stelly unite
Cami Black
2025-01-05 11:06:45 +0000 UTCGreat stuff
Robbie Agnew
2025-01-04 23:42:05 +0000 UTCThe thumbnail LOL
The Devmeister
2025-01-04 21:34:15 +0000 UTCThere’s just so much good music in the indie scene. It’s not about what you hear on the radio!
Lemonworld
2025-01-04 21:02:00 +0000 UTCYeah, I think I was someone who commented about Constellation before as I did like the 4 person setup, but as Colin mentioned, it definitely isn't the heart of the show. Though it was just certain group combos I thought were great with four people, and think that gives it more of a 'family' kinda vibe. Hasn't stopped me listening though, I always check it out weekly for the rotating cast and it's still a favourite. Plus, what Colin said about how it'll work in 2025 I think is cool. I wanna say that a lot of ppl underestimate how much work it is to put everything together with no breaks, and I probably make the same mistake sometimes too. Like, having no breaks over the holidays is so nice.
JoshM
2025-01-04 20:20:38 +0000 UTCColin listen to your Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify. It'll help you find new music that fits your taste. I listen to mine religiously every week and have found tons of great music new and old. Also, Rick Beato has said there's more great music now than ever before. It's just a matter of finding it
Jake Z
2025-01-04 20:16:42 +0000 UTCLFG SPORTS TALK!
Carter Ellis
2025-01-04 20:15:59 +0000 UTCColin if you like 80s synthwave pop you should listen to The Weeknd’s newer music. Especially albums like Starboy, After Hours and Dawn Fm. His albums are cohesive and production is on the highest level.
Shawn Kelvey Jr
2025-01-04 19:36:17 +0000 UTCTwo things. 1. Rough feeling when I agree that top 40 music is ass, but then Colin is like, “rap rock and nu metal tho” lmao 2. IMO a lot of the push back on Stelly is simply equating longer shows to more value. I try to really focus in on the quality of the conversation, which I feel is generally improved with a smaller group, but I can tell there are a lot of people who just want familiar voices in their ears for longer. I get it. I have rough days too where I wanna take my mind off stuff. Anyway, great episode (spaced out for the sports bloc though)
Na’vi R and B singer, Mary J. Bligger
2025-01-04 19:29:42 +0000 UTCU wearing a shiesty in the thumbnail?
Brenden
2025-01-04 17:43:07 +0000 UTC“Autistic and Afraid” type thumbnail
Na’vi R and B singer, Mary J. Bligger
2025-01-04 17:21:12 +0000 UTC
