Virtual Economy
Two months after Take-Two said it wasn’t planning layoffs it has… well… by now you know. Also, we’re trying something new and fun with this episode. Join us for a lively discussion about keeping the industry healthy and a deep dive into what the heck differentiates III from AA! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:45] - Discussion Time! (How to build a healthier industry and just what does “indie” mean these days?” [00:23:49] - Investment Interlude [00:34:19] - Quick Hits [00:41:01] - Labor Report SOURCES ...
info_outline Episode 170: Embracer Group Fire Sale Burns Labor (News Show)Virtual Economy
We’ve come full circle. Embracer Group just took a massive loss to get some much-needed cash in hopes of filling a seemingly bottomless hole of debt. Saber is gone. Zen is gone. 4A is gone. Gearbox is gone. Also, SAG-AFTRA may strike against video game companies, some new studios are popping up, but many others are still laying off and closing. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:30] - GDC and PAX East Recap [00:11:27] - Gaming Safety Coalition [00:14:53] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2024 [00:29:57] -...
info_outline Episode 169: The AAA Video Game Industry is in Freefall (News Show)Virtual Economy
Triple-A game development as we know it is unsustainable. It doesn't matter if a game succeeds or fails, the corporate machine is grinding developers up and spitting them out by the thousands. Things need to change. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase ! TIME STAMPS [00:01:29] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2024 [00:07:04] - Investment Interlude [00:18:43] - Quick Hits [00:21:25] - Labor Report [00:43:33] - FAFO! SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
info_outline Episode 168: Switch 2 Switcharoo Could Thwart 2024 Recovery Hopes (News Show)Virtual Economy
The console market is going through major changes as hardware prices stay high and first party needs to pivot audience strategy. Nintendo may be struggling to find a break-even for its Switch successor, prompting a later release than we anticipated. Also: Embracer Group woes continue, Hasbro loses a ton. This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and boost your immune system. You can get 20% off your order of Magic Mind at using the code VirtualEconomy20. You can support Virtual Economy’s...
info_outline Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)Virtual Economy
Microsoft’s layoffs have sent the FTC into a tizzy, adding fuel to the ongoing fire. Also: It’s earnings season, with EA, Microsoft, Capcom, Nintendo, Square Enix, Paradox, Take-Two, Sega, and Meta reporting. We also cover the latest in the layoff storm that continues to drown the industry and Disney’s $1.5B investment in Epic. This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and boost your immune system. You can get 20% off your order of Magic Mind at using the code VirtualEconomy20. You can...
info_outline Episode 166: We Were Wrong About Microsoft and Activision (News Show)Virtual Economy
In the wake of 2020’s bombshell revelations about Activision’s miserable culture and history of defending sexual abusers, we hoped that Microsoft would be a better steward for the company’s 13,000 employees. With 1,900 laid off post-acquisition, we are disappointed and saddened at how wrong we were. This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and boost your immune system. You can get 20% off your order of Magic Mind at using the code VirtualEconomy20. You can support Virtual Economy’s...
info_outline Episode 165: So… 2024, Huh? (News Show)Virtual Economy
It’s been less than one month, and the industry has already suffered more than 3,500 lost jobs. Also: The Circana report for December 2023 and the full year, a few investments, and a discussion about some challenging changes to the U.S. tax code. Oh, and a bit about that weird Palworld game. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:11:08] - Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for December and Full Year 2023 [00:27:19] - Investment Interlude [00:34:06] - Quick Hits [01:00:58] - Labor Report SOURCES INVESTMENT...
info_outline Episode 164: The Game Awards Needs to Change (Season Finale)Virtual Economy
It’s been a hard year, folks. As we say goodbye to 2023 and turn our attention to a (hopefully) brighter 2024, we’re recapping recent gaming events, November’s Circana report, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:17] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for November 2023 [00:09:11] - GameStop Earnings for Q3 2023 [00:13:28] - What’s Going on in China? [00:19:37] - Twitch: Closing Up Shop in S. Korea, Sexual Content Policy [00:25:10] - Investment Interlude [00:25:59] - Quick Hits [00:27:26] - Labor Report...
info_outline Episode 163: Embracer Group Claims Layoffs are How “We Will Win” (News Show)Virtual Economy
Embracer Group gorged itself during the pandemic when debt was cheap. Now, it’s scrambling to lay off hundreds of people to “win.” Also, Circana report for October, Epic wins against Google, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:04:03] - Embracer Group Q2 Earnings [00:20:32] - Starbreeze Q3 Earnings [00:24:59] - Epic wins in court against Google [00:27:27] - Circana U.S. Video Game Spending Report for October 2023 [00:33:18] - Investment Interlude [00:45:08] - Quick Hits [01:11:01] - Labor Report SOURCES ...
info_outline Episode 162: The Stark Contrast Between Positive Earnings and Gruesome Layoffs (News Show)Virtual Economy
We’re in the thick of earnings season, and it’s hard to swallow positive financial news amid an avalanche of heartbreak labor stories. On this week’s show: Sony EA, Nintendo, Take-Two, Remedy, Sega, and Square Enix earnings. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:35] - Sony Earnings for Q2 FY2023 [00:08:50] - EA Earnings for Q2 FY2024 [00:17:00] - Nintendo Earnings for Q2 FY2024 [00:27:08] - Take-Two Earnings for Q2 FY2024 [00:29:00] - Remedy Earnings for Q3 FY2023 [00:31:02] - Sega Earnings for Q2 FY2024 [00:34:32] - Square Enix...
info_outline2K has signaled that game prices are going up in the new generation while also saying “no” to Smart Delivery and pricing its cross-gen version of NBA 2K21 at $100. Other topics include: Niantic’s team-up with Sleep No More creator Punchdrunk, the UN-release of Amazon Game Studio’s Crucible, an Xbox Game Pass success story, and more.
Content Warning: Discussion of sexual abuse and assault begins at 45:00 and ends at 1:04.
- Note: According to an update to Kotaku’s June 2 report on Ubisoft that was updated following the recording of this show, Ubisoft’s Maxime Beland has resigned from the company. Tommy Francois has been placed on disciplinary leave. Another unnamed employee has been terminated from Ubisoft’s Toronto studio. (https://kotaku.com/head-of-ubisoft-announces-plans-to-shakeup-the-company-1844252024)
- Mike Rose (@RaveofRavendale) on Game Pass and Descenders success: https://twitter.com/RaveofRavendale/status/1277626877780332544?s=20
- Niantic teams up with Sleep No More creators for new projects (Polygon): https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/30/21308049/niantic-punchdrunk-ar-immersive-theater-partnership
- Starbreeze seeks $26m to fund ongoing development of Payday 3 (GamesIndustry): https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-06-30-starbreeze-seeks-USD26m-to-fund-ongoing-development-of-payday-3
- Paradox Interactive Acquires Paris-based Playrion Game Studio: https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/en/paradox-interactive-acquires-paris-based-playrion-game-studio/
- PlayStation Indies: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/indies/
- Change Starts Today (Ubisoft): https://news.ubisoft.com/en-us/article/7yV2TRI9Zj3G545bnoc3ub/change-starts-today
- Evo Online canceled after co-founder accused of sexual misconduct (The Verge): https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/3/21312385/evo-online-cancelled-sexual-misconduct-allegations
- Several Smash Bros Pros Accused of Sexual Assault and Pedophilia: https://screenrant.com/smash-bros-pros-accused-sexual-assault-pedophilia/
- Your Place to Talk (Discord): https://blog.discord.com/your-place-to-talk-a7ffa19b901b
- Amazon is yanking struggling free-to-play shooter Crucible back into closed beta (Eurogamer): https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-06-30-amazon-is-yanking-struggling-free-to-play-shooter-crucible-back-into-closed-beta
- Fortnite Save the World Update | State of Development: https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/fortnite-save-the-world-update-state-of-development
- Nintendo Scraps the Sale of Digital Game Download Codes at European Retailers (NintendoLife): https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/06/nintendo_scraps_the_sale_of_digital_game_download_codes_at_european_retailers
- Kongregate no longer accepting new titles, undergoing layoffs (GamesIndustry): https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-01-kongregate-no-longer-accepting-new-titles-undergoing-layoffs
- Meghna Jayanth: https://twitter.com/betterthemask