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Episode 66: How A Daytrader Reddit War Made GameStop the Biggest News of the Week (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Release Date: 01/23/2021

Episode 101: How to Destroy Your Studio’s Reputation With One Tweet (News Show) show art Episode 101: How to Destroy Your Studio’s Reputation With One Tweet (News Show)

Virtual Economy

On this week’s show: Tripwire Interactive CEO tanks his studio’s reputation with a single tweet before showing himself the door, Epic vs Apple is over (and Apple mostly won), Twitch sues hate raiders as it scrambles to do evidence it’s doing anything to stop harassment on its platform, Paradox employees speak out against toxicity, and more.

info_outline Episode 100: We Did Not Make an NFT of This Show (News Show) show art Episode 100: We Did Not Make an NFT of This Show (News Show)

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It’s our 100th episode! Thank you to everyone who has listened and supported us! This week: The graded collectible game bubble, the scar of Cyberpunk 2077’s failed launch, China’s tightened youth gaming restrictions, and more.

info_outline Episode 99: Maybe Don’t Abuse Steam’s Refund System (News Show) show art Episode 99: Maybe Don’t Abuse Steam’s Refund System (News Show)

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Steam’s refund policy is great… until people start abusing it and hurting small developers. Also: EA offers up accessibility patents for free, Apple does the bare minimum to ward off lawsuits, and Unity employees take a stand.

info_outline Bonus: #TwitchDoBetter with RekItRaven show art Bonus: #TwitchDoBetter with RekItRaven

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Twitch is failing marginalized creators as instances of hate raids, harassment, and virulent toxicity have spiked on the platform. Content creator and #TwitchDoBetter originator RekItRaven joins us to discuss.

info_outline Episode 98: Fighting For the Little Guy… By Stealing Their Ideas (News Show) show art Episode 98: Fighting For the Little Guy… By Stealing Their Ideas (News Show)

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Epic Games is under fire for wholesale copying Innersloth’s Among Us for a new Fortnite Mode. Also: the latest on Activision Blizzard, earnings updates (Starbreeze, Remedy, Paradox, Unity, Roblox, Embracer Group), NPD, and more.

info_outline Bonus: Raw Fury’s Future with Jonas Antonsson show art Bonus: Raw Fury’s Future with Jonas Antonsson

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Raw Fury has agreed to a majority acquisition by Swedish investment group Altor. We spoke with Raw Fury founder Jonas Antonsson about the publisher’s growth, its path to acquisition, and how funding will accelerate new projects.

info_outline Episode 97: What Goes Up… (Earnings Show) show art Episode 97: What Goes Up… (Earnings Show)

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The pandemic isn’t over, but as the world starts to reopen, gaming revenue starts to settle into a new normal. We discuss Take-Two, Nintendo, Sony, EA, Zynga, Sega, and Square Enix.

info_outline Episode 96: How Not to Fire 150 People (News Show) show art Episode 96: How Not to Fire 150 People (News Show)

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Xsolla decided it would be a great idea to fire 150 people via email, publicly shame them, and then threaten its remaining staff. Also: the latest on Activision Blizzard, why indies aren’t immune from toxic environments, and more.

info_outline Episode 95: Activision Blizzard Leadership Has Failed (News Show) show art Episode 95: Activision Blizzard Leadership Has Failed (News Show)

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Activision Blizzard leadership continues to fail in its response to the California DFEH lawsuit and its own employees. Ubisoft employees are renewing their demands for change and a seat at the table. Also: Microsoft and Capcom earnings.

info_outline Episode 94: The State of California v Activision Blizzard (News Show) show art Episode 94: The State of California v Activision Blizzard (News Show)

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Activision Blizzard has perpetuated a culture of sexual harassment and pay discrimination for years, according to a lawsuit filed by the State of California. The company can’t seem to decide how to publicly handle the suit, either.

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More Episodes

GameStop stock jumped 80% as Redditors threw down with a short-seller analyst firm. We also discuss the Xbox Live price hike, Vicarious Visions’ new home at Blizzard, the EU fining Valve and five publishers, and more.

TIME STAMPS

  • [00:01:37] - MGI purchases KingsIsle Entertainment
  • [00:08:53] - Opera purchases YoYo Games
  • [00:14:05] - Team17 acquires Blacklight Interactive
  • [00:17:01] - Tencent makes significant investment in Klei
  • [00:20:59] - Steam, five publishers fined by EU for geoblocking
  • [00:31:14] - Quick Hits
  • [00:45:55] - Listener Question from Pauleto G
  • [01:00:16] - Resident Evil Showcase
  • [01:13:33] - Vicarious Visions folded into Activision Blizzard
  • [01:19:50] - CD Projekt facing a second investor lawsuit
  • [01:23:15] - Microsoft faces backlash over (and swiftly retracts) Xbox Live price hike
  • [01:35:54] - GameStop’s wacky week and short squeezin’
  •  

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