Virtual Economy
Sony dug a giant hole and dumped all the Helldivers 2 goodwill into the pit (while cutting off 177 countries). Microsoft lit itself on fire and burned player sentiment to the ground. Good times. Also: Take-Two layoffs target a BAFTA winner, Unity has a new CEO with a massive compensation package, the Circana report for March, and earnings, earnings, earnings. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:56] - Unity’s New CEO [00:13:42] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for March 2024 [00:25:08] - Investment Interlude...
info_outline Episode 172: Embracer Group Crumbles… And Friends (News Show)Virtual Economy
The Embracer Group name is going away, splitting its mega-conglomerate into three in an attempt to move on from its destructive legacy. But with Lars Wingefors sticking around to lead the holding company, our expectations are tempered. Also: Meta loses billions more as it tries to become the Windows of MR and earnings season is here! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:54] - Embracer Group Splits Into Three Pieces [00:32:32] - Meta MR Losses Mount [00:42:03] - Paradox Q1 FY24 Earnings [00:44:16] - Microsoft Q3 FY24 Earnings [00:49:10]...
info_outline Episode 171: Why Layoffs? Because Everyone Else is Doing It! (News Show)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_outlineWith the pandemic still hanging on, a new report corroborates and expands on news we broke in December: E3 is going digital (and it won’t be cheap). Also: EA buys Glu Mobile, Epic scores Kingdom Hearts, CD Projekt hit with a ransomware attack, NPD for January 2021, and more.
TIME STAMPS
- [00:01:07] - Skybound is partnering with Striking Distance Studios
- [00:07:02] - After being locked out of Google accounts, Terraria dev cancels Stadia port
- [00:16:07] - Epic Games settles with teen cheater and EGS news
- [00:22:25] - CD Projekt ransomware attack
- [00:28:54] - Quick Hits
- [00:40:41] - SAG-AFTRA approves influencer contract
- [00:45:43] - Riot sued over CEO’s alleged misconduct and harassment
- [00:50:42] - EA purchases Glu to bolster mobile portfolio and talent
- [00:54:17] - NPD Report for January 2021
- [01:01:29] - E3 is going digital
SOURCES
- Skybound Entertainment Partners With Striking Distance Studios on Upcoming Survival Horror Game The Callisto Protocol: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210209005433/en/
- Andrew Spinks on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Demilogic/status/1358661840402845696?s=20
- Epic Games Ends Fight With Teen Over Fortnite Cheat Codes (Law360): https://www.law360.com/ip/articles/1353296/epic-games-ends-fight-with-teen-over-fortnite-cheat-codes-?nl_pk=73c14053-a66c-4f92-a446-aa4ed6d290d1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ip
- CD Projekt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CDPROJEKTRED/status/1359048125403590660?s=20
- Niantic’s Black Developers Initiative: https://nianticlabs.com/beyond-reality/black-developers-initiative/
- Safe in Our World Community Developer Training: https://forms.monday.com/forms/8aaaa04a6935c351ad15811a818aba26?r=use1
- Riot Games CEO Sued for Sexual Harassment By His Former Assistant (Vice): https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5b3zm/riot-games-ceo-sued-for-sexual-discrimination-by-his-assistant
- Electronic Arts to Acquire Glu Mobile, Creating a New Global Leader in the Largest and Fastest Growing Gaming Segment: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210208005854/en/Electronic-Arts-to-Acquire-Glu-Mobile-Creating-a-New-Global-Leader-in-the-Largest-and-Fastest-Growing-Gaming-Segment
- EA's Andrew Wilson talks about the Glu acquisition (GamesIndustry): https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-02-09-andrew-wilson-glu-interview
- Virtual Economy Episode 61 re E3 2021 digital plans and PAX Online problems: http://virtualeconcast.com/podcast/episode-61-biowares-leadership-shakeup-and-paxs-live-event-optimism-news-show/
- E3 pushes forward with plans for a digital 2021 event (VGC): https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/e3-pushes-forward-with-plans-for-a-digital-2021-event/
- SAG-AFTRA Approves New Influencer Agreement (Backstage): https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/sag-aftra-approves-new-influencer-agreement-72636/