Libsyn Directory

Episode 93: Steam Deck, SWOLED, and Other Nonsense Words (News Show)

Release Date: 07/18/2021

Episode 102: Activision Blizzard Did a Labor No No… Again (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Activision Blizzard is the subject of employee-driven National Labor Relations Board charges of anti-worker activity. Also: An update on Paradox and its union survey of work conditions in Sweden, NPD for August 2021, and App Annie is slapped with an SEC fine.

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.

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

Virtual Economy

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.

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

Virtual Economy

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.

Bonus: #TwitchDoBetter with RekItRaven

Virtual Economy

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.

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

Virtual Economy

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.

Bonus: Raw Fury’s Future with Jonas Antonsson

Virtual Economy

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.

Episode 97: What Goes Up… (Earnings Show)

Virtual Economy

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.

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

Virtual Economy

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.

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

Virtual Economy

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.

More Episodes

Big deals, new hardware, and a lot of platform chat fill our second episode this weekend. Highlights: Google’s pay-for-play plan, Sony drawing indie ire, Switch OLED, and the “Gabe Gear.”

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TIME STAMPS

[00:01:20] - NPD for June 2021
[00:09:18] - Remedy and 505 renew their deal for more Control games
[00:15:29] - Konami signs development deals with Tencent and Bloober Team
[00:19:39] - Humble confirms permanent shifts to charity “sliders”
[00:26:32] - Stadia shifts partner payments to pay-for-play
[00:38:44] - Indies share grievances with Sony
[00:56:30] - Switch OLED and Steam Deck discussion

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