Libsyn Directory

Episode 106: Activision Blizzard Can’t Slip the Hook (News Show)

Release Date: 10/26/2021

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] -...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Episode 161: Phil Spencer is Bobby Kotick’s Daddy Now (News Show)

Virtual Economy

With Microsoft’s Activision acquisition closed, the Xbox leadership team has reorganized in some unexpected ways. Also: Microsoft and Capcom earnings, more layoffs, Paradox says goodbye to Harebrained Schemes, Unity boots John Riccitiello, and we have the latest Circana report on U.S. Game spending. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:49] - Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for September 2023 [00:17:47] - Unity gives John Riccitiello the boot [00:24:16] - Microsoft Q1 FY24 Earnings [00:36:51] - Capcom Q2 FY24 Earnings...

More Episodes

Activision Blizzard has tried and failed to pause the lawsuit brought by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Also: NPD acquired, death threats hit Abandoned dev Blue Box, Microsoft still hungry for more acquisitions, and Unity makes moves.

You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!

TIME STAMPS

[00:02:08] - Unity launches multiplayer service suite
[00:11:57] - Valve learns from Steam Machines mistakes
[00:22:35] - Abandoned dev Blue Box facing death threats
[00:31:58] - Investment Interlude
[00:53:14] - Quick Hits
[01:14:52] - NPD for September 2021
[01:22:00] - Activision Blizzard tries, fails to dodge lawsuit

SOURCES

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

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