Libsyn Directory

Episode 150: Square Enix Says No Flippin’ Thanks to its Web3 CEO (News Show)

Release Date: 03/17/2023

Episode 191: Who Can Even Afford to Be a Gamer Anymore? (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Microsoft is jacking prices on hardware, software, and peripherals. With costs going up while interest in Microsoft’s offerings declining, we have to wonder if Microsoft is applying pressure to push Game Pass. Also: Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for March 2025, Apple scores an own-goal and pisses off the Court, the tabletop industry is in freefall, and EA lays off another 300 to 400 people. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:1:31] - GTA 6 Delay [00:12:06] - Circana for March 2025 [00:17:43] - Devolver Digital Investor...

Episode 190: Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show)

Virtual Economy

The original Nintendo Switch launched at $300 USD. The Switch 2 price was absent from the huge Nintendo Direct, only to be quietly revealed at $450. As for game prices, Mario Kart World is a whopping $80. Costs are on the rise, and the latest tariffs have spiked the price of accessories. So… where do we go from here? Also… Ubisoft slices off its most profitable franchises, lots of layoffs, and a huge game publisher strike. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:53] - Nintendo Switch 2 and The Return of Paul Rudd, Gamer Dude [00:43:22]...

Episode 189: WB’s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Warner Bros. continues to chip away at its infrastructure and consumer confidence with the closure of three more studios. Also: Circana reports for Jan and Feb, a recap of GDC and developers’ feelings about the industry, a curious period for investments, a new union looks to cover the entire industry, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:00] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2025 [00:11:59] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2025 [00:21:39] - GDC 2025 Recap [00:54:29] -...

Episode 188: We’re Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Despite mounting evidence that Games as a Service are struggling, executives continue to go back to that empty well. Also: A ton of earnings reports (Nintendo, EA, Paradox, Square Enix, Sega, Ubisoft, Remedy, Embracer Group, and Sony), the labor picture worsens, and Niantic may be exiting the gaming space. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:58] - Nintendo Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:16:07] - EA Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:30:18] - Paradox FY24 Earnings [00:34:40] - Take Two Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:36:46] - Square Enix Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:40:17] -...

Episode 187: When A Publisher Won’t Use the Word ‘Layoff’ (News Show)

Virtual Economy

There are few things worse than yet another company laying people off… and EA has committed the sin of obfuscating job losses. Also: Earnings season is underway, the Circana report for December 2024 and the full year, a recap of the GDC State of the Industry report, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:49] - EA Takes a Tumble [00:12:58] - Microsoft Q2 FY25 Earnings [00:19:38] - Capcom Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:25:39] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for December 2024 and Full Year 2024 [00:35:25] - Learnings from the...

Episode 186: Unalive Service (Season Premiere - News Show)

Virtual Economy

The year has begun, and the industry is already off to an intense start. On this episode, we discuss the business decisions behind the Switch 2’s departure from “Weird Nintendo,” Ubisoft’s precarious position, the U.S. ruffling Tencent’s feathers, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s move to regulate premium game currency. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:27] - The Switch 2 has finally been announced [00:19:11] - The United States labels Tencent a military asset [00:22:16] - The U.S. Consumer Financial...

Episode 185: Survive Through ‘25 (News Show)

Virtual Economy

34,000. That’s how many jobs have been lost in our industry since the start of 2022. We recap the year, discuss PAX Unplugged and The Game Awards, and look ahead at what to expect in 2025. We did a deep dive on tabletop card game trends and the looming tariffs for all of our fellow tabletop gaming nerds, too! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:05:17] - Reflecting on PAX Unplugged 2024 [00:27:44] - Our Time at the TGAs [00:32:54] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for November 2024 [00:39:23] - Gamestop Q3 FY24 Earnings...

Episode 184: Call of Duty Saves the Month… On PlayStation (News Show)

Virtual Economy

We now know that Microsoft wasn’t kidding when they said they had no intention of pulling Call of Duty from PlayStation. Whether the Game Pass Gambit pays off or not, Black Ops 6 is selling great on Sony’s console. Also: the rest of the Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for October, a pair of Mass Effect alums run into funding trouble, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:] - Ubisoft Shutters Three Studios and Ends XDefiant Development [00:] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for October 2024 [00:] -...

Episode 183: The Cold Embrace(r) (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Another bad quarter for Embracer could have ripple effects throughout the industry. Also: Sony, Nintendo, Sega, and Square Enix earnings, legal trouble for NetEase executives, a strike at Activision Blizzard, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:12] - Sony Q2 FY25 Earnings [00:08:11] - Nintendo H1 FY25 Earnings [00:23:09] - Sega H1 FY25 Earnings [00:27:17] - Square Enix H1 FY25 Earnings [00:31:18] - Embracer Group Q2 FY25 Earnings [00:34:27] - Investment Interlude [00:35:50] - Quick Hits [00:41:10] - Labor Report [00:46:22] -...

Episode 182: We Carry On… Together (News Show)

Virtual Economy

It’s earnings season, so we’re digging into the numbers to help us understand if “Survive until ‘25” is still realistic or if things are going to remain difficult through next year. Also: Circana report on U.S. video game spending for September 2024, a few bright investment items, and a labor report that still shows bumpy roads ahead. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! This 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...

More Episodes

Square Enix is having a time of it, as its Web3-loving CEO is leaving and Luminous Productions is no more. Also: Ubisoft and Activision messing up labor issues again, and the US is investigating extremism in online games. Also, Manda is going to talk to you about The Lord of the Rings, and Mike will do his best Gollum impression. Maybe.

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

TIME STAMPS

[00:01:04] - Square Enix Needs to Sort Itself Out
[00:05:41] - The US Government Wants to Know About Extremism in Online Games
[00:09:21] - Epic Lays Out Its Plans for the Future of Epic Games Store
[00:13:29] - Investment Interlude
[00:17:04] - Quick Hits
[00:33:06] - Labor Report
[00:42:54] - FAFO!

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