Episode 156: Xbox Live is Dead, Long Live Xbox Game Pass (News Show)
Release Date: 07/22/2023
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_outline 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 ...
info_outlineThe FTC is down for the count after losing in court and seeing an emergency injunction denied. We discuss where things go from here as the UK CMA stands alone. Also, a bunch of new studios were announced, Bungie wins a big victory against a toxic troll, and Xbox works to make it harder for harassers online.
You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
TIME STAMPS
- [00:02:52] - Pathfinder Open Gaming License
- [00:09:39] - New Xbox Voice Reporting Feature
- [00:13:14] - Xbox Live is Dead, Here Comes Game Pass Core
- [00:19:14] - Investment Interlude
- [00:32:21] - Activision Blizzard FTC
- [00:45:54] - Quick Hits
- [00:48:19] - Labor Report
- [00:57:12] - FAFO x2
- [01:06:59] - Listener Questions
SOURCES
- The creators of Pathfinder have released their own version of D&D's controversial OGL—and it could have a huge impact on all tabletop RPGs | PC Gamer
- paizo.com - Community | Paizo Blog
- Xbox Launches New Voice Reporting Feature | Xbox Wire
- Introducing Xbox Game Pass Core, Coming This September | Xbox Wire
- Sega of America workers win union vote | Polygon
- Pokémon Go creator Niantic accused of ‘systemic sexual bias’ in lawsuit | The Verge
- Splash Damage transitions to 4-day work weeks | Game Developer
- Yuji Naka gets a $1.2 million fine and a suspended prison sentence for insider trading | VGC
- Justice served: Destiny 2 harasser forced to pay Bungie nearly $500,000 in damages | Windows Central
- Bungie, Inc v Jesse James Comer - Default Judgment and Order | Superior Court of the State of Washington
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- CORSAIR TO ACQUIRE DROP ASSETS; FURTHER EXPAND PERIPHERALS BUSINESS | Corsair
- Cloud Imperium Group Acquires Turbulent | CIG
- Lightspeed Studios acquires Destruction AllStars dev Lucid Games | Game Developer
- Tencent invests in new triple-A studio from Playground Games co-founder | Eurogamer
- Meet Cliffhanger Games | EA
- Canada’s Behaviour Interactive opens new UK studio | Behaviour
- People Can Fly Opens a Montreal Location | People Can Fly on LinkedIn
- Q-Games alumni form Denkiworks | GamesIndustry
- Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard | The Verge
- Preliminary Injunction Opinion | United States District Court, Northern District of California
- FTC is appealing ruling that cleared Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard | The Verge
- Court denies FTC’s last-ditch attempt to stop Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard | The Verge
- Microsoft to modify Activision Blizzard acquisition to address CMA concerns | GamesIndustry
- The Trade Desk, Inc. to Join the Nasdaq-100 Index Beginning July 17th, 2023 | NASDAQ
- Microsoft's Activision Blizzard merger approved in South Africa | Game Developer