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Episode 158: Microsoft, Activision, and Ubisoft are a Thrupple Now (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Release Date: 08/26/2023

Episode 181: Roblox Remains Icky as Heck (News Show) show art Episode 181: Roblox Remains Icky as Heck (News Show)

Virtual Economy

A scathing report from Hindenburg Research surfaces shocking realities about Roblox’s investor relations and massive failures to protect youth on the platform. Also: Circana Report U.S. video game spending for August 2024, Google is now required to make external app stores more viable, and more.  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 one time purchase of Magic Mind or up to...

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Episode 180: Ubisoft in Freefall (News Show) show art Episode 180: Ubisoft in Freefall (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Ubisoft has been under fire since a failed hostile takeover attempt in 2018. Since then, a toxic culture of misogyny and harassment was revealed in 2020 leading to an exodus of talent and a string of underperforming releases. Now, a critical game delay, a board review of operations, and a looming strike in France have tanked the share price as the company is fending off an activist investor bent on forcing the company to eject the Guillemot family and take private equity to save the ailing publisher. Also: Another very bad time for labor, another story reveals a power struggle inside...

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Episode 179: The $700 PS5 Pro Is An Act of Desperation (News Show) show art Episode 179: The $700 PS5 Pro Is An Act of Desperation (News Show)

Virtual Economy

The PlayStation 5 Pro defies all logic, reaching deeper into diehards’ pockets in the worst economy we’ve seen in 15 years. We break down the challenging economics (while also admiring Mark Cerny’s ASMR-style presentation). Also: GameStop earnings tumble, more Microsoft layoffs, Unity reverses a terrible decision, and can AI companies just stop stealing our stuff? 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....

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Episode 178: EA Sports College Football Saves the Month (News Show) show art Episode 178: EA Sports College Football Saves the Month (News Show)

Virtual Economy

We had a hunch that EA Sports College Football was going to be big, and it seems to have single-handedly swung the U.S. video game spending report in a positive direction. Also: Lots of earnings, PS5 price hikes, some acquisitions, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:46] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for July 2024 [00:09:36] - Square Enix Q1 FY25 Earnings [00:16:53] - Nintendo Q1 FY25 Earnings [00:26:38] - Sony Q1 FY25 Earnings [00:36:43] - Remedy Q2 FY24 Earnings [00:44:59] - Sega Q1 FY25 Earnings [00:49:19] -...

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Episode 177: The Last Good Reason for GameStop to Exist is Gone (News Show) show art Episode 177: The Last Good Reason for GameStop to Exist is Gone (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Amidst new allegations of insider training, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen has shuttered Game Informer magazine after 33 years. Also: Earnings time is here, more Bungie layoffs, Netherrealm layoffs, Circana report for June 2024, voice actors on strike, IGN parent Ziff Davis does Humble Games publishing and its partners dirty, and more. 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 one time purchase of Magic Mind or up to 48% off your first subscription...

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Episode 176: Microsoft Holds a Knife to the Golden Game Pass Goose’s Neck (News Show) show art Episode 176: Microsoft Holds a Knife to the Golden Game Pass Goose’s Neck (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Microsoft is making sweeping changes to Game Pass, seemingly to avoid bleeding out on Call of Duty sales. Also: Circana report for May 2024, SAG-AFTRA updates, more Embracer and Paradox cuts, out of control EA executive pay in the face of layoffs, and more. 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 one time purchase of Magic Mind or up to 48% off your first subscription at  using the code VECONOMY20.  You can support Virtual Economy’s growth...

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Bonus Episode 10: A Conversation About Unionization with IATSE show art Bonus Episode 10: A Conversation About Unionization with IATSE

Virtual Economy

With the video game industry in the midst of the worst labor crisis we've ever seen, collective action is crucial. We're joined by Chrissy Fellmeth, Kelly Larkin, and Andrew Buczacki to discuss how the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is supporting labor organization and unionization in the video game industry. Additionally, you can find a transcript of this interview . For more on IATSE, you can visit their , , and  channels. Additionally, you can find more resources at  and the .

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Episode 175: Summer Game Fest Gets Closer to E3 Vibes (News Show) show art Episode 175: Summer Game Fest Gets Closer to E3 Vibes (News Show)

Virtual Economy

E3 might be dead, but its spirit is clinging to life (even if just by sheer will of the industry and the JW Marriott lobby). We discuss the trends and big learnings from the showcases and a quick visit to SGF Play Days. Also: GameStop earnings, Circana report for April 2024, the latest labor report, and more. 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 one time purchase of Magic Mind or up to 48% off your first subscription at  using the code...

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Episode 174: The World’s Oldest Console War is Over (News Show) show art Episode 174: The World’s Oldest Console War is Over (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Atari has finally driven its mortal enemy, Intellivision, and heard the lamentations of its pixels. Also: So. Many. Earnings. We’re covering Sony, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Take-Two, and Embracer. Also, a number of new studios were founded as the labor winter trudges on. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:32] - Sony Q4 and full year FY23 Earnings [00:17:46] - Square Enix Q4 and full year FY24 Earnings [00:25:29] - Ubisoft Q4 and full year FY24 Earnings [00:31:04] - Take-Two Q4 and full year FY24 Earnings [00:42:40] - Embracer Group Q4...

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Episode 173: Sony Didn’t Manage Democracy, Xbox Self-Immolates (News Show) show art Episode 173: Sony Didn’t Manage Democracy, Xbox Self-Immolates (News Show)

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...

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More Episodes

The Microsoft/Activision deal is still alive. And now, Ubisoft has been folded into the conversation with control of cloud streaming rights. Also: Earnings (Square Enix, Sony, Take-Two, Embracer Group), The July 2023 Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending, Xbox’s new moderation system, and a listener question about the Xtra Small Small.

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

 

TIME STAMPS 

  • [00:01:36] - Square Enix Q1 FY24 Earnings

  • [00:07:16] - Take-Two Q1 FY24 Earnings

  • [00:14:51] - Sony Q1 FY24 Earnings

  • [00:18:24] - Embracer Group Q1 FY24 Earnings

  • [00:26:23] - Investment Interlude

  • [00:41:24] - Quick Hits

  • [00:46:17] - Labor Report

  • [00:50:59] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for July 2023

  • [00:54:19] - Xbox’s New Moderation System

  • [00:56:46] - Listener Question

 

SOURCES

 

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE