Episode 159: Unity Says, “Nice Game You’ve Got There… It’d be a Shame if Something Happened to It” (News Show)
Release Date: 09/20/2023
Virtual Economy
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info_outline Bonus Episode 10: A Conversation About Unionization with IATSEVirtual 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 .
info_outlineUnity couldn’t have made a bigger mess of its reputation in the game development community. Also: Microsoft’s big leak, GameStop earnings, Circana report for August, SAG-AFTRA fires a shot at video game publishers, and more.
You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
TIME STAMPS
- [00:02:45] - PAX West
- [00:25:15] - GameStop Earnings
- [00:27:50] - Unity’s Foolish Moves
- [00:51:32] - Investment Interlude
- [01:18:59] - Quick Hits
- [01:25:50] - Labor Report
- [01:40:44] - Circana Report on U.S. Consumer Video Game Spending for August 2023
- [01:44:43] - Listener Questions
- [01:49:11] - FAFO
SOURCES
- GameStop Discloses Second Quarter 2023 Results | GameStop
- CHANGES TO UNITY PLANS AND PRICING (September 12, 2023) | Unity
- Volition Announces its Closure | Volition (@DSVolition) on Twitter
- Report: Embracer layoffs impact staff at MX vs ATV developer Rainbow Studios | Game Developer
- Imagendary Studios reportedly lays off majority of staff | GamesIndustry
- Gloria Victis Final Season | Gloria Victis on Steam
- Lego 2K Drive developer Visual Concepts hit with layoffs | Game Developer
- Immortals of Aveum studio lays off nearly half of staff weeks after release | Polygon
- Ascendant Studios CEO Confirms Layoffs | Bret Robbins (@BretRobbins) on Twitter
- Ubisoft is shutting down its London studio | Game Developer
- Ubisoft Montreal in Turmoil Amid What Developers are Calling Broken Promises | IGN
- SAG-AFTRA National Board Votes Unanimously to Send Interactive Media (Video Game) Strike Authorization Vote to Members | SAG-AFTRA
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- Sumo Group acquires mobile game dev studio Midoki | Sumo Group
- SOEDESCO® acquires development studio: Kyodai | Soedesco
- Atari acquires AtariAge | GamesIndustry
- Playtika Holding Corp. Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Innplay Labs | Playtika
- FaZe Clan is flaming out on Nasdaq as Chairman resigns | GamesBeat
- Humble Games interested in studio acquisitions and first-party development | Game Developer
- Carlyle weighs options for 'RuneScape' creator Jagex, sources say | Reuters