Bonus Episode 9: The State of Indie Publishing with Z from Serenity Forge
Release Date: 10/01/2023
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:] -...
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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] -...
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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...
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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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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 .
info_outlineAt PAX West, we spoke with Serenity Forge founder and CEO Z about the risks, challenges, and opportunities in the indie publishing world. With brutal macroeconomic headwinds and massive consolidation, the pressure is on for small publishers. Find out how Serenity Forge is weathering the storm.