Episode 202: The Last Gasp of a Brutal Year (Season Finale)
Virtual Economy
2025 has continued the trend of layoffs, consolidation, and privatization. The gulf between AAA and everyone else is widening, as the AI bubble strains before an inevitable burst. With November’s Circana report coming in bleak after months of stronger performance, 2026 will continue to challenge us all. BUT... there is reason to hope. Unions are growing in number and reach and studios doomed by AAA mega-corps are finding a way to survive. We need to stick together to not only survive, but thrive. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS ...
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Episode 201: No Matter Who Buys Warner Bros., We Lose (News Show)
Virtual Economy
Warner Bros. is selling itself like a $1.50 hot dog at Costco, and everyone wants a bite. Before the weekend, Netflix looked like it had a clear path to regulatory review. But now, New Paramount is taking a swing with a hostile takeover. Things are about to get ugly. Regardless of who wins, though, we lose. Consolidation continues and consumers pay the price. Also: Nintendo, Square Enix, Take-Two, Embracer Group, and Sony earnings; Circana’s report on U.S. video game spending for October 2025; and another grim labor report. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also...
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Episode 200: Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show) - Part Two
Virtual Economy
We’re joined by two special guests on this milestone episode. Please welcome Andy Pan (the only person who has previously co-hosted a show with us) and Greg Alderton, Virtual Economy’s lead moderator! With 14,000 people laid off, studios shuttered, and projects abandoned, Amazon seems ready to give up on most or all of its gaming dreams. Also: EA earnings ride off into the sunset, Capcom posts a strong quarter, Remedy’s in trouble, and Microsoft is inscrutable. Also: Sony responds to Tencent’s request to dismiss the Light of Moritram lawsuit, Circana report on U.S. video game spending...
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Episode 200: Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show) - Part One
Virtual Economy
We’re joined by two special guests on this milestone episode. Please welcome Andy Pan (the only person who has previously co-hosted a show with us) and Greg Alderton, Virtual Economy’s lead moderator! With 14,000 people laid off, studios shuttered, and projects abandoned, Amazon seems ready to give up on most or all of its gaming dreams. Also: EA earnings ride off into the sunset, Capcom posts a strong quarter, Remedy’s in trouble, and Microsoft is inscrutable. Also: Sony responds to Tencent’s request to dismiss the Light of Moritram lawsuit, Circana report on U.S. video game spending...
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Episode 199: Game Pass Abdicates ‘Best Value in Gaming’ Throne (News Show)
Virtual Economy
With prices skyrocketing this generation, Microsoft has increased costs on Game Pass’ top tier while cutting offerings on others. We discuss the broader implications as price-sensitive players get boxed out. Also: Unity security alert sends devs scrambling, Tencent fires back at Sony’s Horizon: Zero Dawn lawsuit, and private equity rears its head once more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:40] - Game Pass Price Hike Hits Hard [00:29:53] - Unity Security Flaw Alert [00:32:53] - Tencent Hits back at Sony’s Horizon: Zero Dawn...
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Bonus Episode 12: EA Sells Its Soul (News Show)
Virtual Economy
EA is going private in a $55 Billion deal. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake will own the company after the deal closes in Q1 FY27. We discuss what that means, explained how leveraged buyouts work, and share our concerns for the future of EA’s workforce and identity. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase!
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Bonus Episode 11: The PAX West 2025 Roundup
Virtual Economy
PAX West 2025 felt like home for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown ended. We recap our favorite games and tech from the show. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase!
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Episode 198: Bungie Jump (News Show)
Virtual Economy
Following the flagging performance of Destiny 2 and Marathon woes, Sony has jettisoned embattled Bungie studio head Pete Parsons. They’ve also announced significant hikes on PS5 prices. Also: Another Subnautica 2 lawsuit, a BioShock shakeup, and Frost Giant studio head Tim Morten leads with transparency and accountability. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:07] - PlayStation 5 Price Increases in the U.S. [00:05:25] - Unknown Worlds v Cleveland, McGuire, and Gill [00:14:33] - Circan Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for July 2025...
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Episode 197: Krafton Tries to Sink Subnautica Suit (News Show)
Virtual Economy
Krafton’s response to the Unknown Worlds lawsuit hinges on one key element: the interpretation of the Equity Purchase Agreement. Also, lots of earnings, Roblox is under fire from the state of Louisiana, an update on the growing censorship of Steam and Itch.io, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:48] - Correction: Thunderful Share Price at Time of Atari Purchase [00:02:35] - Sony Q1 FY25 Earnings [00:05:24] - Paradox Q2 FY25 Earnings [00:07:26] - Take-Two Q1 FY26 Earnings [00:08:54] - Remedy Q2 FY25 Earnings [00:11:25] -...
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Episode 196: We Have Horizon: Zero Dawn at Home (News Show)
Virtual Economy
INT. POSH HOTEL SUITE - DAY TENCENT: Hey, Sony. Can we make a Horizon game? SONY: Nah. We good. TENCENT: Oh okay. Bummer. <ONE YEAR LATER> SONY: WHAT THE F—- <fin> So yeah… Sony is suing Tencent for what it calls a “slavish clone” of Horizon: Zero Dawn. Bold move! Also: EA, Microsoft, Capcom earnings, an update on the Mastercard/Visa censorship of legal game content, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:30] - Some News From Us! [00:05:21] - An Update on the Conservative Assault on Steam and ...
info_outlineIt’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 Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
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
- SAG-AFTRA and Replica Studios Introduce Groundbreaking AI Voice Agreement at CES | SAG-AFTRA
- Replica Studios Agreement for Digital Voice Replicas FAQs | SAG-AFTRA
- SAG-AFTRA’s AI Voice Acting Deal Was A Powder Keg Waiting To Go Off | Aftermath
- AI Content on Steam | Valve
- Report: 3D Realms and Slipgate may have been hit with more layoffs | Game Developer
- Employees Say ‘Sizable Portion’ Of Gearbox-Owned Studio Has Been Laid Off | Aftermath
- Playtika reduces staff by 10% | GamesIndustry
- Discord is laying off 17 percent of employees | The Verge
- Thunderful Group to restructure operations for strengthened long-term competitiveness | Thunderful Games
- A Difficult Update about our Workforce | Twitch
- Changes at Riot and the Road Ahead | Riot
- An Important Update about Riot’s Future | Riot
- Wimo Games reportedly shuts down | GamesIndustry
- Astra Fund repositions as "thinky" publisher Astra Logical following layoffs | Game Developer
- Playtika reduces staff by 10% | GamesIndustry
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- Phoenix Labs execs regroup to form Critical Path Games | Game Developer
- Second Dinner raises $100 million to continue growing Marvel Snap | Game Developer
- Tencent completes majority ownership of Dying Light dev Techland | Game Developer
- Outsourcing studio Obelisk nets $2 million to create original horror title | Game Developer
- Rocksteady founders have a new, post-Suicide Squad studio | Polygon