Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)
Release Date: 02/14/2024
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...
info_outline 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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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...
info_outline 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....
info_outline 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] -...
info_outline 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...
info_outline 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...
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_outline 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...
info_outline 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...
info_outlineMicrosoft’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 https://www.magicmind.com using the code VirtualEconomy20.
You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
TIME STAMPS
- [00:01:14] - EA Earnings
- [00:12:44] - Microsoft Earnings
- [00:22:59] - Capcom Earnings
- [00:28:23] - Nintendo Earnings
- [00:31:09] - Square Enix Earnings
- [00:37:45] - Paradox Earnings
- [00:42:38] - Take-Two Earnings
- [00:49:17] - SegaSammy Earnings
- [00:53:09] - Meta Earnings (Brief)
- [00:55:57] - Investment Interlude
- [01:12:13] - Quick Hits
- [01:19:36] - Labor Report
SOURCES
- Electronic Arts Reports Strong Q3 FY24 Results | EA
- Microsoft Earnings Release FY24 Q2 | Microsoft
- Capcom On Track to Achieve Full-Year Guidance | Capcom
- Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 | Nintendo
- Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2023 | Square Enix
- Year-end report January – December 2023 | Paradox
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 | Take-Two
- SegaSammy Q3 Results Presentation | SegaSammy
- Meta Reality Labs loses $4.65B in Q4 | Meta
- Tencent CEO feels its game business "achieved nothing" during 2023 | Game Developer
- Embracer lays off staff at Star Trek: Infinite dev Nimble Giant | Game Developer
- Wayfinder dev Airship Syndicate lays off 12 employees | Game Developer
- Square Enix absorbs Tokyo RPG Factory | Gematsu
- Hidden Path Layoffs | Jeff Pobst on LinkedIn
- Roughly half of Devolver's Artificer studio laid off | Games Industry
- Devolver Digital CEO Douglas Morin steps down | Games Industry
- Layoffs at Netease, MiHoYo, Tencent | Core Esports
- The FTC is Going After Microsoft Over Layoffs | Tom Warren (@tomwarren) on Twitter
- …And Microsoft has Responded | Tom Warren (@tomwarren) on Twitter
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- Nordcurrent snaps up Cinemaware library | Games Industry
- Disney and Epic Games to Create Expansive and Open Games and Entertainment Universe Connected to Fortnite | Disney
- Nitro Games receives further €3.5 million to continue Warframe mobile development | Pocket Gamer
- Six Nations-backer CVC in talks to buy Runescape-maker for £900m | Sky News
- FromSoftware owner Kadokawa acquires Octopath Traveler studio | Eurogamer