Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)
Release Date: 02/14/2024
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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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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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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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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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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The Embracer Group name is going away, splitting its mega-conglomerate into three in an attempt to move on from its destructive legacy. But with Lars Wingefors sticking around to lead the holding company, our expectations are tempered. Also: Meta loses billions more as it tries to become the Windows of MR and earnings season is here! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:54] - Embracer Group Splits Into Three Pieces [00:32:32] - Meta MR Losses Mount [00:42:03] - Paradox Q1 FY24 Earnings [00:44:16] - Microsoft Q3 FY24 Earnings [00:49:10]...
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Two months after Take-Two said it wasn’t planning layoffs it has… well… by now you know. Also, we’re trying something new and fun with this episode. Join us for a lively discussion about keeping the industry healthy and a deep dive into what the heck differentiates III from AA! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:45] - Discussion Time! (How to build a healthier industry and just what does “indie” mean these days?” [00:23:49] - Investment Interlude [00:34:19] - Quick Hits [00:41:01] - Labor Report SOURCES ...
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We’ve come full circle. Embracer Group just took a massive loss to get some much-needed cash in hopes of filling a seemingly bottomless hole of debt. Saber is gone. Zen is gone. 4A is gone. Gearbox is gone. Also, SAG-AFTRA may strike against video game companies, some new studios are popping up, but many others are still laying off and closing. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:30] - GDC and PAX East Recap [00:11:27] - Gaming Safety Coalition [00:14:53] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2024 [00:29:57] -...
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Triple-A game development as we know it is unsustainable. It doesn't matter if a game succeeds or fails, the corporate machine is grinding developers up and spitting them out by the thousands. Things need to change. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase ! TIME STAMPS [00:01:29] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2024 [00:07:04] - Investment Interlude [00:18:43] - Quick Hits [00:21:25] - Labor Report [00:43:33] - FAFO! SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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The console market is going through major changes as hardware prices stay high and first party needs to pivot audience strategy. Nintendo may be struggling to find a break-even for its Switch successor, prompting a later release than we anticipated. Also: Embracer Group woes continue, Hasbro loses a ton. 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 using the code VirtualEconomy20. You can support Virtual Economy’s...
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