Episode 177: The Last Good Reason for GameStop to Exist is Gone (News Show)
Release Date: 08/07/2024
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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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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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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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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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]...
info_outlineAmidst 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 at https://www.magicmind.com/VECONOMY20 using the code VECONOMY20.
You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
TIME STAMPS
- [00:01:47] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for June 2024
- [00:11:02] - Ubisoft Q1 FY2025 Earnings
- [00:17:17] - Paradox Q2 FY2024 Earnings
- [00:20:55] - Capcom Q1 FY2024 Earnings
- [00:27:44] - Microsoft Q4 FY2024 Earnings
- [00:39:18] - EA Q1 FY2025 Earnings
- [00:49:38] - Investment Interlude
- [00:53:03] - Quick Hits
- [01:00:32] - Labor Report
SOURCES
- Ubisoft Q1 FY2025 Earnings | Ubisoft
- Interim report January – June 2024 | Paradox
- Consolidated financial results for the 1st Quarter of FY2024 | Capcom
- Earnings Release FY24 Q4 | Microsoft
- EA Earnings Release Q1 FY25 | EA
- Bethesda Game Studios employees form a ‘wall-to-wall’ union | TechCrunch
- World of Warcraft developers form Blizzard’s largest and most inclusive union | The Verge
- MORTAL KOMBAT DEVELOPER NETHERREALM STUDIOS HIT WITH MASS LAYOFFS | Insider Gaming
- Jam City lays off nearly 85 employees as industry fails to hit 'upward trend' | Game Developer
- Axis Studios goes into administration | Televisual
- Armor Games Studios has seemingly laid off its publishing team | GamesIndustry
- Probably Monsters lays off incubation team | Brandi House on LinkedIn
- Forte shuts down Rumble Entertainment, its second studio closure in two months | GamesIndustry
- The New Path for Bungie | Bungie
- Game Informer is Gone | Game Informer
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