Libsyn Directory

Episode 180: Ubisoft in Freefall (News Show)

Release Date: 10/08/2024

Virtual Economy

With Epic laying off 1,000 people, the game industry job market has gone from “extremely chilly” to “nearing absolute zero.” Also: a recap of GDC’s challenged year, Circana Report on U.S spending for February 2026, some interesting new investments, NetEase divestments, and a heckin’ FAFO. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:50] - GDC 2026 Recap [00:25:51] - Circana Report on US Video Game Spending for February 2026 [00:35:02] - Nintendo Sues US Government Over Tariffs [00:36:55] - Pokemon Company v. US Government [00:38:24]...

Episode 205: Amy Hood Draws Blood - Spencer and Bond Out (Earnings Show)

Virtual Economy

This was supposed to be a show just about earnings. All we wanted to do was cover the earnings… but Sony closed Bluepoint, Nintendo is releasing $20 Pokemon ROMs, and Microsoft appears to have ousted Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond. Every first party is stepping on rakes. Get your coffee… this is gonna be a thing. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:01] - Circana Report on US Video Game Spending for January 2026 [00:06:51] - Microsoft Earnings Report for Q2 FY2026 [00:16:39] - Sony Earnings Report for Q3 FY2026 [00:25:46] -...

Episode 204: Ubisoft’s Hail Mary (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Ubisoft employees are prepared to strike over a recent return-to-office mandate and extreme cost-cutting. Also: Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for December 2025 and full year 2025, That’s No Moon at odds with former founder, Amazon Games suffers another blow, and Ashes of Creation dev Intrepid implodes. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:04] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for December 2025 and Full-Year 2025 [00:12:00] - That’s No Moon Co-Founder Causes $1M Problem [00:21:09] - Valve Faces Down Another...

Episode 203: The Last Gasp of Virtual Reality (Season 7 Premiere)

Virtual Economy

2026 is putting us through our paces right out of the gate. We’re hanging onto hope, but layoffs, consolidation, and private equity loom over us like a shadow. On this episode: an update on Paramount’s desperate fight for Warner Bros. Discovery, Saudi Arabia moves video game holdings, and VR’s challenges get much larger. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:35] - A conversation about hardware prices [00:10:16] - Paramount sues Warner Bros for Netflix deal details [00:15:39] - Investment Interlude [00:24:13] - Quick Hits [00:28:07]...

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 ...

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...

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...

Episode 200: Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show) - Part One

Virtual Economy

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...

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!

More Episodes

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 Annapurna, and Behaviour acquires a new studio just one week after shutting another down.

You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!

TIME STAMPS

[00:00:35] - Ubisoft is Having Some Trouble
[00:23:56] - What Happened Inside Annapurna Interactive
[00:35:56] - Investment Interlude
[00:44:28] - Quick Hits
[00:57:28] - Labor Report

SOURCES

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

TOPICS