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Episode 195: The Quarter Billion Dollar Subnautica Showdown (News Show)

Release Date: 07/26/2025

Episode 195: The Quarter Billion Dollar Subnautica Showdown (News Show)

Virtual Economy

In 2021, Krafton splashed huge cash on Subnautica dev Unknown Worlds. Now, the publisher may find out that buyer’s remorse isn’t a reason for violating a contract. Also… Ubisoft Earnings Circana Reports for May and June 2025 Sony takes a bite out of Bandai Namco On this episode, we discussed a serious attack on artist freedom being perpetrated by payment processors Mastercard and Visa. This attack is motivated by an Australian Christofacist group called Collective Shout that, among other things, does not believe adults should have bodily autonomy. If you would like your voice...

Episode 194: Xbox Gutted (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Following strong financial performance in its gaming division, Microsoft is taking a machete to its work force and its future as a serious competitor. Is this the brand’s Red Ring of Death? Also, Bungie runs from Marathon, Warner Bros. goes all-in on safe IP, and the labor report hurts even more than usual. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:59] - Sony Games & Network Services Update [00:16:09] - Marathon Delayed Indefinitely [00:27:51] - Sony Brings Four Games Back to 177 Countries [00:30:18] - Cleer Arc 3 Gaming Review...

Episode 193: Switch 2’s Best Feature is Potential (News Show)

Virtual Economy

With our Switch 2 in-hand, we’re ready to give you our early feelings about the console in this challenging market. Also: SO many earnings. Like… SO many. Nintendo, Sony, EA, Take-Two, Remedy, Embracer Group, Paradox, Square Enix, Capcom, and Sega. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:05:02] - Switch 2 Impressions [00:41:28] - Nintendo FY25 Earnings [00:47:16] - Sony FY24-25 Earnings [00:51:17] - EA Q4 and FY25 Earnings [00:56:43] - Take-Two Q4 and FY25 Earnings [01:04:24] - Remedy Q1 FY25 Earnings [01:07:57] - Embracer Group Q4 and...

Episode 192: PAX East Takes A MAGFest Turn (News Show)

Virtual Economy

PAX East isn’t the show it was 10 years ago. With most AAA developers staying away, indies take center stage. Also: Circana report for April 2025, GameStop sells off its Canadian holdings, Curve Games has a new owner, the SAG-AFTRA voice performer strike enters the endgame, and much more. We’ve also got a pair of great listener questions! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:10] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for April 2025 [00:17:36] - PAX East Recap [00:52:48] - Investment Interlude [01:09:12] - Quick Hits [01:17:15]...

Episode 191: Who Can Even Afford to Be a Gamer Anymore? (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Microsoft is jacking prices on hardware, software, and peripherals. With costs going up while interest in Microsoft’s offerings declining, we have to wonder if Microsoft is applying pressure to push Game Pass. Also: Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for March 2025, Apple scores an own-goal and pisses off the Court, the tabletop industry is in freefall, and EA lays off another 300 to 400 people. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:1:31] - GTA 6 Delay [00:12:06] - Circana for March 2025 [00:17:43] - Devolver Digital Investor...

Episode 190: Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show)

Virtual Economy

The original Nintendo Switch launched at $300 USD. The Switch 2 price was absent from the huge Nintendo Direct, only to be quietly revealed at $450. As for game prices, Mario Kart World is a whopping $80. Costs are on the rise, and the latest tariffs have spiked the price of accessories. So… where do we go from here? Also… Ubisoft slices off its most profitable franchises, lots of layoffs, and a huge game publisher strike. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:53] - Nintendo Switch 2 and The Return of Paul Rudd, Gamer Dude [00:43:22]...

Episode 189: WB’s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Warner Bros. continues to chip away at its infrastructure and consumer confidence with the closure of three more studios. Also: Circana reports for Jan and Feb, a recap of GDC and developers’ feelings about the industry, a curious period for investments, a new union looks to cover the entire industry, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:00] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2025 [00:11:59] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2025 [00:21:39] - GDC 2025 Recap [00:54:29] -...

Episode 188: We’re Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Despite mounting evidence that Games as a Service are struggling, executives continue to go back to that empty well. Also: A ton of earnings reports (Nintendo, EA, Paradox, Square Enix, Sega, Ubisoft, Remedy, Embracer Group, and Sony), the labor picture worsens, and Niantic may be exiting the gaming space. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:58] - Nintendo Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:16:07] - EA Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:30:18] - Paradox FY24 Earnings [00:34:40] - Take Two Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:36:46] - Square Enix Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:40:17] -...

Episode 187: When A Publisher Won’t Use the Word ‘Layoff’ (News Show)

Virtual Economy

There are few things worse than yet another company laying people off… and EA has committed the sin of obfuscating job losses. Also: Earnings season is underway, the Circana report for December 2024 and the full year, a recap of the GDC State of the Industry report, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:49] - EA Takes a Tumble [00:12:58] - Microsoft Q2 FY25 Earnings [00:19:38] - Capcom Q3 FY25 Earnings [00:25:39] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for December 2024 and Full Year 2024 [00:35:25] - Learnings from the...

Episode 186: Unalive Service (Season Premiere - News Show)

Virtual Economy

The year has begun, and the industry is already off to an intense start. On this episode, we discuss the business decisions behind the Switch 2’s departure from “Weird Nintendo,” Ubisoft’s precarious position, the U.S. ruffling Tencent’s feathers, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s move to regulate premium game currency. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:03:27] - The Switch 2 has finally been announced [00:19:11] - The United States labels Tencent a military asset [00:22:16] - The U.S. Consumer Financial...

More Episodes

In 2021, Krafton splashed huge cash on Subnautica dev Unknown Worlds. Now, the publisher may find out that buyer’s remorse isn’t a reason for violating a contract.

Also…

Ubisoft Earnings

Circana Reports for May and June 2025

Sony takes a bite out of Bandai Namco

On this episode, we discussed a serious attack on artist freedom being perpetrated by payment processors Mastercard and Visa. This attack is motivated by an Australian Christofacist group called Collective Shout that, among other things, does not believe adults should have bodily autonomy.

If you would like your voice heard, here are some resources:

A compiled resource document by @voiddebris.bsky.social

Petitions

Change.org

ACLU

Mastercard

Phone (US): 1-800-627-8372

Phone (outside US): 1-636-722-7111

Online submission form

Visa

Phone (US): 1-800-847-2911

Non-US numbers

Online form

Some important tips:

Phone calls are more impactful than emails. Do not let support reps push you to email, where keywords can filter out your concerns.

Keep support reps on calls as long as possible. This creates meaningful and measurable dips in call center productivity that management WILL notice.

Call multiple times with the same case number. Call center KPIs include clearing tickets in as short a time and in one call. This is another metric that will grab leadership attention. The service impact should be sustained for at least a month says workforce management professional Elliot Wilson on Bluesky.

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

TIME STAMPS

[00:02:59] - Ubisoft Earnings
[00:11:08] - Circana Reports on U.S. Video Game Spending for May and June 2025
[00:22:28] - Unknown Worlds v Krafton
[00:35:10] - Mastercard and Visa are Ramping Up Their Censorship (Steam, Itch.io)
[00:43:54] - Investment Interlude
[00:48:01] - Quick Hits
[00:50:25] - Bonus Investment Interlude
[01:02:16] - Labor Report

SOURCES

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

LABOR REPORT

HELP OUR GREG WITH HIS MASTERS DISSERTATION!

Our lead moderator and King of Game Showcases, Greg Alderton, is working on his masters dissertation. As part of that, he’s conducting research on cozy spaces in games. We’d be delighted if you’d help him by participating in the research phase.

All you need to do is download a small file from Itch.io here, take a few minutes to experience the two spaces included, and fill out a short form here. Thank you for helping Greg!

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