Episode 206: Epic Fail (News Show)
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]...
info_outline
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] -...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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]...
info_outline
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 ...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
Episode 200: Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show) - Part One
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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!
info_outlineWith 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 Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
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] - Update on the Intrepid Studios Implosion
- [00:45:02] - Investment Interlude
- [01:05:45] - Quick Hits
- [01:12:42] - Labor Report
- [01:39:27] - FAFO Award
SOURCES
- Nintendo Suing U.S. Government Over Tariffs | Aftermath
- Pokémon rebukes White House's use of its IP in a social media post | NBC News
- MMO Ashes of Creation spirals into a legal dumpster fire, as investor claims creative director Steven Sharif siphoned millions away from the company while it was drowning in debt | PC Gamer
- CEO Behind Kickstarter MMO That Ran Out Of Money Breaks His Silence And Claims First Legal Victory | Kotaku
- Krafton loses lawsuit, is ordered to reinstate ousted Unknown Worlds CEO | Game Developer
- Unknown Worlds co-founders' lawyers accuse Krafton of "intentionally leaking" Subnautica 2 release date | GamesIndustry
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
- Netflix Declines to Raise Offer for Warner Bros. | Netflix
- Netflix boss says Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros will result in "cuts in excess of $16 billion" within "18 months or so" | Games Industry
- Warner Bros Montréal reportedly hit with staff cuts | GamesIndustry
- Pacific Drive developer Ironwood Studios raises $4 million in seed funding | Game Developer
- Good Games Group Launches New Publishing Label Balor Games, Following Acquisition of Humble Games and Firestoke Catalogs | Games Press
- Velan Studios expands into Canada to build 'breakthrough games' | Game Developer
- NCsoft acquires 70% stake in mobile developer JustPlay | GamesIndustry
- BEHAVIOUR INTERACTIVE PARTNERS WITH THE FUN PIMPS, CREATORS OF 7 DAYS TO DIE | Behaviour Interactive
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s EGDC firm has acquired 5% of Capcom | VGC
- Savvy Games Group to acquire Moonton Games for $6 billion | Game Developer
- Evo is dead': Major fighting game tournament is now wholly owned by Saudi megaproject Qiddiya, promises 'traditions, values, and identity will remain unchanged' | PC Gamer
- Yet another NetEase studio is going independent | Game Developer
- Nagoshi's Gang of Dragon May Never Come Out After NetEase Cut Funding When It Realized an Extra $44M Was Needed to Finish the Game
- Amazon abandons upcoming racing game from former Forza devs, as its departure from triple-A publishing continues | Eurogamer
LABOR REPORT
- Today’s layoffs | Epic Games
- Ubisoft Toronto lays off 40 employees, Splinter Cell remake still in development | Mobile Syrup
- Ubisoft ends game development at Red Storm and lays off 105 workers | Game Developer
- skate.’s Next Chapter - An Update from Full Circle | Full Circle (EA)
- Battlefield developers laid off by EA months after Battlefield 6 'shatters records' | Game Developer
- Riot Games confirms layoffs within publishing division | Game Developer
- Riot Games lays off roughly 80 employees from 2XKO team | Game Developer
- Report: NetEase is cutting jobs at internal studio Spliced Inc | Game Developer
- Den of Wolves studio 10 Chambers announces 'significant restructuring' and layoffs, 'including several of the studio’s co-founders' | PC Gamer
- Highguard Studio Wildlight Lays Off Most Staff | Alex Graner on LinkedIn
- Highguard In Trouble After Most Of The Studio Laid Off Just Weeks After Launch | Kotaku
- Tencent's TiMi Studio Group reportedly funded Highguard dev Wildlight Entertainment | GamesIndustry via GameFile
- Halfbrick Studios is cutting jobs in Australia | Game Developer
- Killing Floor dev Tripwire Interactive lays off 23 employees | Games industry
- G.I. Joe Snake Eyes game not cancelled following reported Atomic Arcade studio closure, but its ultimate fate remains unclear | Eurogamer
- XCOM designer Jake Solomon announces surprise closure of his studio alongside a first look at its canceled life sim, 'the game we poured our hearts into' | PC Gamer
- Build a Rocket Boy confirms more layoffs amid further claims of "organized espionage and corporate sabotage" | Games Industry
- Until Dawn remake dev Ballistic Moon has closed | GamesIndustry