Virtual Economy
The business of video games can be complicated. In each episode of Virtual Economy, hosts and analysts Amanda Farough and Michael Futter break down the biggest business news in the video game industry.
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Episode 153: The UK CMA Throws a Temper Tantrum Over the Activision Acquisition (News Show)
05/23/2023
Episode 153: The UK CMA Throws a Temper Tantrum Over the Activision Acquisition (News Show)
One day we’ll be free of the Microsoft/Activision deal, but that day is NOT today. Also: Nintendo, EA, Starbreeze, Square Enix, Capcom, and Take-Two Earnings, acquisitions, the Circana US Video Game Spending report for April 2023, more layoffs, and a Double FAFO. , former Unity employee, who is looking for work. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:48] - Nintendo Earnings FY23 [00:08:06] - EA Earnings Q4 and FY23 [00:16:47] - Starbreeze Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:21:39] - Square Enix FY23 Earnings [00:25:09] - Capcom FY23 Earnings [00:29:19] - Take-Two FY23 Earnings [00:43:08] - Investment Interlude [00:51:17] - Quick Hits [00:57:24] - Labor Report [01:04:56] - Circana Report on US Video Game Spending for April 2023 [01:09:03] - Double FAFO SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 152: Sega’s Angry Birds Acquisition and Life After Microsoft/Activision (News Show)
05/05/2023
Episode 152: Sega’s Angry Birds Acquisition and Life After Microsoft/Activision (News Show)
After years of stumbling in the mobile space, Sega decided to throw $775M at the problem with the acquisition of Rovio. Also: Lots of layoffs, some acquisitions, a bunch of earnings, and the March Circana report on U.S. video game spending. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:06] - Epic v Apple… The End [00:04:03] - Microsoft Earnings for Q3 FY23 [00:14:21] - Sony Earnings for FY23 [00:18:13] - Remedy Earnings for Q1 FY23 [00:21:02] - Paradox Earnings for Q1 FY23 [00:23:14] - Sega Earnings for FY23 [00:26:32] - Investment Interlude [00:42:23] - Quick Hits [00:55:35] - Labor Report [01:03:59] - Circana U.S. Video Game Spending report for March 2023 [01:15:57] - FAFO SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Bonus Episode 8: The UK CMA Murdered the Microsoft/Activision Deal
04/26/2023
Bonus Episode 8: The UK CMA Murdered the Microsoft/Activision Deal
It's a very special, very weird episode from sunny Dubrovnik, Croatia! We're thrilled to have the one, the only ANDY PAN join us for a discussion about the UK Competition and Markets Authority's decision to deny Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard on the basis of the cloud gaming business. You can read the full decision : Microsoft / Activision deal prevented to protect innovation and choice in cloud gaming. For the full context, You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
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GDC 2023: I Fought the Law 2 - Legal Rumble in the Bay
04/23/2023
GDC 2023: I Fought the Law 2 - Legal Rumble in the Bay
At GDC 2023, we got the gang back together for another down-and-dirty legal issues conversation. We're grateful to Brandon Huffman, founder of Odin Law & Media, and Ryan Black, partner at DLA Piper, for joining us again this year. On the docket for this year: The Rise and Fall of Web3 at GDC (Good riddance!) The state of mergers and acquisitions in the industry and beyond The growing need for unionization and the current labor initiatives across the industry The future of non-compete clauses in the United States The emerging challenges with AI technologies Looking toward the future of legal issues, including the fate of Section 230 (Safe Harbor) in the United States You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
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Episode 151: E3 Can’t Claw Itself Out of the Grave (News Show)
04/05/2023
Episode 151: E3 Can’t Claw Itself Out of the Grave (News Show)
The new ReedPop-run E3 died before it could live… or was it… MURDERED?! (Spoiler: It was murdered.) Also: GameStop leans on cost cutting to finally turn a modest profit, Microsoft is one step closer to closing its Activision deal, established studios expand, while layoffs also run rampant. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:54] - E3 is DED! (Again!) [00:17:46] - Circana US Video Game Spending Report for February [00:25:14] - GameStop FY 2023 Earnings [00:29:43] - Investment Interlude [00:41:51] - Quick Hits [00:53:02] - Labor Report SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 150: Square Enix Says No Flippin’ Thanks to its Web3 CEO (News Show)
03/17/2023
Episode 150: Square Enix Says No Flippin’ Thanks to its Web3 CEO (News Show)
Square Enix is having a time of it, as its Web3-loving CEO is leaving and Luminous Productions is no more. Also: Ubisoft and Activision messing up labor issues again, and the US is investigating extremism in online games. Also, Manda is going to talk to you about The Lord of the Rings, and Mike will do his best Gollum impression. Maybe. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:04] - Square Enix Needs to Sort Itself Out [00:05:41] - The US Government Wants to Know About Extremism in Online Games [00:09:21] - Epic Lays Out Its Plans for the Future of Epic Games Store [00:13:29] - Investment Interlude [00:17:04] - Quick Hits [00:33:06] - Labor Report [00:42:54] - FAFO! SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 149: The Great Games as a Service Massacre (News Show)
02/20/2023
Episode 149: The Great Games as a Service Massacre (News Show)
It’s been a bloody couple of weeks for service-based games, and we suspect the murderer is still on the loose. Also: IT’S EARNINGS SEASON, BAYBEEE! We’ve got a meaty plate of all your favorite cold cuts: EA, Capcom, Sony, Nintendo, Square Enix, Take-Two, Capcom, Sega, Embracer Group, Starbreeze, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:28] - Sony Q3 FY22 Earnings [00:06:22] - Nintendo Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:15:12] - Square Enix Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:17:14] - EA Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:26:18] - Take-Two Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:32:16] - Capcom Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:35:29] - Sega Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:36:17] - Embracer Group Q3 FY23 Earnings [00:40:29] - Starbreeze Q4 FY22 Earnings [00:44:04] - Investment Interlude [00:52:18] - Quick Hits [00:58:09] - Labor Report [01:03:38] - NPD Report on US Video Game Spending for January 2023 [01:10:42] - Mike remembers there’s a listener question (oops!) SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 148: Dungeons & Dragons, New Coke, and Other Terrible Mistakes (News Show)
01/30/2023
Episode 148: Dungeons & Dragons, New Coke, and Other Terrible Mistakes (News Show)
Wizards of the Coast squandered goodwill to find itself right back where it started. Also: Earnings season has begun, the GDC State of the Industry report shows developers put the smackdown on Web3, NPD for December shows a bit of lift, and (as we grimly expected) we’re in the layoff bad times. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:17] - Learnings for the GDC State of the Industry Report [00:26:42] - Wizards of the Coast Fizzles OGL Update [00:30:05] - Microsoft Q2 FY23 Earnings [00:41:33] - Investment Interlude [00:45:38] - Quick Hits [00:52:36] - Labor Report [00:57:05] - NPD for December 2022 SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 147: Ubisoft in Crisis (Season 4 Premiere)
01/17/2023
Episode 147: Ubisoft in Crisis (Season 4 Premiere)
We’re back for Season 4! Good thing we’re not on HBO Max, amirite? The ghosts of Ubisoft’s failure to care for its employees are now haunting its financial performance. Also: Let’s talk about D&D and Hasbro’s huge, shortsighted missteps with the OGL, Epic has been slapped with a fine over Fortnite, Zenimax QA workers unionize, while Activision Blizzard moves to make things hard for workers at recently acquired Proletariat. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:34] - Dungeons & Dragons Rolls a Critical Miss [00:23:13] - Ubisoft’s No Good, Very Bad Day [00:34:48] - A Pair of Fortnite Stories [00:48:47] - Investment Interlude [01:05:02] - Quick Hits [01:19:40] - Labor Report SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 146: GameStop’s Still Hemorrhaging Money (News Show)
12/16/2022
Episode 146: GameStop’s Still Hemorrhaging Money (News Show)
It’s our season finale! GameStop has more than a little red on it, with losses continuing to mount on a crypto deal gone bust. Also: Microsoft makes nice with Nintendo (again) to pressure Sony, layoff continue to plague the industry, Zenimax QA workers on the path to unionization, and a fresh FAFO. Oh… and we have a tiny, little announcement. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are ours and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of our employer or the organizations with which we work. TIME STAMPS [00:00:30] - Some exciting news! [00:05:44] - Gamestop Q3 FY2023 Earnings [00:14:20] - NPD U.S. Video Game Spending Report for November 2022 [00:19:46] - Twitch’s new Shield Mode [00:22:51] - Investment Interlude [00:49:36] - Quick Hits [00:54:19] - Labor Report [01:14:26] - Listener Question [01:16:01] - FAFO SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Bonus Episode 7: What to do When Your Brand Isn’t Working for You Anymore
12/06/2022
Bonus Episode 7: What to do When Your Brand Isn’t Working for You Anymore
Brad Wildes, CEO of video game accessories maker PDP, joins us to discuss the company’s recent rebrand and the complicated process of reshaping your brand identity. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase !
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Bonus Episode 6: How Equity Funding Works (With Kelly Wallick)
11/28/2022
Bonus Episode 6: How Equity Funding Works (With Kelly Wallick)
Indie Megabooth founder and 1UP Ventures partner Kelly Wallick joins us to discuss how studios can access equity funding and what they should know before pitching. In this conversation, we discuss the different types of funding, what different rounds of funding typically mean, and how venture capital works. If you’ve ever been curious about how studios (rather than games) get funded, this is the episode for you! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase!
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Episode 145: NetEase Thinks Activision is a Big Jerk (News Show)
11/23/2022
Episode 145: NetEase Thinks Activision is a Big Jerk (News Show)
A NetEase exec has pulled no punches after the Chinese giant’s Blizzard relationship hits the skids. Also: NPD spending report for October 2022, Embracer group earnings and reorganization, more on Microsoft’s plans to acquire Activision, new studio announcements, and more! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:26] - NPD US Video Game Spending Report for October 2022 [00:09:11] - Embracer Group Q2 FY 2023 Earnings [00:21:09] - Investment Interlude (Now in Activision Jerk Flavor!) [00:39:31] - Quick Hits [00:54:58] - Labor Report SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 144: Weird Corporate Shenanigans (News Show)
11/13/2022
Episode 144: Weird Corporate Shenanigans (News Show)
We’re SO close to the end of earnings season. This week: Square Enix, Nintendo, Take-Two, Unity (and a discussion about that brutal Bloomberg expose about CEO John Riccitiello). Also: Strange happenings at Studio ZA/UM, Remedy details Control 2 publishing deal, the EU gets prickly about Microsoft’s proposed Activision acquisition, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:03] - Square Enix Earnings [00:11:00] - Nintendo Earnings [00:18:41] - Take-Two Earnings [00:26:22] - Unity Earnings and Discussion about Bloomberg Riccitiello Expose [00:38:20] - Investment Interlude [00:44:03] - Quick Hits [00:46:56] - Labor Report (Activision, Kabam, Studio ZA/UM, iD Software) [01:18:38] - Listener Question SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 143: Microsoft and Sony Stumble on Subscriptions (News Show)
11/02/2022
Episode 143: Microsoft and Sony Stumble on Subscriptions (News Show)
With Microsoft and Sony falling short on subscriptions, is our future still an all-you-can-eat buffet? Also: Earnings for Microsoft, Sony, Capcom, Paradox, Remedy, and Sega; Embracer shutters recently acquired and rebranded Studio Onoma, and Marvel Snaps up huge mobile revenue. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:] - Microsoft FY23 Q1 Earnings [00:] - Sony FY23 Q2 Earnings [00:] - Capcom FY23 Q2 Earnings [00:] - Paradox FY22 Q3 Earnings [00:] - Remedy FY22 Q3 Earnings [00:] - Sega FY23 Q2 Earnings [00:] - Electronic Arts FY23 Q2 Earnings [00:] - Investment Interlude [00:] - Quick Hits [00:] - Labor Report SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 142: The Console Supply Must Flow (News Show)
10/26/2022
Episode 142: The Console Supply Must Flow (News Show)
After two years, it seems like new-generation console supply is starting to meet demand. We discuss in our coverage of the September NPD report. Also: the latest Activision Blizzard shenanigans (including two big Ls for the publisher), more on the Bayonetta 3 story, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:06] - NPD US Video Game Spending Report for September 2022 [00:18:25] - Investment Interlude [00:25:07] - Quick Hits [00:27:48] - Labor Report SOURCES
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Episode 141: We Need to Talk About the Voice Acting and Bayonetta Brujaha (News Show)
10/18/2022
Episode 141: We Need to Talk About the Voice Acting and Bayonetta Brujaha (News Show)
Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor shared troubling allegations of her treatment during negotiations, but new reports suggest things aren't quite what they seem. We discuss voice acting rates and what the $4,000 offer means for SAG-AFTRA union members. Also: Microsoft and Sony continue their war in the UK over the Activision acquisition, more troubling layoffs for games media, and Meta acquires a trio of studios while announcing absurd pricing for its next headset. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:51] - Listener Question [00:09:14] - Investment Interlude (CD Projekt, Riot, Microsoft / Activision) [00:35:49] - Quick Hits [00:49:47] - Labor Report (Activision Blizzard, Twitch, Bayonetta 3, and more) SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 140: E3, WISE FWOM YAW GWAVE (News Show)
10/03/2022
Episode 140: E3, WISE FWOM YAW GWAVE (News Show)
E3 lives, Stadia dies, and Twitch continues to make bad moves that alienate its community. Also: Saudi Arabia and Tencent look to step up investments, and a beefy labor report. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:21] - Twitch Has a Child Predator Problem (That it Tried to Cover Up with Different Bad News) [00:28:39] - Investment Interlude (Netflix, Saudi Arabia, Tencent, Fandom) [00:44:10] - Quick Hits [00:50:56] - Labor Report (Activision and OSHA, Respawn, Nintendo Tester Speaks Out, Studio ZA/UM) [01:05:41] - E3 Lives! [01:12:04] - FAFO Award SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 139: Yves Guillemot Can’t Fix Ubisoft’s Culture Problems (News Show)
09/22/2022
Episode 139: Yves Guillemot Can’t Fix Ubisoft’s Culture Problems (News Show)
Ubisoft leadership has all but given up on fixing the company’s culture as Tencent increases its ownership stake. Also: NPD for August 2022, GameStop bleeds, 343 loses its leader, and Microsoft and Sony continue to butt heads in the UK over Activision acquisition. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:39] - GameStop Earnings [00:15:31] - NPD for August 2022 [00:26:12] - Investment Interlude [00:45:33] - Quick Hits [00:58:44] - Labor Report [01:30:21] - The GTA6 Hack [01:41:43] - FAFO Award SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 138: Amazon and EA: Will They Do The Horizontal Mambo? (News Show)
09/01/2022
Episode 138: Amazon and EA: Will They Do The Horizontal Mambo? (News Show)
A drama-filled Friday saw the huge news of a major acquisition… followed by a debunking and walkback that we’ll be talking about for some time. Also: Sony jacks the price of PS5, Chinese giants make investments in Quantic Dream and FromSoftware, and a discussion on how M&A is impacting smaller publishers. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:16] - PS5 Price Increase [00:07:43] - Investment Interlude [00:29:43] - Quick Hits [00:40:37] - Labor Report (GameStop, Rogue Games) [00:44:30] - Amazon, EA, and the importance of care when reporting on business SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 137: Embracer Ate Middle-earth Enterprises for Second Breakfast (News Show)
08/23/2022
Episode 137: Embracer Ate Middle-earth Enterprises for Second Breakfast (News Show)
Embracer Group’s latest spending spree nets them one of the world’s most recognizable IPs (and much more). Also: Unity slumps amid hostile takeover, Take-Two posts losses on Zynga acquisition, Nintendo is in the hot seat again, Activision commits to the union-busting bit, and NPD for July 2022 as spending continues its slide back to pre-pandemic levels. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase ! TIME STAMPS [00:01:42] - Unity Q2 FY22 Earnings [00:14:54] - Take-Two Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:27:21] - Thunderful Group H1 FY22 Earnings [00:32:51] - Remedy H1 FY22 Earnings [00:35:21] - Embracer Group Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:42:03] - Investment Interlude (Embracer Group Spending Spree) [01:00:53] - Quick Hits [01:07:51] - Labor Report (Nintendo, Activision) [01:11:38] - NPD for July 2022 SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 136: Activision Is Bleeding Players (News Show)
08/09/2022
Episode 136: Activision Is Bleeding Players (News Show)
Call of Duty is in a slump, and Activision is waiting out the clock until the acquisition having reportedly canceled a long in-development mobile World of Warcraft game. Also: Earnings, GameStop’s terrible NFT marketplace, Square Enix’s bananas comments about its former Western teams, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:06] - Activision Q2 FY22 Earnings and News [00:19:59] - Paradox Q2 FY22 Earnings [00:23:08] - EA Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:27:54] - Investment Interlude [00:35:34] - Quick Hits [00:39:47] - Nintendo Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:44:52] - Square Enix Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:54:26] - Sega Q1 FY23 Earnings [00:59:24] - Labor Report [01:07:10] - GameStop’s Mismanagement of its NFT Marketplace SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 135: Minecraft Tells NFT Twerps to Go ‘Block’ Themselves (News Show)
08/02/2022
Episode 135: Minecraft Tells NFT Twerps to Go ‘Block’ Themselves (News Show)
Minecraft is taking a hard line against those who would abuse the game with crypto and blockchain schemes. Also: Earnings season begins with Capcom, Microsoft, and Sony, ABK workers walkout again, Rockstar on the mend, and Meta jacks the price of the Quest 2 by $100. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:17] - Capcom Earnings [00:10:38] - Microsoft Earnings [00:16:55] - Sony Earnings [00:22:22] - Investment Interlude [00:33:22] - Quick Hits [00:39:08] - Labor Report (Activision, Ubisoft, Riot, Rockstar, Tender Claws, Card Kingdom) [00:53:29] - Meta Raises the Price of Quest 2 SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Bonus Episode 5: Equity and Underrepresentation in Game Development with Code Coven
07/26/2022
Bonus Episode 5: Equity and Underrepresentation in Game Development with Code Coven
We talk a lot about diversity, equity, and inclusion on this show. Manda sat down with Code Coven’s founder, Tara Mustapha, and marketing coordinator, Myleah Lofland, earlier this year to discuss how Code Coven is changing the industry for the better by helping to foster and develop the talent that will lead gaming to its fullest potential. Code Coven is definitely going to take over the world. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase!
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Episode 134: GameStop and Unity Want Those Payoffs for Layoffs (News Show)
07/21/2022
Episode 134: GameStop and Unity Want Those Payoffs for Layoffs (News Show)
GameStop and Unity are making ugly moves, drawing the ire of consumers and developers. Also: E3 returns as the ESA gives up on being an event organizer, a surprisingly meaty list of new investments, NPD for June 2022, another Activision studio moves to unionize, and a double FAFO! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:10] - The Return of E3 [00:14:59] - NPD for June 2022 [00:24:37] - Investment Interlude [00:45:56] - Quick Hits [01:06:36] - Labor Report (Nintendo, esports media, GameStop, and a new Activision union) [01:19:03] - Double FAFO (Bungie sues harasser, Developer smacks down NFT and Crypto shills) SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 133: The Video Game Industry Celebrated Pride with a Bear Market (News Show)
07/03/2022
Episode 133: The Video Game Industry Celebrated Pride with a Bear Market (News Show)
The Video Game Industry Celebrated Pride with a Bear Market (News Show): The pandemic boon is quickly becoming a memory as inflation, rising prices, and a thin release slate put pressure on developers and publishers. Also: Activision workers list demands for workplace safety, the Communications Workers of America back Microsoft’s Activision acquisition, and Québec may be set to quash its local game scene. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:02:16] - Microsoft Matches Epic Games Store Revenue Share on PC [00:11:08] - A Brief Conversation About Inflation, the Cost of Debt, and How the Video Game Industry is being affected [00:18:04] - Investment Interlude [00:29:27] - Quick Hits [00:31:08] - Labor (Activision Workers List Demands, The CWA backs Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition, Quebec Government Puts Squeeze on Video Game Studios, Layoffs) SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 132: Slurping From The Game Firehose (News Show)
06/25/2022
Episode 132: Slurping From The Game Firehose (News Show)
There was a lot to learn from the 2022 Keigh3 / Not-E3 / Game Mess showcases, and we’ve got beefy trend analysis for you! Also: NPD for May 2022, Microsoft takes more union-positive steps, EA and Ubisoft slash executive compensation, Activision shareholders do lots wrong (but one thing right), and a double FAFO! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:50] - Summer Game Showcase Breakdown and Analysis [00:56:01] - Investment Interlude [00:58:26] - Quick Hits [01:13:24] - Labor Report (Microsoft Labor Neutrality, Activision, EA) [01:25:38] - NPD US Video Game Spending Report for May 2022 [01:35:00] - Double FAFO All Across the Sky (Yeah… yeaaaah…) SOURCES
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Episode 131: GameStop is Bleeding (News Show)
06/09/2022
Episode 131: GameStop is Bleeding (News Show)
GameStop revenues are up, but other indicators are looking ugly. Also, Microsoft takes steps toward supporting unions, Xbox cloud gaming evolves, EA tries to repair Pride damage and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:00:29] - GameStop Earnings [00:06:35] - Investment Interlude [00:10:15] - Quick Hits [00:14:13] - Labor Report [00:23:41] - The Xbox Showcase Pre-Briefing SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 130: A Soft Boiled Quarter (News Show)
06/01/2022
Episode 130: A Soft Boiled Quarter (News Show)
This episode is a bit of all of your faves. We have some interesting earnings stuff to discuss (Embracer Group, EG7, Thunderful, and CD Projket), the labor report is getting saucy, and we get to talk about funding for indies! You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:41] - Embracer Group Earnings [00:15:12] - EG7 Earnings [00:20:32] - Thunderful Group Earnings [00:24:49] - CD Projekt Earnings [00:26:55] - Investment Interlude [00:31:50] - Quick Hits [00:36:46] - Labor Report [00:47:33] - Sony Discusses the Future of PlayStation SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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Episode 129: Jim Ryan’s Tone Deaf Meow Meow Storytime Hour (News Show)
05/24/2022
Episode 129: Jim Ryan’s Tone Deaf Meow Meow Storytime Hour (News Show)
There’s a right way to respond to a civil liberties crisis. PlayStation boss Jim Ryan went a different way. Also: NPD for April 2022, Raven workers vote to unionize as Activision Blizzard draws the NLRB’s ire, Sony discrimination lawsuit is back in play, developers revive anticompetition suit against Valve, Saudi Arabia takes a bite of Nintendo, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our and also purchase! TIME STAMPS [00:01:42] - The Attack in Buffalo and How the Game Industry Played a Role [00:11:00] - Steam Antitrust Suits Revived [00:16:07] - NPD for April 2022 [00:24:40] - Investment Interlude [00:37:41] - Quick Hits [00:53:44] - Labor Report (Activision, Keywords Studiso, Sony’s Non-Stance on Abortion Rights and the Labor Lawsuit, GameStop’s Alleged Misclassification of Workers in NY) [01:18:54] - Listener Questions [01:27:30] - FAFO Award SOURCES INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
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