Virtual Economy

Two months after Take-Two said it wasn’t planning layoffs it has… well… by now you know. Also, we’re trying something new and fun with this episode. Join us for a lively discussion about keeping the industry healthy and a deep dive into what the heck differentiates III from AA!

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:45] - Discussion Time! (How to...

We’ve come full circle. Embracer Group just took a massive loss to get some much-needed cash in hopes of filling a seemingly bottomless hole of debt. Saber is gone. Zen is gone. 4A is gone. Gearbox is gone. Also, SAG-AFTRA may strike against video game companies, some new studios are popping up, but many others are still laying off and closing.

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Triple-A game development as we know it is unsustainable. It doesn't matter if a game succeeds or fails, the corporate machine is grinding developers up and spitting them out by the thousands. Things need to change. 

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:29] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2024
• [00:07:04] - Investment In...

The console market is going through major changes as hardware prices stay high and first party needs to pivot audience strategy. Nintendo may be struggling to find a break-even for its Switch successor, prompting a later release than we anticipated. Also: Embracer Group woes continue, Hasbro loses a ton.

This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and...

Microsoft’s layoffs have sent the FTC into a tizzy, adding fuel to the ongoing fire. Also: It’s earnings season, with EA, Microsoft, Capcom, Nintendo, Square Enix, Paradox, Take-Two, Sega, and Meta reporting. We also cover the latest in the layoff storm that continues to drown the industry and Disney’s $1.5B investment in Epic.

This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your str...

In the wake of 2020’s bombshell revelations about Activision’s miserable culture and history of defending sexual abusers, we hoped that Microsoft would be a better steward for the company’s 13,000 employees. With 1,900 laid off post-acquisition, we are disappointed and saddened at how wrong we were.

This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and boos...

It’s been less than one month, and the industry has already suffered more than 3,500 lost jobs. Also: The Circana report for December 2023 and the full year, a few investments, and a discussion about some challenging changes to the U.S. tax code. Oh, and a bit about that weird Palworld game.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:11:08] - Circana re...

It’s been a hard year, folks. As we say goodbye to 2023 and turn our attention to a (hopefully) brighter 2024, we’re recapping recent gaming events, November’s Circana report, and more.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:17] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for November 2023
• [00:09:11] - GameStop Earnings for Q3 2023
• [00:13:28] - ...

Embracer Group gorged itself during the pandemic when debt was cheap. Now, it’s scrambling to lay off hundreds of people to “win.” Also, Circana report for October, Epic wins against Google, and more.

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

TIME STAMPS

• [00:04:03] - Embracer Group Q2 Earnings
• [00:20:32] - Starbreeze Q3 Earnings
• [00:24:59] - Epic wins in court against...

We’re in the thick of earnings season, and it’s hard to swallow positive financial news amid an avalanche of heartbreak labor stories. On this week’s show: Sony EA, Nintendo, Take-Two, Remedy, Sega, and Square Enix earnings.

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

TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:35] - Sony Earnings for Q2 FY2023
• [00:08:50] - EA Earnings for Q2 FY2024
• [00:17:00] ...

With Microsoft’s Activision acquisition closed, the Xbox leadership team has reorganized in some unexpected ways. Also: Microsoft and Capcom earnings, more layoffs, Paradox says goodbye to Harebrained Schemes, Unity boots John Riccitiello, and we have the latest Circana report on U.S. Game spending.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:49] - Ci...

The industry’s labor situation is reaching a boiling point, as Epic Games sacrifices employees on the altar of its fight against Apple and Google. Also: Unity has burnt its goodwill to the ground, voice actors prepare to strike, a leadership shake-up at PlayStation, and Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard now seems like a sure thing.

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Unity couldn’t have made a bigger mess of its reputation in the game development community. Also: Microsoft’s big leak, GameStop earnings, Circana report for August, SAG-AFTRA fires a shot at video game publishers, and more.

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

TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:45] - PAX West
• [00:25:15] - GameStop Earnings
• [00:27:50] - Unity’s Foolish Moves
• [00...

The Microsoft/Activision deal is still alive. And now, Ubisoft has been folded into the conversation with control of cloud streaming rights. Also: Earnings (Square Enix, Sony, Take-Two, Embracer Group), The July 2023 Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending, Xbox’s new moderation system, and a listener question about the Xtra Small Small.

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The Entertainment Software Ratings Board wants to use facial scanning to keep your kids from playing GTA and other adult-focused games. Also, it’s earnings season, with Microsoft, Capcom, Sega, and EA kicking us off. We also cover two more instances of the dreaded “payoffs for layoffs,” and a heap of listener questions!

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The FTC is down for the count after losing in court and seeing an emergency injunction denied. We discuss where things go from here as the UK CMA stands alone. Also, a bunch of new studios were announced, Bungie wins a big victory against a toxic troll, and Xbox works to make it harder for harassers online.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:...

This week saw the long-awaited showdown between the FTC and Microsoft, as the U.S. Government seeks an injunction to prevent the Activision acquisition. Also; new studios opening amidst an otherwise grim labor report, the latest Circana U.S. spending report, and more.

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

TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:17] - Circana U.S. Video Game Spending R...

On the eve of its earnings announcement, Embracer Group saw a nearly-signed $2B deal fall apart. We discuss the potential impact. Also: GameStop back in crisis, a huge number of layoffs, and the strange tale of Disco Elysium continues.

Note: We discuss Cyberpunk 2077 and the Phantom Liberty DLC during this episode. While we were confused that Phantom Liberty was a no-show during Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest presentation, the ...