Latest Entertainmentbusiness Podcast Episodes
Episode 159: Unity Says, “Nice Game You’ve Got There… It’d be a Shame if Something Happened to It” (News Show)
Virtual Economy - September 20, 2023 13:58 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsUnity 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 purch...
Episode 158: Microsoft, Activision, and Ubisoft are a Thrupple Now (News Show)
Virtual Economy - August 26, 2023 13:28 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe 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...
Episode 157: The ESRB Is Getting Weird (News Show)
Virtual Economy - August 06, 2023 16:19 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe 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 he...
Episode 156: Xbox Live is Dead, Long Live Xbox Game Pass (News Show)
Virtual Economy - July 22, 2023 15:13 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe 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 haras...
Episode 155: FTC Cage Match (News Show)
Virtual Economy - July 03, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThis 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 E...
Episode 154: What Happens When a $2B Deal Evaporates Overnight? (News Show)
Virtual Economy - June 11, 2023 19:43 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsOn 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 D...
Episode 153: The UK CMA Throws a Temper Tantrum Over the Activision Acquisition (News Show)
Virtual Economy - May 23, 2023 17:39 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsOne 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. Support Miranda Due, former Un...
Episode 152: Sega’s Angry Birds Acquisition and Life After Microsoft/Activision (News Show)
Virtual Economy - May 05, 2023 18:58 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsAfter 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 Ko-F...
Bonus Episode 8: The UK CMA Murdered the Microsoft/Activision Deal
Virtual Economy - April 26, 2023 17:13 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIt'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 busi...
GDC 2023: I Fought the Law 2 - Legal Rumble in the Bay
Virtual Economy - April 23, 2023 19:33 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsAt 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...
The TiqAssist guys teach us about how understanding fans' pain can lead to opportunity!
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - April 19, 2023 16:13 - 40 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsI've got the TiqAssist guys on today. Chris Babu and Jamie Zimmerman. www.tiqassist.com We got into a bunch of stuff like: How feeling pain as STHs led them to start TiqAssist. Jumping careers to get into sports. The "strain" of resale for season ticket holders. The cash offer t...
Episode 151: E3 Can’t Claw Itself Out of the Grave (News Show)
Virtual Economy - April 05, 2023 01:36 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe 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...
Drew McManus says "one size fits none" is a bad idea...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - March 20, 2023 11:37 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsMy guest today is Drew McManus from UpStage CRM: www.upstagecrm.io We had a great time catching up in Seattle at INTIX and now we've gone and done a podcast! We hit on a lot of topics like what led Drew to start UpStage. I put Drew on the spot and make him define "one size fits none". W...
Episode 150: Square Enix Says No Flippin’ Thanks to its Web3 CEO (News Show)
Virtual Economy - March 17, 2023 13:34 - 51 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsSquare 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 ...
Brain Bump will make you smarter...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - March 13, 2023 10:30 - 35 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsI have Mark Herschberg back today to talk about his new app, Brain Bump. This is a really cool tool that lets you bring learning with you wherever you are. I've been taking part in the launch and it enables me to provide bite sized nuggets and insights to you so that you can access the ideas ...
Paul Bailey teaches me how to make Brand Purpose meaningful and not BS...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - March 09, 2023 05:14 - 58 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsI'm talking with Paul Bailey from Halo in Bristol, UK today. We are discussing brand and this is a great one because we set out to hit on a few really important topics: Research Brand Purpose Top of Funnel Activity Paul was kind enough to come on to be the first guest to talk about bran...
Christy Grantham goes to INTIX because it is an answer to burnout...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - March 07, 2023 19:05 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsMy final conversation from the floor of INTIX at the Booking Protect booth. This time I catch up with friend of the podcast, Christy Grantham. We talk about why she goes to INTIX. Christy talks about how INTIX helps her learn about new tech, new ideas, and avoid burnout. One of the imp...
Episode 149: The Great Games as a Service Massacre (News Show)
Virtual Economy - February 20, 2023 18:18 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIt’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,...
Casey Thomas calls me a snazzy dresser!
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - February 15, 2023 19:13 - 7 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsHere's another conversation live from the Cover Genius booth at INTIX 2023 in Seattle with Casey Thomas of AudienceView. We talk about what Casey likes about INTIX. We hit on things she's learned. And, why we are snazzy dressers. Check out AudienceView at www.audienceview.com Hook up wi...
Angela Higgins live from the Cover Genius booth at INTIX 2023
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - February 08, 2023 01:41 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsI did some quick podcast conversations at INTIX that I loosely called, "8 minutes at INTIX" from the Cover Genius booth. This first one is with Angela Higgins. Along with Jo Michel, Angela does the Ticketing Professionals Conference of Australia. The conference is in October this year. C...
Episode 148: Dungeons & Dragons, New Coke, and Other Terrible Mistakes (News Show)
Virtual Economy - January 30, 2023 22:10 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWizards 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. ...
Chris Furnell teaches us how we can make change stick in our organizations.
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - January 19, 2023 18:36 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsREPOST WITH REPAIRED FILE Totally new idea this week. Chris Furnell offered up the idea of a conversation centered entirely on the process of change and making change stick in our organizations. I jumped at the chance because I've been talking with y'all about change for years. So we...
Episode 147: Ubisoft in Crisis (Season 4 Premiere)
Virtual Economy - January 17, 2023 23:58 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWe’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 Fortni...
People are 25% more likely to go to a movie in 2023...that and more on the 2023 Numbers to Know Webinar Replay
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - December 30, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsI'm my own guest today with an audio version of my "2023 Numbers to Know" webinar. This is something I started during the lockdown year of 2020 and I'm back with a lot of intersting stuff like: What the 60% projected drop in GDP means for Australia. And, how this will help you look at number...
Bruce McTague tells us about the future of business and why exploration isn't a good business model.
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - December 28, 2022 17:45 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsMy guest today is Bruce McTague. Bruce is a first in two ways for the podcast: A think tank person A futurist This opens up the door to a really new type of conversation for listeners. We discuss things like: Adding value Lack of innovation in the economy Why large companies can h...
Episode 146: GameStop’s Still Hemorrhaging Money (News Show)
Virtual Economy - December 16, 2022 20:09 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIt’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 F...
Dave Harland teaches us how to use humor in our marketing...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - December 14, 2022 05:14 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsMy guest today is Dave Harland...the Wordman himself. Get his excellent newsletter: The Word! This is an excellent conversation about things like: Dave's Uncle Tony, Gary V, and Simon Sinek and what all three of them have in common. Why being a trained journalist helps Dave be a better...
Eduardo Lebre explains why Coldplay's touring habits matter...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - December 08, 2022 16:51 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsMy guest today is Eduardo Lebre from Circular Unity. www.circularunity.com We discuss sustainability in the live entertainment business. Eduardo teaches us about things like: Why Coldplay's touring habits are so important to a sustainable touring business. How likely ticket buyers are t...
Bonus Episode 7: What to do When Your Brand Isn’t Working for You Anymore
Virtual Economy - December 06, 2022 19:49 - 39 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsBrad 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 Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
Sheryl Lynn teaches me about the "Chair of Joy"...
Dave Wakeman's The Business of Fun Podcast - November 30, 2022 01:54 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsA little different episode today, but Sheryl Lynn from Joyley comes on and teaches me a mindfulness technique that might be useful to y'all during the holiday season. Her take on mindfulness is called "The Chair of Joy". We discuss mental health, mindfulness, negativity, and getting your m...
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