Latest Videogamebusiness Podcast Episodes
Episode 170: Embracer Group Fire Sale Burns Labor (News Show)
Virtual Economy - March 29, 2024 20:43 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWe’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,...
Episode 169: The AAA Video Game Industry is in Freefall (News Show)
Virtual Economy - March 03, 2024 01:19 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsTriple-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. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virt...
Episode 168: Switch 2 Switcharoo Could Thwart 2024 Recovery Hopes (News Show)
Virtual Economy - February 23, 2024 17:56 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe 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 los...
Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)
Virtual Economy - February 14, 2024 15:58 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsMicrosoft’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 D...
Episode 166: We Were Wrong About Microsoft and Activision (News Show)
Virtual Economy - January 31, 2024 15:13 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIn 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 w...
Episode 165: So… 2024, Huh? (News Show)
Virtual Economy - January 24, 2024 19:46 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIt’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. Y...
Episode 164: The Game Awards Needs to Change (Season Finale)
Virtual Economy - December 27, 2023 20:13 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIt’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. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME...
Episode 163: Embracer Group Claims Layoffs are How “We Will Win” (News Show)
Virtual Economy - December 15, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsEmbracer 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 merc...
Episode 162: The Stark Contrast Between Positive Earnings and Gruesome Layoffs (News Show)
Virtual Economy - November 15, 2023 21:49 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWe’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 purch...
Episode 161: Phil Spencer is Bobby Kotick’s Daddy Now (News Show)
Virtual Economy - October 30, 2023 15:51 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWith 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 spend...
Episode 160: A Bad Year for Game Creators is a Bad Year for Games (News Show)
Virtual Economy - October 08, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsThe 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 A...
Bonus Episode 9: The State of Indie Publishing with Z from Serenity Forge
Virtual Economy - October 01, 2023 17:01 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsAt PAX West, we spoke with Serenity Forge founder and CEO Z about the risks, challenges, and opportunities in the indie publishing world. With brutal macroeconomic headwinds and massive consolidation, the pressure is on for small publishers. Find out how Serenity Forge is weathering the storm.
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...
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...
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 ...
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,...
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. ...
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...
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...
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!
Bonus Episode 6: How Equity Funding Works (With Kelly Wallick)
Virtual Economy - November 28, 2022 19:20 - 52 minutes ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsIndie 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 ...
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