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Virtual Economy

Hosted by Virtual Economy

Episodes

10

Latest episode

Feb 2024

Language

EN-US

About the show

Catch up on Virtual Economy's latest episodes.

Listen to episodes

10 recent
February 23, 20241 hr 52 min

Episode 168: Switch 2 Switcharoo Could Thwart 2024 Recovery Hopes (News Show)

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...

February 14, 2024

Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)

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.

January 31, 20241 hr 1 min

Episode 166: We Were Wrong About Microsoft and Activision (News Show)

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...

January 24, 20241 hr 35 min

Episode 165: So… 2024, Huh? (News Show)

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...

December 27, 20231 hr 24 min

Episode 164: The Game Awards Needs to Change (Season Finale)

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. You can support Virtual...

December 15, 20231 hr 38 min

Episode 163: Embracer Group Claims Layoffs are How “We Will Win” (News Show)

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.

November 15, 2023

Episode 162: The Stark Contrast Between Positive Earnings and Gruesome Layoffs (News Show)

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...

October 30, 2023

Episode 161: Phil Spencer is Bobby Kotick’s Daddy Now (News Show)

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.

October 8, 20231 hr 34 min

Episode 160: A Bad Year for Game Creators is a Bad Year for Games (News Show)

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...

October 1, 202331 min

PAX West 2023: The State of Indie Publishing with Z from Serenity Forge

At 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.

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