Episodios

  • Episode 194: Xbox Gutted (News Show)

    Episode 194: Xbox Gutted (News Show)
    Jul 5 2025
    Following strong financial performance in its gaming division, Microsoft is taking a machete to its work force and its future as a serious competitor. Is this the brand’s Red Ring of Death? Also, Bungie runs from Marathon, Warner Bros. goes all-in on safe IP, and the labor report hurts even more than usual. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:03:59] - Sony Games & Network Services Update[00:16:09] - Marathon Delayed Indefinitely[00:27:51] - Sony Brings Four Games Back to 177 Countries[00:30:18] - Cleer Arc 3 Gaming Review[00:37:52] - Investment Interlude[00:42:27] - Quick Hits[00:59:46] - Labor Report SOURCES Game & Network Services Segment | SonyMarathon Development Update | Bungie Sony removes regional restrictions on four of its biggest games on Steam | PC Gamer Tencent owns 15% of Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead, it has emerged | VGC INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Sensor Tower Acquires Playliner to Expand Live Ops Intelligence Across Mobile Gaming | Sensor Tower Warner Bros. Games Restructures Into Divisions Based on ‘Game of Thrones,’ Harry Potter, ‘Mortal Kombat’ and DC Universe | Variety LABOR REPORT Microsoft Begins Deep Job Cuts Across Xbox Division | Bloomberg (Paywall) Microsoft to lay off as many as 9,000 employees in latest round | Seattle Times Lost Records and Jusant developer Don't Nod is laying off staff | Eurogamer Bloodlines 2 developer The Chinese Room has laid off employees, but Paradox says the game is still coming in October | PC GamerHypixel Studios has Canceled Hytale and Will Wind Down | Hypixel Studios on Twitter MindsEye Developer Build a Rocket Boy Begins Layoff Process Amid Disastrous Launch, Studio Sources Say | IGN MindsEye Dev's UK Workforce of Around 300 Receive At-Risk Emails as Former GTA Lead Leslie Benzies Finally Addresses Staff | IGNCyan Worlds Has Gone Through Another Round of Layoffs | Cyan Worlds on Bluesky Studio Camelia has Closed | Studio Camelia on LinkedIn Star Wars: Hunters Publisher Shutters Studio Founded by Torchlight, Diablo Creator Before It Could Announce Its New Game | IGN People Can Fly Undergoes Layoffs | People Can Fly on LinkedInMajor layoffs at Playtika with up to 160 jobs cut on Best Fiends and Redecor teams | MobileGamer.biz Subway Surfers Blast developer Outplay Entertainment has laid off 21 workers | Game Developer RuneScape studio Jagex lays off an undisclosed number of 'non-player facing' staff | Game Developer Cult of the North Shutting Down | Adam Schaub on LinkedIn Report: Return to Moria developer Free Range Games lays off 80 people | Game Developer Sony is making layoffs at Days Gone developer Bend Studio | Game Developer French court convicts ex-Ubisoft bosses for workplace harassment | AFP Video Game Workers Reach Historic Tentative Contract Agreement with Microsoft | CWA
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    1 h y 51 m
  • Episode 193: Switch 2’s Best Feature is Potential (News Show)

    Episode 193: Switch 2’s Best Feature is Potential (News Show)
    Jun 14 2025

    With our Switch 2 in-hand, we’re ready to give you our early feelings about the console in this challenging market. Also: SO many earnings. Like… SO many.

    Nintendo, Sony, EA, Take-Two, Remedy, Embracer Group, Paradox, Square Enix, Capcom, and Sega.

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

    TIME STAMPS

    • [00:05:02] - Switch 2 Impressions
    • [00:41:28] - Nintendo FY25 Earnings
    • [00:47:16] - Sony FY24-25 Earnings
    • [00:51:17] - EA Q4 and FY25 Earnings
    • [00:56:43] - Take-Two Q4 and FY25 Earnings
    • [01:04:24] - Remedy Q1 FY25 Earnings
    • [01:07:57] - Embracer Group Q4 and FY25 Earnings
    • [01:15:24] - Paradox Q1 FY25 Earnings
    • [01:24:38] - Square Enix FY25 Earnings
    • [01:29:49] - Capcom FY25 Earnings
    • [01:35:56] - Sega FY25 Earnings

    SOURCES

    • Nintendo FY 25 Results | Nintendo
    • FY2024 Consolidated Financial Results | Sony
    • Electronic Arts Reports Q4 and FY25 Results | EA
    • EA Pushes Full Return to Office, Effectively Ends Remote Hiring | IGN
    • Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 | Take-Two
    • Remedy Entertainment Plc: Business Review January–March 2025 | Remedy
    • Embracer Group publishes Interim Report Q4 | Embracer Group
    • Interim report January – March 2025 | Paradox
    • Results Briefing Session for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2025 | Square Enix
    • Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ending March 31, 2025 | Capcom
    • Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ending March 31, 2025 | Sega
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    1 h y 47 m
  • Episode 192: PAX East Takes A MAGFest Turn (News Show)

    Episode 192: PAX East Takes A MAGFest Turn (News Show)
    May 30 2025

    PAX East isn’t the show it was 10 years ago. With most AAA developers staying away, indies take center stage. Also: Circana report for April 2025, GameStop sells off its Canadian holdings, Curve Games has a new owner, the SAG-AFTRA voice performer strike enters the endgame, and much more. We’ve also got a pair of great listener questions!

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

    TIME STAMPS

    • [00:03:10] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for April 2025
    • [00:17:36] - PAX East Recap
    • [00:52:48] - Investment Interlude
    • [01:09:12] - Quick Hits
    • [01:17:15] - Labor Report
    • [01:34:37] - Listener Questions

    INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

    • Universal Distribution completes Alliance Game Distributors buyout from Diamond Comics after chaotic bankruptcy auction | BoardGameWire
    • Curve Games Acquired by Nazara Technologies | Curve Games
    • Apple acquires RAC7, its first-ever video game studio | Digital Trends
    • NCsoft makes "strategic equity investment" in Empty Vessel | GamesIndustry
    • Griffin Gaming Partners Leads €12M Series A in Amplitude Studios | Griffin Gaming Partners
    • Sony PlayStation establishes new studio, teamLFG, to work on "an ambitious incubation project" | GamesIndustry
    • Starbreeze acquires publishing rights to troubled Payday 3, says move will 'accelerate development roadmap' | Eurogamer
    • Brightika expands to PC and console with $3m investment for indie devs | GamesIndustry

    LABOR REPORT

    • EA Cancels Black Panther Game, Closes Cliffhanger Games | IGN
    • Microsoft announces plans to lay off thousands more workers | VGC
    • Video Game Companies Release Final Offer to SAG-AFTRA Addressing AI Demands Amid 9-Month Strike (EXCLUSIVE) | Variety
    • Video Game Companies Remove AI Provision on Unlimited Digital Replicas From ‘Best, Last and Final’ Offer to Actors Union (EXCLUSIVE) | Variety
    • SAG-AFTRA's Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Responds to Video Game Employers | SAG-AFTRA
    • SAG-AFTRA Statement on Fortnite’s Use of A.I. Darth Vader Voice and ULP Filing | SAG-AFTRA
    • THQ Nordic studio that was set to be closed in 2023 somehow escaped the Embracer death spiral and is now working on a new RPG | PC Gamer
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    1 h y 50 m
  • Episode 191: Who Can Even Afford to Be a Gamer Anymore? (News Show)

    Episode 191: Who Can Even Afford to Be a Gamer Anymore? (News Show)
    May 2 2025

    Microsoft is jacking prices on hardware, software, and peripherals. With costs going up while interest in Microsoft’s offerings declining, we have to wonder if Microsoft is applying pressure to push Game Pass. Also: Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for March 2025, Apple scores an own-goal and pisses off the Court, the tabletop industry is in freefall, and EA lays off another 300 to 400 people.

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

    TIME STAMPS

    • [00:1:31] - GTA 6 Delay
    • [00:12:06] - Circana for March 2025
    • [00:17:43] - Devolver Digital Investor Presentation
    • [00:24:36] - Microsoft Q3 FY25
    • [00:45:36] - Investment Interlude
    • [00:56:59] - Quick Hits
    • [01:06:42] - Labor Report
    • [01:24:58] - FAFO

    SOURCES

    • Earnings Release FY25 Q3 | Microsoft
    • Investor Presentation - 2024 Results | Devolver Digital
    • Devolver Digital lays off almost half of Reigns studio Nerial | Eurogamer
    • A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store | The Verge
    • New Epic Games Store Webshops and Revenue Share Update | Epic Games

    INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

    • Blue Ocean Games Terms & Conditions | Blue Ocean Games

    LABOR REPORT

    • Online board game seller Boardlandia shuts down after tariffs add “unsustainable burden” to company’s existing challenges | BoardGameWire
    • CMON announces layoffs, will stop ‘all future game development’ and crowdfunding efforts | Polygon
    • Report: Meta has laid off over 100 Reality Labs employees | Game Developer
    • Mighty Yell Undergoes Layoffs | Mighty Yell on Bluesky
    • Respawn Layoffs | Respawn on Twitter
    • Electronic Arts Lays Off Hundreds, Cancels ‘Titanfall’ Game | Bloomberg (Paywall)
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    1 h y 33 m
  • Episode 190: Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show)

    Episode 190: Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show)
    Apr 21 2025

    The original Nintendo Switch launched at $300 USD. The Switch 2 price was absent from the huge Nintendo Direct, only to be quietly revealed at $450. As for game prices, Mario Kart World is a whopping $80. Costs are on the rise, and the latest tariffs have spiked the price of accessories. So… where do we go from here? Also… Ubisoft slices off its most profitable franchises, lots of layoffs, and a huge game publisher strike.

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

    TIME STAMPS

    • [00:02:53] - Nintendo Switch 2 and The Return of Paul Rudd, Gamer Dude
    • [00:43:22] - Ubisoft Slices Off an Arm to Make a Tencent Deal
    • [00:53:41] - Gamestop Q4 and Full Year Earnings
    • [00:58:49] - Investment Interlude
    • [01:01:36] - Quick Hits
    • [01:14:37] - Labor Report

    SOURCES

    • Nintendo Switch 2 Launches June 5 at $449.99 | BusinessWire
    • Ubisoft Accelerates its Transformation by Laying Foundation for New Operating Model | Ubisoft
    • GameStop Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Results | GameStop

    INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

    • Krafton acquires controlling stake in Indian gaming studio Nautilus Mobile for $14M | TechCrunch
    • Say hi to the new Supercell Investments | Supercell

    LABOR REPORT

    • Cyan Worlds Lays off Half its Staff | Cyan Worlds on Twitter
    • Plaion: Job cuts at Munich-based Embracer division (Update) | Games Wirtschaft
    • Plaion Lays Off a Reported 40 People | Plaion
    • Crystal Dynamics lays off 17 employees | GamesIndustry
    • Major Layoffs at Eidos-Montreal | Eidos-Montreal on LinkedIn
    • More Layoffs at Lost Boys Interactive? | Bryan Harmon on LinkedIn
    • Atomhawk Design Announces Layoffs | Atomhawk Design on LinkedIn
    • PlaySide Studios is Restructuring | PlaySide Studios on LinkedIn
    • Supermoves Developer Makea Games is Shutting Down | Makea Games
    • Brass Lion Has Conducted Layoffs | Brass Lion on LinkedIn
    • ZeniMax union votes to authorize a strike | The Verge
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    1 h y 38 m
  • Episode 189: WB’s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show)

    Episode 189: WB’s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show)
    Mar 25 2025
    Warner Bros. continues to chip away at its infrastructure and consumer confidence with the closure of three more studios. Also: Circana reports for Jan and Feb, a recap of GDC and developers’ feelings about the industry, a curious period for investments, a new union looks to cover the entire industry, and more. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:03:00] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2025[00:11:59] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2025[00:21:39] - GDC 2025 Recap[00:54:29] - Investment Interlude[01:14:23] - Quick Hits[01:22:11] - Labor Report SOURCES Warner Bros. Shuts Down Three Game Studios, Cancels Wonder Woman Title | Bloomberg (Paywall)Studio Fizbin's Last Magic Trick: “Reignbreaker” | Studio Fizbin Layoffs at Wizards of the Coast's Skeleton Key Studio | Nassim Ait-Kaci on LinkedIn PlayStation Hit With More Layoffs Following Recent Game Cancellations | KotakuMountaintop is Shutting Down | Spectre Divide on Twitter Respawn lays off staff, cancels another unannounced game | Game Developer Free Range Games has Undergone Layoffs | Free Range Games on LinkedIn Fallout and Obsidian veterans ditch open-world game plans as team shrinks to a "skeleton crew" | Eurogamer Wizards of the Coast winds down Sigil VTT team | Andy Collins on LinkedIn Sunsetting Seekers of Skyveil | Elodie on SteamUVW-CWA unveiled at GDC 2025 | UVW-CWA INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Emona Capital completes acquisition of UK publisher Secret Mode | Secret Mode Emona Capital makes investment in Blackbird Interactive | Blackbird Interactive on LinkedIn GTA developer Rockstar acquires Video Games Deluxe to expand into Australia | Game Developer Former NetEase director self-funds new studio to ensure "management protects creators" | GamesIndustry Tencent acquires additional shares in FromSoftware parent company, Kadokawa | GamesIndustry PlayStation has formed new studio Dark Outlaw Games with Call of Duty Zombies lead Jason Blundell | VGCNiantic’s Next Chapter | Niantic Jam City Sells Ludia to Canadian Investors | Joshua Yguado on LinkedIn
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    1 h y 42 m
  • Episode 188: We’re Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show)

    Episode 188: We’re Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show)
    Feb 25 2025
    Despite mounting evidence that Games as a Service are struggling, executives continue to go back to that empty well. Also: A ton of earnings reports (Nintendo, EA, Paradox, Square Enix, Sega, Ubisoft, Remedy, Embracer Group, and Sony), the labor picture worsens, and Niantic may be exiting the gaming space. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:01:58] - Nintendo Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:16:07] - EA Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:30:18] - Paradox FY24 Earnings[00:34:40] - Take Two Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:36:46] - Square Enix Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:40:17] - Sega Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:42:52] - Ubisoft Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:44:49] - Remedy FY24 Earnings[00:47:15] - Embracer Group Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:50:18] - Sony Q3 FY25 Earnings[00:54:11] - Investment Interlude[01:01:38] - Quick Hits[01:05:18] - Labor Report SOURCES Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 | Nintendo Electronic Arts Reports Q3 FY25 Results | EABattlefield Labs | EA END OF KAIZEN REVIEW | EA Year-end report January – December 2024 | Paradox Paradox Interactive acquires Haemimont Games | ParadoxConsolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2024 | Square Enix Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2024 | Sega UBISOFT REPORTS THIRD-QUARTER 2024-25 SALES | UbisoftRemedy Entertainment Plc: Financial Statements Release January-December 2024 | Remedy Embracer Group publishes Interim Report Q3 | Embracer Group Q3 FY2024 Consolidated Financial Results | Sony INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Dead Astronauts Secures €4M In Oversubscribed Seed Round | Dead Astronauts nDreams establishes new internal studio, shutters two others | GamesIndustry GameStop Announces Plan to Pursue a Sale of French and Canadian Operations | GameStop ‘Pokémon Go’ Maker Nears $3.5 Billion Deal to Sell Games Unit | Bloomberg (Paywall) LABOR REPORT Sumo Group is Refocusing and Undergoing Layoffs | Sumo Group on LinkedIn Iron Galaxy Layoffs | Iron Galaxy on LinkedIn Report: ProbablyMonsters conducting more layoffs after pledging to build 'stable home for developers' | Game Developer Report: Hi-Rez Studios laid off dozens of developers from Smite team | Game Developer Crytek is Laying Off 15% of its Workforce | Crytek on LinkedIn VR dev Toast Interactive lays off majority of staff | Game Developer Liquid Sword makes "deeply regrettable" job cuts for "the studio's long-term sustainability" | GamesIndustry Netflix has laid off staff at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio | Game Developer Bossa Games Layoffs | Bossa Games on LinkedIn EXCLUSIVE: 10:10 Games Employees Offered No Severance, Layoffs Happened While On Holiday, And More | Insider Gaming Layoffs at NetEase on the Marvel Rivals team | Jack Burrows on LinkedIn Layoffs at NetEase on the Marvel Rivals team | Thaddeus Sasser on LinkedIn
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    1 h y 19 m
  • Episode 187: When A Publisher Won’t Use the Word ‘Layoff’ (News Show)

    Episode 187: When A Publisher Won’t Use the Word ‘Layoff’ (News Show)
    Feb 4 2025

    There are few things worse than yet another company laying people off… and EA has committed the sin of obfuscating job losses. Also: Earnings season is underway, the Circana report for December 2024 and the full year, a recap of the GDC State of the Industry report, and more.

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

    TIME STAMPS

    • [00:00:49] - EA Takes a Tumble
    • [00:12:58] - Microsoft Q2 FY25 Earnings
    • [00:19:38] - Capcom Q3 FY25 Earnings
    • [00:25:39] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for December 2024 and Full Year 2024
    • [00:35:25] - Learnings from the GDC State of the Industry Report
    • [01:05:38] - Investment Interlude
    • [01:14:06] - Quick Hits
    • [01:25:21] - Labor Report
    • [01:38:15] - Listener Questions
    • [01:50:18] - FAFO

    SOURCES

    • Electronic Arts Pre-Announces Preliminary Q3 FY25 Results | EA
    • Electronic Arts EVP Jacob Schatz sells shares worth $215,174 | MSN
    • Earnings Release FY25 Q2 | Microsoft
    • Consolidated financial results for the 3rd Quarter of FY2024 | Capcom
    • Meta Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results | Meta
    • The drone pilot who took out an LA firefighting plane pleads guilty to escape prison | The Verge

    INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

    • Pocketpair launches publishing business [Pocketpair Publishing] and announces first publishing partnership with SURGENT STUDIOS. | Pocketpair
    • Virtuos acquires three studios to 'significantly augment' development support capabilities | Game Developer
    • Board game distribution major Alliance gets $39m buyout bid as owner Diamond Comics files for bankruptcy protection | BoardGameWire
    • Closing of Easybrain divestment | Embracer Group

    LABOR REPORT

    • BioWare Studio Update | BioWare Blog
    • Reflector confirms more layoffs after Unknown 9 falls short of expectations | Game Developer
    • Phoenix Labs Lays Off Most of Its Staff | Phoenix Labs on LinkedIn
    • Ubisoft Layoffs and Closures | Ubisoft Leamington on LinkedIn
    • Fast Travel Games Lays off 30 People | Fast Travel Games on LinkedIn
    • Studio co-founded by Dr Disrespect closing after three years working on new FPS | PCGamesN
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    1 h y 55 m