Virtual Economy Podcast

A podcast about the business of games for the rest of us. Now on all major podcasting platforms! Hosts: @writualmagick, @Futterish. Email: [email protected].

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Hey, we're over on the Blue place! You can find us at:

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Roblox Remains Icky as Heck (News Show): A scathing report from Hindenburg Research surfaces shocking realities about Roblox. Also: Circana Report for August 2024, sea change in mobile app distribution, and more.

https://t.co/7EOm9okh7l

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

The $700 PS5 Pro Is An Act of Desperation (News Show): The PlayStation 5 Pro has pundits scratching their heads. Also: GameStop earnings tumble, more Microsoft layoffs, and Unity reverses a terrible decision.

https://t.co/W8gP8Lh0v5

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Mike wrote a lengthy feature about the state of the video game industry for @GIBiz. Check it out!

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

*NEW EPISODE!*

EA Sports College Football Saves the Month (News Show)

We had a hunch that EA Sports College Football was going to be big, and it’s making a huge impact. Also: Lots of earnings, PS5 price hikes, and more.

https://t.co/a2jIYs2Hkm

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

The Last Good Reason for GameStop to Exist is Gone (News Show): After 33 years, GameStop has shuttered Game Informer. Also: Earnings time is here, more Bungie layoffs, Circana report for June 2024, voice actors on strike and more.

https://t.co/FxHXEoq3Jl

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Microsoft Holds a Knife to the Golden Game Pass Goose’s Neck (News Show): Microsoft is making sweeping changes to Game Pass, seemingly to avoid bleeding out on Call of Duty sales. Also: Circana report for May 2024, SAG-AFTRA updates, and more.

https://t.co/hIg0DYkvWy

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Additionally, we wanted to make this episode as easy to reference as possible. A transcript is available here:

https://t.co/JmZoA3mxha

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

**NEW EPISODE**

Bonus Episode 10: A Conversation About Unionization with IATSE

We’re joined by Chrissy Fellmeth, Kelly Larkin, and Andrew Buczacki to discuss how IATSE is supporting labor organization and unionization in the video game industry.

https://t.co/emIWDS4Jvy

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Summer Game Fest Gets Closer to E3 Vibes (News Show): E3 might be dead, but its spirit is clinging to life (even if just by sheer will). We discuss the trends and big learnings. Also: GameStop earnings, Circana report for April 2024, and more.

https://t.co/OKGiyteVZQ

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Today in unhinged ish from our amazing Discord community... (You, too, can be unhinged with us. DM for a Discord invite!)

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

The World’s Oldest Console War is Over (News Show): Atari has finally driven its mortal enemy, Intellivision, and heard the lamentations of its pixels. Also: So. Many. Earnings. A number of new studios, and more.

https://t.co/HHW0LBFqqJ

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Sony Didn’t Manage Democracy, Xbox Self-Immolates (News Show):

Sony dug a hole and dumped all the Helldivers 2 goodwill into the pit (while cutting off 177 countries). Microsoft lit itself on fire and burned player sentiment to the ground. Good times.

https://t.co/9QmhmlJfRC

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Embracer Group Crumbles… And Friends (News Show): The Embracer Group name is going away, splitting its mega-conglomerate into three in an attempt to move on from its destructive legacy. Also: Earnings season is here!

https://t.co/qcUWKBcJA5

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

Why Layoffs? Because Everyone Else is Doing It! (News Show): Two months after T2 said it wasn’t planning layoffs it has… well… you know. Also, join us for community-inspired discussions about keeping the industry healthy and what separates III from AA!

https://t.co/T3HJf6PHZ9

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

**NEW EPISODE**

Embracer Group Fire Sale Burns Labor (News Show):

Embracer Group just took a massive losses for much-needed cash to fill a seemingly bottomless hole of debt. Saber is gone. Zen is gone. 4A is gone. And now Gearbox is gone.

https://t.co/QPcU70XVzf

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

The AAA Video Game Industry is in Freefall (News Show): 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 by the thousands. Things need to change.

https://t.co/8q2LoloWLZ

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

**NEW EPISODE!**

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.

https://t.co/fsXeI0LtDM

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

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: A ton of earnings, miserable layoffs, and Disney invests in Epic.

https://t.co/bYilxkEHc6

[Virtual Economy Podcast @VirtualEconCast]

The internet is in a frenzy over the report that Microsoft might be bringing some of its titles to other consoles.

Let's take a beat and discuss what might be happening (and why things might not be as dire as console warriors would have you believe).

https://t.co/NnlxgMjdpz