A bonus episode is LIVE, as we discuss the $55B EA leveraged buyout. We explain how we got here, what a leveraged buyout is, and what questions labor should be asking. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/bonu...

Special episode going live soon, as we discuss the EA deal.

**NEW VIRTUAL ECONOMY EPISODE IS LIVE!** Bonus Episode 11: The PAX West 2025 Roundup PAX West 2025 felt like home for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown ended. We recap our favorite games and tech from the show. Check it out here (virtualeconcast.com/podcast/pax-...) or any major pod app.

A NEW EPISODE APPEARS! Bungie Jump (News Show): Sony has jettisoned embattled Bungie studio head Pete Parsons and raises PS5 prices. Also: Another Subnautica 2 lawsuit, a BioShock shakeup, and rare CEO transparency. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Krafton Tries to Sink Subnautica Suit (News Show): Krafton’s response to the Unknown Worlds lawsuit hinges on one key element: the Equity Purchase Agreement. Also, lots of earnings, Roblox under fire, a censorship update, and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**NEW EPISODE** We Have Horizon: Zero Dawn at Home (News Show): Tencent wanted to make a licensed Horizon game. Sony said no. Tencent said “ok” and winked. Now they’re being sued. Also: Earnings, a censorship update, and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Oh hey. We have a new handle here at the ol' Bsky!

Episode 195: The Quarter Billion Dollar Subnautica Showdown (News Show) Krafton’s alleged buyer's remorse has triggered a $250 Million lawsuit. Also: Payment processor censorship of Steam and Itch, Circana reports, and more! virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**NEW EPISODE** 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, and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

NEW EPISODE IS LIVE! Switch 2’s Best Feature is Potential (News Show): 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

PAX East Takes A MAGFest Turn (News Show): PAX East isn’t the show it was 10 years ago. With most AAA developers staying away, indies take center stage. But is it sustainable? Also: Circana for April 2025, EA's decision to close Cliffhanger, and more! virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

NEW EPISODE OF VIRTUAL ECONOMY IS LIVE! Episode 191 - Who Can Even Afford to Be a Gamer Anymore? (News Show) Microsoft is jacking prices on hardware, software, and peripherals. This seems like a strongarm tactic to push Game Pass. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

NEW EPISODE!! (finally) Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show): The original Nintendo Switch launched at $299 USD. The Switch 2 price was quietly revealed at $449. With tariffs wreaking havoc, where do we go from here? virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

NEW EPISODE! WB’s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show): Warner Bros. continues to chip away at its infrastructure and consumer confidence with the closure of three more studios. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

NEW EPISODE IS LIVE! Episode 188: We’re Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show): Despite mounting evidence that GaaS is struggling, executives continue to go back to that empty well. Also: A ton of earnings reports, as the labor picture worsens. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

A New Virtual Economy Ep is LIVE! When A Publisher Won’t Use the Word ‘Layoff’ (News Show) EA buries the lede on layoffs. Also: Earnings season begins, Circana report for December 2024, a recap of the GDC State of the Industry report, and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

We play A LOT of tabletop games, so we decided to round up some of our favorites that we played in 2024! Thanks to @restorationgames.bsky.social, Renegade Game Studios, and @wizkids.bsky.social for review copies for some of the entries on this list! virtualeconcast.com/feature/tabl...

We're back to kick off Season 6! Unalive Service (Season Premiere - News Show): The year is already off to an intense start. On this episode: Switch 2 business analysis, Ubisoft’s precarious position, the U.S. ruffles Tencent, and Sony cancels two service games. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Each year, @futterish.bsky.social and @writualmagic.bsky.social look back at the year's trends and look ahead at what's to come. We're delighted to share our latest in a tradition that's more than a decade old. virtualeconcast.com/trends/2024-...

Survive Through ‘25 (SEASON FINALE): Another season of Virtual Economy comes to a close. We recap the year, discuss PAX Unplugged and The Game Awards, and discuss what to expect in 2025. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**NEW EPISODE!** Call of Duty Saves the Month… On PlayStation (News Show): Whether the Game Pass Gambit pays off or not, Black Ops 6 is selling great on Sony’s console. Also: the rest of the Circana report on U.S. Video Game Spending for October and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Virtual Economy - Episode 183: The Cold Embrace(r) (News Show) Another bad quarter for Embracer could have ripple effects throughout the industry. Also: Sony, Nintendo, Sega, and Square Enix earnings, and trouble at NetEase. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

** NEW EPISODE ** We Carry On… Together (News Show): It’s earnings season, so we’re digging into the numbers to help us understand if “Survive until ‘25” is still realistic or if things are going to remain difficult through next year. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**NEW EPISODE** 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**NEW EPISODE** Ubisoft in Freefall (News Show): Ubisoft has weathered storms (many of its own making), but things are looking dire. Also: More on the turmoil at Annapurna, a grim labor report, and a strange acquisition story. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/ubis...

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

*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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Episode 176: 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/bonu...

Episode 175: 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Sony Didn’t Manage Democracy, Xbox Self-Immolates (News Show): Sony dug a giant 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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! virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Why Layoffs? Because Everyone Else is Doing It! (News Show): Two months after Take-Two 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! virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**NEW EPISODE** Embracer Group Fire Sale Burns Labor (News Show): We’ve come full circle. Embracer Group took 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

**COME GET YOUR NEW VIRTUAL ECONOMY!** 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/swit...

*** NEW VIRTUAL ECONOMY IS LIVE! *** 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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). virtualeconcast.com/analysis/mic...

We Were Wrong About Microsoft and Activision (News Show): In the wake of revelations about Activision’s frat boy culture, we hoped that Microsoft would be a better steward for the company’s 13,000 employees. Now, 1,900 people are without jobs. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

SEASON 5 STARTS... NOW! So… 2024, Huh? (News Show): The layoff train is still chugging, and we discuss the latest impact. Also: Circana report for December and full yr 2023, challenging changes to the U.S. tax code. Oh, and a bit about that weird Palworld game. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Each year, @futterish.bsky.social and @writualmagic.bsky.social reflect on the previous year's trends and look ahead at what to expect for the coming months. We're pleased to share our annual trends roundup & look-ahead for 2023 and 2024. virtualeconcast.com/analysis/202...

NEW EPISODE! 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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

A new episode of Virtual Economy is LIVE! 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.” virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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, and Unity boots John Riccitiello. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Bonus Episode: The State of Indie Publishing with Z from @serenityforge.bsky.social - At PAX West, we spoke with Serenity Forge founder and CEO Z about the risks, challenges, and opportunities in the indie publishing world. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/pax-...