Virtual Economy Podcast

Episode 199: Game Pass Abdicates 'Best Value in Gaming' Throne (News Show)

Game Pass Abdicates ‘Best Value in Gaming’ Throne (News Show)

With prices skyrocketing this generation, Microsoft has increased the cost of Game Pass’ top tier while cutting offerings on others. We discuss the broader implications.

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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.

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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.

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Krafton Tries to Sink Subnautica Suit (News Show)

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.

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Episode 196 - We Have Horizon: Zero Dawn at Home

**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.

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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!

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Episode 194: Xbox Gutted Purple background with a tan and yellow coin in the center with the letters VE and the words "virtual economy" underneath.

**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.

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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.

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Episode 192: PAX Takes a MAGFest Turn (News Show). A coin with the letters V and E in the center against a purple background.

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!

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Episode 191 - Who can even afford to be a gamer anymore?

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.

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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?

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The utterly phenomenal Books Schwartz!

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Episode 189: WB's David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show). A yellow coin with the letters "VE" and the words Virtual Economy. It sits on a purple background.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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**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.

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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.

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** 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.

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Episode art for Episode 181: Roblox Remains Icky as Heck. Yellow and orange Virtual Economy coin logo on a purple background.

**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.

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**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.

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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.

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*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.

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