Well... it would have if Mike wasn't a slacker butt.
Epic Fail (News Show)
With Epic laying off 1,000 people, the already chilly game industry job market is nearing absolute zero. Also: GDC recap, Circana Report, investments, divestments, and a heckin’ FAFO.
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Episode 205 - Amy Hood Draws Blood - Spencer and Bond Out (Earnings Show)
Episode 205: Amy Hood Draws Blood - Spencer and Bond Out (Earnings Show)
After years of struggling to right the ship, Microsoft leadership appears to have shown Phil Spencer & Sarah Bond the door. Can you believe this was supposed to be a pure earnings episode?
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Episode 204 - Ubisoft's Hail Mary (News Show)
Episode 204: Ubisoft’s Hail Mary (News Show)
Ubisoft employees are prepared to strike over a recent return-to-office mandate and extreme cost-cutting. Also: Circana Report for December 2025, That’s No Moon at odds with former founder, and more.
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
Episode 203 - The last gasp of virtual reality (Season 7 premiere)
We've got the first Virtual Economy episode of 2026 for you!
The Last Gasp of Virtual Reality (Season 7 Premiere): 2026 is putting us through our paces right out of the gate. We’re hanging onto hope, but layoffs, consolidation, and PE loom over us like a shadow.
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
We are holding onto optimism and hope for 2026, but we have to be realistic about the challenges.
The AI bubble will burst, and it will cause enormous harm due to executive over-investment. We are in the middle of a fight for the soul of our art form.
The only way through is together.
We took our time with our annual trends look-back/look-ahead. 2025 was one of the most difficult years our industry has ever faced, with unfathomable pressure exerted on us from within and beyond.
virtualeconcast.com/trends/2025-...
Episode 202: The Last Gasp of a Brutal Year (Season Finale) A yellow coin with the letters VE in the center against a purple background.
Episode 202: The Last Gasp of a Brutal Year (Season Finale)
2025 has continued the trend of layoffs, consolidation, and privatization. The gulf between AAA and everyone else is widening, as the AI bubble strains before an inevitable burst.
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/ep-2...
Episode 201 (News Show): No Matter Who Buys Warner Bros., We Lose
Everyone wants a piece of Warner Bros., with Netflix and Paramount about to go to war. Also: more earnings, the latest Circana report, and new legal developments in two cases.
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
Episode 200 - Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show) - Part Two Purple background, yellow circle with a pixel coin in the middle. The letters V E sit over the coin with the words "virtual economy" below.
The Second Part of Episode 200 (!!!) is LIVE!
Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show)
We're back with investments, quick hits, and a pretty gnarly labor report. Grab a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza and turn up the volume so you can hear over the crunch!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
You can listen on our website (virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...) or on your favorite podcast delivery app!
Part Two will be live later this week!
Episode 200 Part One - Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show)
Episode 200 is LIVE!!!!
Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show)
With 14,000 people laid off, studios shuttered, and projects abandoned, Amazon seems ready to give up on most or all of its gaming dreams. Also, it’s episode 200! We have guests Andy Pan and @gregoryalderton.bsky.social!
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.
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 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...
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.
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...
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!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
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.
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?
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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.
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...