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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 9d

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 9d

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

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 16d

**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.

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 27d

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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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Aug 19

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Aug 6

**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...

Episode 196 - We Have Horizon: Zero Dawn at Home

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Aug 6

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

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Jul 26

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...

Episode 195: The Quarter Billion Dollar Subnautica Showdown (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Jul 5

**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...

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.

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Jun 14

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 193: Switch 2’s Best Feature is Potential (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · May 30

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

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · May 3

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Apr 21

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...

Episode 190: Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Mar 25

The utterly phenomenal Books Schwartz!

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Mar 25

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...

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.

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Feb 26

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...

Episode 188: We’re Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Feb 4

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...

Episode 187: When A Publisher Won’t Use the Word ‘Layoff’ (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Feb 1

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...

Tabletop Games We Loved in 2024 – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Jan 20

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...

Episode 186: Unalive Service (Season Premiere – News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Jan 15

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-...

2024’s Biggest Trends and Where We’re Heading in 2025 – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Dec 27

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...

Episode 185: Survive Through ’25 (Season Finale) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Dec 6

**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...

Episode 184: Call of Duty Saves the Month… On PlayStation (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Nov 20

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...

Episode 183: The Cold Embrace(r) (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · Nov 8

** 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...

Episode 182: We Carry On… Together (News Show) – Virtual Economy

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