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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 23h

Ex-Box (News Show): We’re breaking up with Xbox. It’s not us, it’s you. More layoffs, closed (and practically closed) studios, IP shuffling, and fawning execs that are trying to convince you that everything’s just ducky, when it’s really f… you get the point. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Virtual Economy - Episode 212 - Ex-Box (News Show)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 15/07/2026

An Industry in Peril with Mat Piscatella: With the video game industry’s infrastructure being torn down, we invited Circana Executive Dir. & Video Game Industry Advisor @matpiscatella.bsky.social to discuss the state of our medium and where we go from here. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

A Yellow Coin with the letters "VE" and "Virtual Economy" against a purple backdrop. The text says "Episode 210: Industry in Peril with Mat Piscatella"

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 08/07/2026

NEW EPISODE! No One is Coming to Save Us (News Show) Since 2022, the industry has slid into chaos and disarray, with developers and players abandoned by platform holders and publishers. Now, we’ve reached a tipping point, and only we can rescue ourselves. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

Episode 209: No One Is Coming To Save Us

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 12/06/2026

GameStop is Neither Credible nor Attractive (News Show) Between Ryan Cohen’s clownery and new Xbox leadership’s 100-day death march, it’s another grim moment for the game industry. And it’s earnings time, so we get to talk about why profits don’t save jobs. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 08/05/2026

(We may also have some new merch soon...)

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Purple shirt with "Half Cash Half Stock" on it

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 01/04/2026

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 08/03/2026

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? virtualeconcast.com/podcast/amy-...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 10/02/2026

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 21/01/2026

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...

Episode 203 - The last gasp of virtual reality (Season 7 premiere)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 22/12/2025

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 202: The Last Gasp of a Brutal Year (Season Finale)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 12/11/2025

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...

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.

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 04/11/2025

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 200 Part One - Amazon Primed for Gaming Exit (News Show)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 14/10/2025

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. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 29/09/2025

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 · 22/09/2025

**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 · 11/09/2025

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 19/08/2025

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 · 07/08/2025

**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 · 05/07/2025

**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
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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 30/05/2025

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 · 03/05/2025

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 · 25/03/2025

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 · 23/10/2024

**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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 07/08/2024

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 177 - The Last Good Reason for GameStop to Exist is Gone

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 28/05/2024

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...

Episode 174 art. The World's Oldest Console War is Over

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 18/04/2024

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...

Episode 171: Why Layoffs? Because Everyone Else is Doing It!

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 03/03/2024

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...

Episode 169: The AAA Video Game Industry is in Freefall

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 23/02/2024

**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...

Episode 168 Episode Art: Switch 2 Switcharoo Could Thwart 2024 Recovery Hopes (News Show)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 06/02/2024

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 24/01/2024

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...

Episode 165 - So... 2024, Huh? (News Show)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 27/12/2023

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...

Episode 164 - The Game Awards Needs to Change (Season Finale)

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 15/12/2023

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...

Episode 163: Embracer Group Claims Layoffs are How "We Will Win" (News Show) episode art.

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 08/10/2023

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...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 01/10/2023

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-...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 20/09/2023

Ep 159 - Unity Says, “Nice Game You’ve Got There… It’d be a Shame if Something Happened to It” (News Show): Unity couldn’t have made a bigger mess of its reputation in the game development community. Also: Microsoft’s big leak, GameStop earnings, and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 26/08/2023

Episode 158: Microsoft, Activision, and Ubisoft are a Thrupple Now (News Show) The Microsoft/Activision deal is still alive. And now, Ubisoft has been folded into the conversation with control of cloud streaming rights. Also: Earnings, Circana Report, and more. virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...

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Virtual Economy Podcast @virtualeconcast.com · 06/08/2023

The ESRB Is Getting Weird (News Show): The U.S. age rating agency wants to use facial scanning to keep your kids from playing GTA and other adult-focused games. Also, earnings, more payoffs for layoffs, and listener questions! #gamedev virtualeconcast.com/podcast/episode…

Virtual Economy Episode 157 - The ESRB is Getting Weird (News Show)

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