Virtual Economy
A podcast about the business of games... for the rest of us
Episode 194: Xbox Gutted (News Show)

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 brandâs Red Ring of Death? Also, Bungie runs...
Episode 193: Switch 2âs Best Feature is Potential (News Show)

With our Switch 2 in-hand, weâre ready to give you our early feelings about the console in this challenging market. Also: SO many earnings. Like⌠SO many. Nintendo, Sony, EA, Take-Two, Remedy, Embracer Group, Paradox,...
Episode 192: PAX East Takes A MAGFest Turn (News Show)

PAX East isnât the show it was 10 years ago. With most AAA developers staying away, indies take center stage. Also: Circana report for April 2025, GameStop sells off its Canadian holdings, Curve Games has...
Episode 191: Who Can Even Afford to Be a Gamer Anymore? (News Show)

Microsoft is jacking prices on hardware, software, and peripherals. With costs going up while interest in Microsoftâs offerings declining, we have to wonder if Microsoft is applying pressure to push Game Pass. Also: Circana report...
Episode 190: Nintendoâs Switch 2 Pricing Conundrum (News Show)

The original Nintendo Switch launched at $300 USD. The Switch 2 price was absent from the huge Nintendo Direct, only to be quietly revealed at $450. As for game prices, Mario Kart World is a...
Episode 189: WBâs 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. Also: Circana reports for Jan and Feb, a recap of GDC and developersâ feelings about the...
Episode 188: Weâre Getting Tired of Clowns in the C-Suite (News Show)

Despite mounting evidence that Games as a Service are struggling, executives continue to go back to that empty well. Also: A ton of earnings reports (Nintendo, EA, Paradox, Square Enix, Sega, Ubisoft, Remedy, Embracer Group,...
Episode 187: When A Publisher Wonât Use the Word âLayoffâ (News Show)

There are few things worse than yet another company laying people off⌠and EA has committed the sin of obfuscating job losses. Also: Earnings season is underway, the Circana report for December 2024 and the...
Episode 186: Unalive Service (Season Premiere â News Show)

The year has begun, and the industry is already off to an intense start. On this episode, we discuss the business decisions behind the Switch 2âs departure from âWeird Nintendo,â Ubisoftâs precarious position, the U.S....
Episode 185: Survive Through â25 (Season Finale)

34,000. Thatâs how many jobs have been lost in our industry since the start of 2022. We recap the year, discuss PAX Unplugged and The Game Awards, and look ahead at what to expect in...
Episode 184: Call of Duty Saves the Month⌠On PlayStation (News Show)

We now know that Microsoft wasnât kidding when they said they had no intention of pulling Call of Duty from PlayStation. Whether the Game Pass Gambit pays off or not, Black Ops 6 is selling...