Virtual Economy Podcast
@virtualeconcast.com
A podcast about the business of games... for the rest of us! Hosted by Mike Futter and Manda Farough. Available on all major podcasting platforms... and pocket sand.
***NEW VIRTUAL ECONOMY EPISODE!***
EA Sportswashing (News Show): EA is now a privately held company. Microsoft is making more bad decisions. And the number of console units being sold is dropping precipitously. All this and more!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
EA Sportswashing (News Show): EA is now a privately held company. Microsoft is making more bad decisions. And the number of console units being sold is dropping precipitously. All this and more!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
Episode 211: EA Sportswashing (News Show) – Virtual Economy
virtualeconcast.com
August 25, 2026 at 1:00 AM
***NEW VIRTUAL ECONOMY EPISODE!***
EA Sportswashing (News Show): EA is now a privately held company. Microsoft is making more bad decisions. And the number of console units being sold is dropping precipitously. All this and more!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
EA Sportswashing (News Show): EA is now a privately held company. Microsoft is making more bad decisions. And the number of console units being sold is dropping precipitously. All this and more!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
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...
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
July 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM
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...
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
We've fixed the most recent episode (ep 209)! You can now listen to the entire thing without it getting cut off.
(We did consider selling the rest as DLC, but who are we... Microsoft?)
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
(We did consider selling the rest as DLC, but who are we... Microsoft?)
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
Episode 209: No One is Coming to Save Us (News Show) – Virtual Economy
virtualeconcast.com
July 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
We've fixed the most recent episode (ep 209)! You can now listen to the entire thing without it getting cut off.
(We did consider selling the rest as DLC, but who are we... Microsoft?)
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
(We did consider selling the rest as DLC, but who are we... Microsoft?)
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
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...
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...
July 7, 2026 at 11:36 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
June 12, 2026 at 5:17 PM
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...
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...
We know a number of you have been waiting for this one...
GameStop is Too Fail to Big (News Show): Ryan Cohen was offered no trade-in value on his time as GameStop CEO, so he’s making a foolhardy play to purchase eBay. Also: Circana Report for March, Microsoft, EA, Remedy, Earnings, and more.
GameStop is Too Fail to Big (News Show): Ryan Cohen was offered no trade-in value on his time as GameStop CEO, so he’s making a foolhardy play to purchase eBay. Also: Circana Report for March, Microsoft, EA, Remedy, Earnings, and more.
virtualeconcast.com
May 7, 2026 at 11:04 PM
We know a number of you have been waiting for this one...
GameStop is Too Fail to Big (News Show): Ryan Cohen was offered no trade-in value on his time as GameStop CEO, so he’s making a foolhardy play to purchase eBay. Also: Circana Report for March, Microsoft, EA, Remedy, Earnings, and more.
GameStop is Too Fail to Big (News Show): Ryan Cohen was offered no trade-in value on his time as GameStop CEO, so he’s making a foolhardy play to purchase eBay. Also: Circana Report for March, Microsoft, EA, Remedy, Earnings, and more.
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...
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...
April 1, 2026 at 2:57 PM
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...
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...
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-...
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-...
March 8, 2026 at 7:46 PM
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-...
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-...
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...
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...
February 10, 2026 at 5:18 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
January 21, 2026 at 3:24 PM
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...
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 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-...
virtualeconcast.com/trends/2025-...
2025’s Biggest Trends and Where We’re Heading in 2026 – Virtual Economy
virtualeconcast.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:12 AM
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-...
virtualeconcast.com/trends/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...
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...
December 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM
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...
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...
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 201: No Matter Who Buys Warner Bros., We Lose (News Show) – Virtual Economy
virtualeconcast.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:05 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
November 12, 2025 at 12:22 AM
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...
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 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!
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!
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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!
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!
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...
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...
October 14, 2025 at 2:20 AM
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...
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...
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...
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/bonu...
September 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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...
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/bonu...
Special episode going live soon, as we discuss the EA deal.
September 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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.
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.
September 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
**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.
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...
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...
September 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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...
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’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...
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
August 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
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...
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
**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...
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...
August 6, 2025 at 11:27 PM
**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...
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...
Oh hey. We have a new handle here at the ol' Bsky!
August 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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!
virtualeconcast.com/podcast/epis...
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
virtualeconcast.com
July 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
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...
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...
**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...
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...
July 5, 2025 at 8:25 PM
**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...
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...