Episode 173: Sony Didn’t Manage Democracy, Xbox Self-Immolates (News Show)

Sony dug a giant hole and dumped all the Helldivers 2 goodwill into the pit (while cutting off 177 countries). Microsoft lit itself on fire and burned player sentiment to the ground. Good times. Also: Take-Two layoffs target a BAFTA winner, Unity has a new CEO with a massive compensation package, the Circana report for March, and earnings, earnings, earnings. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:03:56] - Unity’s New CEO  [00:13:42] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for March 2024 [00:25:08] - Investment Interlude [00:33:51] - Quick Hits [00:40:46] - Labor Report [01:24:21] - Nintendo Q4 FY24 Earnings [01:26:54] - Remedy Q1 FY24 Earnings [01:29:51] - Capcom Q4 FY24 Earnings [01:35:38] - EA Q4 FY24 Earnings [01:42:44] - FAFO Awards (Razer, PlayStation) SOURCES Unity Appoints Matthew Bromberg as New CEO | Business Wire Belka Games lays off 20% of workforce as it becomes "more critical" of future titles | PocketGamer Keoken Interactive Shuts Down (Temporarily, but fully) | Keoken Interactive on Facebook Paladin Studios is Shutting Down | Paladin Studios on LinkedIn Lightforge is Laying Off Staff and Pausing Development On Project O.R.C.S. | Matt Shembari on LinkedIn Prytania Media has Closed the Third of its Four Studios | Dawon Entertainment on LinkedIn Take-Two reportedly shuts down Roll7 and Intercept Games, Private Division suffers layoffs | GamesIndustry Microsoft Closes Redfall Developer Arkane Austin, HiFi Rush Developer Tango Gameworks, and More in Devastating Cuts at Bethesda | IGN Dinga Bakaba Shares Thoughts on Microsoft Studio Closures | Dinga Bakaba (@DBakaba) on Twitter Microsoft’s Xbox Is Planning More Cuts After Studio Closings | Bloomberg (Paywall) Inside Microsoft’s Xbox turmoil | The Verge Microsoft says it needs games like Hi-Fi Rush the day after killing its studio | The Verge Workers seek to alter the balance of power in Canadian video game industry | Polygon Razer, Inc. to Pay More Than $1.1 Million for Misrepresenting the Performance and Efficacy of Supposed “N95-Grade” Zephyr Face Masks | FTC CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | Nintendo Business Update - January-March 2024 | Remedy Consolidated Financial Results for the year ended March 31, 2024 | Capcom Electronic Arts Reports Q4 and FY24 Results | EA INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Atari relaunches Infogrames, immediately buys Totally Reliable Delivery Service | Game Developer Overwolf acquires Nitro | Uri Marchand on LinkedIn CORSAIR Pursuing an Acquisition of Fanatec, the Leading Brand for Sim Racing Hardware | Corsair