Episode 133: The Video Game Industry Celebrated Pride with a Bear Market (News Show)

The Video Game Industry Celebrated Pride with a Bear Market (News Show): The pandemic boon is quickly becoming a memory as inflation, rising prices, and a thin release slate put pressure on developers and publishers. Also: Activision workers list demands for workplace safety, the Communications Workers of America back Microsoft’s Activision acquisition, and Québec may be set to quash its local game scene. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:02:16] - Microsoft Matches Epic Games Store Revenue Share on PC [00:11:08] - A Brief Conversation About Inflation, the Cost of Debt, and How the Video Game Industry is being affected [00:18:04] - Investment Interlude [00:29:27] - Quick Hits [00:31:08] - Labor (Activision Workers List Demands, The CWA backs Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition, Quebec Government Puts Squeeze on Video Game Studios, Layoffs) SOURCES Microsoft shakes up PC gaming by reducing Windows store cut to just 12 percent | The Verge Delayed Steam pre-order hit The Day Before developer defends use of unpaid volunteers | Eurogamer Sex and Gender Discrimination at Activision | ABK Watch Major Workers’ Union Backs Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Deal in FTC Letter | The Hollywood Reporter Québec video game industry will be impacted by controversial language law | Eurogamer Unity is reportedly laying off hundreds of employees | Game Developer Niantic is laying off about 90 employees and canceling four projects | Engadget Adjust And AppLovin Lay Off 12% Of Their Workforce Amid Economic Downturn | Ad Exchanger INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Scoop: Joffre Capital to buy majority stake in gaming company Playtika | Axios Playtika gets new $8.7b. majority stakeholder | The Jerusalem Post Blizzard Entertainment Acquires Boston-Based Studio Proletariat to Expand Development Pipeline for World of Warcraft | Blizzard WILDLIFE STUDIOS ESTABLISHES ITS FIFTH STUDIO, MOON TAVERN GAMES… | Games Press Omeda Studios raises $20m for Predecessor | GamesIndustry