Feb 14, 2024
Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)
Microsoft’s layoffs have sent the FTC into a tizzy, adding fuel to the ongoing fire. Also: It’s earnings season, with EA, Microsoft, Capcom, Nintendo, Square Enix, Paradox, Take-Two, Sega, and Meta reporting. We also cover the latest in the layoff storm that continues to drown the industry and Disney’s $1.5B investment in Epic.
This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and boost your immune system. You can get 20% off your order of Magic Mind at https://www.magicmind.com using the code VirtualEconomy20.
You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!
TIME STAMPS
* [00:01:14] - EA Earnings
* [00:12:44] - Microsoft Earnings
* [00:22:59] - Capcom Earnings
* [00:28:23] - Nintendo Earnings
* [00:31:09] - Square Enix Earnings
* [00:37:45] - Paradox Earnings
* [00:42:38] - Take-Two Earnings
* [00:49:17] - SegaSammy Earnings
* [00:53:09] - Meta Earnings (Brief)
* [00:55:57] - Investment Interlude
* [01:12:13] - Quick Hits
* [01:19:36] - Labor Report
SOURCES
* Electronic Arts Reports Strong Q3 FY24 Results | EA
* Microsoft Earnings Release FY24 Q2 | Microsoft
* Capcom On Track to Achieve Full-Year Guidance | Capcom
* Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 | Nintendo
* Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2023 | Square Enix
* Year-end report January – December 2023 | Paradox
* Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 | Take-Two
* SegaSammy Q3 Results Presentation | SegaSammy
* Meta Reality Labs loses $4.65B in Q4 | Meta
* Tencent CEO feels its game business "achieved nothing" during 2023 | Game Developer
* Embracer lays off staff at Star Trek: Infinite dev Nimble Giant | Game Developer
* Wayfinder dev Airship Syndicate lays off 12 employees | Game Developer
* Square Enix absorbs Tokyo RPG Factory | Gematsu
* Hidden Path Layoffs | Jeff Pobst on LinkedIn
* Roughly half of Devolver's Artificer studio laid off | Games Industry
* Devolver Digital CEO Douglas Morin steps down | Games Industry
* Layoffs at Netease, MiHoYo, Tencent | Core Esports
* The FTC is Going After Microsoft Over Layoffs | Tom Warren (@tomwarren) on Twitter
* …And Microsoft has Responded | Tom Warren (@tomwarren) on Twitter
INVESTMENT INTERLUDE
* Nordcurrent snaps up Cinemaware library | Games Industry
* Disney and Epic Games to Create Expansive and Open Games and Entertainment Universe Connected to Fortnite | Disney
* Nitro Games receives further €3.5 million to continue Warframe mobile development | Pocket Gamer
* Six Nations-backer CVC in talks to buy Runescape-maker for £900m | Sky News
* FromSoftware owner Kadokawa acquires Octopath Traveler studio | Eurogamer