Episode 209: 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. We'll discuss Microsoft's self-inflicted destruction, Sony's anti-preservation attacks, and the ESA's assault on consumers. Also: Steam Machine pricing, Krafton cowed, Ubisoft makes a catastrophic leadership hire amidst layoffs, and Ryan Cohen's toilet thoughts become part of government record. You can support Virtual Economy's growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:04:22] - Industry Executives are Failing Us. Where Do We Go From Here? (Discussion) [00:33:24] - The ESA Makes Wild Statements It Tries to Walk Back [00:47:07] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for May 2026 [00:51:58] - Steam Machine Pricing Details [00:53:17] - Investment Interlude [01:01:14] - BREAKING NEWS (Microsoft) [01:08:11] - Quick Hits [01:12:14] - Labor Report [01:38:57] - FAFO SOURCES Next 100 Days: Xbox Reset Xbox Is Planning To Shutter Peabody-Award-Winning South Of Midnight Studio Compulsion Games | Kotaku Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan steps down | The Game Business Updated Xbox Console Prices | Xbox Bungie Layoffs | Bungie on Bluesky An Update from PlayStation Studios | PlayStation An update on PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita | PlayStation Blog Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles | PlayStation Blog The ESA quietly starts walking back baffling statements about private servers being 'illegal', though it's still tutting and wagging its finger | PC Gamer Video Game History Foundation Statement on PlayStation Ending Physical Media | VGHF on Bluesky Steam Machine Pricing Details Emerge | Steam INVESTMENT INTERLUDE GameStop and eBay Tensions Rise After Key Shareholder Vote Fails | Yahoo Finance LABOR REPORT Ubisoft eliminates 93 roles in San Francisco | Game Developer Ubisoft Barcelona staff go on strike over 51 staff being laid off Ubisoft appoints former 2K and Amazon exec Christoph Hartmann to lead Creative House 2, overseeing Splinter Cell, The Division and Ghost Recon | GamesIndustry Weeks After Launching Luna Abyss, Its Entire Development Team At Kwalee Labs Has Been Laid Off | Game Informer Kabam consolidating LA office and making layoffs | Game Developer OtherSide Entertainment lays off 17 staff following game cancellation | Game Developer OtherSide Entertainment lays off 18 from Thick as Thieves team | Game Developer Enginefall developer Red Rover Interactive is making layoffs | Game Developer The Studio Behind A 2025 Xbox Showcase Surprise Just Went Bankrupt | Kotaku VR dev Combat Waffle Studios lays off staff | Game Developer Obsidian sued in class action lawsuit over alleged "systematic pattern of wage and hour violations" | GamesIndustry Magic: The Gathering Arena developers have successfully unionized | Game Developer