Episode 177: The Last Good Reason for GameStop to Exist is Gone (News Show)

Amidst new allegations of insider training, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen has shuttered Game Informer magazine after 33 years. Also: Earnings time is here, more Bungie layoffs, Netherrealm layoffs, Circana report for June 2024, voice actors on strike, IGN parent Ziff Davis does Humble Games publishing and its partners dirty, and more. This 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 one time purchase of Magic Mind or up to 48% off your first subscription at https://www.magicmind.com/VECONOMY20 using the code VECONOMY20.  You can support Virtual Economy's growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:01:47] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for June 2024 [00:11:02] - Ubisoft Q1 FY2025 Earnings [00:17:17] - Paradox Q2 FY2024 Earnings [00:20:55] - Capcom Q1 FY2024 Earnings [00:27:44] - Microsoft Q4 FY2024 Earnings [00:39:18] - EA Q1 FY2025 Earnings [00:49:38] - Investment Interlude [00:53:03] - Quick Hits [01:00:32] - Labor Report SOURCES Ubisoft Q1 FY2025 Earnings | Ubisoft Interim report January – June 2024 | Paradox Consolidated financial results for the 1st Quarter of FY2024 | Capcom Earnings Release FY24 Q4 | Microsoft EA Earnings Release Q1 FY25 | EA Bethesda Game Studios employees form a 'wall-to-wall' union | TechCrunch World of Warcraft developers form Blizzard's largest and most inclusive union | The Verge MORTAL KOMBAT DEVELOPER NETHERREALM STUDIOS HIT WITH MASS LAYOFFS | Insider Gaming Jam City lays off nearly 85 employees as industry fails to hit 'upward trend' | Game Developer Axis Studios goes into administration | Televisual Armor Games Studios has seemingly laid off its publishing team | GamesIndustry Probably Monsters lays off incubation team | Brandi House on LinkedIn Forte shuts down Rumble Entertainment, its second studio closure in two months | GamesIndustry The New Path for Bungie | Bungie Game Informer is Gone | Game Informer INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Warner Bros. Games Acquires Player First Games | Warner Bros. via BusinessWire Look North World raises $4.5m in overall funding | GamesIndustry