Episode 176: Microsoft Holds a Knife to the Golden Game Pass Goose’s Neck (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Microsoft is making sweeping changes to Game Pass, seemingly to avoid bleeding out on Call of Duty sales. Also: Circana report for May 2024, SAG-AFTRA updates, more Embracer and Paradox cuts, out of control EA executive pay in the face of layoffs, and more.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:13] - SAG-AFTRA Updates Independent Development Contracts
• [00:06:42] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for May 2024
• [00:13:33] - Microsoft Makes Big Changes to Game Pass
• [00:28:56] - Investment Interlude
• [00:44:06] - Quick Hits
• [00:47:48] - Labor Report

SOURCES

• Life By You is Cancelled | Paradox Forums
• Paradox Interactive to close down Paradox Tectonic | Paradox
• Former Paradox Dev comments on Life by You Cancelation | Willem Delventhal on LinkedIn
• Cities Skylines 2 - Console Development Status | Paradox Forums
• Pieces Interactive has Been Shuttered by Embracer Group | Pieces Interactive
• Embracer-owned Gothic, Risen and ELEX developer Piranha Bytes closes | Eurogamer
• Former Piranha Bytes devs form Pithead Studio | GamesIndustry
• Galvanic Games is Closing Down | Galvanic Games (@GalvanicGames) on Twitter
• GOODBYE, HEROES OF ARMANTIA AND KOJI VILLAGERS | Challengers Games
• Gameloft Toronto staff laid off after studio 'substantially' reduces production activity | Game Developer
• Perfect World cuts staff in multi-unit layoffs, reportedly suspends game projects | Game Developer
• Network N lays off eight from games marketing agency Project N | GamesIndustry
• Gamurs Group reportedly lays off unknown number of staff | GamesIndustry
• EA execs earned $60 million in 2024 despite layoffs and office closures | Game Developer

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Capcom Makes Minimum Studios Co., Ltd. a Subsidiary Through Share Acquisition | Capcom
• Keywords Studios reaches £2.2bn acquisition agreement with Swedish investment company EQT | GamesIndustry
• Daybreak Games, Singularity 6 to Collaborate on Development of Palia | Daybreak Games
• Arc System Works opens European branch | Arc Systems Works EU (@ASW_Official_EU) on Twitter
• Dutch publisher Mystic Forge nets €2 million to help indies get to market | Game Developer
• Kwalee makes minority investment in Devolver Digital | GamesIndustry
• PULLUP Entertainment Announces its results for the 2023/24 financial year | Pullup
• Series Entertainment and Pixelberry | Pixelberry
• Stellar Blade developer Shift Up raises $320m in IPO | GamesIndustry