Episode 153: The UK CMA Throws a Temper Tantrum Over the Activision Acquisition (News Show)

May 23, 2023

One day we’ll be free of the Microsoft/Activision deal, but that day is NOT today. Also: Nintendo, EA, Starbreeze, Square Enix, Capcom, and Take-Two Earnings, acquisitions, the Circana US Video Game Spending report for April 2023, more layoffs, and a Double FAFO.

Support Miranda Due, former Unity employee, who is looking for work. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!

TIME STAMPS

• [00:00:48] - Nintendo Earnings FY23
• [00:08:06] - EA Earnings Q4 and FY23
• [00:16:47] - Starbreeze Q1 FY23 Earnings
• [00:21:39] - Square Enix FY23 Earnings
• [00:25:09] - Capcom FY23 Earnings
• [00:29:19] - Take-Two FY23 Earnings
• [00:43:08] - Investment Interlude
• [00:51:17] - Quick Hits
• [00:57:24] - Labor Report
• [01:04:56] - Circana Report on US Video Game Spending for April 2023
• [01:09:03] - Double FAFO

SOURCES

• Nintendo Full Year FY23 Earnings | Nintendo
• EA Q4 and Full Year FY23 Earnings | EA
• Starbreeze Q1 FY23 Earnings | Starbreeze
• Square Enix FY23 Earnings | Square Enix
• Capcom FY23 Earnings | Capcom
• Take-Two FY23 Earnings | Take-Two
• CD Projekt makes layoffs after rescoping its Witcher spin-off game | VGC
• Sony Studio PixelOpus, Best-Known for Concrete Genie, Is Shutting Down | IGN
• PlayStation-backed Deviation Games hit with layoffs | VGC
• Ubisoft Hit by More Layoffs in Customer Service and Elsewhere | IGN
• Report: Brace Yourself Games lays off half its staff | Game Developer
• Riot's $100 million gender discrimination settlement granted final approval | Game Developer
• Unity employee fired for sharing comments from executive suggesting employees rent in downtown SF to make RTO easier | Miranda Due (@MirandaDue) on Twitter
• Destiny 2 cheat maker refuses to show up for court and now owes Bungie $6.7 million | PCGamer

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION BY MICROSOFT CORPORATION OF ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. | UK Competition and Markets Authority
• Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, subject to conditions | European Commission
• UK CMA Responds to EU Approval of Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision Blizzard | UK Competition and Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) on Twitter
• Microsoft President Brad Smith on EU Decision | Brad Smith (@bradsmi) on Twitter
• Certain Affinity Announces Grand Opening of New Toronto Facility | Certain Affinity
• KEYWORDS STUDIOS EXTENDS US PRESENCE AND ADDS FURTHER AAA EXPERTISE TO ITS CREATE SERVICE LINE THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF HARDSUIT | Keywords Studios
• Atari Closes the Acquisition of Nightdive Studios | Atari