Episode 189: WB’s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show)

Mar 25, 2025

Warner Bros. continues to chip away at its infrastructure and consumer confidence with the closure of three more studios. Also: Circana reports for Jan and Feb, a recap of GDC and developers’ feelings about the industry, a curious period for investments, a new union looks to cover the entire industry, and more.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:03:00] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2025
• [00:11:59] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2025
• [00:21:39] - GDC 2025 Recap
• [00:54:29] - Investment Interlude
• [01:14:23] - Quick Hits
• [01:22:11] - Labor Report

SOURCES

• Warner Bros. Shuts Down Three Game Studios, Cancels Wonder Woman Title | Bloomberg (Paywall)
• Studio Fizbin's Last Magic Trick: “Reignbreaker” | Studio Fizbin
• Layoffs at Wizards of the Coast's Skeleton Key Studio | Nassim Ait-Kaci on LinkedIn
• PlayStation Hit With More Layoffs Following Recent Game Cancellations | Kotaku
• Mountaintop is Shutting Down | Spectre Divide on Twitter
• Respawn lays off staff, cancels another unannounced game | Game Developer
• Free Range Games has Undergone Layoffs | Free Range Games on LinkedIn
• Fallout and Obsidian veterans ditch open-world game plans as team shrinks to a "skeleton crew" | Eurogamer
• Wizards of the Coast winds down Sigil VTT team | Andy Collins on LinkedIn
• Sunsetting Seekers of Skyveil | Elodie on Steam
• UVW-CWA unveiled at GDC 2025 | UVW-CWA

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Emona Capital completes acquisition of UK publisher Secret Mode | Secret Mode
• Emona Capital makes investment in Blackbird Interactive | Blackbird Interactive on LinkedIn
• GTA developer Rockstar acquires Video Games Deluxe to expand into Australia | Game Developer
• Former NetEase director self-funds new studio to ensure "management protects creators" | GamesIndustry
• Tencent acquires additional shares in FromSoftware parent company, Kadokawa | GamesIndustry
• PlayStation has formed new studio Dark Outlaw Games with Call of Duty Zombies lead Jason Blundell | VGC
• Niantic’s Next Chapter | Niantic
• Jam City Sells Ludia to Canadian Investors | Joshua Yguado on LinkedIn