Episode 199: Game Pass Abdicates ‘Best Value in Gaming’ Throne (News Show)

Oct 13, 2025

With prices skyrocketing this generation, Microsoft has increased costs on Game Pass’ top tier while cutting offerings on others. We discuss the broader implications as price-sensitive players get boxed out. Also: Unity security alert sends devs scrambling, Tencent fires back at Sony’s Horizon: Zero Dawn lawsuit, and private equity rears its head once more.

You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!

TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:40] - Game Pass Price Hike Hits Hard
• [00:29:53] - Unity Security Flaw Alert
• [00:32:53] - Tencent Hits back at Sony’s Horizon: Zero Dawn lawsuit
• [00:50:13] - Investment Interlude
• [00:57:46] - Quick Hits
• [01:01:19] - Labor Report

SOURCES

• Updates to Xbox Game Pass: Introducing Essential, Premium, and Ultimate Plans | Xbox
• Unity Platform Protection: Take Immediate Action to Protect Your Games and Apps | Unity
• SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC v TENCENT HOLDINGS | United States District Court, Northern District of California

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Ubisoft Launches Brand-New Subsidiary - Vantage Studios | Ubisoft
• Splash Damage breaks away from Tencent | GamesIndustry
• Fragbite sells Playdigious to Griffin Gaming Partners for €10.5 million | Game Developer

LABOR REPORT

• Dune: Awakening developer Funcom announces redundancies | GamesIndustry
• The Outsiders is closing | David Goldfarb on Bluesky
• Testronic makes 4.8 percent of its total workforce redundant, closes Madrid and Belgrade studios | Game Developer
• Digital Extremes layoffs | Justin Kranzl on LinkedIn
• A Studio Update from Avalanche Studios Group | Avalanche