Episode 156: Xbox Live is Dead, Long Live Xbox Game Pass (News Show)

Virtual Economy - A podcast by Michael Futter and Amanda Farough

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The FTC is down for the count after losing in court and seeing an emergency injunction denied. We discuss where things go from here as the UK CMA stands alone. Also, a bunch of new studios were announced, Bungie wins a big victory against a toxic troll, and Xbox works to make it harder for harassers online. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:02:52] - Pathfinder Open Gaming License [00:09:39] - New Xbox Voice Reporting Feature [00:13:14] - Xbox Live is Dead, Here Comes Game Pass Core [00:19:14] - Investment Interlude [00:32:21] - Activision Blizzard FTC  [00:45:54] - Quick Hits [00:48:19] - Labor Report [00:57:12] - FAFO x2 [01:06:59] - Listener Questions SOURCES The creators of Pathfinder have released their own version of D&D's controversial OGL—and it could have a huge impact on all tabletop RPGs | PC Gamer paizo.com - Community | Paizo Blog Xbox Launches New Voice Reporting Feature | Xbox Wire Introducing Xbox Game Pass Core, Coming This September | Xbox Wire Sega of America workers win union vote | Polygon Pokémon Go creator Niantic accused of ‘systemic sexual bias’ in lawsuit | The Verge Splash Damage transitions to 4-day work weeks | Game Developer Yuji Naka gets a $1.2 million fine and a suspended prison sentence for insider trading | VGC Justice served: Destiny 2 harasser forced to pay Bungie nearly $500,000 in damages | Windows Central Bungie, Inc v Jesse James Comer - Default Judgment and Order | Superior Court of the State of Washington INVESTMENT INTERLUDE CORSAIR TO ACQUIRE DROP ASSETS; FURTHER EXPAND PERIPHERALS BUSINESS | Corsair Cloud Imperium Group Acquires Turbulent | CIG Lightspeed Studios acquires Destruction AllStars dev Lucid Games | Game Developer Tencent invests in new triple-A studio from Playground Games co-founder | Eurogamer Meet Cliffhanger Games | EA Canada’s Behaviour Interactive opens new UK studio | Behaviour People Can Fly Opens a Montreal Location | People Can Fly on LinkedIn Q-Games alumni form Denkiworks | GamesIndustry Microsoft wins FTC fight to buy Activision Blizzard | The Verge Preliminary Injunction Opinion | United States District Court, Northern District of California FTC is appealing ruling that cleared Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard | The Verge Court denies FTC’s last-ditch attempt to stop Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard | The Verge Microsoft to modify Activision Blizzard acquisition to address CMA concerns | GamesIndustry The Trade Desk, Inc. to Join the Nasdaq-100 Index Beginning July 17th, 2023 | NASDAQ Microsoft's Activision Blizzard merger approved in South Africa | Game Developer