Episode 167: Did Microsoft Trigger the FTC’s Trap Card? (News Show)

Microsoft’s layoffs have sent the FTC into a tizzy, adding fuel to the ongoing fire. Also: It’s earnings season, with EA, Microsoft, Capcom, Nintendo, Square Enix, Paradox, Take-Two, Sega, and Meta reporting. We also cover the latest in the layoff storm that continues to drown the industry and Disney’s $1.5B investment in Epic. This is episode is sponsored by Magic Mind, a supplement shot that includes ingredients to lower your stress, reduce fatigue, and boost your immune system. You can get 20% off your order of Magic Mind at https://www.magicmind.com using the code VirtualEconomy20.  You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:01:14] - EA Earnings [00:12:44] - Microsoft Earnings [00:22:59] - Capcom Earnings [00:28:23] - Nintendo Earnings [00:31:09] - Square Enix Earnings [00:37:45] - Paradox Earnings [00:42:38] - Take-Two Earnings [00:49:17] - SegaSammy Earnings [00:53:09] - Meta Earnings (Brief) [00:55:57] - Investment Interlude [01:12:13] - Quick Hits [01:19:36] - Labor Report SOURCES Electronic Arts Reports Strong Q3 FY24 Results | EA Microsoft Earnings Release FY24 Q2 | Microsoft Capcom On Track to Achieve Full-Year Guidance | Capcom Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 | Nintendo Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2023 | Square Enix Year-end report January – December 2023 | Paradox Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fiscal Third Quarter 2024 | Take-Two SegaSammy Q3 Results Presentation | SegaSammy Meta Reality Labs loses $4.65B in Q4 | Meta Tencent CEO feels its game business "achieved nothing" during 2023 | Game Developer Embracer lays off staff at Star Trek: Infinite dev Nimble Giant | Game Developer Wayfinder dev Airship Syndicate lays off 12 employees | Game Developer Square Enix absorbs Tokyo RPG Factory | Gematsu Hidden Path Layoffs | Jeff Pobst on LinkedIn Roughly half of Devolver's Artificer studio laid off | Games Industry Devolver Digital CEO Douglas Morin steps down | Games Industry Layoffs at Netease, MiHoYo, Tencent | Core Esports The FTC is Going After Microsoft Over Layoffs | Tom Warren (@tomwarren) on Twitter …And Microsoft has Responded | Tom Warren (@tomwarren) on Twitter INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Nordcurrent snaps up Cinemaware library | Games Industry Disney and Epic Games to Create Expansive and Open Games and Entertainment Universe Connected to Fortnite | Disney Nitro Games receives further €3.5 million to continue Warframe mobile development | Pocket Gamer Six Nations-backer CVC in talks to buy Runescape-maker for £900m | Sky News FromSoftware owner Kadokawa acquires Octopath Traveler studio | Eurogamer