The game industry is complex and, you know what, it’s also kind of daunting to learn if you don’t know where to start. Michael Futter and Amanda Farough take those complexities and make them far more accessible, even for folks that don’t work in games.
If you’re curious about the underpinnings of how video games get made, where the money comes from, and what it all means… we’ve got one heck of a podcast for you.
Recent Episodes
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Catch up on the most recent episodes of Virtual Economy here. We’ve also included sources and our show notes for easy reference.
Bonus: Raw Fury’s Future with Jonas Antonsson
Raw Fury has agreed to a majority acquisition by Swedish investment group Altor. We spoke with Raw Fury founder Jonas Antonsson about the publisher’s growth, its path to acquisition,...
Episode 97: What Goes Up… (Earnings Show)
What Goes Up… (Earnings Show): The pandemic isn’t over, but as the world starts to reopen, gaming revenue starts to settle into a new normal. We discuss Take-Two, Nintendo,...
Episode 96: How Not to Fire 150 People (News Show)
Xsolla decided it would be a great idea to fire 150 people via email, publicly shame them, and then threaten its remaining staff. Also: the latest on Activision Blizzard,...
Episode 95: Activision Blizzard Leadership Has Failed (News Show)
Activision Blizzard leadership continues to fail in its response to the California DFEH lawsuit and its own employees. Ubisoft employees are renewing their demands for change and a seat...
Episode 94: The State of California v Activision Blizzard (News Show)
Activision Blizzard has perpetuated a culture of sexual harassment and pay discrimination for years, according to a lawsuit filed by the State of California. The company can’t seem to...
Episode 93: Steam Deck, SWOLED, and Other Nonsense Words (News Show)
Big deals, new hardware, and a lot of platform chat fill our second episode this weekend. Highlights: Google’s pay-for-play plan, Sony drawing indie ire, Switch OLED, and the “Gabe...
The Hosts of Virtual Economy
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Michael Futter
Show Host & Research
He has since been freelancing for Polygon, Variety, GameDaily, and GamesBeat on timely business topics while also leveraging his experience to help independent developers with business strategy and pitching. Mike has also worked with AAA developers and publishers on pre-announcement strategy, messaging, and trade show presentation preparation. He has also completed a number of mock previews and reviews.
Amanda Farough
Show Host & Producer
These days, Amanda is the co-host of the Virtual Economy podcast, mama at Ready Player Mom (and a Take This ambassador for 2021) on Twitch, business & entertainment writer, and co-host on the Engaged Family Gaming podcast. Amanda also holds a seat on the board of directors at Hit Save! (a video game preservation nonprofit) as Director of Communications.
Latest Articles
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What PAX Online Must Improve in its Second Year
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on nearly every industry. And while video game makers have largely benefitted from being the only entertainment medium perfectly suited for lockdown, adjacent...
Beyond Tom Nook: Reflecting on Animal Crossing One Year Later
A year after Animal Crossing: New Horizons' launch, we examine the cultural zeitgeist and business implications of the game's incredible successes.
Discord Wants to Tie the $10 Billion Knot, But Which Suitor is Best?
Reports indicate Discord is looking for a buyer. We look at the potential suitors and how those relationships might look.
2020’s Biggest Trends … and Where They’re Heading in 2021
Each year, we take a moment to reflect on the trends that defined the past year and what we expect from the coming 12 months.
Raw Fury Pulls Back Curtain on Publishing Contracts
How do you know you’re getting a good deal from a publisher if you don’t know what a good deal looks like? Over the years, Raw Fury has built...