In 2021, Krafton splashed huge cash on Subnautica dev Unknown Worlds. Now, the publisher may find out that buyer’s remorse isn’t a reason for violating a contract. 

Also…

Ubisoft Earnings
Circana Reports for May and June 2025
Sony takes a bite out of Bandai Namco

On this episode, we discussed a serious attack on artist freedom being perpetrated by payment processors Mastercard and Visa. This attack is motivated by an Australian Christofacist group called Collective Shout that, among other things, does not believe adults should have bodily autonomy. 

If you would like your voice heard, here are some resources:

A compiled resource document by @voiddebris.bsky.social 

Petitions
Change.org
ACLU

Mastercard
Phone (US): 1-800-627-8372
Phone (outside US): 1-636-722-7111
Online submission form

Visa
Phone (US): 1-800-847-2911
Non-US numbers
Online form

Some important tips:

Phone calls are more impactful than emails. Do not let support reps push you to email, where keywords can filter out your concerns.

Keep support reps on calls as long as possible. This creates meaningful and measurable dips in call center productivity that management WILL notice.

Call multiple times with the same case number. Call center KPIs include clearing tickets in as short a time and in one call. This is another metric that will grab leadership attention. The service impact should be sustained for at least a month says workforce management professional Elliot Wilson on Bluesky.

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

TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:59] – Ubisoft Earnings
• [00:11:08] – Circana Reports on U.S. Video Game Spending for May and June 2025
• [00:22:28] – Unknown Worlds v Krafton
• [00:35:10] – Mastercard and Visa are Ramping Up Their Censorship (Steam, Itch.io)
• [00:43:54] – Investment Interlude
• [00:48:01] – Quick Hits
• [00:50:25] – Bonus Investment Interlude
• [01:02:16] – Labor Report

SOURCES

• Ubisoft Q1 FY26 Earnings | Ubisoft
• Ubisoft Names Co-CEOs of Spinoff | Variety
• KRAFTON ANNOUNCES GAMING INDUSTRY VETERAN STEVE PAPOUTSIS AS NEW CEO OF UNKNOWN WORLDS | Krafton
• Krafton Delays ‘Subnautica 2’ Game Ahead of $250 Million Payout | Bloomberg (Paywall)
• Fortis Advisors v. Krafton via Aftermath | Scribd (Nicole Carpenter)
• Steam cracks down on some sex games to appease payment processors | Ars Technica

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Bandai Namco and Sony Sign Strategic Partnership | Bandai Namco
• Gamefound acquires Indiegogo | Gamefound

LABOR REPORT

• Tom Clancy, Star Trek: Bridge Crew Studio Ubisoft Red Storm Lays Off 19, Citing ‘Global Cost-saving Efforts’ | IGN
• Virtuos confirms it’s laying off 270 workers across Asia and Europe | Game Developer
• Secret 6 Has Been Closed | Patricia Pérez Menéndez on LinkedIn
• Secret 6 Madrid workers call off strike after agreeing severance terms with Testronic | Game Developer
• Report: Wardogs developer Bulkhead is laying off workers | GamesIndustry
• Airship Interactive entered administration earlier this month | GamesIndustry
• Report: Wayfinder developer Airship Syndicate is laying off staff | Game Developer
• Dark Sky Studio Ganymede Games is Shutting Down | Jerry Prochazka on LinkedIn

HELP OUR GREG WITH HIS MASTERS DISSERTATION!

Our lead moderator and King of Game Showcases, Greg Alderton, is working on his masters dissertation. As part of that, he’s conducting research on cozy spaces in games. We’d be delighted if you’d help him by participating in the research phase.

All you need to do is download a small file from Itch.io here, take a few minutes to experience the two spaces included, and fill out a short form here. Thank you for helping Greg!