{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 189: WB\u2019s David Zaslav is the Real Nemesis System (News Show)","description":"Warner Bros. continues to chip away at its infrastructure and consumer confidence with the closure of three more studios. Also: Circana reports for Jan and Feb, a recap of GDC and developers\u2019 feelings about the industry, a curious period for investments, a new union looks to cover the entire industry, and more. You can support Virtual Economy\u2019s growth via our&amp;nbsp;Ko-Fi&amp;nbsp;and also purchase&amp;nbsp;Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS  [00:03:00] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for January 2025 [00:11:59] - Circana Report on U.S. Video Game Spending for February 2025 [00:21:39] - GDC 2025 Recap [00:54:29] - Investment Interlude [01:14:23] - Quick Hits [01:22:11] - Labor Report  SOURCES   Warner Bros. Shuts Down Three Game Studios, Cancels Wonder Woman Title | Bloomberg (Paywall) Studio Fizbin's Last Magic Trick: \u201cReignbreaker\u201d | Studio Fizbin  Layoffs at Wizards of the Coast's Skeleton Key Studio | Nassim Ait-Kaci on LinkedIn  PlayStation Hit With More Layoffs Following Recent Game Cancellations | Kotaku Mountaintop is Shutting Down | Spectre Divide on Twitter  Respawn lays off staff, cancels another unannounced game | Game Developer  Free Range Games has Undergone Layoffs | Free Range Games on LinkedIn  Fallout and Obsidian veterans ditch open-world game plans as team shrinks to a &quot;skeleton crew&quot; | Eurogamer  Wizards of the Coast winds down Sigil VTT team | Andy Collins on LinkedIn  Sunsetting Seekers of Skyveil | Elodie on Steam UVW-CWA unveiled at GDC 2025 | UVW-CWA  INVESTMENT INTERLUDE   Emona Capital completes acquisition of UK publisher Secret Mode | Secret Mode  Emona Capital makes investment in Blackbird Interactive | Blackbird Interactive on LinkedIn  GTA developer Rockstar acquires Video Games Deluxe to expand into Australia | Game Developer  Former NetEase director self-funds new studio to ensure &quot;management protects creators&quot; | GamesIndustry  Tencent acquires additional shares in FromSoftware parent company, Kadokawa | GamesIndustry  PlayStation has formed new studio Dark Outlaw Games with Call of Duty Zombies lead Jason Blundell | VGC Niantic\u2019s Next Chapter | Niantic  Jam City Sells Ludia to Canadian Investors | Joshua Yguado on LinkedIn  ","author_name":"Virtual Economy","author_url":"https:\/\/www.virtualeconcast.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/35852900\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/186198370"}