Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/

Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown

In this episode, we tackle the recent struggles of Square Enix and the disappointing numbers behind one of their most recent titles. We explore the current state of the video game industry, the surprising adversity to understanding economics, and the tweet that inspired it all.

After that, we dive into the importance of purchasing power and the surprising difficulties game developers face competing against “infinite” and free games.

Whether you realize it or not, investors play a crucial role in shaping the media landscape. We break down how their demands influence not only the type of games being developed, but the gaming industry overall. Matt fuels his frustrations with gamers while we reflect on the complexities of innovation marketing and how issues like these affect everything, right down to the Taco Bell Big Cheez-It.

We round out the episode with a haul from Kevin’s latest dumpster diving expedition, and a nugget of invaluable food-related wisdom from Matt.

Thanks to everyone who tuned in, and a big shoutout to our dedicated patrons. We’ll see you next week!

You love anime. You love tea. Get 10% off your order with code CREATE at The Dragon's Treasure: https://www.thedragonstreasure.com/

Buy our T-shirts: https://www.thecreateunknown.com/store/

Join our Discord to talk with artists, creators, and fans of the finer things in online life: http://discord.gg/tcu

Apple: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownApple

Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownSpotify

Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheCreateUnknownGooglePodcasts

CREDITS: 

Hosts: Kevin Lieber and Matt Tabor 

Executive Producer: Ben Webster

Editor: Spencer Vann

"Created in the Unknown" theme by Basswaite: https://linktr.ee/Basswaite  

Theme by Mega Drive → http://megadrivemusic.com  

Opening Animation: Kidmograph 

City Animation: Eric Langlay 

"The Create Unknown" is produced by Unknown Media. 

CONNECT WITH US: 

» Chat with us on DISCORD: https://discord.gg/qAQV3Jw  

» Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/createunknown  

» Follow us on INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/thecreateunknown  

» Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/thecreateunknown  

» View our website: https://thecreateunknown.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices