Send us a textIs game balance bullshit? The crew goes toe-to-toe debating Sirland’s Don't Use Math in Balancing Games. Chris emerges from his Roblox hibernation, Eric tells us Street Fighter is more accessible than platform fighters, and Phil goes bonanza for All in Hole. 

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Jason Arentz, a game economist with a rich background in physics and experimental economics, dives into the economics of game design and player behavior. He shares insights on the complexities of pricing experiments and the balance between player satisfaction and profit. Arentz also explores the emerging world of Web3 ownership in gaming, tackling issues like cheating and bot activity. The conversation highlights the emotional connections players have with their virtual purchases and the evolving landscape of game development.

Send us a textEconomist Dr.Peter G. Klein joins the cast to discuss Why Managers Matter: The Perils of the Bossless Company. We debate Valve's organizational structure, the evidence for manager economic impact, and Sweden's success. Read more about Dr.Klein here and find his book below:https://hankamer.baylor.edu/person/peter-g-klein-0https://www.amazon.com/Why-Managers-Matter-Bossless-Company/dp/1541751043/15:37 Why Managers Matter22:29 CEOs35:22 Valve

Send us a textPhil and Chris return from Asia, and it's gachupon from here in-out. Eric talks vertical progression in single player games, while Chris actually agree on the future of web 2.5. The economics of unions weigh heavily: within or between professions? The crew finally makes it to THE KING PAPER; Eric and Chris make surprising revalation.Quantity discounts on a virtual good: The results of a massive pricing experiment at King Digital Entertainment

In this engaging discussion, Eric, an expert in economic modeling for game development decisions, teams up with Phil, who champions a block-grant style incentive alignment. Chris returns with insights on Marvel Snap’s new social casino mechanics. They dive into player frustrations with card collection systems and compare the beta performance of sci-fi and steampunk games. Plus, the conversation touches on profit-sharing models in the gaming industry, new matchmaking insights, and how temporary game modes can enhance player engagement. Tune in for a blend of economics and gaming!

Send us a textCan a stick of butter keep you sober during high-stakes diplomatic meetings? Eric is sure to tell us. Chris provides a compelling theory for the death of mods, while Phil undergoes a Supercell detox after analyzing Squad Buster's launch. The crew gets back in touch with their microeconomic selves and looks at one of the most interesting explanations for the gender pay gap.ONE COHORT AT A TIME: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE DECLINING GENDER PAY GAP

Send us a textPlay to earn hits Steam, and the crew is here to dissect the phenomenon. Why now, and why bananas? Phil is back into the economics of social casinos, while Chris develops a progression model for Darts. Eric and Phil debate the externalities of bots, while Chris solves for equilibrium. 

The crew debates the best game economy of all time, explores the impact of cryptocurrency and web 3 tech, discusses Bellatro's unique gameplay, touches on skill-based matchmaking in X Defiant, and analyzes monetization strategies in shooter games like SquadBusters.

Send us a textPhil gets Eric pilled into a trio of roguelikes, where we prime the pump for Squad Buster's eventual shake-up of the genre. Chris ran another NFT sale and lived to tell about it. We Snap our fingers for Eric's take on Snap's doubling cube mechanic. Should all ranked systems use it? Should the bet limit expand to infinity? We conclude with a discussion of Eurovision's political economy.https://ericguan.substack.com/https://chriseconomics.substack.com/

Send us a textDr. Sam Rosen of Temple University finally unleashes the Veblen Goods model for which every Game Economist yearns. We discuss:Why don't sold-out artists raise ticket prices?Why do NFT projects go boom or bust?Should auction-based goods mask demand for their products?What types of Pokémon are optimal for collecting in Go?Dr.Rosen's paper, co-authored with Dr.Anthony Lee Zhang & Sebeom Oh, is out now!