UNBOXING: Play and Profit for the Gaming Curious
Laine Nooney, Joost van Dreunen
Joost crunches data. Laine rummages in archives. Together on UNBOXING, these two NYU professors unlock the secrets of the games business they share with their students and cover the games news for insiders and newbies alike. A weekly podcast for anyone curious about why games matter in today's economy, dropping every Friday. Logo by Moira Zhang, theeverdrift.cargo.site
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 4, 2023 • 1h 16min
Epic layoffs, EA's FIFA fallout, and the future of gaming haptics
Joost phones it in from an investor summit in Las Vegas, while Laine regales with tales of a weekend spent at the New York Renaissance Festival. Tune in as they discuss Epic's extensive layoffs, EA's triumph over FIFA following their split, and the frontier of haptics tech with insights from expert David Parisi.
Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 5min
Video game actors vote to strike, Unity's walk-back, and the Xbox data leak
It's a week of gaming shakeups--SAG-AFTRA performers vote to authorize a strike, Unity rolls back its revenue plans, and there were some glaring discrepancies in last week's leaked Xbox documents.
Sep 20, 2023 • 1h 5min
Worst games industry decision of 2023
Unity has always been a cornerstone for game developers, but their recent price alteration has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. In this episode, Laine and Joost dive deep into the heart of the controversy and dissect the motivations, potential outcomes, and broader impact on the gaming ecosystem.
Sep 14, 2023 • 1h 3min
Roblox's child gambling lawsuit. Starfield lights Xbox's plans. And, boy, do our students love the Switch
Laine and Joost debate the relative responsibilities of corporate actors vs. distracted parents. Microsoft's new release Starfield may not be its Game Pass killer app, but it could still hold the key to Xbox's future.
Aug 25, 2023 • 49min
Venture capital's role in gaming. Gamescom 2023 kick off. And Microsoft's second run at Activision Blizzard
In this solo episode, Joost talks to Shan Shan, a partner at Light Speed Venture Partners, to discuss the difference between being a strategic investor and "tourist capital." He also takes an early look at Gamescom 2023, and lays out the latest on Microsoft endgame to earn the UK's approval and finally buy Activision Blizzard.
Aug 18, 2023 • 49min
Asia gaming declines. Embracer loses sugar daddy. Nicki Minaj dolls up for CoD.
Joost unravels the financial struggle of Southeast Asian tech giant, Sea Limited, and its ripple effects on the regional market. Laine unpacks what it means now that we know who walked away from Embracer to the tune of $2 billion. And does Nicki Minaj as a playable character in Call of Duty make tactical sense?
Aug 11, 2023 • 57min
Why Wall Street doesn't love Roblox but is smitten with Take-Two. And an insider's look into the PS5 giveaway turned "riot"
This week, Laine and Joost disagree on Roblox’s strained financial situation and explore what makes Take-Two such a favorite among Wall Street investors instead. And who's at fault for the chaos that followed Twitch streamer Kai Cenat's botched PS5 giveaway?
Jul 28, 2023 • 1h 2min
Activision takes Diablo 4 to the bank. UNBOXING Goes Gang Gang for NPC Streaming. And an informed look into ESA's Essential Facts Report.
This week, Joost and Laine explore the second quarter earnings of gaming giants Activision and Ubisoft before diving head first into the viral sensation of NPC Streaming to discuss implications and provide context around this cultural phenomenon. Finally, Laine and Joost gawk at ESA's annual Essential Facts Report––no punches barred.
Jul 21, 2023 • 54min
Overwatch League faces elimination. Microsoft starts overtime. And the plea for game preservation
Joost offers insight into Sony and Microsoft's cheeky 10-year deal over the Call of Duty franchise. We review the devaluation of the Overwatch League since 2018. And as a special treat, Laine and Phil Salvador of the Video Game History Foundation discuss the preservation of classic video games and the risk of extinction according to a recent report.
Jul 14, 2023 • 46min
FTC licks its wounds. Google embraces blockchain gaming
We review the longer-term implications of Microsoft winning its case against the FTC and how will it impact the structural makeup of the games industry. And Google changes its policy and now allows for digital currencies on its mobile stores. Does that mean crypto is back?
