Episode 102: Activision Blizzard Did a Labor No No… Again (News Show)

Virtual Economy

Activision Blizzard is the subject of employee-driven National Labor Relations Board charges of anti-worker activity. Also: An update on Paradox and its union survey of work conditions in Sweden, NPD for August 2021, and App Annie is slapped with an SEC fine.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:01:10] - Update on Paradox union surveys
• [00:12:15] - App Annie gets slapped with $10 million SEC fine
• [00:25:19] - Investment Interlude
• [00:40:41] - Quick Hits
• [00:51:50] - Activision Blizzard the subject of a National Labor Relations Board lawsuit
• [01:02:52] - NPD for August 2021
• [01:11:24] - This week’s FAFO Award

SOURCES

• Paradox boss says he regrets "inappropriate behaviour" during company meeting (Eurogamer)
• SEC Charges App Annie and its Founder with Securities Fraud (SEC Website)
• Activision Blizzard Hires Senior Executives from Disney and Delta
• Activision Blizzard charged with violating labor law (Protocol)
• Activision Blizzard sued again, this time for labor violations (The Verge)
• Activision Blizzard lawsuit has video game workers using union tactics — but not unionizing (The Washington Post)

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• TinyBuild buys Russia based Bad Pixel for $17.1 million (NewsnReleases)
• Chat App Discord Is Worth $15 Billion After New Funding (Bloomberg)
• Mobile Premier League raises $150M at $2.3B valuation for mobile esports (GamesBeat)
• Elodie Games raises $32.5m in Series A funding (GamesIndustry)
• Aim Lab maker Statespace raises $50M for game and health performance training (GamesBeat)