Deconstructor of Fun

The crew gets together to talk about the past and the future of This Week in Game show in this special 300th episode. But it wouldn’t be a TWIG without a bit of news. Kress gets triggered by EA’s AI + UGC + Apps presentation. And we all wonder what happened to Spectre Divide - a highly anticipated shooter from a top team that seems to have missed its mark.

In this episode of the terrific trio: Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, and Adam Telfer dive into product strategy and market insights, highlighting how developers are differentiating themselves in a saturated market. The three also discuss Apple’s September event, analyze the PlayStation 5 Pro, analyze Sony’s broader strategy, and look at Roblox’s ambitious goals for expansion and its push to lead in u...

Join host Jen Donahoe for an in-depth discussion on venture capital funding in the gaming industry with experts from Transcend Fund, Sisu Game Ventures, and PlayVentures. The panel covers key topics including how VCs work, investment processes, team equity structures, board dynamics, and the unique challenges and opportunities within different gaming platforms. Learn what gaming VCs are looking fo...

Phillip phones it in from Taipei as the team covers the launch of Spectre Divide , Crypto Czar's last hurrah Supercell's potential IPO. Eric Kress dives into Ubisoft’s mismanagement and its effect on company valuation while Adam compares key data insights from NewZoo and Circana. Mishka and Jen talk about influencer marketing trends and shooter game futures. hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress,...

Sign up for the industry's most insightful weekly newsletter!https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Ever fancied yourself becoming a VP of a large publisher managing multiple cross-platform teams across several countries? Tune in to the episode and figure out if this is a job for you! Dimo Dimov, Vice President of Live Games at Gameloft, shares his 17-year impressive career journey at Ga...

The crew is one down as Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, and Mishka Katkoff hop in to knock one off on the road for #300. In this episode, Mishka gives his takeaways from Gamescom. We discuss a conspiracy theory on why Steam is allowed in China and talk about Wukong and Supercell's new CFO. Most importantly, this episode settles the case about Tim Hortons for good. BIG UP for our supporters! Heroic La...

Order your cup of Tim Hortons super hot for this first all-Canadian episode! The lost-and-found podcast host Adam Telfer delves into the state of the industry with Newzoo's Devan Brennan. Topics covered include market trends, forecasts for mobile gaming and the PC market, console performance, and the challenges faced by new free-to-play live service games. The two also explore the optimism sur...

Fresh from another Tim Hortons ribbon cutting in Dubai, Adam Telfer returns to the cast. He’s packing heat, laying down hot takes on The Finals, Once Human, and the colossal capital required to ship single-player games. Meanwhile, Eric drops a margin call on Riot’s transmedia move while Jen rallies in defense. Phil thinks everyone is missing the real Wukong takeaway with a mysterious winner. The g...

Get the latest dose of game industry news shaken, not stirred. In this episode, Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, and Laura Taranto debate the merits of VR, discuss Zynga's match-three strategies, and evaluate market trends in the mobile gaming sector. Plus, the crew takes a look at the dreadful reception of the Borderlands movie and the ongoing challenges in launching successful game franchises. To ca...

In this episode, Dennis Fong, CEO and co-founder of GGWP, discusses his remarkable journey from being the world's first professional gamer to a successful serial entrepreneur. He shares insights from founding and selling four companies, emphasizing the importance of open conversations and the tough realities of making pivots and layoffs. Dennis also reflects on his motivations, and the challen...

In this episode, Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, Phillip Black, and Mishka Katkoff dive into the unexpected closure of Game Informer. The conversation then shifts to financial matters, with insights on the stock market and breakdowns of quarterly earnings reports. We examine the latest on the Microsoft & Activision deal, VC funding trends, and web-based game distribution. The podcast continues wit...

We assembled an Avengers-style team of Consumer Insights leaders from publishers and Vendors Blizzard, Riot, Zynga, and Beta Hat to dig into how Consumer Insights can help Devs and Marketers make and market successful games. The team digs into how each company approaches CI, uncovers trends around older and younger gamers, and gives tips for teams looking for financing or greenlight. The session i...

Jen and Phil close the book on licensing…or do they…while Eric closes the book on the 500 World of Warcraft gear score. Laura looks at Scopley’s new global forgotten franchise, and the team examines mounting Twitch losses. Eric makes 10 x new faces in the episode.

Subscribe to our weekly insights-filled newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe In this episode, we’re focusing on the impact of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and antitrust policies on game monetization. Our guest, Archie Stonehill, Chief Product Officer at Stash, is providing insights into how the DMA is changing the landscape for app stores and game developers. From sideloading...

After dropping mice nuts somewhere on the Blizzard campus, Eric returns to remind Matthew Ball of his crypto advocacy. Jen raises the banner for games as toy brand extensions and enrolls in Joost’s class. Phil is ready to be The Second Descendant and reports on Rainbow Seige’s new marketplace. 

Pete Hawley (former executive at 100 Thieves, EA, Zynga, Lionhead, Sony, Telltale, and Mythical Games) and Alexander Seropian (founder of Bungie, Industrial Toys, Wideload, and Look North Games) unpack their experiences with the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) platform, discussing marketing strategies, player engagement, technical limitations, and opportunities.  00:00 Introduction to Heroic Lab...

The one newsletter to rule them all - not really, but it is good: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe The prodigal pair of Jen and Eric return from trotting around L.A. in the Jade Inferno mobile, while Laura laments the lack of Disco Ball. Phil stacks the chips on Zenless Zone Zero’s role in MiHoYo’s portfolio. Jen gives us the 411 on Disney IP’s 911 on mobile. Why do they all fail? And...

Join the industry's leading weekly newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe This episode is perfect for those interested in game development while managing significant brand collaborations. Join our host Mishka Katkoff as we delve into game development and IP licensing with Peter Hansen-Chambers,  co-CEO of Hutch.  Peter shares his journey to become a co-CEO and explores the unique str...

Join us for a Whiskey Tasting at Gamescom: https://event.appsflyer.com/gamescomwwwtasting/DOF   The Californians are out and it’s two-and-a half-Europeans running the show! Instead of talking about the ongoing European Football Championship or the election results in France and the UK, the trio will dive into Nintendo’s AI avoidance, hybridcasual puzzle games, and Squad Busters. We will also addre...

Join host Mishka Katkoff on the Deconstructor of Fun podcast as he talks with Solsten founders Joe Schaeppi and Bastian Bergmann. They discuss the latest gaming industry trends, the importance of change management, and the critical role of audience resonance. Learn how AI enhances studio efficiency, the value of a measured approach, and how Solsten uses psychological data to improve user experienc...

So much news, and so little time! The crew discusses the acquisition of Singularity 6 and how it's one of the first superfunded star-studded studios that burned all the capital raised only to be acquired at a micenut valuation. We discuss Netflix Games' latest spin on how all is great despite the head of games leaving the organization and replacement still to be announced. And we cap the e...

Industry's leading newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Join host Michail Katkoff on the Deconstructor of Fun podcast as he delves into the remarkable career journey of Kieran Donovan, founder of k-ID. Explore how Kieran transitioned from a screenwriter to a lawyer and then to a successful startup founder, raising $51 million in just 9 months. Discover what k-ID is all about, a pio...

With Miska discovering the true meaning of Tinto Verano, the crew convenes to celebrate Eric’s promotion to senior consultant. Meanwhile, Jen reminds us that Rocket League isn’t a real football game, and Eric finally finds a VC investment with scale. Phil stares down Fortnite numbers while Laura reminds us Switch is the train that keeps chugging. Plus, anime girl horse racing. 00:00 Intro 03:05 Sh...

Sensor Tower State of Gaming 2024 www.sensortower.com/state-of-gaming-2024 Data.ai Mobile App Market Forecast 2030 www.data.ai/en/go/mobile-app-market-forecast/ Don't miss out on this in-depth discussion — subscribe to the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast and newsletter for more expert insights. https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe In this episode, Lexi Sydow, Director of Corporate Marketi...

They say a week without TWIG is like a beach without sand. Well, it seems like there's sand in Squad Busters' growth engine. The game had the most bombastic launch of any Supercell game and is now experiencing the fastest fall as well. The crew analyzes early numbers and potential reasons behind the rapid decline. We also talk about Netflix Games, which seems to have ended its honeymoon pe...