Deconstructor of Fun

Leisure EN ↓ 801 episodes

Deconstructor of Fun podcast is created by games professionals for games professionals. We explore the business side of the games industry with the goal of bringing listeners content that is relevant, insightful, and entertaining on a weekly basis. Hosts:Michail Katkoff www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/Eric Kress www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/Phillip Black www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/Jen Donahoe www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdonahoe

Author

Deconstructor of Fun

Episodes

Game Publishing on Roblox | Gamefam CEO Joe Ferencz 29.03.2021 54:49

The creator community on Roblox to date has consisted of many younger former players that have advanced from playing to building games on the platform.  Many have wondered when and if the platform would start bringing in more professional developers and publishers.  ' Here with us today to talk about Roblox’s development platform and opportunity space for devs is Joe Ferencz, CEO of Game...

Scaling So Far with Savage Game Studios 29.03.2021 57:38

CEO & Co-Founder of Savage Game Studios , Michail Katkoff , joins Matthew Ellis for a chat in the latest episode of Scaling So Far 🎙 Having led and built teams at the like of Supercell, Rovio & Zynga in the past, Michail shares advice on hiring awesome studio talent, the impact of having leaders who listen, & keeping your culture alive & evolving 👾 ... oh & he answers the ques...

TWIG #125: Mr. Beast VC Fund, IronSource SPAC, 2K Tiger Woods, Discord $10B+, NYT Games Biz ft. Dean Takahashi from GamesBeat 24.03.2021 1:06:57

Welcome to TWIG #125! Today we cover: #1. MrBeast’s management company, Night Media, has a new venture fund that’s backed by creators #2 2k Sports Acqures HB Studios, signs PGA Tour 2k deal with Tiger Woods #3. Thoma Bravo SPAC Agrees to Take IronSource Public #4. F acing Post-Trump Slowdown, New York Times Eyes $100 Billion Games Market #5. Discord exploring sale that could be worth more than $10...

Danger of Integrated Studios + Ad Networks: Applovin and Zynga 22.03.2021 1:16:57

Recently Applovin a major ad network and games studio - announced the acquisition of Adjust which is a company known as an MMP or mobile measurement partner. Zynga recently announced its intentions of acquiring an ad network including supply and demand side tech, mediation, and an MMP We discuss the potential implications of these kinds of vertically integrated acquisitions with a games studio bus...

Growth Triggers #7 China's Tech Giants' Attempt to Circumvent IDFA, Our take on AppLovin's S1, Is Clubhouse a Fad? 18.03.2021 45:15

Growth Triggers is a segment focusing on all matters of growth. In this episode, we discuss AppLovin's S1, the future of Clubhouse, and how China's tech giants are exploring ways to skirt Apple's privacy changes. Your hosts: Michail Katkoff ( twitter ) and Eric Seufert ( twitter )

TWIG #124: Star Wars to Marvel -> Licensed IP, Applovin S1, Roblox: Dawn of the Metaverse 16.03.2021 56:35

Welcome to TWIG #124! Today we cover: #1. From Star Wars to Marvel, licensed video games are becoming more ambitious. Here’s why. #2. AppLovin S1 (our take on the MTM take)  #3. Roblox: Dawn of the Metaverse LINKS: AdTech + Game Studios: The BIG Danger Creators at Work Podcast (Liquid & Grit) Hosts: - Miska Katkoff (@m_katkoff) - Joe Kim (@jokim1) - Eric Kress (@ekress) - Adam Telfer (@ad...

Building Games For A Female Audience | Ft. Renata Caldani, Joana Marques, and Maryna Iaremenko 12.03.2021 37:31

How do you design mobile games for a female audience? In this talk, we cover genres, motivations, mechanics, and much more! Speakers: Maryna Iaremenko , Lead Game Designer, GameHouse Joana Marques , Sr. Product Manager Renata Caldani , Brand Manager, Square Enix Montreal Moderator: Joseph Kim, CEO LILA Games SPONSOR: This podcast is sponsored by Square Enix Montreal.  Check out a ton of open...

Game Biz #1: Future of Game Industry M&A Ft. Chris Petrovic, Eric Kress, J Kim 10.03.2021 53:37

Game Biz is a new segment discussing big game industry trends, strategy, and public company movements. Catch us on Clubhouse this Friday for an after discussion on this topic: Clubhouse Friday 3/12/21 at 12PM PST Your hosts: Joseph Kim Eric Kress Chris Petrovic

TWIG 123: Fortnite Acquires Fall Guys Dev Mediatonic, Ubisoft NFT Game, and Dream Games Secures $50M 10.03.2021 1:01:41

Welcome to TWIG #123! Today we cover: #1. Fortnite developer Epic buys Fall Guys studio Mediatonic #2. Gaming Giant Ubisoft Partners With Ethereum-based NFT Platform Sorare #3. Dream Games secures $50m Series A round LINKS: Join us on Clubhouse this Friday 3/12/2021 at 12PM PST to discuss the Future of Games Industry M&A https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/MRQ1Z7pE Hosts: - Miska Katkoff (@m_k...

How to Turnaround a Company with Offer Yehudai, President of Fyber 08.03.2021 48:56

Let's be honest, leading a winning team is easy. Success breeds success and you're rolling from one victory to another with the momentum growing day-by-day.  What is hard is taking over a team that is failing and turning it around. What is even harder is turning around a declining public company, whose numbers are scrutinized every single quarter by shareholders and analysts. I'm joined by Of...

Growth Triggers #6 The Right Way to Build Your Game Marketing Team 04.03.2021 53:04

Growth Triggers is a segment focusing on all matters of growth. In this episode, we discuss: Whether to embed UA staff or not? Who do you count in a UA team What are the vital UA functions for a game team? Who/what do you need for the best chances of success in SL? Your hosts Michail Katkoff and Eric Seufert

TWIG #122: PUBG New State, Genshin Impact Dev Costs, Google Stadia Problem?, & Spotify Remote Work 03.03.2021 58:31

Welcome to TWIG #122! Today we cover: #1. PUBG: New State is a futuristic new battle royale game for Android and iOS #2. Genshin Impact Dev Costs #3. Google Stadia Problem?  A Video Game Unit That’s Not Googley Enough #4. Spotify says it's letting employees work from anywhere, while still paying San Francisco and New York salaries Hosts: - Miska Katkoff (@m_katkoff) - Joe Kim (@jokim1) - Eric...

How to Market Mobile Games in 2021 with Kieran O’Leary, VP Marketing at Rovio 01.03.2021 40:57

ATT will handicap ad platforms’ abilities to target specific users throwing a wrench in the growth strategies of most top mobile game publishers. The three key changes will be: Resurrection of Product Marketing  The Role of an IP in performance marketing  The Broadening of Media Mix In this episode I'm joined by Kieran O'Leary , VP of Marketing at Rovio, to discuss mobile games marketing...

TWIG #121: BlizzCon, Zynga accelerates, Rovio's financials and VALHEIM! 24.02.2021 57:50

Welcome to TWIG #120! Today we cover: #1. Zynga’s plan to accelerate growth in 2021 #2. BlizzCon Online 2021 #3. Valheim: How a 5-Person Team Created the Most Popular Game on Steam #4. Rovio 2020 Financial Statement  Hosts: - Miska Katkoff (@m_katkoff) - Joe Kim (@jokim1) - Eric Kress (@ekress) As always, pls feel free to send us feedback! Check out TWIG on the GameMakers YouTube Channel !

Growth Triggers #5 Why AppLovin and Zynga are Building Content Fortresses 22.02.2021 47:07

Growth Triggers is a segment focusing on all matters of growth. In this episode, we discuss AppLovin's acquisition of an attribution platform Adjust, and Zynga's intention to invest in ad tech. Your hosts Michail Katkoff and Eric Seufert

Embracer Group: Strategy, Outlook, and Focus on the Long-term | Kenshi Arasaki (ATA), Ken Go (DECA), and Randy Pitchford (Gearbox), Lars Wingefors (Embracer), 19.02.2021 56:21

We get a comprehensive and in-depth discussion talking about industry consolidation/consolidators and more specifically about the Embracer Group.  In a unique discussion, we get a very holistic perspective on Embracer speaking to:       - Kenshi Arasak i, CEO, A Thinking Ape, One of the best in the industry at long-tail and forever franchise games with titles fro...

TWIG #120: Supercell on 2nd Decade, Zynga Ad Network, Bad Robot Entering Games, Microsoft on Future of Games 18.02.2021 1:01:16

Welcome to TWIG #120! Today we cover: #1. Zynga Is Building Its Own Ad Network, Mulling M&A #2. Bad Robot looking to be the rare Hollywood-and-games success story #3. Microsoft's Head of Cloud Gaming James Gwertzman Talks Past, Present, and Future of Gaming Tech #4. MY TAKE ON SUPERCELL IN 2020 AS WE BEGIN OUR SECOND DECADE Hosts: - Miska Katkoff (@m_katkoff) - Joe Kim (@jokim1) - Eric Kress (...

Learnings from Building My Dream Team with Sophie Vo, Studio Lead at Voodoo 15.02.2021 1:07:31

How do you build a dream team from scratch? In this episode Sophie Vo , Studio Lead at Voodoo, details her journey of building a game team. We discuss how to craft a team culture, hire according to set values and lead through lockdowns. Sophie has a true passion towards leadership. Her approach is very methodical and constantly improving as she analyses, plans, executes and recalibrates based on l...

Future of PC Games | David Brevik (OG!), Sean Haran (Gearbox), Tim Morten (Frost Giant) 12.02.2021 1:20:39

Today we will be speaking about the future of PC Gaming.    Here with us to talk about this are 3 incredible speakers     - David Brevik , Famous of course for founding Blizzard North and for Diablo but then also founding other game studios including Gazillion and now as President of Skystone Games      - Sean Haran who’s held senior executive...

TWIG #119: EA Buys Glu, AppLovin Buys Adjust, Embracer Buys Gearbox, and Predictions (Shooters, Marketing) 10.02.2021 58:04

Welcome to TWIG #119! Today we cover: #1. Why Did AL Buy Adjust #2. EA buys GLU #3. Embracer Group acquires Borderlands maker Gearbox Entertainment for $1.3B Predictions: Shooters and Marketing Hosts: - Miska Katkoff (@m_katkoff) - Joe Kim (@jokim1) - Eric Kress (@ekress) - Adam Telfer (@adamwtelfer) As always, pls feel free to send us feedback! Check out TWIG on the GameMakers YouTube Channel !

Seriosly Unconventional Growth with Philp Hickey, EVP of Brand & Marketing 09.02.2021 43:42

Originally Seriosly's first game was launched in mid-2014. Since then the game has grown quarter after quarter with the latest growth spurs coming after the acquisition by Playtika.  In this episode I'm joined by Phil Hickey , EVP of Brand & Marketing at Seriosly, to discuss:  How has Best Fiends been able to continue to grow ever since the game was launched? Why did they take t...

Hit Roblox Developers Share Their Secrets! 05.02.2021 1:05:27

Hear from real game developers on Roblox who have created hit games! What does it take to be successful? How is dev on Roblox different from other platforms? What is a day in the life like? What is their view on Roblox monetization? What is the future outlook for the platform? Roblox developer speakers:     - Andrew Bereza aka "Berezaa", Toybox Development - Vesteria, 2PGFT, Mi...

TWIG #118: Epic Games Store Review, Google Stadia Shuts down Internal Studios, & Gambling Apps on Google Play 03.02.2021 47:44

Welcome to TWIG #118! Today we cover: #1. Gambling apps are coming to Google’s Play Store in the US and 14 other countries , The Verge #2. Reviewing Epic Games Store’s 2020 , MasterTheMeta #3. Google Stadia Shuts Down Internal Studios, Changing Business Focus , Kotaku Hosts: - Joe Kim (@jokim1) - Eric Kress (@ekress) - Adam Telfer (@adamwtelfer) Guest Host: - Ninel (Gryuner) Anderson , Check out D...

Going Public with Anton Gauffin, CEO of Huuuge Games 01.02.2021 1:00:23

In this episode, I'm joined by Anton Gauffin, CEO of soon to be public Huuuge Games.  We discuss why Anton has decided to take his company public, dive deeper into their Build & Buy strategy, talk about their M&A approach, and what sets Huuuge different from the other consolidators in the market. We also discuss the effects of IDFA depreciation on the company's M&A strategy. your...

Playtika IPO | Growth???, Risks, and Future! 29.01.2021 32:53

Today we are going to be discussing Playtika’s IPO and future prospects. Playtika develops and publishes some of the world’s most popular social casino games such as Slotomania, Slots - House of Fun, Bingo Blitz, and card games like World Series of Poker In our discussion today we’ll be talking about #1. IPO and current valuation #2. Current business and sources of revenue #3. Growth prospects #4....