Deconstructor of Fun

TikTok’s gaming experiment closures and Marvel Snap’s China operations highlight the challenges of scaling global hits. Netflix’s games strategy is dissected, alongside surprising trends like the resurgence of Solitaire, which seems to be tapping into the nostalgia economy. The discussion turns heavier as the team unpacks sweeping workforce cuts at Huuuge Games and the growing dominance of Chinese...

Jen Donahoe sits down with Alexandra Takei, a rising star who’s making waves in the gaming industry. They dive into what it takes to bridge the gap between business and creativity in gaming, the hard-earned lessons from startups, and how proactive collaboration can drive innovation. Alexandra discusses empathy and mentorship's critical role in her career and shares advice for those navigating the...

Join us at PGC After Dark: ⁠https://lu.ma/m75avtgb⁠ This week’s TWIG episode starts with bold predictions for 2025 in mobile gaming, followed by Eric Kress’s half-hearted backtracking on hyper-casual games and the latest Nintendo Switch 2 leaks before deep diving into Marvel Rivals’ potential impact. The team revisits the year’s most significant moments, explores standout moments, and wraps up wit...

CEO and co-founder of PvX Partners (www.pvxpartners.com), Joe Wadakethalakal shares his unique journey from India to Indonesia and beyond. Key takeaways from our chat with Joe Wadakethalakal: **Resilience matters**: Entrepreneurship is brutal—Joe’s journey shows how surviving failures and tough times builds long-term success. **Market size over Network**: Starting in large, scalable markets (U.S.,...

CAST YOUR VOTE! https://forms.gle/BfBn6H123S2D1QdY9 Brace yourself for the most candid awards show in gaming! Join us as we dissect the highs and lows of 2024, dishing out Golden TWIGs for the year’s most memorable moments. From epic fails to surprising triumphs, we’re covering it all: Company Carnage: Who took the biggest hits? Gaming Letdowns: Which hyped title fell flat? Layoff Lowlights: The m...

The Hybridcasual Playbook https://metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com/ In this episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Mishka Katkoff interviews Vincent Fevrier, CMO of Tap Nation, discussing the evolution of hybrid casual games and the unique position of French publishers in the gaming industry. They explore Tap Nation's growth from a startup to a mid-size publisher, the challenges of tr...

Michail Katkoff and Gerard Miles dive into the nuances of executive headhunting, exploring the role of headhunters, pathways to the C-suite, and the significance of personal branding and mentorship in career growth. They share insights on how candidates can position themselves for leadership roles and embrace strategic thinking to thrive in a competitive hiring landscape. The discussion also highl...

No agenda? No problem! Ethan returns from UEFN dormancy to break some exciting news. Jen sells a BMW, while Eric tries to sell a Roblox correction. The Puzzle Queen herself ascends to browbeat Royale Kingdom into better KPIs, and Phil shares pictures of his cat in a banana.  01:17 Holiday Reflections and Family Updates 03:03 Good News, Bad News 04:01 Parenting Challenges and Teenage Years 06:23 Po...

In this episode, David Nelson co-Founder of Magnetic and a true maverick of our industry, dives deep into the nuances of mobile gaming innovation. David discusses his journey through King, including the formation and successes of the experimentation group. As the industry transforms, he explains the importance of understanding your audience, the pitfalls of following trends blindly, and the necess...

We kick things off with a deep dive into what separates different Nordic countries with regional experts Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff. Next, we tackle Squad Busters’ ambitious new update. Will it be enough to reverse its decline, or is it too little, too late? Then, there will be chaos in the streaming world as Netflix Games gets GTAd! What went down, and what does it mean for the company’s ga...

Cameron Stewart, Group Vice President at SciPlay, shares valuable insights on the robust growth of social casinos, emphasizing retention and monetization strategies. We explore how SciPlay operates with low concentration levels in the market, the importance of personalizing user experiences, and the innovative approaches driving their success. Get an insider's look at the strategic decisions, incl...

With Miska set on another jet, Q5 launches in earnest with Marvel Rivals, Delta Force, Path of Exile 2, Infinity Nikki, and Girlsfront Line 2. Oh my, oh my. Kress gives his full review of Infinity Nikki’s costumes, while Jen pulls “Franchise” Beetlejuice. How can Marvel Rivals cross-promote in every Marvel game?  Adam pours cold water retention down the acquisition’s back while Phil tries to light...

Mishka Kaktoff is joined by Steve Lockwood from TikTok and Roy Yanai from AppsFlyer, who share their extensive insights on evolving attribution techniques, overcoming challenges in the privacy landscape, and future-proofing measurement strategies.  This episode is packed with valuable information that can help improve your campaign performance, game design, and overall marketing outcomes.  Chapter...

Up Down Up is now available as an audiobook on Audible! https://www.amazon.com/UP-DOWN-companies-succeed-others/dp/B0CR7T9DPT In this episode, Kim Nordstrom joins the podcast to discuss his journey in the gaming industry, from releasing his first game in 1995 to significant roles at PlayStation, King, and Paradox. The conversation delves into topics from his book 'Up, Down, Up,' exploring what it...

In this episode of This Week in Games , we dive into the intriguing rumors surrounding a potential new PlayStation Portable and discuss Elon Musk’s rumored AI game studio , which could reshape innovation in the space. On the business side, we analyze the closure of Ubisoft studios and the enduring popularity of the Pokémon Trading Card Game .  In mobile gaming, we spotlight Habby’s big launches ,...

In this episode, host Mishka Katkoff is joined by Sergei Vasiuk, LiveOps Director at Wargaming and author of 'Running a Successful Live Service Game.' The two delve into Sergei's book, discussing everything from the evolution of gaming models to data-driven development, player engagement, monetization strategies, and the challenges of global operations. This episode is a treasure trove of insights...

Dive deep into the world of game development and user acquisition with AppLovin’s Daniel TchernahovskyIn this episode, we explore the growth of mobile gaming, the significance of hybrid monetization, and the impact of automation and AI on user acquisition strategies. Learn how Applovin's journey from startup to powerhouse company evolved, the importance of maintaining company culture, and strategi...

Happy Thanksgaming! This week, the Deconstructor of Fun crew kicks things off with a recap of the buzzing Slush event before diving into a deep analysis of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. From there, we tackle Ubisoft’s heated return-to-office controversy and explore Hasbro’s massive $150 million investment in gaming. The latter half of the episode delves into Royal Kingdom’s prolonged soft launch stra...

Phillip Black sits down with Leo Yao, General Manager of Timi Studio Group’s J3 studio, for an exclusive look at the making of Call of Duty Mobile and the upcoming Delta Force . Discover how Timi shocked Activision with a two-month Nuketown demo, the secrets behind COD Mobile’s record-breaking live ops, and why Delta Force pivots to tackle Battlefield . Insights: The surprising dominance of Crossf...

As Kress’ World of Warcraft account turns 20, we blow out the candles and reflect on a surprising reason behind EA’s disastrous AI investor presentation. Jen delivers a valiant defense of Monopoly Go’s new TV campaign, while Phil reviews the early returns of Pokémon TCG Pocket. Big in Japan, as they say? The group wraps up with what might be the year’s final Embracer hazing session, absolving them...

Join us on the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast as we delve into LiveOps strategies for Q5 with esteemed guests Sezer Degirmenbasi, head of EMEA for mobile gaming at TikTok, and John Wright, head of publishing at Kwalee. In this episode, you’ll discover what Q5 is and why it's crucial for game marketers and learn detailed strategies for leveraging TikTok's LiveOps tools to extend your game's lifecycle...

HYBRIDCASUAL PLAYBOOK: metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com   In this podcast episode, Michail Katkoff hosts Manish Gajria, Director of Product from Meta, and Ryan Davies, Head of Performance Marketing from Kwalee to discuss the current trends in the mobile gaming market, focusing on value optimization, hybrid casual games, and the impact of AI on user acquisition strategies. They explore the c...

After Kress released the rockets at large VCs last week the crew gets back into heated venture capital discussions exploring the complexities of VC investments in gaming and the shifting landscape of game development and funding. The conversation also touches on the potential leadership changes at EA, the implications of recent acquisitions in the gaming industry, and the performance of companies...

Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, and Eric Kress live from GamesForum San Francisco. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 01:29 Panelist Intros 05:53 First Topic: Unfiltered Growth and Monetization 12:50 Incentivized Advertising: Past and Present 17:59 Challenges and Future of Incentivized Ads 27:27 Expanding Beyond Gaming: Brand Collaborations 32:15 Exploring Roblox's Integration with Shopify 32:52...

Eric roleplays as his Old Man Yells at Cloud Halloween costume, sparing no expense at Netflix’s strange announcement and an ugly breakdown of modern venture capital. Laura tells us if Pokemon’s new mobile game looks more like Go or Masters, while Jen gives a eulogy for Space Ape. Phil raves at Call of Duties monster success and asks Nadella to release the Game Pass tapes. 00:26 Nintendo Switch Ear...