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PODCAST

Deconstructor of Fun

Deconstructor of Fun

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

leisure video games

All Episodes

00:57:18

272. From Prototypes to Hits: Inside Rollic’s...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/03

“The way we survive is built on being creative every day” We sit down with Burak Vardal, CEO and co-founder of Rollic, to explore how the company skyrocketed in just a couple of years from a Turkish startup to one of the most successful mobile game publishers in the world.Burak shares insights on: The early days of Rollic and its quick acquisition by Zynga for $168M How they consistently launch hit mobile games The shift from hyper-casual to hybrid-casual and how it changed their business

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01:00:01

TWIG #320 Unity’s Fate, Fake Ads, Loot Boxes & GTA’s...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/28

To meet the Crew, check out our event in the weekly newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeThis week we examine Niantic’s valuation and potential exit, questioning whether AR gaming has hit its ceiling. We also break down Unity’s latest earnings, examining where the company is headed post-restructuring. Meanwhile, PrizePix blurs the lines between gaming and gambling, raising concerns about the future of real money mechanics.On the platform side, we analyze Hasbro Digital’s unexpected

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01:03:26

271. Gaming in the Middle East: Inside Abu Dhabi’s...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/24

Marcos Muller, Director of Abu Dhabi talks about how the city is building a world-class gaming ecosystem from the ground up. From talent development to job creation and community engagement, Abu Dhabi Gaming is making big moves to attract studios, support developers, and put the region on the global gaming map. Marcos shares insights on the incentives for game studios, and the growth of the gaming economy in the UAE, and even breaks down some misconceptions about life in Abu Dhabi. If you’re a game

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00:53:00

TWIG #319 Scopely 💰 Niantic, Marvel Rivals Drama, and...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/21

Our IRL events. Signup via the newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeScopely and Niantic are making moves, but can they actually change the game? NetEase unloads Marvel Rivals US studio—a political or an efficiency move? Plus, SMicrosoft’s console strategy looks shakier than ever, and we break down what the future of console gaming really looks like. And just when you thought it was over, King pulls another card from its sleeve. 🚀🎮03:55 - GDC Shills11:03 - Scopely &

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00:47:07

270. Why This CEO Moved His Gaming Studio from London...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/20

🔗 Connect with Boris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boris-kalmykov-7ba38065/We chat with Boris Kalnikov, CEO & Co-founder of Hype Masters, about relocating his gaming studio from London to Abu Dhabi. Boris shares his journey with World War Armies, the challenges of remote work, and why he chose Abu Dhabi as his new home.We dive into Abu Dhabi’s rise as a gaming hub, its government incentives, and the realities of running a studio in the region—from tax benefits to hiring talent and lifestyle

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00:49:35

TWIG #318 Supercell’s Records, Unity’s Chaos &...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/16

ALL upcoming events in our newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeSupercell had a monster year with €2.8B in revenue, proving that bigger live ops teams and aggressive marketing can still drive growth—but let’s be real, Squad Busters flopped hard despite the hype. Meanwhile, Unity continues its slow-motion train wreck, losing key talent and scrambling to fix its ad tech, while AppLovin is absolutely crushing it, with stock up 700% thanks to AI-powered ads. Now, in a power move,

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01:06:42

269. The Ultra Positive Gaming Market Report: Sensor...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/12

State of Mobile 2025 Report:https://bit.ly/42T04bXJoin us in this episode as Jonathan Briskman from Sensor Towers and Michail Katkoff explore the overall health of the mobile market.Jonathan highlights strong growth metrics despite a mature landscape and sheds light on the booming in-app purchase revenue and time spent on devices, while also discussing intriguing trends such as digital fatigue and the rise of hybrid apps.Jonathan sheds light on the booming in-app purchase revenue and time spent on

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01:08:30

268. Wilfrid Obeng on How to Scale a $100M Startup...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/10

Wilfrid Obeng’s journey from Goldman Sachs and Google to gaming startup CTO is anything but typical.In this episode, he breaks down how AudioMob is redefining in-game ads with audio, why they chose Abu Dhabi over Silicon Valley to scale their engineering team, and what it takes to transition from corporate structure to startup chaos. We dig into leadership lessons, hiring strategies, and the future of ad monetization—all from someone who’s been in the trenches. If you’re scaling a startup or

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00:54:50

TWIG #317: Big Dream, Bigger Battlefield, and the...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/07

signup to our newsletter and join our on-site events:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe With Jen at a meditation retreat in California and Miska fully embracing his jet-set life, Eric reminds us just how wrong Matthew Ball got it. Adam reveals the Multiversus thesis and argues that Battlefield has room to grab dormant fans and grow the market. Phil spews Battlefield tears and worries about Roblox’s value destruction. They conclude by debating the AI integration in-games: flop or tbd?

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00:52:08

267. Helldivers 2, Warframe, First Descendant, and...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/02/03

This episode features insights from top industry professionals on player engagement, revenue models, and the challenges faced by new releases like Helldivers 2, First Descendant, and Once Human. Dive into in-depth discussions on successful PvE models, key strategies for game success, and the future of game monetization. Join Adam Telfer and a panel of experts as they explore the latest trends in PvE shooters and the evolving tools needed for effective LiveOps. Brought to you by Heroic Labs,

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00:58:06

TWIG #316 Metaverse Myths, Ubisoft’s Struggles and...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/30

We start off with Kress coming after Matthew Ball and his take on the Metaverse and end the episode with Jen making the last stance for brand marketers. In between the team breaks down the FTC’s latest settlement on loot boxes and what it means for the industry. Deep dive into Ubisoft's sea of worries and discuss Habby’s latest launch hurdles. 00:00 Intros01:40 Shills02:50 GDC Announcements and Sponsors06:35 Corrections and Apologies08:09 Matthew Ball and the Metaverse Debate19:20 Loot Boxes

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00:54:23

266. Money, Markets & Disruptive Trends – Xsolla’s...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/29

Xsolla State of Play report: https://xsolla.com/newsroom/xsolla-autumn-2024-report Mobile gaming is bigger than ever, with the industry set to hit $98.7 billion in 2024. But where is that growth coming from? In this episode, we sit down with Xsolla’s Chris Hewish to break down the key trends shaping the global market—from Asia’s dominance to the rise of emerging regions like Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. We also dig into how player demographics are shifting and what it means for game

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01:07:12

265. How do Playtika and Wooga nail their Live Ops...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/27

How do Playtika and Wooga nail their Live Ops strategies? What does GameRefinery say you’re missing?In this episode, Nadav Moshes (Product & Market Insights Lead at Playtika), Maxime Graux (Head of Product Management at Wooga), and Erno Kiiski (Chief Game Analyst at GameRefinery) sit down with our very own Jen Donahoe to dissect the art and science of Live Ops. From mobile to PC/console gaming, we break down the latest trends driving social, engagement, and monetization events. Discover how

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01:12:51

TWIG #315 TikTok Ban and Matthew Ball's State of the...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/24

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 game developers on the global stage. Bonfire Studios’ new game announcement and Matthew Ball’s analysis

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01:05:31

264. Breaking Barriers: The Journey of a Next-Gen...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/20

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 fast-paced gaming ecosystem. 01:04 About Alex Takei03:43 Early Career and Entry into Gaming10:30

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01:01:34

TWIG #314 Market Predictions, Nintendo Leaks and an...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/17

Join us at PGC After Dark: ⁠https://lu.ma/m75avtgb⁠This 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 with listener feedback and reflections. 00:00 Squad Intros01:28 California Wildfires + How to Help03:18

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01:32:18

263. From Failures to Funding: Strategic Moves...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/13

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., India, China) beats hustling in smaller ones. Lesson learned the hard way. **Smart fundraising

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01:10:42

🏆 The 2024 Golden TWIG Awards: an Unfiltered Gaming...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/10

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 most brutal workforce cuts Oops, We Did It Again: Our most embarrassing predictions Get ready for

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01:03:31

262. The Secret Sauce of 🇫🇷 French Game Publishers...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/01/07

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 transitioning from hypercasual to hybrid casual, and the importance of user acquisition and marketing

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01:17:34

261. Climbing to the C-Suite: Insights from Mission...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2024/12/30

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 highlights common mistakes in the executive search process, the importance of empathy in interviews, and the

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211 results

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