x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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 @mkatkoff www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/ Eric Kress @ekress www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/ Laura Taranto @laurataranto www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/ Phillip Black @econosopher

leisure video games

All Episodes

01:27:35

297. Mobile Marketing in 2025: What Still Works (and...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/28

In this Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Mishka Katkoff sits down with three of the sharpest minds in growth: Josh Chandley (Wildcard Games), Warren Woodward (Uptick), and Paul Bowen (StreamElements) to dissect the state of user acquisition in 2025.STATE OF CREATIVES Report: https://tinyurl.com/393d9rumChapters: 02:00 Is UA Dead or Just Evolved?07:00 The Real Impact of IDFA Deprecation13:00 Time Spent vs Installs: The New Market Reality18:00 AppLovin: Apex Predator of Ad Tech27:00 Attribution Fraud and

en

00:50:30

TWIG #341 Ubisoft Tries “Succession” while...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/25

Miska’s usual jetset life hits a snag when he misses Kress’ Subnotica correction. Adam calls in from his cottage to lay down the law on Merge history, while Phil gushes over $500m in capital deployment. Eric details Ubisoft’s reality TV show attempt at Succession, and Jen delivers the 411 on Apple’s hypercasual attempt. The group pours one out for a very special Candy Crush anniversary.01:58 Gaming News Highlights02:42 Personal Updates05:33 Remembering the Mario Lopez Candy Crush Show07:52

en

01:18:16

296. From Crying Alone in Bangalore to Panic Attacks...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/21

From crying alone in Bangalore to panic attacks at Gamescom, this is a brutally real look at what it actually costs to chase a vision. Mishka Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) and Joseph Kim (Lila Games) reunite for the rawest, most honest founder-to-founder conversation you’ll hear this year. They dive deep into the sacrifices, suffering, and stress of building companies from scratch, away from the LinkedIn highlight reels.5:00 – Suffering vs. Sacrifice: Is Work Just Avoidance?10:45 – Why Founders

en

01:13:56

TWIG #340 Scopely Goes to War, Roblox Gambles on IP...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/17

Upcoming events:Whiskey Tasting: https://event.appsflyer.com/gamescom2025/AFHeroic Party: https://lu.ma/tjkk5r8kThe crew kicks things off by breaking down Roblox’s bold new IP licensing platform—will it unlock the next Pokémon or just spin up another corporate side quest?Then it’s off to Turkey for a pulse check on one of mobile gaming’s fastest-evolving markets, followed by a surprise breakout story from France that’s punching way above its weight class.We rewind the clock on Kixeye to understand

en

00:10:35

296. Secrets Behind Monopoly Go’s Record-Breaking...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/15

At MAU Vegas, Jen Donahoe sits down with Ben Webley, CMO of Scopely, to unpack the strategies behind Monopoly GO!’s meteoric rise. From player psychology to brand IP, virality loops to UA muscle—this conversation breaks down what really drove the biggest mobile game launch of the decade. If you’re in gaming and not taking notes on this one, you’re already behind.

en

01:04:43

295. Pakistan’s Unexpected Rise in Gaming with Saad...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/14

Game District CEO Saad Hameed joins Michail Katkoff to tell the untold story of Pakistan’s booming gaming industry. From bootstrapped studios to billion-download success, we dive into the rise of Lahore as a serious global player, why Pakistan could be the next Turkey or Vietnam, and what’s holding the ecosystem back from its breakout moment. This is the episode you didn’t know you needed.Connect with Saad: www.linkedin.com/in/saadhameedkh00:00 Introduction to Game District and Saad Hameed02:47 The

en

00:53:58

TWIG #339 Merge Games, Gen Z Spending Patterns, and...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/11

We kick things off with a no-holds-barred Supercell rant before diving into the hottest industry stories—from Xbox Game Pass profitability to Apple’s latest regulatory headache in the EU. We break down Supercell’s shifting strategy, IPO rumors, and what it all signals for the wider market.The crew also explores Gen Z’s changing spending habits, mobile monetization trends, and why Merge games might be due for a second wind. Plus: Mecha Break’s breakout moment, studio culture shifts, and where smart

en

01:16:14

294. Product Managing Game Studio Culture with Seth...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/07

Mishka Katkoff interviews Seth Sivak as they discuss startup culture, leadership, company values, product market fit, cultural onboarding, adaptive culture, game industry, entrepreneurship, team dynamics, and management. They discuss the importance of company culture, how it can be shaped and influenced, and the challenges of maintaining a healthy culture as a startup scales. Seth shares insights on cultural onboarding, the adaptability of culture, and the lessons learned from his experiences in the

en

01:02:05

TWIG #338 Apple’s Cat-and-Mouse Game, Xbox's Doom...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/07/03

The boys-only episode talks about layoffs sweeping through top Swedish studios before diving into yet another round of Xbox layoffs. In this episode, we also cover Apple’s ongoing cat-and-mouse game with the EU’s DMA rules and unpack the critical difference between private equity and venture capital in gaming. The crew analyzes the early flop of Marvel Mystic Mayhem before talking about how Splitgate 2 is already struggling to justify its existence.02:36 Sweden's Gaming Industry Layoffs05:22

en

01:04:11

293. Walking Away from Venture Capital with Sophie Vo

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/30

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Vo, studio founder, podcast host, and now the creator of Orin Retreats, to unpack why she walked away from the startup rat race to build something intentionally small, sustainable, and soul-aligned. We talk about the version of success that nearly broke her, why the VC model fails most founders, and how depth, not scale, became her new metric for impact. If you’ve ever questioned the path you’re on, this conversation might just reframe what “winning” really

en

01:03:17

TWIG #337 Supercell's AI Ruse and Microsoft’s Muddled...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/26

We discuss Believer’s potential survivor, the layoffs at Mind’s Eye, and Netflix’s surprising decision to axe key mobile titles. But the real meat is Supercell: what the hell is going on in Helsinki? From performance stagnation to communication silence, we unpack the company’s evolving strategy—or lack thereof.Also on deck: Riot’s dev woes, Microsoft’s muddled Xbox strategy, and what YouTube’s 20th anniversary tells us about the future of game content. We wrap with a look at emerging trends in

en

00:35:32

Where Do Geogames Go After Niantic’s $3.5B Exit with...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/22

From Niantic’s $3.5B sale of Pokémon GO to Scopely, to the rise of SLAP, a fast-paced, IRL multiplayer game that blends social tagging with viral video content Jen Donahoe and Lauren Steidl, CEO and co-founder of Integrated Reality Labs, explore how geogames are evolving from novelty apps into a new genre of play.Why Pokémon GO showed both the power and the limits of GPS gamingThe tech leap making real-world multiplayer actually workSLAP’s breakout performance—10 sessions/day, no paid UAHow TikTok

en

01:05:08

TWIG #336 Candy Crush Veterans Return as Marathon...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/19

We start with a massive Switch 2 record-breaking pre-launch momentum and what it signals for Nintendo’s comeback strategy. Then it’s on to Tencent’s rumored bid for Nexon that could reshape the Korean gaming landscape.Candy Crush OGs jump back into the game as we unpack the shock closures (RIP Believer), restructures (Warner Bros Games), and slowdowns (Bungie’s Marathon, Build a Rocket Boy). Plus: Mobile Gaming Trends 2025, Remedy’s mysterious new drop, and why Kingshot might be the next game to

en

00:44:24

291. AI in Games: Innovation or Ethical Time Bomb?...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/16

Mishka Katkoff talks with George Ng, co-founder and CTO of GGWP, about the real AI crisis in gaming—and it’s not what you think.From manipulative personalization to privacy nightmares, we unpack how AI is already reshaping development, monetization, and the player experience. George breaks down the tech behind the buzz, the moral minefields, and whether AI will elevate creativity or just flood the market with noise.Topics: • AI as a tool—or a trap—for player engagement • The shifting role of

en

00:59:53

TWiG #335: Embrace CEO Exits, Pokémon meets Genshin...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/13

Habby has a new surprise launch that may push the publisher to $1B ARR. Apple somehow does worse than Game Center 2.0, while Xbox delivers a near swan song. Did we mention LARS IS GONE FROM EMBRACER? Eric vows a commitment of swear-free chastity, while Jen and Phil remind him of his true podcast self.03:33 Off the Record in LA05:27 Phil's Singapore Experience07:28 Dune Awakening and Game of Thrones Kings Road09:14 Off the Record Event Highlights12:53 Embracer CEO Shakeup15:55 Unity CTO

en

01:07:02

290. 10 x Co-Development Trends: Why the Best Studios...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/09

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Carla Rylance - external development expert, XDS Advisory Committee Chair, and Head of Business Solutions for XDS Spark - to dive deep into the 2025 XDS Insights Report.In this episode:Key trends in external development, co-development, and industry shifts following the pandemic. The growing role of AI in game development: how publishers and service providers are using (or not using) AI. Budget trends, rates, and the business realities facing external studios. Why

en

00:53:25

TWIG #334 The $200,000,000 Greenlight Failures and...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/06

The crew dives into a jam-packed week of industry news from Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 launch to Epic’s evolving Store strategy. We unpack the growing importance of social features in games and the buzz around the new D&D project from the Star Wars Jedi director. Meanwhile, Elden Ring’s Night Reign expansion proves brutally satisfying, while Zynga quietly shuts down the studio behind Torchlight. We also tackle Activision’s tone-deaf in-game ads and finish with a sharp Philosophy Corner: why do

en

00:51:13

289. Mobile Gaming in 2025: 10 Trends That Matter

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, Mishka Katkoff sits down with Sensor Tower gaming insights analyst Sam Aune to dissect the state of mobile gaming in 2025. They unpack download trends, the evolving UA playbook, the hybrid casual boom, and shifting genre engagement. The conversation dives into emerging markets, how ads really impact player behavior, and what Gen Z expects from modern mobile games. Backed by fresh Sensor Tower data, Aune breaks down where the biggest opportunities—and pitfalls—lie for today’s game

en

00:51:22

288. Why Most Games Deserve to Die — And How Voodoo...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/06/02

In this episode, Deconstructor of Fun’s Mishka Katkoff sits down with Thibault de Vésinne-Larüe, VP of Core Gaming at Voodoo, to unpack one of the industry’s most ruthless yet successful publishing machines. How does Voodoo test 2,000 prototypes a year? What separates great studios from the rest? Why do most games get killed — and how do you know which ones to bet on? If you’re serious about understanding hybrid-casual publishing, this is required listening.00:40 Characteristics of Top Performing

en

01:03:35

TWIG #333: Apple's Stand Up Comedy, Fortnite Mobile's...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/05/30

With Michail out, and definitely not living a jetset life, Jen, Eric, Adam, and Phil huddle around the WWDC campfire to tell tales of Game Center. There’s a big change to Battlefield that threatens the franchise, while Delta Force rises as a threat to the East. Split Gate 2? Not so much. Jen defends Apple, marketing, and transmedia, all in one, while Adam claims a Marvel Rival bet and claps for the French. Eric certainly isn’t clapping for Game Pass and Doom, while Phil tries to Grow a Garden.02:19

en

201 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

詭哭郎嚎

郎祖筠 & FMTaiwan製作團隊

Ron en Erik Podcast

Ron en Erik

Poor Man"s Pinball Podcast

Poor Men Ian and Drew

WeAreChange on Odysee

WeAreChange