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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 @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

01:08:47

TWIG #325 Ubisoft Bails Out, AppLovin Fights Back,...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/04/04

GDC’s over, but the takes are still hot. Eric Kress recaps the chaos and questions Dark Legion’s staying power, while Phil gives the Game Craft boys a well-deserved nod. Then it’s Switch 2 speculation time: is Nintendo finally back in the power game? Meanwhile, Roblox cozies up to Google for rewarded ads—what does that mean for the ecosystem? Meanwhile, AppLovin fights off short seller heat while asserting market dominance. Plus, Tencent’s playing the long game with Ubisoft, again—no surprise, but

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01:20:20

277. Leadership, AI, and Mobile Growth – Insights...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/04/03

What makes the company a great place to work? We discuss the significance of company culture, leadership evolution, and the vital role of customer obsession with AppsFlyer's CEO and co-founder, Oren Kaniel. Oren shares his entrepreneurial journey, how the company overcame early financial challenges, and the importance of remaining innovative and passionate. Additionally, we explore AI's role in the future of business, balancing data privacy with technological advancements, and the grand

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01:11:39

276. Growing in a Mature Market with Josh Wilson, CEO...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/31

Josh Wilson, CEO of SciPlay, returns to the podcast for the third time to discuss key topics such as the significance of Q5, the challenges of app store reliance, the stalled growth in the gaming market, the emergence of hybrid casualization, and the role of AI in gaming.Subscribe to the Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeContinue the conversation on our Slack channel: www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack00:00 Introduction and Previous Conversations03:28 Understanding

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01:06:42

TWIG #324: Netflix Games Build Back Better Plan,...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/28

Eric speedruns through an a16z correction, while Phil can’t wrap his head around Funplus’ new 4x Dark Legion thesis. Adam tells us Netease’s Fragpunk is dead, and Jen tells us games journalism is alive. Against all odds, Netflix Games records its first positive segment. And did you hear that? It’s the inZOI train CHUGGin’.Subscribe to the Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter:www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeContinue the conversation on our Slack channel:www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack02:16 Post-GDC

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01:09:41

TWIG #323 LIVE at GDC!!!

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/26

The rowdy and tired DoF crew closed down their GDC with a live TWIG show at Moscone Center. Tune in!Chapters:02:47 Kickoff03:15 GDC Vibe Check06:30 Industry Sentiment and Challenges21:20 Emerging Markets and New Game Development22:26 A16Z Speed Run and Industry Shifts26:21 Funding Trends and Credit Lines27:40 Absurd Ideas and Rumors31:00 Supercell's MoCo Launch33:53 Embracing Experimentation in Gaming38:31 Absurd Compensation Packages in the US43:28 The Future of AA and Indie Game Funding46:57

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00:27:37

281. Do It Better: Creative Production with AI

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/26

Alexei Chemenda, CEO and co-founder of Poolday.ai, discusses how AI enables marketers to focus on strategy and storytelling. Discover the future of personalized video ads, the evolving role of A/B testing, and the importance of combining creative and analytical skills in marketing. 00:00 Introduction: Misconceptions About AI in Marketing01:53 Revolutionizing Ad Creation with AI02:53 Personalization and Creative Control04:15 Continuous Creative Cycle04:37 AI in Gaming and Brand

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00:48:43

275. Beyond User Acquisition: How to Win with...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/24

Marion Balinoff and Sara Guerola share data-driven strategies for maximizing influencer marketing in gaming. As CPIs rise and privacy regulations evolve, influencer marketing is becoming a key performance channel. Marion and Sara break down budget calculations, track organic uplift, and analyze campaign performance while highlighting tactics like QR codes, giveaways, and custom in-game assets to boost conversions. Whether you’re testing with smaller creators or scaling with top-tier influencers,

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00:56:59

TWIG #322 Farmville, Pokemon Go, and Female Gamers

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/14

Mishka wrestles with the implications of AppLovin’s Triple Dot acquisition, while Scopely’s latest move has everyone questioning the future of Pokémon Go. Eric breaks down the latest insights from the Turkish gaming industry, while Jen dissects the Midia Research gamer segmentation report. Phil revisits the hypercasual ad playbook, while Subway Surfers just keeps running. Plus, a final look at GDC announcements, the mobile vs. console showdown, and what it all means for the industry.The

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00:47:39

274. Skillz CEO Andrew Paradise on the $75M...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/12

www.skillz.com/developeraccelerator/We dive deep into the world of real-money skill-based gaming and the exciting new Developer Accelerator launched by Skills Inc. Our special guest, Andrew Paradise, CEO and co-founder of Skillz, sheds light on the potential and market opportunity within this rapidly growing industry, discussing what types of games and studios Skillz is looking to support. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:19 Skill-Based Mobile Games Accelerator04:09 Monetization and Market

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01:31:26

273. How Türkiye Became the New Capital of Mobile...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/10

The world-class panel of Turkish founders and investors with Mehmet Ecevit (ex-CEO and co-founder of Gram Games), Batuhan Celebi (CEO and co-founder of Grand Games), and Görkem Turk (founder of Laton Ventures) shares their thoughts on what makes the Turkish gaming ecosystem unique, the importance of data-driven design, and how to maintain company culture while scaling.THE HYBRIDCASUAL PLAYBOOK: https://metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com/Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcoming

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00:47:44

TWIG #321 AppLovin’s SHOCK Acquirer, Supercell's New...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/03/07

Eric tries his best to make sense of the AppLovin deal, while Monster Hunter Wilds has never made more sense. Laura covers Supercell’s Lonely Island play, Boat Game, while Jen defends Disney IP as it STEPs it up in Japan. Phil wants a recount of Guitar Hero’s demise, while Activision announces another entry in the franchise.The Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter:www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeContinue the conversation on our Slack channel:www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack00:00 Introduction and

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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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202 results

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