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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

00:59:39

TWIG #354 Google's New Payment-Link Era and Rovio's...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/10/23

Jen Donahoe makes her triumphant return. She's joined by Eric Kress and special guest Stan Kwon from BetaHat.We dig into:Battlefield 6 corrections, marketing takeawaysAndroid’s new payment-link era Unity’s cross-platform paymentswhat General Intuition’s $134 M seed means for spatial reasoning and game dataRovio’s restructuring Football Manager deal with FIFA00:00 Welcome03:12 Jen's Update09:17 Industry Insights and Trends14:56 Battlefield Six Analysis23:05 Marketing Strategies and

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01:15:38

308. The 8 Trends That Will Redefine Gaming in Asia...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/10/20

Mishka Katkoff is joined by Daniel Ahmad (Director of Research & Insights, Niko Partners) and Lisa Hanson (CEO & Founder, Niko Partners) for a deep dive into the latest trends and insights from the Asian, MENA, and Indian gaming markets. We cover regulatory changes in China, the rise of India as a gaming powerhouse, the evolving MENA landscape, and much more. If you want to stay ahead in the global games industry, this episode is packed with actionable intelligence!01:30 China’s Gaming

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00:59:31

TWIG #353 Netflix Goes Couch Co-op, PlayStation 6’s...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/10/16

Supercell’s CEO releases a rare open letter calling for more industry collaboration, while Ubisoft’s nepotism controversy reignites debates around leadership culture. Netflix Games kicks off its Battle for the Living Room with a push into Smart TV party games, and early buzz around PlayStation 6 points to an AI-driven leap in graphics and efficiency. Meanwhile, Battlefield’s launch performance goes head-to-head with Call of Duty once again, and Disney enters the overcrowded match-3 market with Magic

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01:01:56

TWIG #352 EU Regulations, Epic Shops, and the AI Slop...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/10/09

This week in games: Ilke’s open letter to the EU stirs the industry pot, AppLovin faces an SEC probe, and Epic drops its new Web Shops like it’s 2012 all over again. Ubisoft’s management drama continues, Istanbul’s gaming boom is no joke, and we wrap with a spicy take on the new wave of AI business slop.00:00 Welcome01:00 Intro & Shills07:58 Ilke's Open Letter on EU Regulations21:38 AppLovin Under Fire: SEC Probe and Stock Volatility29:19 Epic Games' Web Shops Launch36:50 Ubisoft's Management

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01:14:22

How Balatro Became a 7-Million-Copy Indie Hit |...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/10/06

A one-person poker roguelike sold seven million copies and outperformed studios with hundred-million-dollar budgets. In this episode, Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott joins Michail Katkoff to break down how they discovered Balatro, what makes a modern indie publisher truly valuable, and why the next wave of hits will come from focus—not funding.02:07 Understanding Bellatro's Success: Metrics and Engagement04:50 The Indie Developer vs. Publisher Dynamic08:11 Finding the Right Fit: Indie Publishers

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01:00:25

TWIG #351 EA Acquisition Analysis That Will Shock You

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/10/03

A new guest host, Josh Chandley, is stepping into the arena as we dig into Microsoft’s latest controversial moves and what they signal for the company’s long-term gaming strategy. Then, we unpack the historic $55B acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia, the largest leveraged buyout in gaming history. What does this mean for EA, for the industry, and for the shrinking pool of public gaming companies? Finally, we explore AppLovin’s surprising push into e-commerce, and why it might be more disruptive than

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01:03:32

TWIG #350 Supercell Leaks! Staff Reveal What’s Really...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/25

No Jen this week — just the boys. Phil loses it on Supercell and Google Play, we wade into the “brain rot” panic, and Simon Hay somehow still gets a shoutout. From Newzoo’s latest report to Supercell’s IPO pipe dreams, Discord going offline, Xbox hiking prices, and Epic trying to AI their way out of irrelevance…Chapters00:00 Introduction00:27 Jen's Neuralink Update00:41 Phil's Rant on Supercell and Google Play01:48 Brain Rot Controversy03:59 Shoutout to Simon Hay and Space Ape04:52 New Zoo

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01:09:42

306. Are We at Peak Gaming? Seven Questions Shaping...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/23

Mobile gaming is slowing down, and the question isn’t if, but who still wins.www.newzoo.com/resources/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2025In this conversation, Michail Katkoff and Emmanuel Rosier from Newzoo break down Newzoo’s latest forecast, projecting the industry to hit $103B in 2025 with growth slipping below 3%. The duo explores what this slowdown means for developers, platforms, payment intermediaries, and a new wave of tech financing companies that are quietly reshaping the

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01:02:14

TWIG #349 The Conspiracy Behind Apple's New Gaming...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/19

The TWIG crew dives into Unity’s latest missteps and what they signal for the future of game development, breaks down Discord’s push toward a blockbuster IPO, and unpacks how Nintendo’s big announcements could reshape the company’s next chapter. We also examine TikTok’s potential U.S. acquisition, Apple’s quiet but bold moves to redefine its gaming app strategy, the explosive rise of AI-driven apps, and go behind the scenes of Diablo Immortal’s development, while debating what Supercell must do to

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01:02:34

305. Why Adding Brands to Games Is So Hard with...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/15

What really happens when brands collide with games? Mishka Katkoff sits down with Bastian Bergmann, COO of Solsten, to break down why gaming is the most transformative medium of our time, how consumer psychology shapes player engagement, and why authenticity in games runs circles around social media. 00:20 The Power of Reading and Writing01:12 Video Games as a Medium for Transformation02:57 Parenting and Gaming: Finding Balance08:25 Understanding Consumer Psychology13:39 The Importance of Human

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01:04:44

TWIG #346 Roblox’s Big Bet, Blizzard's Mobile Chaos &...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/11

From Roblox’s RDC bombshells to Destiny Rising’s flop, this week’s DoF crew breaks down the biggest shifts in gaming. We get into NetEase’s bets, China’s growing power, and why analytics from Newzoo’s 2025 report matter more than ever. Plus: Blizzard’s messy leadership shakeups, Roblox’s new monetization tricks, Xbox’s subscription struggles, and the hype around Hollow Knight: Silksong. Oh, and yes, Jen’s got a big personal update too. <3Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates03:55 Shills

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00:56:04

Inside RDC 2025: How Roblox Is Courting Pro Developer

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/10

Jen Donahoe is joined by Joe Ferencz (GameFam) and Stephen Dypiangco (Max Power Gaming) to break down the biggest takeaways from Roblox Developer Conference (RDC) 2025. The crew digs into Roblox’s massive milestone of 112M DAUs, the 8.5% bump in the developer exchange rate to lure in more professional talent, and the new “ad flywheel” that streamlines campaigns while adding rewarded video into the mix. They also tackle the tricky business of bringing IP into Roblox, how AI is supercharging UGC, and

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01:13:59

304. The Founder’s Dilemma: Equity vs. User...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/08

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Pranav Singhvi (General Catalyst, Customer Value Fund) and Joe Wadakethalakal (PVX Partners) to unpack the rise of UA financing, a new capital instrument that lets gaming and app companies scale user acquisition without giving up massive chunks of equity.We break down:1. Why traditional VC or debt financing is often a poor fit for customer acquisition.2. The origins of UA financing and why treating cohorts as “assets” changes the game.3. The differences between PVX

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01:07:52

TWIG #347 Call of Duty Movie, De-Monetization of...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/05

This week, we cover Google’s latest courtroom headaches, the evolution of KPIs in gaming analytics, and the incoming Call of Duty live-action movie. We unpack Rec Room’s layoffs, compare Roblox vs Rec Room head-to-head, and dig into Microsoft’s IP bets from Perfect Dark to Halo. Plus, we debate Star Wars: The Old Republic, break down Roblox’s latest monetization trends, and ask what the rise of real-money gaming in India means for the global market.00:00 Introduction and Hosts’ Banter02:38 Upcoming

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01:13:52

303. Why Scandinavia Makes You So Happy? And Why We...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/09/01

Phillip Black and Michail Katkoff break down why they left the Nordics, trading modesty-maxxing for Mediterranean chaos and a bit more sun. The two dive into the quiet conservatism baked into Scandinavian life, the erosion of hunger that comes with too much comfort, and the calculus behind moving to Cyprus and Greece. 00:00 The Conservative Psyop of Scandinavia04:31 Cultural Reflections and Personal Experiences in Sweden09:07 Transitioning to Cyprus: Opportunities and Challenges13:37 Understanding

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01:05:41

TWIG #346: EU Wants to Ban Free-to-Play, Supercell...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/08/28

TWIG crew dives into Gamescom chaos, funding trends, and post-Ibiza IV drips. From Supercell’s leadership addition, to IP-powered collabs (Raid x TMNT) and the EU’s regulatory squeeze on F2P, this episode cuts through the noise with sharp insights, hard takes, and a few too-real laughs.02:07 Gamescom Highlights and Industry News02:50 PlayStation Portal and American Football06:45 DOF Talent Network and Scopely Controversy10:39 EU Regulation Impact on Free-to-Play Games14:43 Gamescom Vibes and Funding

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01:24:02

302. Call of Duty vs Battlefield: Ex-DICE, Bungie &...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/08/27

This one’s for the shooter heads. Host Phil Black (ex-DICE) is joined by Chris Sides (ex-Bungie) and longtime strategist Chris Anjos (ex-Activision) to dig into the decade-long arms race between Battlefield and Call of Duty. The muzzles are off.Chapters:02:01 Meet the Experts03:54 Historical Context: Battlefield and Call of Duty Sales13:04 Battlefield’s Comeback: Beta Impressions16:06 Gameplay Mechanics: Evolution and Innovations32:21 Progression Systems: Challenges and Solutions43:31 Core Gameplay

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00:59:06

301. Duolingo, Tinder, DraftKings: How Top Apps Have...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/08/25

We dive into Duolingo’s ruthless gamification, how BeReal is evolving beyond its viral gimmick, why Tinder is betting big on live events, the surprising social features inside DraftKings, and the stickiness of Crypto.com’s engagement loops. Each case study is a window into how apps are blurring the line between entertainment, habit, and monetization.Guest: Kalle Heikkinen, Lead Analyst at App Refinerywww.linkedin.com/in/kalleheikkinen/Chapters:[00:00] App Refinery [05:30] Duolingo's Gamification

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01:05:31

TWIG #345 Clash Royale’s BIG Comeback and LEGO’s...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/08/22

This week on TWIG, the crew covers everything from corn in Minecraft to streak psychology in the New York Times’ latest game, Pips. We kick things off with Gamescom highlights, fresh updates from Ethan and Laura. From there, we dig into why streaks are such a powerful mechanic. We also debate Supercell’s unexpected Clash Royale comeback, before wrapping with a look at what Nintendo has in store with the Switch 2.00:00 Introduction and Opening Banter03:06 Episode Summary and Upcoming Topics03:47

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01:03:24

300. First-Ever Interview with Head of LEGO Digital...

Deconstructor of Fun ·

2025/08/18

Why is LEGO doubling down on digital? In his first-ever interview as the founding president of LEGO Digital Play, industry veteran Aaron Loeb (Electronic Arts, FoxNext, Kabam) reveals the bold vision behind LEGO’s new company. From “forever games” like Roblox and Minecraft to building trust with kids and families, Aaron breaks down why now is the right time for LEGO to level up in gaming — and how his journey from Broadway to the boardroom shaped the company’s next chapter.02:00 Meet Aaron Loeb: A

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