Deconstructor of Fun
596 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 84 ratingsDeconstructor 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 www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/
Jen Donahoe @Jen_Donahoe www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdonahoe
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
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Episodes
Behind the Wheel of IP Licensing with Hutch's co-CEO, Peter Hansen-Chambers
July 15, 2024 07:56 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBJoin the industry's leading weekly newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe This episode is perfect for those interested in game development while managing significant brand collaborations. Join our host Mishka Katkoff as we delve into game development and IP licensing with Peter Hansen-Chambers, co-CEO of Hutch. Peter shares his journey to become a co-CEO and explores the unique strategies behind Hutch's successful racing games like F1 Clash and Top Drives. Discover the impor...
TWIG #290 Nintendo's anti-AI Stance, 4-day Work Weeks and Netflix Games' Clap Back
July 11, 2024 22:07 - 1 hour - 60 MBJoin us for a Whiskey Tasting at Gamescom: https://event.appsflyer.com/gamescomwwwtasting/DOF The Californians are out and it’s two-and-a half-Europeans running the show! Instead of talking about the ongoing European Football Championship or the election results in France and the UK, the trio will dive into Nintendo’s AI avoidance, hybridcasual puzzle games, and Squad Busters. We will also address what Netflix told us and debate 4-day work weeks… Hosts: Laura Taranto, Phillip Black, Mish...
AI Integration, Psychological Insights & Market Trends with Founders of Solsten
July 08, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 77.5 MBJoin host Mishka Katkoff on the Deconstructor of Fun podcast as he talks with Solsten founders Joe Schaeppi and Bastian Bergmann. They discuss the latest gaming industry trends, the importance of change management, and the critical role of audience resonance. Learn how AI enhances studio efficiency, the value of a measured approach, and how Solsten uses psychological data to improve user experiences, along with insights from unique data sets. 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Market Overview and Ch...
TWIG #289 King's AI, Amazon's games strategy, Netflix's problems solved
July 04, 2024 20:07 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBSo much news, and so little time! The crew discusses the acquisition of Singularity 6 and how it's one of the first superfunded star-studded studios that burned all the capital raised only to be acquired at a micenut valuation. We discuss Netflix Games' latest spin on how all is great despite the head of games leaving the organization and replacement still to be announced. And we cap the episode off with Amazon Games' strategy debate. your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Phillip Black...
What’s so special about k-ID, the company that raised $51M in just 9 months!?!
July 01, 2024 06:00 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBIndustry's leading newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Join host Michail Katkoff on the Deconstructor of Fun podcast as he delves into the remarkable career journey of Kieran Donovan, founder of k-ID. Explore how Kieran transitioned from a screenwriter to a lawyer and then to a successful startup founder, raising $51 million in just 9 months. Discover what k-ID is all about, a pioneering platform aimed at creating safe online gaming experiences for youth, and their significan...
TWIG #288 Fortnite in Trouble, Anime Girl Horse Racing, and Switch’s New Life
June 27, 2024 17:14 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBWith Miska discovering the true meaning of Tinto Verano, the crew convenes to celebrate Eric’s promotion to senior consultant. Meanwhile, Jen reminds us that Rocket League isn’t a real football game, and Eric finally finds a VC investment with scale. Phil stares down Fortnite numbers while Laura reminds us Switch is the train that keeps chugging. Plus, anime girl horse racing. 00:00 Intro 03:05 Shills 08:39 Apple's Legal Troubles with the EUDMA 12:52 FIFA and Rocket League Partnership 15:01...
The State of Gaming 2024 with Sensor Tower's Lexi Sydow
June 24, 2024 10:02 - 1 hour - 60 MBSensor Tower State of Gaming 2024 www.sensortower.com/state-of-gaming-2024 Data.ai Mobile App Market Forecast 2030 www.data.ai/en/go/mobile-app-market-forecast/ Don't miss out on this in-depth discussion — subscribe to the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast and newsletter for more expert insights. https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe In this episode, Lexi Sydow, Director of Corporate Marketing and Insights at Sensor Tower, unleashes her mobile gaming market insights. She covers signif...
TWIG #287 Trouble in Paradise: Squad Busters and Netflix Games
June 21, 2024 08:53 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBThey say a week without TWIG is like a beach without sand. Well, it seems like there's sand in Squad Busters' growth engine. The game had the most bombastic launch of any Supercell game and is now experiencing the fastest fall as well. The crew analyzes early numbers and potential reasons behind the rapid decline. We also talk about Netflix Games, which seems to have ended its honeymoon period and is now having a come-to-Jesus moment after big investments and not-so-big returns. your hosts...
FOMO Capital: Klang Games & The Power of Storytelling in Fundraising
June 17, 2024 11:20 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBThe Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Klang Games out of Berlin has raised 77M over 6 funding rounds from reputable investors like Supercell, LVP, North Zone, and Makers Fund. The company was established in 2013, 11 years ago. They haven’t shipped the game they have been raising against. So they can’t have any scalable objective data to show they are heading in the right direction. And despite all of this, they are somehow able to raise conse...
TWIG #286 Voodoo splurges $500M, Summer Game Fest goes adapocalypse
June 13, 2024 19:07 - 1 hour - 143 MBIn this week's show, the crew dives into Voodoo's acquisition of BeReal and the Sandbox's 20M convertible note. With all the events taking place the crew discusses Xbox Showcase, Ubisoft Forward, and the Summer Game Fest. With Phil out and Miska in Spain, this is the first Nordic-free episode in a year. hosts: Jennifer Donahoe, Laura Taranto, Erick Kress, and Mishka Katkoff sponsors: Xsolla, Heroic Labs, AppsFlyer and Sensor Tower --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.c...
Mastering Executive Headhunting with Gerard Miles, co-CEO of Mission One
June 10, 2024 08:30 - 1 hour - 71.6 MBGerard Miles (www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-miles) is a veteran executive headhunter, who shares his extensive 15-year journey with a special focus on the gaming industry over the past decade. We explore Gerard’s founding of Mission One (www.missionone.io), a company dedicated to sourcing top-tier executives globally, and delve into the significance of executive search in a rapidly expanding industry. Gain valuable insights into the complexities of hiring gaming executives, cultural integra...
TWIG #285 Squad Busters Busted? Destiny 2, Too?
June 06, 2024 15:07 - 1 hour - 63.4 MBJoin the industry's spiciest newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe With Mishka gobbling birthday whey cakes, the crew looks at Squad Busters’ week 1 returns, and it’s not pretty. The specter of Boom Beach is starting to cast its shadow. Meanwhile, Phil talks about Destiny 2 stumbling in its last hoorah, while Laura talks about Stumble Guys standing straight. Jen gives the 411 on new EU app stores, and Eric thinks Star Wars Hunters breaks the MOBA curse. Or not. --- Su...
Voodoo’s Secret Sauce with Gabriel Rivaud, VP Gaming
June 03, 2024 06:15 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBJoin us for an insider tour of Voodoo’s HQ and uncover the journey to hybrid casual success with Voodoo’s Gabriel Rivaud, VP of Gaming. Gabriel Rivaud: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-rivaud-21210744/ Michail Katkoff https://www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/ Sign up for our weekly newsletter. You won't regret it! https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
TWIG #284 Squad Busters launch talk / Stumble Guys vs. Fall Guys
May 31, 2024 07:29 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBSquad Busters is released and we have more thoughts about it. Ubisoft's XDefiant hits 1M unique users, bringing Phil immense joy. Crew debates who does Fall Guys better than Fall Guys? Stumble Guys...? We'll also warm you up for the upcoming Summer Games Fest on June 7. signup to our masterful weekly newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe The hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Laura Taranto, and Phillip Black --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh...
Supercell's Squad Busters - The Definitive Deconstruction
May 27, 2024 11:02 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBPhillip Black, Michail Katkoff, and guest analyst Matthew Emery deconstruct Supercell's 6th billion Dollar franchise just before it is launched to the global audience. To read the full deconstruction, go to: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2024/5/26/squad-busters-supercell-hits-the-apex-or-spins-off-track --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
TWIG #283 Anime correction, Applovin speculations, Ad creative trends and Ubisoft’s xDefiant
May 23, 2024 19:51 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBAnime corrections, baseless speculation about Applovin, Take-Two earnings, and the GTA 6 launch date window. We speculate on the reason for Squad Busters’ massive 40M pre-registrations. Phil can’t wait to talk xDefiant. Mishka cosplays Jen and covers ad creative. All that and more on today’s TWIG your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Phillip Black and Michail Katkoff --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
Solopreneur Success: Balancing Work, Life, and Passion with Matej Lancaric
May 20, 2024 10:25 - 1 hour - 71.7 MBJoin seasoned UA and marketing consultant Matej Lančaric as he shares his decade-long journey from being an employee to running a global user acquisition consulting business. Discover his transition to solopreneurship, client management tips, and leveraging AI tools. Gain insights on balancing work, creativity, and family life alongside the importance of genuine passion and unique goal-setting approaches. This episode is packed with valuable advice for both aspiring and veteran consultants...
TWIG #282 Is Netflix Games in trouble? Xbox PR stumble 🤕
May 17, 2024 07:43 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBThe big topic of the episode is Netflix which struck a partnership with Roblox. What does this mean to Netflix Games? Hear our hypothesis. The crew has BIG debates about Eurovision, and Tencent's role is Supercell's turnaround as well as anime. Your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Michail Katkoff, Phillip Black, and Eric Kress Segments: 00.00 Shill & Banter 09:20 News & HOT takes 44:23 Netflix Games is in trouble? 61:30 Xbox PR disaster --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/po...
The Shifting Landscape of the Gaming Industry in 2024 with Newzoo's Ben Porter
May 13, 2024 08:52 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBIn this episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, host Mishka Katkoff engages with Ben Porter, NewZoo's Director of Consulting, to delve into the profound shifts within the gaming industry reflected in NewZoo's latest report. They explore a variety of pressing topics such as the industry trends post-COVID-19, console market dynamics, opportunities for game developers, the impact of AI and technological advancements, and the shifting dynamics of player engagement. Additionally, they addr...
TWIG #281 Switch 2, Moon Active 💗 Spyke Games, Helldivers vs. PSN
May 09, 2024 19:41 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBPlayers prevail with Helldivers 2 vs Sony PSN, Nintendo announces Switch 2 is coming before the end of Q125, Unity gets a new boss, Squadbusters racks up the pre-registrations, and Turkish Spyke Games goes to the Moon (Active). Hosts: Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto & Phillip Black --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
Product Deep Dive #3: Legend of Mushroom, the fungal phenomenon
May 09, 2024 00:06 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBListen and watch (there are visuals!) as industry veterans Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto and special guest Ken Landen deep dive into 'Legend of Mushroom,' the idle action mobile game that's taken players (and revenue) by storm. We'll break down the game's mechanics, exploring what made this game into the success it is today. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the realm, there's something here for everyone. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstruct...
Mastering Cozy Game Design with Spry Fox' CCO Daniel Cook
May 06, 2024 09:20 - 1 hour - 165 MBRecently hitting the milestone of 30 years working in game design, Spry Fox Chief Creative Officer Daniel Cook has long been a leading voice in the game industry. To celebrate his long and distinguished career-spanning games like Realm of the Mad God, Triple Town, Alphabear, and Cozy Grove. MIA host Ethan Levy returns to the mic to talk to Dan about his many lessons and accomplishments. Most importantly, Dan talks about how as a team, Spry Fox found their shared, authentic voice, and how th...
TWIG #280 Game Industry Reports Galore
May 02, 2024 18:27 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBThe prodigal son, Ethan Levy, makes his return to the podcast as the team discusses Newzoo’s latest PC and Console data as well as Liftoff’s 2024 Casual Gaming Apps Report. Hold tight for your weekly dose of news! Hosts: Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, Phillip Black & Ethan Levy --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
Secrets to Sustainable Success on Roblox with Andrew Rose, CPO at Voldex
April 29, 2024 06:12 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBAndrew Rose, the Chief Product Officer of Voldex, shares his journey and experiences in the Roblox game development space. Voldex, a company that acquires and scales Roblox games, has seen success by applying traditional free-to-play game development strategies in the unique ecosystem of Roblox. --- Join our newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Game industry professional? Join our Slack channel: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack --- Support this podcast: ht...
TWIG #279 Supercell's Squad Busters vs. Dream's Royal Kingdom
April 25, 2024 11:41 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBGet ready for your weekly dose of unfiltered game industry news. In this episode, the crew discusses Supercell's and Dream's latest titles. We also talk about the history and future of celebrity collaborations within games. Your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Laura Taranto & Phillip Black our partners: AppsFlyer, Xsolla, Heroic Labs & Data.ai --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
Township Deconstructed: The Secrets to Its Multi-Billion Strategy
April 24, 2024 08:36 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBProduct Deep Dives looks at Playrix's Township to deconstruct how this game went from a farming sim to a multi-billion dollar success. Join Laura Taranto and Jen Donahoe as they reap what this game has to offer! Make sure to watch with video, as we have data and insights you won't want to miss. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
The Power of Gaming Branding: Real Insights from a Creative Agency
April 22, 2024 11:37 - 1 hour - 71.3 MBIn today’s mature mobile gaming market, the importance of building a brand, storytelling, and creating distinct brand identities is crucial for success. This podcast delves into the journey of revitalizing Futureplay’s Merge Gardens through an emphasis on strategic IP creation, branding improvements, and effective storytelling. Guest: Martin Mohr, CCO @ Bond Creative Agency Links: The case of Merge Garden Martin Mohr Bond Creative Agency --- Support this podcast: https://podcaster...
TWIG #278 The AAA Studio Model is Dead???
April 18, 2024 19:13 - 1 hour - 63 MBWho are BIG gaming funds good for? Are the AAA game studios going to extinct? And why is Fallout such a damn good show? This and many more questions were mulled by the TWIG crew. Oh, and Eric Kress is back. That means that the profanities are flying once again. Your hosts: Eric Kress, Michail Katkoff, Jen Donahoe, and Phillip Black. Our partners: Xsolla, AppsFlyer, Heroic Labs, and Sensor Tower. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/sup...
Inside Istanbul’s Newest Venture Fund, Laton Ventures
April 17, 2024 10:39 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBDive into the world of Istanbul's venture capital scene with Laton Venture's Görkem Türk. Together we explore essential topics like investment strategies prioritizing founding teams' quality, the evolving role of culture in startups, and future trends in gaming such as AI and socialization-focused experiences. Don't miss out on industry insights. Sign up for our newsletter! www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstruc...
Privacy vs. Ad Monetization with Google and Kwalee
April 15, 2024 11:18 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBWhat is the impact of privacy updates on ad revenue and user acquisition strategies? In this episode, Google’s Ross Brockman and Kwalee’s John Wright discuss the need for adaptation, innovation, and the importance of leveraging first-party data for customized user experiences. The conversation reflects a balance between acknowledging challenges and maintaining optimism for growth and evolution in the ad monetization landscape. Thanks to our sponsors: Xsolla, Heroic Labs, AppsFlyer & Dat...
TWIG #277 Supercell goes Baby Shark and Kress goes missing
April 11, 2024 17:17 - 57 minutes - 132 MBBuckle up kids because this episode has barely any profanity. Kress is MIA while the team talks about Brawl Stars' Baby Shark collaboration and the state of the gaming market. Phil geeks out on inflation, Mishka talks about interest rates, Jen discusses toy lines and Laura is put on the spot to cover the latest layoffs news. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
Kress's Corner #6 Matt Wyble, COO of Second Dinner, the creators of Marvel Snap
April 08, 2024 11:13 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBEric Kress sits down with Matt Wyble, COO of Second Dinner, to talk about Marvel Snap and what's next for Second Dinner. What does a studio do with $100M in the bank? The two spend some time talking about the state of Blizzard and the state of the industry. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
TWIG #276 Embracer makes their last divestment while Discord goes into adds
April 04, 2024 17:12 - 1 hour - 152 MBThe rowdy crew is back at it talking about Lilith's decision to skip soft launch, Embracer's selling of Gear Box, and the New York Times move into gaming. We also talk about Discord's ad business. Because when in doubt do advertising. Hosts: Michail Katkoff, Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress and Phillip Black --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
An Executive Guide for The Backend Jungle
April 02, 2024 10:29 - 1 hour - 72.3 MBThis podcast serves as a valuable resource for non-technical executives seeking to enhance their understanding of backend services and make informed decisions to support the success of their games. The discussion focuses on the critical role of informed decision-making in selecting between proprietary builds and third-party solutions, navigating transitions between backend services, and maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of backend operations in game development. Thanks for the e...
TWIG #275 Hit or Miss: Call of Duty Warzone & Travel Town
March 28, 2024 12:49 - 1 hour - 157 MBThe team shares their GDC reflections, unveils how bankers work in gaming, and ravels in the Web3 bonanza. We also dive knee-deep into two titles: Activision's Call of Duty Warzone which launched last week to challenge Call of Duty Mobile. Moon Active's Travel Town, seems to be scaling without any breaks. Hosts: Laura Taranto, Erick Kress, Phillip Black, and Michail Katkoff continue the conversation: www.deconstructoroffun.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/po...
Building a Cross-Platform Franchise with Sola Saulenko, CMO of Pixonic
March 25, 2024 18:39 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBSola Saulenko, CMO of Pixonic, a MY.GAMES studio joins Mishka Katkoff to discuss the intricacies of building a successful game franchise. Together they explore topics such as the balance between organic growth and strategic planning, the evolution of games into franchises, the challenges of transitioning from a hit game to a franchise, and the importance of passion and creativity in brand building. The podcast offers valuable insights into the process of developing and sustaining a game ...
What's Right and Wrong About Game Economies with Machinations CEO Mihai Gheza
March 24, 2024 21:33 - 57 minutes - 53.6 MBMihai Gheza is the CEO of Machinations, an economy simulation software. Recorded at Slush, we cover economy simulations, AI balance, and whether data scientists should become economy designers Machinations: https://machinations.io/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
TWIG #274 THE GDC SPECIAL
March 22, 2024 05:01 - 59 minutes - 135 MBSignup to perhaps the best newsletter in the industry: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe The whole crew got together for a fun on-site recording. The trash talk reaches Market Street levels as we discuss how bad San Francisco is, what in the hell is going on with Netflix Games, Turkish subsidies for game companies, and Supercell's latest PR salvo. Team: Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Mishka Katkoff, Phillip Black and Laura Taranto --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/...
The Intricacies of Venture Capital Investments with Joakim Achren, F4 Fund
March 15, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 75.2 MBGet on board with one of the best newsletters in the business: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Joakim is a seasoned entrepreneur (Next Games) turned venture capitalist (F4 Fund). In this conversation Joakim provides valuable insights into the intricacies of venture capital investments, emphasizing the importance of innovation, adaptability, and strategic planning for startups aiming to thrive in the competitive gaming industry. F4 Fund https://f4.fund Joakim’s book, Long Te...
TWIG #273 Istanbul Recap, Embracer sells Saber, Epic's on iOS in EU
March 14, 2024 19:50 - 57 minutes - 131 MBThe cast recaps the 3rd annual Think Games Istanbul Summit hosted by Google and Deconstructor of Fun. See the link below to register and watch the recorded sessions. The team tackles new news from Epic being allowed on iOS in the EU to Discord's new game SDK to the state of startups in Finland. Also, the cast appears on a data.ai state of mobile webinar. Check it out here https://go.data.ai/state-of-mobile-gaming-webinar-2024/ Apply to join the Slack Community and get the DoF weekly newslet...
Industry Turmoil and Opportunities Ahead with Goldman Sachs and Lightspeed Venture Partners
March 11, 2024 09:45 - 1 hour - 82.1 MBDoF Newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Hemal Thaker https://www.linkedin.com/in/thakerhemal/ Moritz Baier-Lentz https://www.linkedin.com/in/moritzbaierlentz/ In this eye-opening podcast, industry insiders Hemal and Moritz provide candid insights into the current state of the gaming industry, discussing market challenges, the impact of layoffs, the dynamics of venture capital and publisher models, the potential of Web 3, the role of AI, and predictions for the future....
Crucial Remote Work Strategies with Andy Duthie, Executive Producer at My.Games
March 04, 2024 09:42 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBJoin our newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Andy Duthie, Executive Producer of a soaring title HAWKED, joins the podcast to peel back the curtain on remote team management and offer his playbook on how to make remote work work and projects of all sizes and scopes. Andy Duthie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyduthie/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
TWIG #272 Is Apple Arcade Rotten? Unity's new transparency
February 29, 2024 16:44 - 1 hour - 160 MBJen, Kress, Laura, and Phil continue with the food puns analogies and decide if Apple Arcade is rotting after a mobilegamer.biz article. Also, the cast praises Unity for its newfound transparency, hits some of the Nintendo Direct Highlights (which aren't that high), keeps taking layoffs, and uncovers Playtika’s new strategy. Apply to join the Slack Community. https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack Event links to apply or register: Think Games Istanbul: https://adsonair.withgoogle.com...
Insights from Building (& Exiting) Three Companies with Paul Gouge, Founder of Fourth Star
February 26, 2024 19:43 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBJoin us in Istanbul: https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024 Paul Gouge is one of the best founders in the industry. He has built three companies over the past two decades. These companies have not only made fantastic games but have also been acquired four times, with Playdemic, being bought first by Warner Brothers and then by EA under Paul’s leadership. In this episode, Paul talks about his fourth company, Fourth Star. And how that is the culmination of all his ...
TWIG #271 F*wad ads, Xbox nothing news, Eggcellent puns for Eggy Party
February 22, 2024 20:15 - 1 hour - 168 MBThe TWIG crew breaks down the Xbox news. The egg puns fly as the crew debates who wins the Eggy Party, Stumble Guys, Fall Guys battle. We feature our first-ever TWIG junior segment with a friend of the pod Henry Lowenfels and his sons Mickey (8) and Rocky (10), who don't mind ads in Roblox but call people who make ads in console games F*wads. Any cursing was 100% supervised and approved by parental consent. Don't cancel the hosts, please! Event links to apply or register: Think Games Istan...
How GGP & GDC support under-estimated groups and throws the best GDC parties
February 20, 2024 01:38 - 43 minutes - 100 MBJoin Jen Donahoe TWIG co-host and Strategic Marketing Consultant at Beta Hat and JadeInferno and Gordon Bellemy, CEO of GGP (Gay Gaming Professionals), to hear how GGP supports underrepresented or, better phrased, under-estimated groups in the game industry. GDC2024 features a number of events that everyone can benefit from. Come join us! Find all the event information at GGPs LinkedIn page events section March 20, 3:30pm GDC - LGBTQ+ Executive and Entrepreneurship and Allies Roundtable...
The Inner Works of a Game Publisher with John Wright, Kwalee’s Publishing Head
February 19, 2024 11:05 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBJoin us in Istanbul: https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024 John Wright, VP of publishing at Kwalee joins the podcast to discuss publishing in 2024. The thing is, publishing on mobile is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. This is due to all the ever-restricting privacy changes and the decrease in available capital smaller companies were using to scale their games. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
TWIG #270 The BIG Supercell Talk
February 15, 2024 20:30 - 1 hour - 144 MBevent links: GDC Marketing Brunch /GDC Tech Brunch When Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen drops his annual blog post, the gaming folks around the world rush to read it. The TWIG crew is no different. Though we might be a tad mod critical… In this episode, we also discuss Disney’s investment in Epic. What are the implications of this deal? Why does Epic need this money? And what is Epic's future? This episode is brought to you by Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Philip Black and Mishka Katkoff. --- ...
Product Deep Dive: Whiteout Survival's $400M Loot
February 12, 2024 08:20 - 1 hour - 139 MBJoin Jen Donahoe and Laura Taranto in a cozy yet banter-filled deconstruction of Century Games' Whiteout Survival. You'll feel like you’re stepping into a meeting with product and marketing, figuring out how to make and market the next great game as we deconstruct winners. Have a game you want to see on Product Deep Dives? Contact us at [email protected] Intro 00:00 - 05:08 Century Games Key Takeaways 05:08 - 06:57 Key Takeaway 1 06:57 Key Takeaway 2 09:19 Key Takeaway 3 11:08 Ke...
TWIG #269 The Tremendous Yet Troubled State of Gaming
February 08, 2024 15:43 - 1 hour - 156 MBThink Games Istanbul talks announced: https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024 No matter how you look at it, we’re witnessing the inevitable demise of Xbox. All signs (read: leaks) are pointing to the fact that Microsoft’s foray into gaming is coming to an end. The crew analyses why this happened and what it will mean for both the ecosystem and the people involved. In this episode, we also deconstruct Matthew Ball’s essay “The Tremendous Yet Troubled State of Gamin...