Stay ConnectedDeconstructor 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
Copyright: © Deconstructor of Fun
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 Gaming Market Report05:22 Upcoming Events and Conferences09:07 Supercell's Struggles and IPO Speculations18:52 Discord's Decline and Google Play's New Features27:15 Xbox Game Pass and Price Hikes29:35 Microsoft's Struggles and FTC Concerns31:15 Epic Games' Monetization Shift35:52 Epic's New Announcements and AI Integration38:54 European Lottery Giant Acquires Prize Picks45:55 Lingo Kids' Funding and Strategy50:51 Take-Two's Puzzle Game Success54:28 Borderlands 4 Release and Performance Issues
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-2025
In 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 ecosystem.
Chapters
00:00 The State of Gaming in 2025
05:26 Player Demographics and Engagement Trends
10:22 Regional Growth and Market Dynamics
15:14 Revenue Distribution and Market Focus
22:18 Mobile Gaming Challenges and Opportunities
27:11 Genre Evolution and Player Preferences
38:23 The Shift from Console Wars to Nostalgia
42:06 The Balance of Remakes and Creativity
45:31 Understanding Remakes vs. Remasters
48:35 The Mobile Gaming Landscape
53:37 Roblox's Rise and Its Impact
58:34 The Future of Gaming Platforms and Trends
01:08:58 Outro.mp4
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 navigate a turbulent year ahead.
Chapters
01:21 Community Engagement & Updates
02:38 Game Economist Podcast Highlights
07:01 Unity’s Strategic Missteps
11:23 Diablo Immortal Dev Insights
16:04 Apple’s Gaming App Strategy
28:18 TikTok’s US Acquisition Talks
30:59 The Rise of AI-Driven Apps
33:31 Discord’s Upcoming IPO
42:57 Nintendo’s Big Announcements
54:24 Supercell’s Struggles & Future
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 Writing
01:12 Video Games as a Medium for Transformation
02:57 Parenting and Gaming: Finding Balance
08:25 Understanding Consumer Psychology
13:39 The Importance of Human Connection in Marketing
19:50 Gaming and Emotional Engagement
23:09 Games Driving Social Change
28:37 The Business Impact of Gaming on Brands
30:42 Navigating Risks in Gaming Investments
32:56 Starting Small: Testing the Waters in Gaming
36:08 Key Performance Indicators for Gaming Initiatives
39:26 Authenticity in Gaming vs. Social Media
43:49 Integrating Brands into Games: Challenges and Opportunities
45:47 Myth Busting: Data, Creativity, and Gaming Audiences
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. <3
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
03:55 Shills and Upcoming Events
06:00 Medical Leave and Personal Challenges
10:40 Corrections and Analytics Discussion
15:13 Destiny Rising and Community Reception
18:54 Chinese Developers and Western IPs
23:56 Warframe: A Case Study in Game Development
31:56 Market Trends and Player Demographics
36:26 Blizzard's Mobile Strategy: A Shift in Focus
40:40 Silksong: Success of Indie Games
45:11 Developer Exchange Rate and Its Implications
45:39 Roblox RDC: Key Announcements and Changes
54:33 Monetization Strategies: Rewarded Ads and Developer Insights
58:34 Roblox Moments: The TikTok Integration and Its Impact
01:00:31 Concerns Over Aggregation and Control in the Gaming Industry
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 why the company is doubling down on safety with 100+ new tools and policies.
00:18 Roblox's Growth and Platform Dominance
00:51 Overview of RDC 20250
4:39 RDC Vibes and Attendee Insights
09:48 Roblox's Monetization and Developer Payouts
18:21 Advertising and Rewarded Video Innovations
26:29 Brand Integrations and Campaigns on Roblox
28:34 Integration vs Standalone Brand Experience
30:46 Rewarded Video and Its Benefits
32:22 Challenges with Brand Hubs on Roblox
36:26 New IP Platform and Licensing
42:53 AI Tools for Developers and Players
46:11 Roblox Moments: TikTok Meets Roblox
50:38 Safety Measures and Brand Concerns
53:31 Roblox's Growing Influence
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 Partners’ gaming-first model and General Catalyst’s broader CVF.
4. Success stories like Superplay’s $2B exit, powered by UA financing.
5. How founders should think about timing, risk, and capital allocation.
6. Why CAC is the new CAPEX, and how EBITCAC could replace EBITDA as the real profitability metric for gaming and app businesses.
00:00 – Guest Intros (Pranav Singhvi & Joe Wadakethalakal)
01:00 – What is UA Financing
05:30 – PVX Partners vs. Customer Value Fund
15:00 – Equity vs. UA Financing: Which Capital Fits Which Stage?
19:15 – Founders as Capital Allocators: Balancing Risk, Growth & Dilution
22:30 – What Returns Look Like in UA Financing (Real Economics)
24:30 – Scaling Beyond Balance Sheet Limits
28:00 – When Is the Right Time to Use UA Financing?
32:00 – LTV Curves, Incremental ROAS & Product Readiness
35:30 – Case Study: How Superplay Used UA Financing to Reach a $2B Exit
38:50 – PVX Success Stories
41:40 – Managing Risk: Oversight & Skin in the Game
48:00 – What Counts as CAC? Influencers, Celebs, and Brand Marketing
49:40 – The Future of UA Financing & Cohorts as a New Asset Class
52:40 – CAC is the New CAPEX: Rethinking EBITDA as EBITCAC
57:30 – Why Tech Companies Look Unprofitable but Aren’t
59:00 – Advice for Founders Considering UA Financing
01:04:00 – Capturing Market Share Before Competitors Catch Up
01:07:00 – Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts
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’ Banter
02:38 Upcoming Gaming News Highlights
03:35 Cress’s Personal Update
05:39 Phil’s Podcast Review
07:16 Debate on Star Wars: The Old Republic
10:32 Google’s Legal News and Impact
12:58 New KPIs in Gaming Analytics
20:19 Call of Duty Live Action Movie Discussion
29:15 Google Play’s New Public Profiles
31:15 Rec Room Layoffs and Analysis
34:05 Capital Deployment and Venture Capital Concerns
34:47 Roblox vs. Rec Room: A Comparison
38:12 Perfect Dark and Microsoft’s IP Strategy
39:11 Halo and Hell Divers Collaboration
44:29 Destiny Rising and the Mobile Shooter Market
55:26 Roblox’s Monetization and UGC Trends
01:03:57 Real Money Gaming in India
01:07:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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 Scandinavia
04:31 Cultural Reflections and Personal Experiences in Sweden
09:07 Transitioning to Cyprus: Opportunities and Challenges
13:37 Understanding the Swedish Welfare State
18:03 Career Reflections and the Consulting Path
24:30 Navigating the Gaming Industry's Landscape
26:54 The Challenges of Client Management
29:51 Decisiveness in Consulting
32:41 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Consulting
34:36 Building a Sustainable Deal Flow
37:26 Establishing Expertise vs. Personality
41:39 Life Choices and Career Reflections
42:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life
46:13 Relocation and Family Decisions
48:58 Cultural Differences and Education Challenges
55:28 Economic Growth and Finland's Future
61:04 Reflections and Future Aspirations
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 News
02:50 PlayStation Portal and American Football
06:45 DOF Talent Network and Scopely Controversy
10:39 EU Regulation Impact on Free-to-Play Games
14:43 Gamescom Vibes and Funding Trends
27:33 Raid: Shadow Legends x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
31:51 The Risks and Rewards of Using IPs
36:09 King’s Internal Struggles and Solutions
39:51 Severance Packages and Labor Laws
45:15 Supercell’s New Leadership and Strategy
49:12 Innovative Game Concepts and Licensing
55:48 Twitch’s Crackdown on View Botting
56:32 Debate on Game Innovation and Industry Growth
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