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
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 culture is shaping the next generation of mobile gameplayWhy the future of mobile gaming may lie in neighborhoods, not screens🔗 Learn more about SLAP and IRL Labs: www.playslap.com/irl00:00 Introduction and Host's Excitement02:25 The Game 'Assassin' and Its Evolution03:30 Introducing Integrated Reality Labs and 'SLAP'04:31 Meet the Founders: Lauren and Ian06:06 Gameplay and Features of 'SLAP'08:05 Social Media Integration and Viral Growth12:16 Technical Innovations and Proximity Gaming18:32 Marketing Strategies and User Engagement22:25 Future Plans and Monetization34:07 Conclusion and Contact Information#Geogaming #PokemonGO #SLAPgame #MobileGaming #GameDesign #AugmentedReality #LocationBasedGaming #DeconstructorOfFun #Podcast
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 watch.
Sharp, unsentimental, and essential, just how you like it.
Appsflyer State of Creative Optimization: shorturl.at/Mjaiz
Timestamps
02:54 – Saltwater Fish Tank Update
04:02 – Shilling and Blog Highlights
07:56 – Mobile Gaming Trends 2025
13:35 – Not E3 Events Recap
19:12 – Switch 2 Record-Breaking Launch
27:00 – Tencent’s Potential Nexon Acquisition
29:26 – Korean Gaming Industry Insights
30:42 – Western Capital in Eastern Markets
32:01 – Stellar Blade’s Success on Steam
35:07 – Candy Crush Veterans’ New Venture
36:42 – Nice Plans Studio’s Funding Round
38:05 – Warner Bros. Game Restructure
39:36 – Believer’s Shutdown
42:17 – Build a Rocket Boy’s Struggles
49:31 – Bungie’s Marathon Delay
50:18 – Remedy’s New Release
56:13 – King Shot’s Rise
Subscribe, rate, and tell a friend who’s still waiting on the Marathon beta.
In this podcast, the group shares **game dev** secrets and **game design** insights from working in the industry. They also discuss the realities of **game development**, covering everything from the highs to the lows, and provide a **reaction video** to specific scenarios that can happen. The discussion also includes stories from **indie game dev** studios.
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 creatives in an AI-driven dev pipeline • Procedural generation, NPCs, and the illusion of emotion • Why the biggest threat isn’t bad AI—it’s good AI used badlyConnect with George on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/georgeng/Sponsored by: AppCharge, Sensor Tower, Want to work with us? Reach out: consulting@deconstructoffun.com00:32 - Ethical concerns: AI personalization, monetization & manipulation03:17 - AI bias and fairness in moderation07:33 - How AI impacts game development & team structure11:03 - Where AI’s impact is most significant: narrative design?13:01 - The future of autonomous NPCs & emotional attachment16:39 - Procedural generation: Can AI replace human designers?21:07 - Market trends: AI, copycats, and the “bull vs. bear” case34:51 - Fully AI-generated games: who needs them?42:45 - The future of AI in game development
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 Resignation17:28 Xbox Showcase Disappointment21:29 Xbox Handheld Announcement24:51 Call of Duty Marketing Concerns29:52 Fun Plus and the Pokémon MMO34:45 Summer Games Fest Highlights36:30 Nintendo Switch 2 and Third-Party Challenges40:20 Apple's New Gaming App46:59 Tim Sweeney's Explosive Interview50:52 New Marvel Games Announced53:01 Whittle Defender's Surprising Launch53:52 Habi's Success and Future Prospects56:19 Art Style Shifts in Midcore Games
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 publishers are sticking with trusted partners and the importance of security, flexibility, and due diligence
https://xdsummit.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlarylance/https://deconstructoroffun.com/slack
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & technical mishaps
02:00 – What is the XDS Insights Report?
06:00 – Trends in external development & co-dev
15:00 – Budgets, rates, and industry shifts
25:00 – The rise of AI in game development
35:00 – Security, trust, and partner selection
45:00 – Q&A and closing thoughts
#ExternalDevelopment #XDS #Podcast #GameIndustry #AI #CoDevelopment
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 so many AAA green lights go wrong—and what game dev processes desperately need fixing? Don’t miss it.
03:46 Pride Month Reflections
05:14 Personal Updates
06:18 Rants and Industry Insights
09:31 LA Event Announcement
11:32 RIP Sims Co-Creator Tim Luo
12:58 Switch 2 Launch
18:32 Epic Games Unreal + Game Store
22:36 Social Features and Competition
25:10 Star Wars Jedi Director's New D&D Game
27:12 Elden Ring Night Reign: A Tough but Rewarding Experience
31:42 Zynga Shuts Down Torchlight Developer
33:09 Activision's Controversial In-Game Ads
35:28 The Problem with AAA Green Lights
41:02 The Need for Better Game Development Processes
State of Gaming report: https://tinyurl.com/5eyye63d
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 makers.
02:10 Current Trends in Mobile Gaming Downloads
05:12 User Acquisition and Monetization Strategies
07:45 Engagement Trends in Game Genres
11:31 The Rise of Hybrid Casual Games
16:49 Emerging Markets and Growth Opportunities
23:39 Revenue Trends Across Game Genres
27:36 Balancing Niche and Audience Size
30:59 The Decline of New Game Releases
31:56 Understanding Gen Z Players
35:38 Gender Targeting in Game Development
41:55 The Role of IP in Game Success
45:04 Market Concentration and Expansion Strategies
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 Teams
04:31 Prototyping Process and Metrics
22:03 Soft Launch and Monetization
25:31 Shift from Ads to In-App Purchases
28:17 Scaling Game Development Teams
31:49 Structuring Partnerships with Developers
40:53 Common Mistakes in Game Development
46:39 Breaking into Voodoo's Ecosystem
48:48 Conclusion and Future Goals
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 Rumors and Updates in the Gaming Industry
03:13 AI Kick-Off
07:32 TV Campaigns and Marketing Strategies
10:45 Off the Record Event and Industry Networking
16:54 Apple's 30% Fee and Game Center 2.0
25:10 Ubisoft's Legal Troubles and Workplace Culture
27:10 Jade Raymond's Career Moves
28:26 Breaking News: EA Shuts Down Black Panther Game
31:19 Expedition 33: A Small Team's Big Success
33:24 Doom the Dark Age: Game Pass Impact
34:57 Game Pass Debate: Success or Failure?
43:18 Splitgate 2: Struggling to Gain Traction
46:26 Fortnite iOS Relaunch: Lukewarm?
51:40 Battlefield 6
59:44 Roblox's Grow a Garden
Michail Katkoff and Rhys Elliott break down the widening gap between legacy studios bogged down by process and fresh teams building with urgency.
From the slow death of bloated AAA games to the shaky economics of Game Pass, they explore why shorter, more creative games are winning hearts—and why team quality now matters more than genre. Plus: why subscription models are struggling, and how devices like Switch 2 and Steam Deck might reshape portable play.
Rhys Elliotwww.linkedin.com/in/rhyselliott/Alinea Analyticswww.alineaanalytics.com
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:52 Fat Cats vs. Hungry Cats
22:05 Evaluating Game Development Teams
24:36 Investment Principles in Startup Life
26:31 The Shift from AAA to AA Games
33:25 The Demand for Shorter Games
39:45 The Challenges of Subscription Gaming
49:04 The Future of Game Pass and Subscription Models
53:35 The State of Subscription Services
55:50 Live Services vs. Premium Games
66:20 The Future of Portable Gaming
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