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
The BIG stories:
1. Finland’s game awards controversy (yes, it’s messier than you think)
2. Epic’s endless courtroom war with Apple
3. Supercell’s dual bet on transmedia and AI.
The team also breaks down the implications of ChatGPT infiltrating development workflows, the battle brewing in the Solitaire segment, and what Roblox’s new in-game shopping means for UGC economies. Add in Take-Two’s financials and some spicy predictions on AI’s workplace takeover—and you’ve got a packed episode that hits strategy, creativity, and the future of the industry in one fatality-worthy sequence.
02:29 Industry News Highlights
04:24 Meta Horizon Worlds and Game Development Insights
05:25 Podcast and Blog Updates
07:00 Dreams TV Campaign Analysis
09:32 Finn Game Awards Controversy
13:36 Epic Games vs. Apple: A Legal Battle
21:45 Supercell's Transmedia Ventures
29:03 Supercell's AI Initiatives
29:55 AI's Impact on the Workplace
30:34 ChatGPT in Game Development
32:00 The Future of AI in Gaming
41:23 Solitaire Market Shake-Up
45:15 Take-Two's Financial Overview
53:41 Roblox's New In-Game Shopping
01:00:57 Conclusion and Outro
We are joined by George Ng, co-founder and CTO of GGWP, to dive deep into the world of bots in gaming.
We explore the differences between game-created bots and player-created bots, the cat-and-mouse game of detecting and preventing bots, and regional differences in bot usage.
We also look ahead at the evolving landscape of bots in gaming and discuss strategies that studios can adopt to stay ahead.
01:09 The Impact of Bots on Player Experience
13:21 Regional Trends in Bot Usage
14:57 The Future of Bots in Gaming
20:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Why are seasoned PMs, growth leads, and designers ditching games for fintech, wellness, or even dating apps? What do these companies see in game industry vets—and what blind spots do they have?
In this episode, Mishka Katkoff talks with executive headhunter Gerard Miles about one of the most underreported shifts in tech: gaming talent is migrating to the app world.
03:14 Understanding Talent Migration and Skill Sets
12:20 Engagement and User Experience in Apps
18:17 The Future of Gaming and Consumer Apps
31:07 The Evolution of Game Marketing Strategies
37:04 Cultural Differences Between Game and App Industries
56:41 Career Transitioning: From Gaming to Broader App Ecosystem
01:03:47 The Future of Gaming Professionals in Diverse Sectors
The team reacts to this year’s World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees and unpacks Triple Dot’s surprising acquisition of AppLovin’s mobile games business—what does it signal for the midcore M&A market? With public gaming companies hitting all-time highs, we discuss whether this is a sustainable trend or a short-term sugar high. Supercell’s major
Squadbusters revamp gets the DoF treatment, and we debate Nintendo’s cautious forecasts in light of its market position. Rounding things out, we analyze Microsoft’s strategic shifts post-console wars and what the completed Activision deal actually changes for the ecosystem. Packed episode. Big takes. No filler.
02:43 Hobby Updates and Banter
05:06 Dream Games TV Campaign Analysis
06:40 Interview with Mike Quigley
07:29 Prize Picks and Predictive Markets
17:37 World Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees
20:38 Triple Dot Acquires AppLovin's Mobile Game Business
30:03 Publicly Traded Gaming Companies at All-Time Highs
36:03 Supercell & Squadbusters Revamp
50:48 Nintendo's Conservative Forecast
54:16 Microsoft's Strategic Shift and Console Market Impact
56:58 The Activision Deal and Its Implications
01:02:23 Conclusion and Wrap-Up
Mishka Katkoff interviews Aaron Thandi, Chief Commercial Officer at Mistplay, discussing the innovative approaches to loyalty-driven user acquisition and retention in the mobile gaming industry.
They explore how Mistplay has established itself as a leader in rewarded engagement, the importance of personalized user experiences, and the strategic methods behind their global expansion.
The conversation also delves into the role of AI in enhancing user engagement and the future opportunities for growth in emerging markets.
Get the AppsFlyer Creative Report: https://shorturl.at/Mjaiz00:00 Introduction to Misplay and Its Market Position04:11 Understanding Loyalty and Reward Systems08:02 User Acquisition and Retention Strategies10:52 Game Catalog and User Engagement14:26 Geographic Expansion and Market Localization17:32 Future Roadmap and Innovations20:15 Building Strong Developer Relationships23:18 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion33:14 Work with DoF!
Can someone really grow from 3D artist to GM of a billion-dollar title — without switching companies, logos, or careers? SciPlay’s Justin McFarlane did just that, and his story is a masterclass in product-first leadership and long-term growth.
03:48 Navigating Remote Work Challenges and Team Engagement
07:10 Making Tough Decisions: Prioritizing Team Cohesion
15:56 Transitioning Teams: Managing Relocation and Operations
19:05 The Importance of Listening in Leadership
27:57 From Artist to General Manager: Career Growth Insights
39:09 The Importance of Purpose in Work
45:22 Understanding LiveOps: The Key to Success
56:06 Balancing LiveOps and New Game Development
Get the AppsFlyer Creative Report: https://shorturl.at/Mjaiz
The crew jumps into a galaxy of transmedia takes with May the Fourth and how IPs stretch across games, shows, and beyond—sometimes elegantly, sometimes painfully. We dissect the long-awaited GTA 6 trailer and release window, then shift gears into Dream Games’ latest raise and what it says about Turkey’s still-thriving gaming ecosystem.
The team breaks down Super League’s acquisition of Super Social and digs into Roblox’s beast-mode growth metrics and smart (if aggressive) pricing strategies.
There’s love for Expedition 33, curiosity around Overwatch’s new stadium mode, and a sharp look at the Epic vs. Apple legal saga—culminating in a bold discussion on the future of app store economics and a tip of the hat to the ever-controversial Tim Sweeney.
02:13 May the Fourth and Transmedia
18:18 GTA 6 Trailer and Release Date
23:03 Dream Games Investment and Turkey's Gaming Ecosystem
32:35 Super League Acquires Super Social
34:13 Roblox's Impressive Growth Metrics
39:08 Roblox's Pricing Strategies
43:43 Expedition 33's Success Story
47:07 Overwatch's New Stadium Mode
50:43 Epic Games vs. Apple: The Legal Battle
55:57 The Future of App Store Economics
01:09:31 Thank You, Tim Sweeney
🚨 Deconstructor of Fun Exclusive — We’re releasing the UNCUT version of our legendary interview with Javier Ferreira, co-CEO of Scopely. This is the twice-as-long version only a handful of insiders have ever heard before.
In this rare, candid, and *fully unfiltered* conversation, Javier breaks down Scopely’s transformation from a $12M startup to a $3B+ revenue machine. Why *Monopoly GO!* succeeded where so many IP-based games fail. How Scopely builds “learning machines,” not just game teams, and the secrets to long-term conviction, even in the face of failure
If you want the real story behind the game industry’s biggest hit — and how Scopely is building the definitive free-to-play company — this is the one to watch.
01:11 The Role of a CEO in Company Success
07:06 Company Culture and Learning
19:54 Challenges and Successes with IP Partnerships
29:30 The Process of Game Development
38:37 The Role of Intervention in Product Strategy
40:45 The Responsibilities of a GM
49:47 The Impact of the Savvy Acquisition
01:04:31 Advice for Laid-Off Game Developers
01:10:08 Exciting Future Prospects in the Gaming Industry
In this emergency podcast episode, Mishka Katkoff and Maor Sason, CEO and co-founder of AppCharge, discuss the implications of the recent Epic vs. Apple ruling, which allows developers to link to external payment methods.
They explore the potential benefits for small to medium-sized studios, the strategies larger publishers can adopt, and the importance of building customer relationships through loyalty programs.
The conversation emphasizes the need for developers to act quickly and adapt to the changing landscape of mobile gaming and payment methods.
00:00 Introduction to the Emergency Podcast
05:41 The Impact of the Epic vs. Apple Ruling
12:35 Strategies for Developers Post-Ruling
19:39 Long-Term Considerations for Developers
27:41 Building Customer Relationships and Loyalty Programs
We start where we ended last week: the $50M Royal Match campaign and the issue of overspending. Then it's all about Discord’s new CEO and how that signals a potential pivot toward enterprise, ending the platform’s gaming-first DNA.
Then, the crew covers NetEase’s sudden executive shakeup and the surprising Delta Force vs. Call of Duty Mobile battle before unpacking Blizzard’s Nexon partnership in Korea. We cap it off with an explanation on why VCs are suddenly frothing over AI in gaming.
02:39 MAU Event and Fireside Chat
04:15 Royal Match Campaign Follow-up
19:53 Discord's New CEO and Future
29:26 NetEase Executive Departures
33:19 AI in Gaming Venture Capital
37:12 Delta Force vs. Call of Duty Mobile
41:08 Blizzard's Publishing Strategy: Nexon Partnership
46:34 The Impact of Distribution Duopoly on Gaming
53:35 The Future of Game Distribution and Innovation
01:02:55 Web Shops and the Changing Revenue Landscape
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