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
With Miska back jet-set life, Eric is HOT about the newest RNG platform, while Phil wants to revisit Niantic’s $9B valuation and go shopping in the Epic Game Store. Jen explodes a new angle on Vector, but Eric isn’t buying the geometry. The crew fights the first war on Last War’s Fake Ads: get real or get rich?
To meet the Crew, check out our event in the weekly newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
01:19 Star Wars
03:36 Shilling and Advice
06:48 Niantic's Valuation and Exit
08:48 PrizePix and Gambling
11:44 Hasbro Digital's Success
16:04 Epic Game Store Analysis
23:03 GTA and UGC Potential
29:14 Steam Deck's Impact on the PC Market
30:17 Unity's Earnings & Vector
44:00 Warner Bros Studio Closures
45:50 Love and Deep Space: A Unique RPG
48:18 Last War Survival's Success
50:09 Fake Ads
57:33 Overwatch Loot Boxes Return??
58:45 Conclusion and Sign-Off
Marcos Muller, Director of Abu Dhabi talks about how the city is building a world-class gaming ecosystem from the ground up. From talent development to job creation and community engagement, Abu Dhabi Gaming is making big moves to attract studios, support developers, and put the region on the global gaming map.
Marcos shares insights on the incentives for game studios, and the growth of the gaming economy in the UAE, and even breaks down some misconceptions about life in Abu Dhabi. If you’re a game dev, investor, or just curious about emerging gaming hubs, this episode is a must-listen!
connect with Marcos: www.linkedin.com/in/mmhabig/
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & Welcome Marcos Muller
02:15 – Why Abu Dhabi is Investing in Gaming
06:30 – Building a Sustainable Gaming Ecosystem
12:45 – The Role of Incubators, Accelerators & Studios
18:20 – Financial Incentives & Support for Game Companies
23:40 – Addressing the Talent Gap: Visas, Universities & Local Growth
30:10 – What Makes Abu Dhabi Attractive for Game Developers?
37:55 – Busting Myths About Living & Working in Abu Dhabi
45:20 – Abu Dhabi’s Long-Term Vision for Gaming
50:05 – Final Thoughts & Advice for Game Developers
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Scopely and Niantic are making moves, but can they actually change the game? NetEase unloads Marvel Rivals US studio—a political or an efficiency move? Plus, SMicrosoft’s console strategy looks shakier than ever, and we break down what the future of console gaming really looks like. And just when you thought it was over, King pulls another card from its sleeve. 🚀🎮
03:55 - GDC Shills
11:03 - Scopely & Niantic
20:10 - Jam City & Ludia AR Market
21:43 - Marvel Rivals & Netease
31:13 - Sony Earnings
32:06 - Microsoft's Console Struggles
38:00 - The Future of Console Gaming
50:54 - Return of King
🔗 Connect with Boris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boris-kalmykov-7ba38065/
We chat with Boris Kalnikov, CEO & Co-founder of Hype Masters, about relocating his gaming studio from London to Abu Dhabi. Boris shares his journey with World War Armies, the challenges of remote work, and why he chose Abu Dhabi as his new home.
We dive into Abu Dhabi’s rise as a gaming hub, its government incentives, and the realities of running a studio in the region—from tax benefits to hiring talent and lifestyle changes. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or just curious about gaming in the Middle East, this episode has key insights you won’t want to miss.
Timestamps:
⏳ [00:00] Why Boris left London for Abu Dhabi
🏗️ [06:00] Building a gaming studio in a new ecosystem
💰 [20:00] What incentives and funding opportunities are available?
⚖️ [27:00] Abu Dhabi vs. London: Cost of living, taxes & hiring
🎮 [40:00] The future of gaming in Abu Dhabi
💬 the DoF Community: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
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Supercell had a monster year with €2.8B in revenue, proving that bigger live ops teams and aggressive marketing can still drive growth—but let’s be real, Squad Busters flopped hard despite the hype. Meanwhile, Unity continues its slow-motion train wreck, losing key talent and scrambling to fix its ad tech, while AppLovin is absolutely crushing it, with stock up 700% thanks to AI-powered ads. Now, in a power move, AppLovin is dumping its entire games portfolio for $900M—so who’s buying? Scopely? Zynga? Playtika? Drop your bets in the comments. 🚀🎮
01:29 Shills
07:25 Dream and Venture Capital
10:27 Battlefield and Shooter Games
14:23 Minecraft Studio Leadership Changes
20:39 Supercell's Record Year
25:57 Live Ops and Monetization Changes
26:52 Squad Busters' Marketing Missteps
31:35 Spark Labs's Bootcamp Vibes
37:44 Unity's Struggles and Layoffs
41:45 AppLovin's Strategic Shift
State of Mobile 2025 Report:
https://bit.ly/42T04bX
Join us in this episode as Jonathan Briskman from Sensor Towers and Michail Katkoff explore the overall health of the mobile market, Jonathan highlights strong growth metrics despite a mature landscape. He sheds light on the booming in-app purchase revenue and time spent on devices, while also discussing intriguing trends such as digital fatigue and the rise of hybrid apps. We also touch on the global success stories in mobile gaming, focusing on new hit games and the strategic importance of localization for cracking difficult markets like Japan and South Korea.
01:03 Mobile Market Trends and Metrics
05:33 Mobile Gaming Analysis
07:50 Challenges and Regional Factors
15:50 Success Stories and Strategies
25:57 Non-Gaming App Revenue Growth
35:03 Innovative AI Features in Apps
35:29 Gamification and User Engagement
36:36 Duolingo: A Game or Learning Tool?
38:14 Blurring Lines Between Games and Non-Games
38:25 Short Drama Apps: A Growing Trend
40:45 Global Mobile Usage Trends
42:26 Digital Fatigue and Market Shifts
49:40 Localization Strategies for Global Success
53:56 Emerging Markets and Growth Opportunities
56:46 Tapping into User-Generated Content Platforms
01:00:06 Key Takeaways from the State of Mobile Report
Wilfrid Obeng’s journey from Goldman Sachs and Google to gaming startup CTO is anything but typical.
In this episode, he breaks down how AudioMob is redefining in-game ads with audio, why they chose Abu Dhabi over Silicon Valley to scale their engineering team, and what it takes to transition from corporate structure to startup chaos. We dig into leadership lessons, hiring strategies, and the future of ad monetization—all from someone who’s been in the trenches. If you’re scaling a startup or rethinking monetization, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧🔥
www.linkedin.com/in/wilfridobeng
00:00 Wilfrid Obeng and AudioMob
04:51 From Goldman Sachs to Startup CTO
07:24 The Importance of Mentorship
13:40 Creating a Performance Culture
24:52 Life in Abu Dhabi: Work and Play
28:47 Hiring and Leadership in a Diverse Team
35:03 The Reality of Startups
37:10 Competing for Talent in Startups
39:05 Leadership Evolution and Challenges
42:07 The Importance of Company Culture
56:44 Living and Working in Abu Dhabi
01:05:01 Future Plans and Personal Growth
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With Jen at a meditation retreat in California and Miska fully embracing his jet-set life, Eric reminds us just how wrong Matthew Ball got it.
Adam reveals the Multiversus thesis and argues that Battlefield has room to grab dormant fans and grow the market. Phil spews Battlefield tears and worries about Roblox’s value destruction.
They conclude by debating the AI integration in-games: flop or tbd?
This episode features insights from top industry professionals on player engagement, revenue models, and the challenges faced by new releases like Helldivers 2, First Descendant, and Once Human. Dive into in-depth discussions on successful PvE models, key strategies for game success, and the future of game monetization.
Join Adam Telfer and a panel of experts as they explore the latest trends in PvE shooters and the evolving tools needed for effective LiveOps.
Brought to you by Heroic Labs, AppsFlyer, Sensor Tower, and Xsolla.
02:31 Market Overview of PVE Shooters
03:25 Recent Releases and Trends
04:07 Revenue and Engagement
07:54 PVE Live Service Challenges
08:42 Helldivers 2: Success and Future
13:54 The Competitive Landscape
27:04 First Descendant and Once Human
27:38 First Descendant's Elder Loop
29:27 PvE Shooter Systems
30:42 Helldivers 2: On The Way Out
36:34 Warframe's Sustained Success
40:13 Strategies for PvE Shooter Success
45:52 The Future of PvE Shooters
We start off with Kress coming after Matthew Ball and his take on the Metaverse and end the episode with Jen making the last stance for brand marketers.
In between the team breaks down the FTC’s latest settlement on loot boxes and what it means for the industry. Deep dive into Ubisoft's sea of worries and discuss Habby’s latest launch hurdles.
00:00 Intros
01:40 Shills
02:50 GDC Announcements and Sponsors
06:35 Corrections and Apologies
08:09 Matthew Ball and the Metaverse Debate
19:20 Loot Boxes and FTC Settlement
23:54 Sony, Marvel Snap, and Warner Brothers
28:58 Tech Company Operations
29:09 Star Wars Outlaws Sales Analysis
29:58 Ubisoft Helsinki and Gwen's Getaway
31:05 Rainbow Six Mobile's Struggles
32:34 Virtuous Acquisitions and Outsourcing
36:23 Habby's Game Launch Challenges
41:04 EA's Top Selling Games and Earnings
46:18 Marketing Strategies and Impact
57:15 Conclusion and Sign-Off
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