Deconstructor 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
The gaming industry is currently defined by extreme market maturation and consolidation, where growth is primarily driven by existing players in Western and Chinese markets rather than new user acquisition. Development costs have surged, forcing publishers to retreat into established franchises, while the PC and mobile...
"War Dogs" has achieved significant commercial success, selling 2.2 million copies in its initial days, driven by a unique in-round cash economy that incentivizes objective-based play and tactical coordination. This persistent currency system allows players to purchase equipment and reinforcements, effectively solving ...
Product management requires a rigorous, truth-seeking approach that distinguishes between reliable instincts and fallible ideas. Mark Pincus, founder of Zynga, emphasizes that founders must be willing to kill losing ideas while maintaining a singular, North Star vision. Effective scaling functions as a "democratic dict...
The Turkish mobile gaming ecosystem operates as a highly competitive, Darwinian environment where success hinges on rapid execution and mastery of complex user acquisition algorithms, particularly those governing AppLovin. While early visionaries like Siddhar established a blueprint for scaling gaming companies, the in...
Gamescom’s recent resurgence reflects a shift toward fan-centric engagement, contrasting with the executive-heavy focus of events like GDC. The record-breaking reception of the GTA VI trailer underscores the efficacy of cross-platform, top-of-funnel marketing, while the EU’s classification of Roblox as a "very large on...
First-person shooter (FPS) franchises are undergoing significant shifts in monetization and retention strategies to sustain long-term engagement. Battlefield’s recent growth stems from its free-to-play SKU and the integration of ranked play, while Apex Legends continues to dominate by leveraging consistent live ops and...
Mattel is aggressively expanding its digital gaming footprint to ensure its 80-year-old brand portfolio remains culturally relevant. By shifting from a traditional, restrictive licensing model to a more collaborative approach, the company now empowers external creators to build immersive experiences on platforms like R...
The gaming industry is transitioning into a mature, consolidated market where growth is increasingly driven by established franchises rather than new, independent titles. While global revenue projections remain positive, North American growth is stalling, forcing developers to prioritize retention and monetization over...
Cohort financing has become a dominant but often misunderstood tool for scaling mobile game user acquisition. Unlike traditional receivables financing, which leverages verified platform payments, cohort financing relies on predictive modeling of future player behavior, introducing significant risk and complexity. Effec...
Assuming a CEO role in the gaming industry requires immediate, decisive action to align organizational focus with core product success. Both Jon Bellamy of Jagex and Alexis Bonte of Stillfront prioritized narrowing their companies' strategic scope, divesting non-essential assets to concentrate on high-performing franch...
WEBTOON serves as a high-impact, untapped marketing channel for gaming brands seeking to reach a mobile-savvy, Gen Z audience. With 160 million monthly active users, the platform offers a unique "brandformance" opportunity where gaming IPs integrate into vertical-scrolling webcomics through authentic collaborations lik...
Specialized investment banking in the gaming industry functions primarily through long-term, trust-based relationships rather than transactional, high-volume deal-making. Affan Butt, founder of Areem, highlights that successful M&A outcomes, such as the $1 billion acquisition of Loom Games by Scopely, stem from deep-ro...
The mobile gaming industry faces significant shifts as major players navigate earnings volatility and evolving user acquisition strategies. AppLovin’s recent stock fluctuations highlight the impact of hedge fund sentiment despite strong underlying ad-tech performance, while Unity demonstrates improved execution through...
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