Deconstructor of Fun
By Deconstructor of Fun
Hosts:
Michail Katkoff @mkatkoff www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/
Eric Kress @ekress
www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/
Laura Taranto @laurataranto www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/
Phillip Black @econosopher www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/
Jen Donahoe @Jen_Donahoe www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdonahoe
Deconstructor of FunMay 17, 2024
TWIG #285 Squad Busters Busted? Destiny 2, Too?
Join the industry's spiciest newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe With Mishka gobbling birthday whey cakes, the crew looks at Squad Bustersâ week 1 returns, and itâs not pretty. The specter of Boom Beach is starting to cast its shadow. Meanwhile, Phil talks about Destiny 2 stumbling in its last hoorah, while Laura talks about Stumble Guys standing straight. Jen gives the 411 on new EU app stores, and Eric thinks Star Wars Hunters breaks the MOBA curse. Or not.
Voodooâs Secret Sauce with Gabriel Rivaud, VP Gaming
Join us for an insider tour of Voodooâs HQ and uncover the journey to hybrid casual success with Voodooâs Gabriel Rivaud, VP of Gaming.
Gabriel Rivaud: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-rivaud-21210744/ Michail Katkoff https://www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/ Sign up for our weekly newsletter. You won't regret it! https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
TWIG #284 Squad Busters launch talk / Stumble Guys vs. Fall Guys
Squad Busters is released and we have more thoughts about it. Ubisoft's XDefiant hits 1M unique users, bringing Phil immense joy. Crew debates who does Fall Guys better than Fall Guys? Stumble Guys...? We'll also warm you up for the upcoming Summer Games Fest on June 7.
signup to our masterful weekly
newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
The hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Laura Taranto, and Phillip Black
Supercell's Squad Busters - The Definitive Deconstruction
Phillip Black, Michail Katkoff, and guest analyst Matthew Emery deconstruct Supercell's 6th billion Dollar franchise just before it is launched to the global audience.
To read the full deconstruction, go to:
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2024/5/26/squad-busters-supercell-hits-the-apex-or-spins-off-track
TWIG #283 Anime correction, Applovin speculations, Ad creative trends and Ubisoftâs xDefiant
Anime corrections, baseless speculation about Applovin, Take-Two earnings, and the GTA 6 launch date window. We speculate on the reason for Squad Bustersâ massive 40M pre-registrations. Phil canât wait to talk xDefiant. Mishka cosplays Jen and covers ad creative. Â All that and more on todayâs TWIG
your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Phillip Black and Michail Katkoff
Solopreneur Success: Balancing Work, Life, and Passion with Matej Lancaric
Join seasoned UA and marketing consultant Matej LanÄaric as he shares his decade-long journey from being an employee to running a global user acquisition consulting business. Discover his transition to solopreneurship, client management tips, and leveraging AI tools. Gain insights on balancing work, creativity, and family life alongside the importance of genuine passion and unique goal-setting approaches.Â
This episode is packed with valuable advice for both aspiring and veteran consultants, including tips on growing professionally, networking, and content creation. Perfect for anyone looking to master the solopreneur path with hard work, persistence, and enjoyment.
Matejâs solopreneur journey in his own words
https://lancaric.me/matej-lancaric-the-story-of-a-solopreneur/
The state of ad creatives in-app marketing report:
https://www.appsflyer.com/resources/reports/gated/state-of-creative/?formsent=true
TWIG #282 Is Netflix Games in trouble? Xbox PR stumble đ¤
The big topic of the episode is Netflix which struck a partnership with Roblox. What does this mean to Netflix Games? Hear our hypothesis. The crew has BIG debates about Eurovision, and Tencent's role is Supercell's turnaround as well as anime. Your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Michail Katkoff, Phillip Black, and Eric Kress
Segments:
00.00 Shill & Banter
09:20 News & HOT takes 44:23 Netflix Games is in trouble? 61:30 Xbox PR disaster
The Shifting Landscape of the Gaming Industry in 2024 with Newzoo's Ben Porter
In this episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, host Mishka Katkoff engages with Ben Porter, NewZoo's Director of Consulting, to delve into the profound shifts within the gaming industry reflected in NewZoo's latest report. They explore a variety of pressing topics such as the industry trends post-COVID-19, console market dynamics, opportunities for game developers, the impact of AI and technological advancements, and the shifting dynamics of player engagement. Additionally, they address the economic aspects influencing the industry, including inflation and the increase in demand for profitability over growth. A key discussion revolves around the challenges and strategies for future growth, touching on the importance of breaking through market concentration with innovation and versatility in game development. Ben provides insights into the role Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast 01:39 Introducing Ben Porter and NewZoo 04:29 The Pulse of the Gaming Market in 2023 13:30 The Challenges and Opportunities in PC and Console Gaming 30:31 Navigating the Mobile Expansion for PC and Console Publishers 38:05 PS5 Exclusives and Market Diversification 39:18 The Shift from Mobile to AAA: Challenges and Changes 40:01 Xsolla: Empowering Game Developers for Global Success 40:34 Analyzing Market Concentration in PC and Console Gaming 42:04 The Secret Sauce Behind Top PC and Console Titles 44:20 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of New Game Titles 52:16 The Impact of Remakes and Remasters in the Gaming Industry 58:02 The Role of Transmedia in Engaging and Expanding Game Audiences 01:03:38 Understanding Playtime Trends and the Future of Gaming 01:12:52 High-Level Predictions and Closing Thoughts
TWIG #281 Switch 2, Moon Active đ Spyke Games, Helldivers vs. PSN
Players prevail with Helldivers 2 vs Sony PSN, Nintendo announces Switch 2 is coming before the end of Q125, Unity gets a new boss, Squadbusters racks up the pre-registrations, and Turkish Spyke Games goes to the Moon (Active).
Hosts: Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto & Phillip Black
Product Deep Dive #3: Legend of Mushroom, the fungal phenomenon
Listen and watch (there are visuals!) as industry veterans Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto and special guest Ken Landen deep dive into 'Legend of Mushroom,' the idle action mobile game that's taken players (and revenue) by storm. We'll break down the game's mechanics, exploring what made this game into the success it is today. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the realm, there's something here for everyone.
Mastering Cozy Game Design with Spry Fox' CCO Daniel Cook
Recently hitting the milestone of 30 years working in game design, Spry Fox Chief Creative Officer Daniel Cook has long been a leading voice in the game industry. To celebrate his long and distinguished career-spanning games like Realm of the Mad God, Triple Town, Alphabear, and Cozy Grove.
MIA host Ethan Levy returns to the mic to talk to Dan about his many lessons and accomplishments. Most importantly, Dan talks about how as a team, Spry Fox found their shared, authentic voice, and how this has led to efficiency in production and success in the marketplace as they consciously chose to specialize in cozy games.
TWIG #280 Game Industry Reports Galore
The prodigal son, Ethan Levy, makes his return to the podcast as the team discusses Newzooâs latest PC and Console data as well as Liftoffâs 2024 Casual Gaming Apps Report. Hold tight for your weekly dose of news!Â
Hosts: Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, Phillip Black & Ethan Levy
Secrets to Sustainable Success on Roblox with Andrew Rose, CPO at Voldex
Andrew Rose, the Chief Product Officer of Voldex, shares his journey and experiences in the Roblox game development space. Voldex, a company that acquires and scales Roblox games, has seen success by applying traditional free-to-play game development strategies in the unique ecosystem of Roblox.Â
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Game industry professional? Join our Slack channel: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack
TWIG #279 Supercell's Squad Busters vs. Dream's Royal Kingdom
Get ready for your weekly dose of unfiltered game industry news. In this episode, the crew discusses Supercell's and Dream's latest titles. We also talk about the history and future of celebrity collaborations within games.
Your hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Laura Taranto & Phillip Black
our partners: AppsFlyer, Xsolla, Heroic Labs & Data.ai
Township Deconstructed: The Secrets to Its Multi-Billion Strategy
Product Deep Dives looks at Playrix's Township to deconstruct how this game went from a farming sim to a multi-billion dollar success. Join Laura Taranto and Jen Donahoe as they reap what this game has to offer!
Make sure to watch with video, as we have data and insights you won't want to miss.
The Power of Gaming Branding: Real Insights from a Creative Agency
In todayâs mature mobile gaming market, the importance of building a brand, storytelling, and creating distinct brand identities is crucial for success.Â
This podcast delves into the journey of revitalizing Futureplayâs Merge Gardens through an emphasis on strategic IP creation, branding improvements, and effective storytelling.Â
Guest: Martin Mohr, CCO @ Bond Creative Agency
Links:
TWIG #278 The AAA Studio Model is Dead???
Who are BIG gaming funds good for? Are the AAA game studios going to extinct? And why is Fallout such a damn good show? This and many more questions were mulled by the TWIG crew.Â
Oh, and Eric Kress is back. That means that the profanities are flying once again.Â
Your hosts: Eric Kress, Michail Katkoff, Jen Donahoe, and Phillip Black.
Our partners: Xsolla, AppsFlyer, Heroic Labs, and Sensor Tower.
Inside Istanbulâs Newest Venture Fund, Laton Ventures
Dive into the world of Istanbul's venture capital scene with Laton Venture's GĂśrkem TĂźrk.
Together we explore essential topics like investment strategies prioritizing founding teams' quality, the evolving role of culture in startups, and future trends in gaming such as AI and socialization-focused experiences.
Don't miss out on industry insights. Sign up for our newsletter! www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
Privacy vs. Ad Monetization with Google and Kwalee
What is the impact of privacy updates on ad revenue and user acquisition strategies?Â
In this episode, Googleâs Ross Brockman and Kwaleeâs John Wright discuss the need for adaptation, innovation, and the importance of leveraging first-party data for customized user experiences.Â
The conversation reflects a balance between acknowledging challenges and maintaining optimism for growth and evolution in the ad monetization landscape.
Thanks to our sponsors: Xsolla, Heroic Labs, AppsFlyer & Data.ai
TWIG #277 Supercell goes Baby Shark and Kress goes missing
Buckle up kids because this episode has barely any profanity. Kress is MIA while the team talks about Brawl Stars' Baby Shark collaboration and the state of the gaming market. Phil geeks out on inflation, Mishka talks about interest rates, Jen discusses toy lines and Laura is put on the spot to cover the latest layoffs news.
Kress's Corner #6 Matt Wyble, COO of Second Dinner, the creators of Marvel Snap
Eric Kress sits down with Matt Wyble, COO of Second Dinner, to talk about Marvel Snap and what's next for Second Dinner. What does a studio do with $100M in the bank? The two spend some time talking about the state of Blizzard and the state of the industry.
TWIG #276 Embracer makes their last divestment while Discord goes into adds
Hosts: Michail Katkoff, Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress and Phillip Black
An Executive Guide for The Backend Jungle
This podcast serves as a valuable resource for non-technical executives seeking to enhance their understanding of backend services and make informed decisions to support the success of their games.
The discussion focuses on the critical role of informed decision-making in selecting between proprietary builds and third-party solutions, navigating transitions between backend services, and maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of backend operations in game development.
Thanks for the expert guests:
Rafael Cordoba (Bandai Namco Mobile)
Chris Molozian (Heroic Labs)
TWIG #275 Hit or Miss: Call of Duty Warzone & Travel Town
The team shares their GDC reflections, unveils how bankers work in gaming, and ravels in the Web3 bonanza. We also dive knee-deep into two titles: Activision's Call of Duty Warzone which launched last week to challenge Call of Duty Mobile. Moon Active's Travel Town, seems to be scaling without any breaks.
Hosts: Laura Taranto, Erick Kress, Phillip Black, and Michail Katkoff
continue the conversation: www.deconstructoroffun.com
Building a Cross-Platform Franchise with Sola Saulenko, CMO of Pixonic
Sola Saulenko, CMO of Pixonic, a MY.GAMES studio joins Mishka Katkoff to discuss the intricacies of building a successful game franchise.
Together they explore topics such as the balance between organic growth and strategic planning, the evolution of games into franchises, the challenges of transitioning from a hit game to a franchise, and the importance of passion and creativity in brand building.
The podcast offers valuable insights into the process of developing and sustaining a game franchise in a competitive market landscape.
What's Right and Wrong About Game Economies with Machinations CEO Mihai Gheza
Mihai Gheza is the CEO of Machinations, an economy simulation software. Recorded at Slush, we cover economy simulations, AI balance, and whether data scientists should become economy designers
Machinations: https://machinations.io/
TWIG #274 THE GDC SPECIAL
Signup to perhaps the best newsletter in the industry: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
The whole crew got together for a fun on-site recording. The trash talk reaches Market Street levels as we discuss how bad San Francisco is, what in the hell is going on with Netflix Games, Turkish subsidies for game companies, and Supercell's latest PR salvo.
Team: Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Mishka Katkoff, Phillip Black and Laura Taranto
The Intricacies of Venture Capital Investments with Joakim Achren, F4 Fund
Get on board with one of the best newsletters in the business: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Joakim is a seasoned entrepreneur (Next Games) turned venture capitalist (F4 Fund). In this conversation Joakim provides valuable insights into the intricacies of venture capital investments, emphasizing the importance of innovation, adaptability, and strategic planning for startups aiming to thrive in the competitive gaming industry. F4 Fund https://f4.fund Joakimâs book, Long Term Game: How To Build A Video Games Company https://www.amazon.com/Long-Term-Game-Build-Company/dp/952942874X
TWIG #273 Istanbul Recap, Embracer sells Saber, Epic's on iOS in EU
The cast recaps the 3rd annual Think Games Istanbul Summit hosted by Google and Deconstructor of Fun. See the link below to register and watch the recorded sessions. The team tackles new news from Epic being allowed on iOS in the EU to Discord's new game SDK to the state of startups in Finland. Also, the cast appears on a data.ai state of mobile webinar. Check it out here https://go.data.ai/state-of-mobile-gaming-webinar-2024/
Apply to join the Slack Community and get the DoF weekly newsletter.
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack
Event links
Think Games Istanbul:
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
Jen's GDC roundtable
https://schedule.gdconf.com/session/lgbtq-executive-and-entrepreneurship-and-allies-roundtable/903078
Hosts:
Michail Katkoff @mkatkoff â â www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/â â
Eric Kress @ekress â â www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/â â
Laura Taranto @laurataranto â â www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/â â
Phillip Black @econosopher â â www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/â â
Jen Donahoe @Jen_Donahoe â â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdonahoe/
Industry Turmoil and Opportunities Ahead with Goldman Sachs and Lightspeed Venture Partners
DoF Newsletter: https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe Hemal Thaker https://www.linkedin.com/in/thakerhemal/ Moritz Baier-Lentz https://www.linkedin.com/in/moritzbaierlentz/ In this eye-opening podcast, industry insiders Hemal and Moritz provide candid insights into the current state of the gaming industry, discussing market challenges, the impact of layoffs, the dynamics of venture capital and publisher models, the potential of Web 3, the role of AI, and predictions for the future. From navigating downturns to seizing emerging opportunities, this conversation offers valuable advice for founders and executives alike, shedding light on the realities of the gaming landscape while inspiring optimism for the road ahead.
Crucial Remote Work Strategies with Andy Duthie, Executive Producer at My.Games
Join our newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
Andy Duthie, Executive Producer of a soaring title HAWKED, joins the podcast to peel back the curtain on remote team management and offer his playbook on how to make remote work work and projects of all sizes and scopes.Â
Andy Duthie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyduthie/
TWIG #272 Is Apple Arcade Rotten? Unity's new transparency
Jen, Kress, Laura, and Phil continue with the food puns analogies and decide if Apple Arcade is rotting after a mobilegamer.biz article. Also, the cast praises Unity for its newfound transparency, hits some of the Nintendo Direct Highlights (which aren't that high), keeps taking layoffs, and uncovers Playtikaâs new strategy.
Apply to join the Slack Community.
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack
Event links to apply or register:
Think Games Istanbul:
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
GDC Beta Hat & DoF Pre-Game Party March 17 - â https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceighlzx-X0Khv2NMmJom29dtWhAsEpros-1xhBCNQfIqqAA/viewformâ
Xsolla, DoF, Mattel Party March 19: https://events.xsolla.com/gamenightgdc2024
DoF, AppsFlyer, Data.ai Brunch March 19: http://dataai-gdc-brunch.splashthat.com/DoF
Hosts:
Michail Katkoff @mkatkoff â www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/â
Eric Kress @ekress â www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/â
Laura Taranto @laurataranto â www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/â
Phillip Black @econosopher â www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/â
Jen Donahoe @Jen_Donahoe â www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdâ
Insights from Building (& Exiting) Three Companies with Paul Gouge, Founder of Fourth Star
Join us in Istanbul:
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
Paul Gouge is one of the best founders in the industry. He has built three companies over the past two decades. These companies have not only made fantastic games but have also been acquired four times, with Playdemic, being bought first by Warner Brothers and then by EA under Paulâs leadership.
In this episode, Paul talks about his fourth company, Fourth Star. And how that is the culmination of all his learnings to date.Â
TWIG #271 F*wad ads, Xbox nothing news, Eggcellent puns for Eggy Party
The TWIG crew breaks down the Xbox news. The egg puns fly as the crew debates who wins the Eggy Party, Stumble Guys, Fall Guys battle. We feature our first-ever TWIG junior segment with a friend of the pod Henry Lowenfels and his sons Mickey (8) and Rocky (10), who don't mind ads in Roblox but call people who make ads in console games F*wads. Any cursing was 100% supervised and approved by parental consent. Don't cancel the hosts, please!
Event links to apply or register:
Think Games Istanbul:
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
GDC Beta Hat & DoF Pre-Game Party March 17 - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceighlzx-X0Khv2NMmJom29dtWhAsEpros-1xhBCNQfIqqAA/viewform
Xsolla, DoF, Mattel Party March 19: https://events.xsolla.com/gamenightgdc2024
DoF, AppsFlyer, Data.ai Brunch March 19: http://dataai-gdc-brunch.splashthat.com/DoF
Hosts:
Michail Katkoff @mkatkoff www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/
Eric Kress @ekress www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/
Laura Taranto @laurataranto www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/
Phillip Black @econosopher www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/
Jen Donahoe @Jen_Donahoe www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferd
How GGP & GDC support under-estimated groups and throws the best GDC parties
Join Jen Donahoe TWIG co-host and Strategic Marketing Consultant at Beta Hat and JadeInferno and Gordon Bellemy, CEO of GGP (Gay Gaming Professionals), to hear how GGP supports underrepresented or, better phrased, under-estimated groups in the game industry.
GDC2024 features a number of events that everyone can benefit from. Come join us!
Find all the event information at GGPs LinkedIn page events section
March 20, 3:30pm GDC - LGBTQ+ Executive and Entrepreneurship and Allies Roundtable moderated by Jen Donahoe
March 20, 7:30 GGP Networking Event at DNA lounge right next foor to the Zero Proof board game night at Buzzworks
March 21, 5:40 PM GDC Breaking Boundaries Roundtable
The Inner Works of a Game Publisher with John Wright, Kwaleeâs Publishing Head
Join us in Istanbul:
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
John Wright, VP of publishing at Kwalee joins the podcast to discuss publishing in 2024. The thing is, publishing on mobile is experiencing a bit of a renaissance. This is due to all the ever-restricting privacy changes and the decrease in available capital smaller companies were using to scale their games.Â
TWIG #270 The BIG Supercell Talk
event links: GDC Marketing Brunch /GDC Tech Brunch
When Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen drops his annual blog post, the gaming folks around the world rush to read it. The TWIG crew is no different. Though we might be a tad mod criticalâŚ
In this episode, we also discuss Disneyâs investment in Epic. What are the implications of this deal? Why does Epic need this money? And what is Epic's future?
This episode is brought to you by Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Philip Black and Mishka Katkoff.Â
Product Deep Dive: Whiteout Survival's $400M Loot
Join Jen Donahoe and Laura Taranto in a cozy yet banter-filled deconstruction of Century Games' Whiteout Survival. You'll feel like youâre stepping into a meeting with product and marketing, figuring out how to make and market the next great game as we deconstruct winners. Have a game you want to see on Product Deep Dives? Contact us at info@deconstructoroffun.com Intro 00:00 - 05:08 Century Games Key Takeaways 05:08 - 06:57 Key Takeaway 1 06:57 Key Takeaway 2 09:19 Key Takeaway 3 11:08 Key Takeaway 4 14:38 Key Takeaway 5 17:12 Data.ai Review 21:49 Century Games Company Review 25:50 Whiteout Survival Predecessors 27:10 Whiteout Survival Decon 33:46 Summary 58:00
TWIG #269 The Tremendous Yet Troubled State of Gaming
Think Games Istanbul talks announced:
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
No matter how you look at it, weâre witnessing the inevitable demise of Xbox. All signs (read: leaks) are pointing to the fact that Microsoftâs foray into gaming is coming to an end. The crew analyses why this happened and what it will mean for both the ecosystem and the people involved.
In this episode, we also deconstruct Matthew Ballâs essay âThe Tremendous Yet Troubled State of Gamingâ. The piece was too long even for ChatGPT, so you can thank us later for going through the insightful yet painful read. Matt, we love you. Please write more often and shorter articlesâŚ
The doom and gloom of this episode is brought to you by Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Philip Black and Mishka Katkoff.Â
The Four Things a Founder Should Never Do, by Anton Krasnyy, former founder and CEO of Murka
Join us in Istanbul!
www.deconstructoroffun.com/istanbul
âNever trust experts nor believe in business friendships. Never allow others to change your vision. And never underpay yourself.â Those are the 4 critical nevers that Anton Krasnyy once wrote on LinkedIn.
Anton is a former founder, CEO, and Chairman of Murka, a social casino company originally from Ukraine acquired by Blackstone in 2019.
Despite the strong words, Iâve always found Anton to be very empathetic. Thatâs why I wanted him to come on the podcast and talk in detail about the four critical never and show his real personality, which may come off the wrong way in a written form.Â
TWIG #268 Apple is "Hot Garbage" and Blizzard has a brand new boss...
While it's not as crazy as the Unity Runtime fee fiasco, it's a close second as the cast reviews Apple's plans to address the EU's DMA rules. Kress eats it and admits that Zynga might have potential this year, with Match Factory showing promise. Blizzard picks a new president, and the cast weighs in on her resume, making recommendations and predictions for her future. Riot and Blizzard called cults, in a good way.
Think Istanbul Game Summit (March 7)
https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024
PC and Console Gaming Predictions with Newzoo's Tom Wijman
Newzoo's Lead Analyst, Tom Wijman, returns on the podcast to discuss gaming market predictions for consoles and PCs.
You can access the full Newzoo report here:
https://newzoo.com/games-market-reports-forecasts
And check our previous episode here:
www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2023/11/2/console-gamings-triple-threat
TWIG #267 Apple vs. Epic / Palworld vs. Pokemon
Sign up to Istanbul Gaming Summit
By deciding not to hear the appeal of the Epic v. Apple case, the injection against Apple's anti-steering rules stands. This means that developers are now free to push US iOS players into web shops. But what doest that mean for the industry? And if this conversation doesnât tickle your toes, the crew talks Palworld. A real Pokemon killer.Â
The doom and gloom of this episode is brought to you by Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Philip Black and Laura Taranto.Â
6 x Operative Changes That Kept SciPlay Growing Despite the Market Headwinds
Josh Wilson, CEO of Sciplay returns to the podcast to tell the story behind the companyâs evolution over the last two years. SciPlay has grown every quarter despite the economic and privacy headwinds thanks to strategic initiatives discussed in this episode. We also talk about the accusations the company has made and why it has been itself acquired.Â
Istanbul Gaming Summit
â https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-i-google-x-deconstructor-of-funâ
segments:
Last two years at SciPlay: (0:00)
Why SciPlay keeps growing: (26:20)
Why SciPlay was acquired: (40:50)
Outro: (51:50)
TWIG #266 The State of Mobile and Monopoly Goâs anti-Profitability Claims
Istanbul Gaming Summit pre-signup:
https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-i-google-x-deconstructor-of-fun
The squad dips their spoons into the Monopoly Go drama by giving their take on the profitability of Scopelyâs blockbuster. We discuss the real reason why NetEase and Activision have suddenly kissed and made up. Scratch our heads as to why Tencent is launching yet another mobile MOBA and dive deep into the state of mobile.Â
The doom and gloom of this episode is brought to you by Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Philip Black, and Michail Katkoff.Â
Elena Grigorian, CEO of MyGames - My First 100 Days as a CEO
stanbul Gaming Summit https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-i-google-x-deconstructor-of-fun Elena Grigorian joins the podcast after recently taking over as the CEO of MyGames. In this podcast, we cover both business and personal topics starting with what a new CEO should accomplish in their first 100 days in the position and ending with the challenges of balancing work and life in leadership positions. segments: Intro: (0:00) The role of a CEO role: (5:25) Work-life Balance: (11:56) MyGames SWOT: (16:52) Leadership Team: (21:54) Intercompany Knowledge Sharing: (24:05) Portfolio Strategy: (28:53) Organization Structure: (33:21) Expansion: (41:59) Market Predictions: (47:52)
TWIG #265 Unity continues to lay off while Netflix drops $1,000M on games
2024 starts where 2023 ended - and that means layoffs. Unity slashes 1,800 jobs while Twitch fires every third person in the latest layoff rounds at these companies.
In this episode, we announce the Golden Twig "winners", discuss Clash Mini, and continue to scratch our heads about Netflix Games.
Thanks to the show's sponsors: Xsolla, AppsFlyer, Data.ai, and Heroic Labs!
Marketing Predictions 2024 with Eric Seufert
Eric Seufert is a one-of-a-kind marketing expert. He has headed marketing at Rovio, Wooga, and N3TWORK. He has built Mobile Dev Memo into the leading site for marketing professionals. He became a venture capitalist after founding Heracles Capital.
In this podcast, Eric Seufert returns back to the podcast to discuss predictions for mobile marketing. A must-listen for all of us!
sign-up to our PGC event: https://event.appsflyer.com/appsflyerandheroiclabs
TWIG #264 New China Regulations, Market Predictions and Sony Leaks
Happy New Year, and welcome to the first podcast of 2024! After checking in on the holiday activities, the cast digs into the big news hitting the Chinese game industy. Kress makes predictions about how companies around the world will react to the proposed China game regulations (limiting daily spend, removing loot boxes, etc).
Phil pulled out key insights from the Insomniac leak, and the cast discussed how Sony should approach live service across its console business.
The Survey: https://forms.gle/W1Cy2dRcvsaZhyiW9
Connect with the TWIG cast on LinkedIn
TWIG #263 The DoF Game Industry Awards
Which company took the most damage in 2023? What was the most disappointing game of the year? Who had the worst layoffs what were some of our most inaccurate takes?
Tune in to the realest awards show in the industry and hear our picks for each category on many more!
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Join us at PGC London >>> VIP Roundtables