Deconstructor of Fun

Voting for the Golden TWIGs is live! The hosts dive into Mishka's enlightening trip to the Middle East and share industry insights from recent events. They discuss the eyebrow-raising privatization of EA and debate Roblox's soaring user growth. Expect major disappointments in gaming with titles like Mind's Eye and Splitgate 2 under fire. From Ubisoft's governance woes to brilliant moves by companies like Scopely, the conversation is packed with sharp critiques and unexpected highlights in the gaming world.

Simon Hade, co-founder of Space Ape Games and later a key player at Duolingo, shares his journey through the gaming industry and beyond. He dives into the challenges of fundraising and the importance of cohesive teams at Playfish and Space Ape. Simon discusses the lean LiveOps philosophy that attracted Supercell and the complexities of music game licensing at NextBeat. He contrasts the intrinsic motivations behind learning apps versus games while revealing the relentless optimization culture at Duolingo. His insights highlight the emotional costs of being a founder and the importance of curiosity in staying driven.

Josh Chandley, performance marketing executive and president/COO of Wild Card Games, dives into the intricate world of user acquisition financing. He exposes the hidden pitfalls of cohort funding, pointing out its dangerously high effective interest rates. The conversation also touches on the surprising success of a $200 kids' console that outperformed the PS5, and the implications of Call of Duty's apology tour for its yearly release cycle. Plus, insights on AppLovin's rise against Google in Android e-commerce ads reframe the future of user acquisition.

Join Maor Sason and Roei Barassi, co-founders of AppCharge, as they delve into the intricate dynamics of co-founder relationships. They stress the importance of friendship and trust in facing challenges and conflicts. Discover valuable tactics for raising funds, handling rejection, and the risks of over-capitalization. They also explore the complexities of web stores and strategies for scaling a global team while maintaining a strong culture. With personal insights, they provide a treasure trove of advice for aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

This week, the hosts dive into the state of gaming investments, discussing Dream Games' budget woes and ByteDance's mobile strategy. They examine the intriguing new title, Where Winds Meet, and its implications for China's gaming ambitions. The tough landscape for indie studios comes under scrutiny, revealing their survival challenges. The conversation also explores the evolving 4X strategy genre, highlighting the rise of female gamers and new contenders like Tile Survive, pushing boundaries with fresh designs.

In this engaging discussion, Ido Raz, founder of VYBS, unveils the evolution of loyalty platforms now capturing up to 50% of gaming budgets. He shares insights on how these platforms differ from traditional offerwalls and the major genres they benefit. Ido highlights common studio mistakes, the importance of tracking loyalty data, and the impact of AI on user experience. He debunks myths about incentivized traffic, emphasizing the potential for high-quality users. Plus, find out why casual games are leading the pack in loyalty-driven success!

Chris Sides, a passionate games industry analyst, joins Feras, an insightful co-commentator, to dissect the recent downfall of Call of Duty and the unexpected rise of Battlefield 6. They explore how poor marketing and competition impacted Black Ops 7’s launch. Dive into the extraction genre’s evolution with Arc Raiders, seen as a potential game-changer. The duo also debates skill-based matchmaking's economic implications and warns about retention risks while discussing strategies for sustaining player interest.

The hosts dive into Ubisoft's identity crisis and explore the surprising partnership between Unity and Epic Games. A heated discussion unfolds around Roblox CEO David Baszucki's controversial podcast appearance amid debates over facial age verification. They dissect the baffling nominations for The Game Awards and tackle Saudi Arabia's gaming investments and its financial strategies. Additionally, Turkey's flourishing gaming scene is analyzed, highlighting its rapid growth and potential overheating. The episode wraps up with insights from the Slush Conference and thoughts on European tax benefits.

In this engaging discussion, Chris, Mo, and Andre, the co-founders of Heroic Labs, share their journey from struggling for funding to building a successful company quietly powering game studios. They delve into their bold pivot to open source, recount their intense experiences at Y Combinator, and reflect on the challenges of remote work dynamics. The trio also discusses the value of persistence, company culture, and the lessons learned from setbacks, showcasing how innovation can arise from necessity and friendship.

Amazon Game Studios faces layoffs while Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 struggles to regain its momentum. Valve is teasing a new Steam Machine, raising questions about its potential success. The podcast delves into the impressive rise of Eastern games, highlighting their superior design and market performance compared to Western studios. Cozy games are becoming cultural staples, and the live-action Zelda adaptation stirs excitement and concern. With shifting industry dynamics, the future promises to be intriguing for gamers.