Deconstructor of Fun

Justin McFarlane, General Manager at SciPlay and former 3D artist, shares his inspiring career journey in game development. He discusses navigating remote work challenges and the importance of team cohesion during transitions. McFarlane emphasizes continuous learning and purpose-driven choices, revealing how these elements fueled his growth. He also dives into mastering LiveOps, highlighting strategies for engaging players and optimizing game content. His insights provide a fresh perspective on leadership in the gaming industry.

The discussion kicks off with a dive into transmedia storytelling and its highs and lows. The highly anticipated GTA 6 trailer is dissected, revealing much about its release strategy. Roblox's impressive growth and pricing tactics are scrutinized, while the acquisition of Super Social by Super League sparks conversations about market dynamics. Insights into the ongoing Epic vs. Apple legal drama hint at a shift in app store economics, and Overwatch's new stadium mode adds an exciting twist to the gaming landscape.

Javier Ferreira, Co-CEO of Scopely, shares insights from his journey in transforming the company from a $12M startup to a $3B powerhouse in mobile gaming. He delves into what made *Monopoly GO!* successful, discussing the importance of a learning culture that embraces feedback and failure. Ferreira emphasizes the role of collaboration in game development and the critical nature of executive intervention. He also touches on strategic acquisitions and partnerships, providing valuable advice for those navigating the challenges of the gaming industry.

Maor Sason, CEO and co-founder of AppCharge, dives into the groundbreaking Epic vs. Apple ruling, reshaping the mobile gaming payment landscape. He highlights how developers can benefit from linking to external payment methods, especially small to medium-sized studios. Strategies for enhancing user engagement and optimizing payment processes are crucial. Sason emphasizes the importance of customer loyalty programs and quick adaptation to thrive in this evolving market. This conversation offers valuable insights for developers navigating the new era of mobile payments.

The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into the $50M marketing campaign for Royal Match and the pitfalls of overspending. A major shift in Discord's strategy is highlighted, showcasing how new leadership may push the platform towards enterprise uses. The podcast also delves into surprising leadership changes at NetEase and a fierce competition between Delta Force and Call of Duty Mobile. Lastly, there's a lively debate on the growing interest of venture capitalists in AI's role in gaming, reflecting industry trends and future innovations.

Alexei Chemenda, CEO and co-founder of Poolday.ai, is a leader in AI-driven marketing solutions. He dives into how AI enhances human creativity and allows marketers to focus on strategy. The discussion includes the rise of personalized video ads and the evolving significance of A/B testing. Alexei highlights the balancing act between volume and quality in AI-driven marketing, while emphasizing the necessity of data fluency. He also shares insights on upcoming skills that marketing leaders will need in an AI-centric landscape.

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Uri Marchand, CEO of Overwolf, to break down how user-generated content (UGC) is quietly reshaping the gaming industry. They dive into Overwolf’s mission to turn in-game creation into a viable profession, and why modding — once a hobby for the few — is now a legitimate career path for thousands.This isn’t just about mods anymore — it’s about the future of gaming economies.00:00Introduction to Overwolf and UGC04:05 The Evolution of Modding in Gaming06:56 Industry Trends: Embracing UGC10:05 Challenges and Opportunities in Modding13:17 The Role of Platforms like Roblox and Fortnite16:32 Balancing Creator Support and Developer Benefits19:37 Sustainability of the Modding Economy22:23 Revenue Share Models in the Creator Economy25:34 The Impact of AI on Modding29:14 The Power of AI in Game Development30:15 Democratizing Game Creation31:01 Challenges in Scaling Overwolf33:51 Overcoming Investment Hurdles37:41 The Future of Overwolf and Gaming43:24 Innovations in User-Generated Content45:39 Changing Mindsets on Premium Mods48:17 Disruption in the Gaming Industry52:09 Lessons Learned from Overwolf's Journey

The team dives into Supercell's latest investments and the contradictions in VC incentives that affect game development. They debate the independence of GamesBeat and scrutinize the sustainability of esports funding. Netflix’s Rebel Moon game sparks discussion, while the launch of Valorant Mobile in China signals Riot's ambitions. The conversation heats up over Royal Kingdom’s celebrity ad campaign as they question if TV ads still resonate with mobile gamers or if legacy marketing is fading fast.

Lightspeed’s Moritz Baier-Lentz joins us for a no-holds-barred conversation on venture capital, gaming, and the inner workings of multi-billion-dollar venture funds. No fluff—just real talk about fund math, spotting exceptional founders, the future of AI in gaming, and why most investments won’t work out (and why that’s okay).00:00 from pro-gamer in Diablo II to Goldman Sachs to Lightspeed VC10:00 The Lightspeed model18:00 How Moritz spots truly exceptional founders (hint: not a checklist)24:00 Fund math 10130:00 Studio investing vs. tech investing in games 36:00 How consolidation is reshaping gaming M&A (and why it’s a big deal)43:00 Speedrun, a16z’s gaming accelerator: innovation or red flag?51:00 Debunking big VC myths58:00 The future of gaming: AI, generative content, and creating the next Roblox1:05:00 How Lightspeed wins competitive deals—and what founders should ask VCs1:12:00 Is raising VC money harder now? Yes. But here’s why it’s still a golden era.1:20:00 Final thoughts: investing at the edge of what’s possible

Kress is fresh back from Turkiye, sharing on-the-ground insights before diving headfirst into the week’s big beats. We break down Epic Games Store’s revenue, debate the Minecraft movie’s potential for franchise dominance, and unpack the latest M&A and investment trends shaping gaming’s future. Inflation’s creeping impact on game pricing gets a hard look, while the crew wrestles with the evolving MTX and revenue models. Things heat up with Marvel Rivals throwing punches at Overwatch, a sharp take on Western vs. Eastern LiveOps strategies, and a no-holds-barred discussion about Bungie’s Marathon pivot into extraction shooters. To wrap, a quick (and slightly roasted) look at Kingdom’s celebrity-packed ad campaign.00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions03:09 Chris' Insights from Turkey07:02 Epic Games Store Revenue Discussion13:30 Minecraft Movie and Franchise Management21:07 M&A and Investment Trends in Gaming29:47 Game Pricing and Inflation30:31 MTX and Revenue Models32:59 Marvel Rivals vs. Overwatch37:33 Western vs. Eastern LiveOps44:24 Marathon: The Extraction Shooter58:13 Kingdom's Celebrity Ad Campaign