In this engaging discussion, Kim Nordström, a gaming industry veteran and CEO of PlayerUnknown Productions, shares his journey from releasing his first game in 1995 to leading innovative teams. He dives deep into his book 'Up, Down, Up,' exploring the significance of company culture and psychological safety in fostering creativity. Nordström highlights the critical transition between growth and maturity phases, reflecting on leadership principles and the challenges of sustaining innovation in established companies. His insights are shaped by interviews with top industry leaders, providing a treasure trove of wisdom.

Explore the buzz around a potential new PlayStation Portable and Elon Musk's ambitious AI game studio. The discussion touches on the fallout from Ubisoft's studio closures and the ongoing success of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Mobile gaming gets a spotlight with big launches like Archero 2 and Capybara Go. Lastly, dive into a showdown between Marvel Rivals and Delta Force, along with insights on the challenges new MOBAs face in gaining traction in a competitive landscape.

Sergei Vasiuk, LiveOps Director at Wargaming and author of 'Running a Successful Live Service Game,' shares his expertise in game development. He discusses the evolution of gaming models, emphasizing the importance of data-driven development and community engagement. Sergei provides insights on navigating player retention amidst saturated markets, balancing monetization with a positive player experience, and the value of local community managers. Tune in for actionable strategies and predictions about the future of LiveOps in gaming!

Daniel Tchernahovsky, VP of Business Development at AppLovin, shares his journey in the mobile gaming landscape. He discusses the rapid growth of mobile gaming and the shift towards hybrid monetization strategies. Tchernahovsky emphasizes the crucial role of automation and AI in transforming user acquisition efforts. He also highlights the importance of aligning marketing and product teams to optimize user engagement, and how effective metrics can guide successful monetization. Finally, he addresses the evolving dynamics of the app market amidst recent industry challenges.

Happy Thanksgaming! This week, the Deconstructor of Fun crew kicks things off with a recap of the buzzing Slush event before diving into a deep analysis of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. From there, we tackle Ubisoft’s heated return-to-office controversy and explore Hasbro’s massive $150 million investment in gaming. The latter half of the episode delves into Royal Kingdom’s prolonged soft launch strategy and wrap up with a discussion on FIFA’s latest collaboration with Mythical Games. Can they rival EA FC? Tune in for insights, reflections, and a glimpse into what lies ahead in the evolving gaming landscape! 00:00 Happy Thanksgaming! 02:54 Slush Event Recap 08:26 Heroic Labs Updates 17:37 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Analysis 29:49 Ubisoft's Return to Office Controversy 36:54 Hasbro's $150 Million Investment in Gaming 41:03 Mattel vs. Hasbro: A Tale of Two Toy Giants 45:48 The Interconnectedness of Toys and Gaming 54:47 Game District's Acquisition of Gleam Games 55:49 AppCharge Raises $26 Million for Gaming Apps 56:36 Royal Kingdom's Market Strategy 01:10:47 Mythical Games' New Arcade Football Game 01:15:44 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Future Prospects

Leo Yao, General Manager of Timi Studio Group’s J3 studio, shares insights on the success of Call of Duty Mobile and the development of Delta Force. He reveals how a two-month demo stunned Activision and discusses COD Mobile's record-breaking live ops. Yao tackles the East vs. West FPS divide, highlighting the dominance of Crossfire in China. The conversation also delves into Delta Force’s pivot to PC, cross-platform gameplay, and innovative monetization strategies, offering a vibrant look at evolving gaming trends.

As World of Warcraft celebrates its 20th birthday, the discussion reveals the underlying issues behind EA's troubled AI presentation. There's a spirited defense of Monopoly GO's new TV campaign, highlighting creative marketing strategies. The success of Pokémon TCG Pocket takes center stage, showcasing its appeal in the gaming market. The podcast also explores the challenges of collectible card game monetization and the rising concerns about loot boxes, while reflecting on recent acquisitions and the evolving industry landscape.

Sezer Degirmenbasi, TikTok's Head of EMEA for mobile gaming, and John Wright from Kwalee share their expertise in LiveOps. They discuss the importance of Q5 for maximizing user engagement during the holiday season. Learn how TikTok's innovative LiveOps tools can extend game lifecycles and boost revenue. The conversation dives into creative marketing strategies, revitalizing older games, and the significance of culturalization in gaming. Key metrics for measuring success in LiveOps are also revealed, providing invaluable insights for developers.

Manish Gajria, Director of Product at Meta, and Ryan Davies, Head of Performance Marketing at Kwalee, delve into the current mobile gaming landscape. They discuss the significance of value optimization and the transformative role of AI in user acquisition. The conversation highlights the rise of hybrid casual games, the challenges of measurement, and successful marketing strategies within the industry. Listeners gain insights into the evolving approaches to game monetization and the impact of innovative advertising techniques.

Venture capital insights take center stage as hosts dissect the evolving landscape of gaming investments and funding. The potential leadership shifts at EA and the impact of strategic acquisitions by companies like MTG are hot topics. Attention turns to the surprising valuation of Plarium and Take-Two's recent divestments. Roblox's notable growth trajectory sparks intrigue, while the competitive dynamics of the mobile gaming sector face scrutiny. The buzzing rumors of EA's flirtation with Disney add a pinch of glamour to the unfolding drama.