Deconstructor of Fun

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.

Matt Harris, who oversees product management at Activision Blizzard Media, and Joseph Kim, known as JK and currently building a studio in India, dive into the future of gaming. They discuss the rise of unconventional advertising models and the evolving monetization strategies in the gaming landscape. The conversation shifts to the challenges smaller studios face amid industry giants and explores Netflix's attempts in the gaming world. They also touch on how AI is reshaping marketing strategies and the integration of games into popular media for user engagement.

Dive into the gaming industry's latest with a playful critique of Netflix's strange strategies and the dynamics of modern venture capital. Explore Pokémon's new mobile game and the impact of Supercell's acquisition of Space Ape. Get the insider scoop on blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and Dragon Age, while navigating the challenges creators face in monetization and user acquisition. Question the shifting focus of VC firms and what it means for aspiring game developers. It's a lively discussion packed with insights and forecasts!

In this episode of Deconstructor of Fun, we dive into the shifting landscape of influencer marketing in the gaming industry, focusing on the emergence and impact of creator programs. Our guests: Patrick "Chief Pat" Carney (Tribe Gaming), Scott Walker (Ninja Kiwi), and Justin Sacks (Nexus.gg) — industry experts and key voices in creator marketing—explore the evolving roles of influencers and creators, moving from short-term campaigns to deeper, sustained partnerships that drive community engagement and revenue. We discuss how companies like Supercell have pioneered successful creator programs and examine the role of platforms in supporting these initiatives. We also address the challenges developers face in managing creator programs, particularly for smaller studios, and how user-generated content (UGC) is reshaping the gaming experience. Tune in to learn how creator programs are transforming marketing, community building, and even game development itself. Host: Jen Donahoe Chapters: 04:36 Defining Creator Programs 06:47 Creator Program Benefits 11:52 Supercell's Creator Program 20:09 Building a Creator Platform 21:44 Implementation 26:08 Challenges in Developer-Marketer Collaboration 26:45 Web2 Play-to-Earn Concept 28:52 Impact on Small Developers 30:38 Revenue and Engagement Metrics 34:04 Nexus and Creator Programs 36:06 Supercell's Creator Program Evolution 38:18 Brawl Stars and Community Management 40:57 Administrative Challenges in Creator Programs 43:45 UGC and Future Developers Keywords: influencer marketing, creator programs, gaming, Supercell, Nexus.gg, community engagement, mobile games, revenue share, content creators, game development, game development, content creators, revenue sharing, player engagement, user-generated content, mobile games, creator programs, game marketing, community building, game monetization

It’s Halloween and conference season, so we’re diving into all the latest insights without of course missing a basketball update. In today’s episode, we got Call of Duty’s continued dominance, Battlefield’s woes, Apple’s App Store for gaming, China’s rise in 4x games, and Barbie’s design mismatch. Dive in for all things gaming, snark included! Hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff Keywords: gaming news, game industry, conferences, shooter games, Netflix gaming, Apple gaming store, gaming industry, Switch 2, Roblox, web stores, child safety, investments, Bungie, Sony, studio closures, Tencent, shooter games, Forex games, mobile gaming, Barbie game, Call of Duty, Battlefield, gaming trends Chapters: 01:39 Halloween and Conference Season 03:56 Basketball Update and Conference Insights 10:36 Shooter Panel + Market Trends 16:46 Netflix's AAA Game Shutdown and Apple App Store Rumors 22:15 Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors 26:34 Roblox's Child Safety Measures 31:29 Investments, Divestments, and M&A 38:50 The Struggles of IP-Driven Games 41:40 The MOBA Market in the West 45:30 Bungie Under PlayStation: Not Good 47:14 Sony Shuts Down Firewalk Studios 52:21 Chinese Developers and 4x Games 56:24 Barbie Game's Creative Mismatch 01:05:19 Call of Duty Continues Crushing It 01:10:21 Battlefield's Downfall

Davan Brannan, a senior consultant at Nuzu specializing in data analysis, joins Chris Sides, a games industry veteran from EA and Bungie. They tackle the decline in player engagement in the shooter genre and the challenges newcomers face in a crowded market. Insights into the impact of COVID-19 on game popularity and innovative strategies for player retention take center stage. The duo also explores the future of extraction shooters, emphasizing the need for live content and unique gameplay to captivate players in this competitive landscape.