
Deconstructor of Fun
Deconstructor of Fun podcast is created by games professionals for games professionals. We explore the business side of the games industry with the goal of bringing listeners content that is relevant, insightful, and entertaining on a weekly basis.
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
Latest episodes

Jul 25, 2024 • 1h 12min
TWIG #292 Matthew Ball’s Metaverse 2.0 / Top Game License IPs Unveiled
Crypto advocate Matthew Ball discusses the evolving metaverse concept and the potential of creator economies in gaming. Topics include Microsoft's Gamepass pricing, Rainbow Siege's marketplace, and games as toy brand extensions.

Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 16min
UEFN Magic and Frustrations with Industry Legends
Industry legends Pete Hawley and Alexander Seropian discuss their experiences with the Unreal Editor for Fortnite platform, covering marketing strategies, player engagement, technical limitations, and opportunities. They delve into challenges and opportunities with UEFN, ROI in development, monetization strategies, and marketing tactics. Insights on game development challenges, player engagement, and the future of UEFN are also shared.

Jul 18, 2024 • 1h 7min
TWiG #291 Valve Salaries, Leaked MiHoYo Strategy, and Failing Disney IPs!
Topics include Valve salaries, MiHoYo strategy, Disney IPs failing on mobile, and the challenges faced by Disney brands. Also discussed are new in-game features driving revenue, a leak related to Valve, and the success and growth strategy of Valve. The episode explores the rising popularity of free-to-play games, challenges in monetization, and company strategies in the gaming market.

Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 1min
Behind the Wheel of IP Licensing with Hutch's co-CEO, Peter Hansen-Chambers
Join Mishka Katkoff as he talks to Peter Hansen-Chambers, co-CEO of Hutch, about game development and IP licensing. They discuss Hutch's successful racing games, the importance of relationships with car manufacturers, navigating brand partnerships, and maintaining long-term relationships with major brands.

Jul 11, 2024 • 1h 5min
TWIG #290 Nintendo's anti-AI Stance, 4-day Work Weeks and Netflix Games' Clap Back
The podcast discusses Nintendo's stance on AI, hybrid casual puzzle games, Squad Busters, Netflix's gaming strategy, and the debate on 4-day work weeks. They also cover industry investments, mergers in entertainment, gaming employment news, and tech solutions, along with game performance analysis and the slow adoption of AI in creative fields.

Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 25min
AI Integration, Psychological Insights & Market Trends with Founders of Solsten
Join host Mishka Katkoff as he chats with Solsten founders Joe Schaeppi and Bastian Bergmann about AI integration, market trends, and audience resonance in the gaming industry. They discuss the value of change management, the role of psychological data in user experiences, and the efficient use of AI in studio operations. Dive into the discussion on new revenue models, Web3 gaming revolution, and the synergy between marketing and game development.

Jul 4, 2024 • 1h 22min
TWIG #289 King's AI, Amazon's games strategy, Netflix's problems solved
The podcast discusses Singularity 6's acquisition, Netflix Games' challenges, and Amazon Games' strategy. They explore AI in game development and compare Netflix and Amazon's gaming strategies. Hosts share insights on the gaming industry trends and player behavior, offering a humorous take on vacation drinks and European traditions.

Jul 1, 2024 • 60min
What’s so special about k-ID, the company that raised $51M in just 9 months!?!
Founder of k-ID, Kieran Donovan, shares his journey transitioning from screenwriter to lawyer to successful startup founder, raising $51M in 9 months. They discuss creating safe online gaming experiences for youth, navigating gaming regulations, securing investments from Lightspeed Ventures and a16z, and the importance of robust online safety solutions for children.

Jun 27, 2024 • 1h 6min
TWIG #288 Fortnite in Trouble, Anime Girl Horse Racing, and Switch’s New Life
Topics discussed include Apple's legal troubles, Rocket League partnership with FIFA, VC investments, Fortnite's future, Nintendo Direct highlights, and anime girl horse racing. The crew also talks about Tango Closure Mystery, Dungeon Fighter's mobile success, and Epic's mobile strategy.

Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 6min
The State of Gaming 2024 with Sensor Tower's Lexi Sydow
Lexi Sydow from Sensor Tower discusses mobile gaming trends, marketing strategies, regional differences, and the impact of platforms like TikTok. The podcast explores subscription gaming, IP collaborations, future market changes, and the rise of apps over gaming revenues.