Deconstructor of Fun

Mihai Gheza, CEO of Machinations, discusses game economy simulations, AI balance, data-driven decision-making, blockchain in gaming, advanced AI technology for game balancing, Unity-Machinations relationship, and the evolution of modern game economies with examples from popular games like League of Legends and mobile games.

The podcast crew discusses the chaos in San Francisco, Netflix Games confusion, Turkish subsidies for game companies, and Supercell's PR move. They explore the shift in audience at gaming events, challenges in gaming industry strategies, maximizing revenue in game development, government incentives for game developers in Turkey, and navigating strategic communication challenges in the gaming industry.

Explore the intricacies of venture capital investments in the gaming industry with seasoned entrepreneur turned VC, Joakim Achren. Learn about fundraising challenges, market conditions, managing communication across time zones, growth strategies, and navigating ownership in VC funds. Dive into the complexities of peacetime vs. wartime leadership in startups, profitability in tech investments, and the evolving gaming industry landscape.

Recap of Think Games Istanbul Summit, Epic on iOS in EU, Embracer sells Saber for $500 million, Discord's new game SDK, state of startups in Finland, challenges in scaling international gaming companies, and difficulties faced by Istanbul game developers in talent acquisition and retention.

Industry insiders discuss the gaming landscape, market challenges, layoff impacts, venture capital dynamics, AI usage, and predictions for the future. They emphasize opportunities amidst industry turmoil, navigating economic challenges, IPO performance analysis, AI investments, and the need for perseverance and strategic planning in the competitive gaming industry.

Discover insights into remote team management in game development, the creative process behind Grand Theft Auto, career transitions in the gaming industry, effective strategies for remote team collaboration, prioritizing mental health in remote work environments, and post-launch stability and future growth plans.

Jen, Kress, Laura, and Phil continue with the food puns analogies and decide if Apple Arcade is rotting after a mobilegamer.biz article. Also, the cast praises Unity for its newfound transparency, hits some of the Nintendo Direct Highlights (which aren't that high), keeps taking layoffs, and uncovers Playtika’s new strategy. Apply to join the Slack Community. https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack Event links to apply or register: Think Games Istanbul: https://adsonair.withgoogle.com/events/think-games-istanbul-2024 GDC Beta Hat & DoF Pre-Game Party March 17 - ⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceighlzx-X0Khv2NMmJom29dtWhAsEpros-1xhBCNQfIqqAA/viewform⁠ Xsolla, DoF, Mattel Party March 19: https://events.xsolla.com/gamenightgdc2024 DoF, AppsFlyer, Data.ai Brunch March 19: http://dataai-gdc-brunch.splashthat.com/DoF 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/jenniferd⁠

Discover insights from the founder of three successful companies in the gaming industry, including his current venture Fourth Star. Dive into topics like high performance teams, evaluating ideas, and fostering transparency within organizations. Learn about the A.I.M methodology for creating compelling products and the benefits of experimenting with a four-day work week.

The podcast delves into Xbox news, a hilarious Eggy Party debate with egg puns, and a special segment featuring Henry Lowenfels' kids. They discuss gaming challenges, investment strategies, industry insights, and critiques of popular game titles. The father and sons segment adds a fun twist, exploring Lego Fortnite, Roblox, and in-game advertising. Overall, a mix of gaming news, industry discussions, and entertaining banter.

CEO of GGP, Gordon Bellemy, talks about supporting under-estimated groups in the gaming industry. Highlights GDC events for LGBTQ+ executives and entrepreneurs. Discusses the importance of inclusivity, community, and diversity in gaming. Mentions networking events and roundtable discussions at GDC