
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

Feb 19, 2024 • 1h 14min
The Inner Works of a Game Publisher with John Wright, Kwalee’s Publishing Head
In this podcast, John Wright from Kwalee discusses the renaissance in mobile publishing, driven by privacy changes and capital constraints. They explore game tech solutions, growth strategies, and the evolution of game development models, highlighting challenges faced by developers. The episode emphasizes innovation, legacy, and the importance of efficient processes and successful publisher-developer relationships in the gaming industry.

Feb 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
TWIG #270 The BIG Supercell Talk
In this podcast, the hosts discuss Supercell's challenges and strategies, as well as their new game development process. They also delve into the incredible success of MonopolyGo's Eastern monetization strategies. Additionally, the podcast touches on Disney's collaboration with Epic to create a multi-IP metaverse.

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 1min
Product Deep Dive: Whiteout Survival's $400M Loot
Join Laura and Jen as they deconstruct Century Games' Whiteout Survival, discussing key takeaways for successful game design and marketing. They explore the importance of hybrid mechanics and player engagement, while sharing insights on revenue and popularity. The podcast also delves into the gear system, in-game purchases, and effective housekeeping in gaming. Don't miss out on this entertaining and informative Product Deep Dive.

Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 8min
TWIG #269 The Tremendous Yet Troubled State of Gaming
The podcast discusses the demise of Xbox, analyzes the troubled state of gaming, and explores the implications of Microsoft bringing games to competing platforms. It also delves into the possibility of Microsoft divesting from gaming, Roblox's real-time AI-based chat translation feature, and the current state of the gaming industry in 2023. Additionally, the podcast explores the impact of AI on layoffs in the gaming industry.

Feb 5, 2024 • 1h 10min
The Four Things a Founder Should Never Do, by Anton Krasnyy, former founder and CEO of Murka
Former founder and CEO of Murka, Anton Krasnyy, shares four important reminders for founders: not trusting experts, not relying on business friendships, staying true to your vision, and valuing your worth. They discuss prioritizing oneself in the entrepreneurial journey, cultural differences in company culture, the myth of experts, and the role of founder CEOs.

Feb 1, 2024 • 1h 2min
TWIG #268 Apple is "Hot Garbage" and Blizzard has a brand new boss...
The podcast covers Apple's plans to address the EU's DMA rules, Zynga's potential this year, and Blizzard's new president. The hosts discuss the Istanbul Games Summit and Riot and Blizzard being called cults. They also explore the gaming market, Genshin Impact's record-breaking revenue, and Apple's tactics to maintain control and revenue streams. The chapter on Blizzard expresses concerns about their decline and inexperienced leadership. Lastly, they delve into different game mechanics in the mobile gaming industry.

Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 13min
PC and Console Gaming Predictions with Newzoo's Tom Wijman
Tom Wijman, Newzoo's Lead Analyst, joins the hosts to discuss gaming market predictions. Topics include challenges faced by the gaming industry, decrease in development budgets, impact of web shops on in-app purchases, the relationship between economic recession and gaming, gameplay and progression systems, challenges of live service games, and the role of AI in game development.

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 1min
TWIG #267 Apple vs. Epic / Palworld vs. Pokemon
Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Philip Black, and Laura Taranto discuss the implications of the Epic v. Apple case, the freedom for developers to push iOS players into web shops, and the potential impact on the gaming industry. They also dive into the success of Palworld, explore the decline of Embark, and give advice on transitioning to PC and console gaming in the post-IDFA era.

Jan 21, 2024 • 1h 3min
6 x Operative Changes That Kept SciPlay Growing Despite the Market Headwinds
SciPlay, a gaming company, has sustained growth despite privacy changes and economic challenges by implementing operational changes and prioritizing customer relationship management. They discuss the importance of standardized base features and game differentiation, as well as consistent progression features in game design. Strategies for growth include cost-cutting measures, enhancing ad tech infrastructure, personalizing user experiences, and investing in their own platform. Additionally, they share insights on the cost of losing a payer and the impact of an acquisition. SciPlay also highlights their new hiring strategy and expresses concern for their team in Israel.

7 snips
Jan 18, 2024 • 1h 7min
TWIG #266 The State of Mobile and Monopoly Go’s anti-Profitability Claims
The podcast discusses the Monopoly Go drama and the profitability claims of Scopely's blockbuster. They also delve into the sudden alliance between NetEase and Activision and Tencent's launch of another mobile MOBA. Furthermore, they explore the state of mobile gaming and analyze the challenges of launching games in Southeast Asia. The episode concludes with an analysis of the global gaming market and the impact of webshops on the mobile gaming industry.