

Deconstructor of Fun
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
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 14, 2024 • 57min
TWIG #273 Istanbul Recap, Embracer sells Saber, Epic's on iOS in EU
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.

Mar 11, 2024 • 1h 29min
Industry Turmoil and Opportunities Ahead with Goldman Sachs and Lightspeed Venture Partners
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.

Mar 4, 2024 • 1h 28min
Crucial Remote Work Strategies with Andy Duthie, Executive Producer at My.Games
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.

Feb 29, 2024 • 1h 10min
TWIG #272 Is Apple Arcade Rotten? Unity's new transparency
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

Feb 26, 2024 • 1h 24min
Insights from Building (& Exiting) Three Companies with Paul Gouge, Founder of Fourth Star
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.

Feb 22, 2024 • 1h 13min
TWIG #271 F*wad ads, Xbox nothing news, Eggcellent puns for Eggy Party
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.

Feb 20, 2024 • 44min
How GGP & GDC support under-estimated groups and throws the best GDC parties
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

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.