Deconstructor of Fun

Dive into the rapidly changing landscape of mobile gaming as industry leaders discuss the far-reaching effects of major acquisitions like Triple Dot and Scopely's latest moves. Insights from the Turkish gaming scene reveal a fusion of cultural significance and innovative strategies. Explore the vibrant rise of female gamers and the ever-present debate between mobile and console gaming. With ongoing developments in hyper-casual games and a look at enduring titles like Farmville and Subway Surfers, the future of gaming looks both thrilling and complex.

www.skillz.com/developeraccelerator/We dive deep into the world of real-money skill-based gaming and the exciting new Developer Accelerator launched by Skills Inc. Our special guest, Andrew Paradise, CEO and co-founder of Skillz, sheds light on the potential and market opportunity within this rapidly growing industry, discussing what types of games and studios Skillz is looking to support. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:19 Skill-Based Mobile Games Accelerator04:09 Monetization and Market Strategy13:32 Retention and Engagement Metrics22:07 Skill-Based Gaming Market Insights25:36 Understanding Sweepstakes and Skill-Based Gaming26:17 Skill-Based Gaming Prizes and Competitions28:06 Future of Skill Gaming30:32 Expanding Game Genres and Market Reach32:57 Skill-Based Gaming on Different Platforms33:36 Addressing Bot Concerns in Skill Gaming37:43 Insights from the Startup Journey43:14 Challenges and Benefits of Going Public45:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The world-class panel of Turkish founders and investors with Mehmet Ecevit (ex-CEO and co-founder of Gram Games), Batuhan Celebi (CEO and co-founder of Grand Games), and Görkem Turk (founder of Laton Ventures) shares their thoughts on what makes the Turkish gaming ecosystem unique, the importance of data-driven design, and how to maintain company culture while scaling.THE HYBRIDCASUAL PLAYBOOK: https://metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com/Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Guests00:30 Success Stories and Achievements03:31 Challenges and Strategies in Game Development09:14 Company Culture and Hiring Practices17:47 Scaling Companies and Future Prospects21:14 Insights on the Turkish Gaming Ecosystem31:07 Balancing Creativity and Data-Driven Decisions44:46 Balancing Internal and External Motivations45:56 Early Days and Scaling Merge Dragons47:25 The Impact of External Validation49:29 Cultural Differences in Handling Failure53:20 Challenges in the Turkish Gaming Industry01:07:32 The Importance of Mentorship and Partnerships01:24:22 Future of the Turkish Gaming Ecosystem01:30:43 Conclusion and Community Engagement

Eric tries his best to make sense of the AppLovin deal, while Monster Hunter Wilds has never made more sense. Laura covers Supercell’s Lonely Island play, Boat Game, while Jen defends Disney IP as it STEPs it up in Japan. Phil wants a recount of Guitar Hero’s demise, while Activision announces another entry in the franchise.The Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter:www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeContinue the conversation on our Slack channel:www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack00:00 Introduction and Hosts02:27 Today's Topics Overview03:01 Jen's UCLA Story04:00 GDC Announcements05:46 AppLovin's Short Seller Drama07:26 Steam's Record-Breaking Numbers08:32 AppLovin's Game Division Sale12:50 Sony's PlayStation VR 2 Price Drop13:55 Supercell and SpaceApe Updates17:15 Forte's Acquisition of Sealants18:06 Miniclip Acquires Lessmore18:38 Supercell's New Boat Game23:05 Supercell's Market Mismatch23:34 Roblox Comparison Debate24:06 Monetization Challenges25:01 Split Faction Reviews25:43 Fable Delayed Again26:44 Monster Hunter's Global Success31:29 Disney Step in Japan34:10 Scopely's Vanity Play39:06 Guitar Hero Mobile Announcement44:45 The Fall of Music Games46:52 Conclusion and Farewell

 “The way we survive is built on being creative every day” We sit down with Burak Vardal, CEO and co-founder of Rollic, to explore how the company skyrocketed in just a couple of years from a Turkish startup to one of the most successful mobile game publishers in the world.Burak shares insights on: The early days of Rollic and its quick acquisition by Zynga for $168M How they consistently launch hit mobile games The shift from hyper-casual to hybrid-casual and how it changed their business model Why being a gamer-first company is key to their success What makes Turkey a global hub for mobile game development The future of Rollic under Take-Two InteractiveDownload the FREE Hybrid Casual Playbook: metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com/🎙️ Join the Deconstructor of Fun Slack Community:www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack00:00 Introduction and Background of Rollic06:41 Türkiye as a Hub for Game Development13:18 Business Model and Future Vision25:54 Competition and Talent in the Turkish Gaming Industry29:45 Creativity in Gaming: The Key to Success31:54 The Importance of Ideation in Mobile Gaming33:52 The Role of Testing in Game Development36:32 Transitioning from Startup to Industry Leader46:46 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers52:47 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects

The podcast dives into the intriguing world of gaming, analyzing Niantic's valuation and questioning the future of AR. Unity's earnings post-restructuring raise eyebrows, while PrizePix blurs lines between gaming and gambling. Hasbro Digital's surprising success and Steam Deck's impact on PCs ignite discussions, alongside Epic Game Store's strategy. The return of Overwatch loot boxes sparks nostalgia, and emerging mobile trends like Last War Survival and unique RPGs are unveiled. Plus, fake ads continue to shape the landscape!

Marcos Muller, the Director of Abu Dhabi Gaming, is revolutionizing the gaming landscape in Abu Dhabi. He discusses the city’s ambitious vision for a vibrant gaming ecosystem focused on talent development and job creation. Marcos shares insights into the financial incentives attracting studios and addresses the growing gaming economy in the UAE. He also dispels myths about living in Abu Dhabi, highlighting its community warmth and opportunities for game developers. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the future of gaming in emerging markets.

Get ready for some gaming gossip! Scopely is shaking things up, while Niantic faces its own challenges. The departure of Marvel Rivals' studio raises eyebrows—politics or strategy? Microsoft is grappling with console woes and a shaky future, contrasting with Sony’s steady rise. Plus, King surprises everyone with a brand-new Solitaire game. As older players lean towards solitary gaming experiences, the landscape is evolving. Tune in for insights on the industry's intricate dynamics and what's next for major players!

Boris Kalnikov, CEO and Co-founder of Hype Masters, shares his exciting journey relocating his gaming studio from London to Abu Dhabi. He discusses the vibrant gaming ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, highlighting government incentives and tax benefits that enhance the appeal for studios. Boris also contrasts life in Abu Dhabi with London, focusing on shorter commutes and better living conditions. He explores the region's untapped gaming potential and the supportive community that fosters collaboration and innovation in the industry.

Supercell had a spectacular year, raking in €2.8B, though not without a flop in Squad Busters. Unity struggles with talent loss and ad tech woes, while AppLovin shines with a 700% stock increase thanks to AI ads. The company plans to sell its entire gaming portfolio for $900M, sparking curiosity about potential buyers like Scopely and Zynga. Discussions also include the evolving landscape of game monetization and competitive strategies, highlighting the pressures and triumphs within the gaming industry.