

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

Jul 9, 2019 • 47min
TWIG #39: Google Stadia, Game Over???
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 Google Stadia’s only exclusive game, Gylt, is not so exclusive
#2 Chess Rush, Tencent's take on Auto Chess, launches tomorrow
#3 Pass Royale Season 1 | Clash Royale
#4 Tencent’s answer to Diablo Immortal bombed in China
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1. @adamwtelfer & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

Jul 1, 2019 • 1h 6min
TWIG #38: "EA Needs Mobile Gaming Help"
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 N3twork announces a new game
#2 Apex Legends season 2 battle pass
#3 Call Of Duty: Mobile Has Launched in Australia
#4 Electronic Arts Needs Mobile Gaming Help
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1 @adamwtelfer & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

Jun 28, 2019 • 1h 5min
TWIG #37: Inside The Esports Bubble
Also, our projections on how Harry Potter: Wizards Unite will succeed In the latest TWIG we discuss: #1 Shady Numbers And Bad Business: Inside The Esports Bubble (Kotaku) #2 Teamfight Tactics Could Be Bigger Than League of Legends #3 Dr. Mario World hits Android and iOS in July, here’s how it plays #4 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite worldwide launch begins on June 21st Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1. @adamwtelfer & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve. Hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

Jun 20, 2019 • 35min
TWIG #36: The E3 Recap & Rumours
The full E3 recap for you from us.
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1. @adamwtelfer & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

Jun 4, 2019 • 44min
TWIG #35 Why the King's CEO is Stepping Down
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 Microsoft and Sony form cloud gaming partnership
#2 Minecraft Earth Wants to be the Next Pokemon Go
#3 Pokémon Masters: Everything we know so far
#4 Riccardo Zacconi to step down as CEO of King
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1. @adamwtelfer & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

May 31, 2019 • 53min
#9 "I lost my job. What next?" with Joseph Kim
Most of us go through this at least once during our careers. Several of us have to go through this multiple times during their careers. Yet it is something we tend not to talk about.
Losing a job gets bundled with feelings of disappointment, failure, shame and even anger. Yet we seldom see it as what it can be. It's a push to take the next step. A nudge to evolve. An opportunity to self-assess. A chance to take a break and reset.
In this episode, Joseph Kim, goes through his experience after his gig ended abruptly and offers his take on how to take the next step in your career.
Please do give Joe a shoutout (it takes courage to talk about this) and give his YouTube channel " Game Makers" the love it deserves.

May 29, 2019 • 56min
TWIG #34: Mario Kart and League of Legends Rush Into Mobile
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 Playtika Doubles down with new casual games division
#2 Mario Kart Tour’s beta has arrived
#3 Mobile version of League of Legends
#4 Blizzard Entertainment President Interview On Priorities
#5 Microsoft and Sony form partnership
#6 Call of Duty 2020 In Upheaval
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1 & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

May 20, 2019 • 56min
TWIG #33 Epic continues to absorb PC gaming exclusives
Epic is continuing to make big boi moves while Sony grows its subscriber base.
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 Epic’s store continues to absorb PC gaming exclusives
#2 Epic Games acquires Rocket League studio Psyonix
#3 Zero’ chance it passes: Game analysts break down senator’s anti-loot box bill
#4 Playstation Now has 700,000 users, use contributed to Sony’s Increase in Sales
#5 Sony releases its 'God of War' making-of documentary on YouTube
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1 & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games

May 10, 2019 • 56min
TWIG #32 Zynga, EA, Activision, Glu - how is it REALLY going in Q2
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 Zynga Inc.(ZNGA)CEO Frank Gibeau on Q1 2019 Results
#2 Activision Blizzard's stock rally from earnings-fuelled price collapse?
#3 Glu Mobile Earnings: Gluu stock plummeted as Q1 sales gain 18%
+ EA recap
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1 & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games.

May 2, 2019 • 50min
TWIG #31 The Truth About Hypercasual Games
Apart from the truth we will also talk about crunch in the gaming industry and give our personal view on it.
In the latest TWIG we discuss:
#1 The truth about hypercasual games
#2 Apex Legends will avoid crunch
#3 Google Is Banning A Play Store Developer With More Than Half A Billion App Installs
Hit us up on Twitter (@m_katkoff, @jokim1 & @ekress) to let us know, which news topics you want us to talk about next or more in-depth. Or to just let us know how we can improve.
Also, hit the subscribe button to get notified when we deconstruct the latest news in games.
*please keep in mind that all opinions expressed in the podcast are strictly personal and do not reflect those of our employers