Deconstructor of Fun

Venture capital insights take center stage as hosts dissect the evolving landscape of gaming investments and funding. The potential leadership shifts at EA and the impact of strategic acquisitions by companies like MTG are hot topics. Attention turns to the surprising valuation of Plarium and Take-Two's recent divestments. Roblox's notable growth trajectory sparks intrigue, while the competitive dynamics of the mobile gaming sector face scrutiny. The buzzing rumors of EA's flirtation with Disney add a pinch of glamour to the unfolding drama.

Matt Harris, who oversees product management at Activision Blizzard Media, and Joseph Kim, known as JK and currently building a studio in India, dive into the future of gaming. They discuss the rise of unconventional advertising models and the evolving monetization strategies in the gaming landscape. The conversation shifts to the challenges smaller studios face amid industry giants and explores Netflix's attempts in the gaming world. They also touch on how AI is reshaping marketing strategies and the integration of games into popular media for user engagement.

Dive into the gaming industry's latest with a playful critique of Netflix's strange strategies and the dynamics of modern venture capital. Explore Pokémon's new mobile game and the impact of Supercell's acquisition of Space Ape. Get the insider scoop on blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and Dragon Age, while navigating the challenges creators face in monetization and user acquisition. Question the shifting focus of VC firms and what it means for aspiring game developers. It's a lively discussion packed with insights and forecasts!

In this episode of Deconstructor of Fun, we dive into the shifting landscape of influencer marketing in the gaming industry, focusing on the emergence and impact of creator programs. Our guests: Patrick "Chief Pat" Carney (Tribe Gaming), Scott Walker (Ninja Kiwi), and Justin Sacks (Nexus.gg) — industry experts and key voices in creator marketing—explore the evolving roles of influencers and creators, moving from short-term campaigns to deeper, sustained partnerships that drive community engagement and revenue. We discuss how companies like Supercell have pioneered successful creator programs and examine the role of platforms in supporting these initiatives. We also address the challenges developers face in managing creator programs, particularly for smaller studios, and how user-generated content (UGC) is reshaping the gaming experience. Tune in to learn how creator programs are transforming marketing, community building, and even game development itself. Host: Jen Donahoe Chapters: 04:36 Defining Creator Programs 06:47 Creator Program Benefits 11:52 Supercell's Creator Program 20:09 Building a Creator Platform 21:44 Implementation 26:08 Challenges in Developer-Marketer Collaboration 26:45 Web2 Play-to-Earn Concept 28:52 Impact on Small Developers 30:38 Revenue and Engagement Metrics 34:04 Nexus and Creator Programs 36:06 Supercell's Creator Program Evolution 38:18 Brawl Stars and Community Management 40:57 Administrative Challenges in Creator Programs 43:45 UGC and Future Developers Keywords: influencer marketing, creator programs, gaming, Supercell, Nexus.gg, community engagement, mobile games, revenue share, content creators, game development, game development, content creators, revenue sharing, player engagement, user-generated content, mobile games, creator programs, game marketing, community building, game monetization

It’s Halloween and conference season, so we’re diving into all the latest insights without of course missing a basketball update. In today’s episode, we got Call of Duty’s continued dominance, Battlefield’s woes, Apple’s App Store for gaming, China’s rise in 4x games, and Barbie’s design mismatch. Dive in for all things gaming, snark included! Hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff Keywords: gaming news, game industry, conferences, shooter games, Netflix gaming, Apple gaming store, gaming industry, Switch 2, Roblox, web stores, child safety, investments, Bungie, Sony, studio closures, Tencent, shooter games, Forex games, mobile gaming, Barbie game, Call of Duty, Battlefield, gaming trends Chapters: 01:39 Halloween and Conference Season 03:56 Basketball Update and Conference Insights 10:36 Shooter Panel + Market Trends 16:46 Netflix's AAA Game Shutdown and Apple App Store Rumors 22:15 Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors 26:34 Roblox's Child Safety Measures 31:29 Investments, Divestments, and M&A 38:50 The Struggles of IP-Driven Games 41:40 The MOBA Market in the West 45:30 Bungie Under PlayStation: Not Good 47:14 Sony Shuts Down Firewalk Studios 52:21 Chinese Developers and 4x Games 56:24 Barbie Game's Creative Mismatch 01:05:19 Call of Duty Continues Crushing It 01:10:21 Battlefield's Downfall

Davan Brannan, a senior consultant at Nuzu specializing in data analysis, joins Chris Sides, a games industry veteran from EA and Bungie. They tackle the decline in player engagement in the shooter genre and the challenges newcomers face in a crowded market. Insights into the impact of COVID-19 on game popularity and innovative strategies for player retention take center stage. The duo also explores the future of extraction shooters, emphasizing the need for live content and unique gameplay to captivate players in this competitive landscape.

The podcast explores significant shifts in the gaming landscape, including Netflix's closure of its AAA studio and TikTok's growing impact on mobile gaming. There’s a lively debate about the struggles of AA games amid rising production costs. Attention also turns to the booming influencer marketing scene in gaming and the impressive $184 billion valuation of the industry. Insights into hybrid casual gaming and emerging titles showcase the changing dynamics, while humorous commentary keeps the conversation engaging throughout.

Peter Levin, co-founder and managing director at Griffin Gaming Partners, shares insights from his 55 visits to Finland's vibrant gaming scene. He discusses the cultural adaptability of gaming, highlighting successes like Supercell and Angry Birds. The conversation dives into transmedia trends, where he explores how companies like Netflix are shaking up the gaming landscape. Levin also analyzes strategic partnerships, investment strategies, and the exciting dynamics of emerging markets, painting a picture of the industry's innovative future.

In this episode of TWIG (This Week in Games), the team dives into recent gaming industry news, starting with Google’s Play and Xbox announcements, followed by the Game Freak data breach and Xbox developments. 'They discuss Supercell’s mysterious Project Rise, the rumored Destiny Rising mobile game, and blockchain gaming with Off the Grid. The episode also highlights Azra Games’ Project Legends, speculates on Scopely’s next mega-deal, and wraps up with Supercell’s marketing shakeup. 00:00 Intro01:55 Quick Hits05:28 Google Play and Xbox Announcements07:43 Game Freak Data Breach and Xbox News13:16 Supercell's Project Rise14:17 Destiny Rising Mobile Game20:54 Off the Grid: Blockchain Gaming29:54 Web3 Game Development Challenges30:37 Marketing and Investor Influence31:23 Player Reception and Crypto Integration36:16 Azra Games and Project Legends45:06 Scopely's Mega Deal Speculations56:40 Supercell's Marketing Shakeup

Javier Ferreira, Co-CEO of Scopely, shares insights on mobile gaming's evolution, boasting over $3 billion in revenue from Monopoly Go. He discusses key strategies for successful game development, emphasizing the importance of audience understanding and resilience. The impact of Scopely's $4.9 billion acquisition by Savvy is explored, alongside the essentials of collaboration and leadership in gaming. Ferreira also highlights the growing significance of community and user-generated content in shaping the future of gaming, marking a shift toward games as a service.