Deconstructor of Fun

Daniel Tchernahovsky, VP of Business Development at AppLovin, shares his journey in the mobile gaming landscape. He discusses the rapid growth of mobile gaming and the shift towards hybrid monetization strategies. Tchernahovsky emphasizes the crucial role of automation and AI in transforming user acquisition efforts. He also highlights the importance of aligning marketing and product teams to optimize user engagement, and how effective metrics can guide successful monetization. Finally, he addresses the evolving dynamics of the app market amidst recent industry challenges.

Happy Thanksgaming! This week, the Deconstructor of Fun crew kicks things off with a recap of the buzzing Slush event before diving into a deep analysis of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. From there, we tackle Ubisoft’s heated return-to-office controversy and explore Hasbro’s massive $150 million investment in gaming. The latter half of the episode delves into Royal Kingdom’s prolonged soft launch strategy and wrap up with a discussion on FIFA’s latest collaboration with Mythical Games. Can they rival EA FC? Tune in for insights, reflections, and a glimpse into what lies ahead in the evolving gaming landscape! 00:00 Happy Thanksgaming! 02:54 Slush Event Recap 08:26 Heroic Labs Updates 17:37 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Analysis 29:49 Ubisoft's Return to Office Controversy 36:54 Hasbro's $150 Million Investment in Gaming 41:03 Mattel vs. Hasbro: A Tale of Two Toy Giants 45:48 The Interconnectedness of Toys and Gaming 54:47 Game District's Acquisition of Gleam Games 55:49 AppCharge Raises $26 Million for Gaming Apps 56:36 Royal Kingdom's Market Strategy 01:10:47 Mythical Games' New Arcade Football Game 01:15:44 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Future Prospects

Leo Yao, General Manager of Timi Studio Group’s J3 studio, shares insights on the success of Call of Duty Mobile and the development of Delta Force. He reveals how a two-month demo stunned Activision and discusses COD Mobile's record-breaking live ops. Yao tackles the East vs. West FPS divide, highlighting the dominance of Crossfire in China. The conversation also delves into Delta Force’s pivot to PC, cross-platform gameplay, and innovative monetization strategies, offering a vibrant look at evolving gaming trends.

As World of Warcraft celebrates its 20th birthday, the discussion reveals the underlying issues behind EA's troubled AI presentation. There's a spirited defense of Monopoly GO's new TV campaign, highlighting creative marketing strategies. The success of Pokémon TCG Pocket takes center stage, showcasing its appeal in the gaming market. The podcast also explores the challenges of collectible card game monetization and the rising concerns about loot boxes, while reflecting on recent acquisitions and the evolving industry landscape.

Sezer Degirmenbasi, TikTok's Head of EMEA for mobile gaming, and John Wright from Kwalee share their expertise in LiveOps. They discuss the importance of Q5 for maximizing user engagement during the holiday season. Learn how TikTok's innovative LiveOps tools can extend game lifecycles and boost revenue. The conversation dives into creative marketing strategies, revitalizing older games, and the significance of culturalization in gaming. Key metrics for measuring success in LiveOps are also revealed, providing invaluable insights for developers.

Manish Gajria, Director of Product at Meta, and Ryan Davies, Head of Performance Marketing at Kwalee, delve into the current mobile gaming landscape. They discuss the significance of value optimization and the transformative role of AI in user acquisition. The conversation highlights the rise of hybrid casual games, the challenges of measurement, and successful marketing strategies within the industry. Listeners gain insights into the evolving approaches to game monetization and the impact of innovative advertising techniques.

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