Deconstructor of Fun

Amazon Game Studios laying off yet another wave, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 trying to resurrect momentum, Valve teasing a new Steam Machine while Xbox continues to lose ground, and Ubisoft wandering into yet another strategic fog. We also break down EA's latest moves, Valve's expanding China play, and why Eastern games keep outperforming Western studios on both quality and velocity.Plus: Zelda goes live action, cozy games quietly become a cultural force, and the console-vs-PC debate refuses to die. A full tour through the industry's biggest bets, biggest misses, and the shifting gravity that will define 2025.00:51 Episode Overview 04:43 Amazon Game Studios Layoffs06:11 Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Analysis22:39 Valve's New Steam Machine32:56 Xbox's Struggles and Market Position34:38 Valve's Strategy in China37:34 Ubisoft's Uncertain Future39:17 EA's Strategic Moves45:28 Zelda Live Action Adaptation46:32 Eastern Games' Success in the West56:45 The Rise of Cozy Games01:02:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What if your company stopped chasing quarterly goals and spent an entire month training every employee on AI? That's exactly what AppsFlyer did, and it completely transformed how they approach innovation.In this episode, AppsFlyer down with Barak Witkovsky, Chief Product Officer of AppsFlyer, to discuss one of the boldest AI transformation experiments I've ever heard of. For four weeks, they paused regular business objectives and put all 1,300 employees through an AI builder course. Not on top of their work. AS their work.What We Cover:1. Why AppsFlyer stopped chasing OKRs to invest in AI education across the entire company2. How AppsFlyer's CEO and CPO learn about AI from their own employees (including marketers who know more than developers at other companies)3. How AppsFlyer evolved from a measurement platform into a modern marketing cloud with autonomous AI agents4. How do you get marketers to trust AI when they're deploying tens of millions in ad spend?5. Why AppsFlyer is betting on an open AI ecosystem with MCP and Agent Hub6. Are marketers becoming obsolete or are they about to become "bosses of agents"?7. Why executives are bullish on AI while directors and managers feel anxious (and what to do about it)Timestamps:00:00 AI Integration at AppsFlyer04:15 The ROI of AI Investments05:14 Evolution to a Modern Marketing Cloud16:30 Challenges of Omnichannel Measurement22:26 AI Agents in Marketing27:01 Becoming an AI-First Company31:29 The Role of AppsFlyer in the AI Ecosystem44:38 The Ultimate Growth Machine Vision47:18 Final Thoughts

Monetization isn't a layer, it's the outcome of understanding player motivation. This episode covers segmentation, pricing, LTV curves, and early warning signs of monetization failure. A concise breakdown of how sustainable revenue systems are built.

Most retention problems come from mismatched expectations, not flawed features. This episode teaches how to align creatives with gameplay, diagnose early vs. late churn, and use personalization to keep players engaged. Short, sharp retention truths every team should hear.

CPI is only one signal. In this episode, we show how top studios test appeal in prototypes, validate value in soft launch, and scale with confidence. A fast, practical guide to reading market signals at every stage of development.

This episode breaks down the real foundation of successful game development: clean data, aligned teams, and fast decision loops. Learn why most studios collect too much data, how to build a shared truth, and how AI changes the analyst's role. Perfect for teams that want clarity, not more dashboards.

Epic vs Google stays stuck in limbo as the judge rejects the settlement, Duolingo's stock finally breaks its streak, and Square Enix joins the wave of Eastern publishers restructuring their way into a new identity. Royal Match's reported $200M ad spend shows just how hard you have to swing to own casual in 2025, while Chinese publishers quietly (and efficiently) conquer the entire merge genre with speed and scale Western studios can't match.Meanwhile, Arc Raiders is heating up—and so is the controversy around its AI-generated voice work. Welcome to the modern games industry: court battles, collapsing multiples, mega-spend user acquisition, genre takeovers, and existential AI debates, all happening at once. Buckle up.00:43 Epic vs Google Case Discussion13:50 Duolingo's Struggles and Gamification20:49 Square Enix Restructuring and Industry Trends30:43 Analyzing Sensor Tower's Report on Digital Ad Spend32:01 Royal Kingdom vs. Royal Match: A Deep Dive34:37 The Innovator's Dilemma in Mobile Gaming35:26 The Rise of New Puzzle Sub-Genres39:05 The Cost of Marketing Campaigns49:58 Arc Raiders: A New Success Story57:04 AI in Gaming: Controversies and Opinions01:01:09 Conclusion

Welcome to the debut episode of Shooter Monthly, the podcast that's never out of projectiles. Host Phillip Black (DICE) is joined by shooter Avengers, Christopher Anjos (EA, Timi, ATVI), Chris Sides (Bungie, Capital Games), and Feras Musmar (DICE, TTK Games) for a wide-ranging discussion on the current shooter landscape.We talk:Arena Breakout: Infinite's Surprising Launch – Tarkov-style hit from China that's quietly carving out a Western following. The crew debates whether free-to-play extraction shooters are the new normal or just a niche.Arc Raiders – Embark's long-awaited extraction-adventure hybrid surges past 100K concurrent players. Can a PvE-leaning world and “welcoming danger” finally broaden the genre's audience?Battlefield 6's comeback – Record launch numbers, smoother tech, and a revived franchise, yet old wounds around XP pacing, reward structures, and live-service execution remain.The premium vs. free-to-play fault line dividing East and West, why extraction shooter is a terrible genre name, and whether holding back “Season 1" content at launch is smart or cynical.The crew asks the big question: Can Battlefield finally dethrone Call of Duty - or is this just another flash of Swedish steel before the next reset?

Epic takes another swing at Google and wins, Unity cozies up with Epic in a surprising move, and Roblox continues to puzzle investors after a tough earnings call. We also dive into Arcadia Gaming Partners' growing influence, and why Supercell pulled the plug on Squad Busters.0:00 Welcome01:26 Updates, Announcements, and Shills07:06 Epic and Google Settlement Details18:11 Unity and Epic Collaboration22:22 Roblox Earnings and Market Performance27:01 Roblox's Recent Performance and Employee Shakeups31:41 Monetization Challenges and Regional Differences33:26 Future Prospects and Advertising Potential37:58 Arcadia Gaming Partners' Investments42:17 Supercell's Squad Busters Cancellation

Alex Siamantas of Holyday Studios reflected on eleven years of building a profitable idle-RPG studio as one of the island's few Greek founders

Julia Lebedeva of WN Media Group spoke about launching the first Women in Games Cyprus event

Alexey Morozov of Horns Up Games shifted the tone completely. His project, Lord of Metal, is a festival-management sim built with the Swedish band Sabaton, combining the logistics of live events with the chaos of rock culture. It's equal parts management game and love letter to heavy music.

GDCy founders Tim Fadeev and Andrey Ivashentsev shared the story of how a single pub meetup evolved into the region's largest developer festival. They credit the island's mix of sunlight, low taxes, and openness to business. Cyprus, they say, isn't just a haven for founders - it's starting to feel like Europe's next creative cluster.

Leonid Zhuravskyi, CEO of MysteryTag, said he's found Cyprus to have a rare sense of openness - competitors who still share notes over coffee or wine.

Andrey Feinberg (Kuznetsov), an independent advisor who's seen the investment side of the story. Despite tougher global conditions, he says Cyprus remains busy, with founders rebuilding after relocation and finding stability in a global business that rarely offers it.

Aleksandr Bogdanov, CEO of Studio 42, spoke about Cyprus as a new mixing pot, with veterans from Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia now calling Limassol home. He believes the island could rival Istanbul as the next tech powerhouse.

Scaling hybridcasual games is like solving a puzzle with moving pieces: CPI, retention, and platform dynamics constantly shift. Samantha Benjamin explains why profit-sharing doesn't guarantee profit, how the spray-and-pray era is over, and why scaling is now a perpetual process of adjustment and reinvestment.

Monetization in hybridcasual is a balancing act: ads for early players, IAP for the committed ones. Maayan Eshkol dives into player segmentation, the real role of a game economist, and why monetization has to be part of the design loop from day one.

Pim De Witte, founder of General Intuition and Medal.tv, turned down a deal reportedly worth $500 million from OpenAI, and instead raised $134 million to build an AI lab rooted in games, not words.In this conversation, Michail Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) dives deep into:1) How world models could replace game engines2) Why games are the best simulation layer for developing intelligence3) What “AI-native” really means for future studios4) And the paradox of ther AI bubble00:00The Decision to Walk Away from OpenAI02:24Building for the Games Industry05:24The Future of Game Development and AI08:06 Understanding World Models and Their Impact10:38 Talent Acquisition in AI and Gaming13:17 Strategic Risks of AI Integration16:11 The Role of AI in Game Design18:52 Navigating the Future of Game Engines26:31 The Future of Game Distribution and Economics30:06 Generative Systems in Game Design36:29 The Role of Game Designers in AI40:18 AI Integration in Game Studios52:02 AI's Impact on the Economy and Employment

We unpack Apple's $2B legal battle, Halo's surprise move to PlayStation, and EA's latest earnings reality check, alongside Amazon Game Studios' restructuring, AI's growing impact on gaming investments, and a one-year look back at Pokémon TCG Pocket. From corporate chaos to console crossovers, it's a packed week of insights, strategy, and sharp takes on the business of games.00:00 Welcome 03:09 Family Updates and Personal Stories04:22 Deconstructor of Fun Roundtable Events08:16 Apple's $2 Billion Legal Trouble12:03 EA's Earnings Report and Industry Insights14:17 Halo's PlayStation Debut and Console Wars34:24 Amazon Game Studios Restructuring37:41 Challenges and Missteps in Game Selection41:53 AI and the Future of Gaming Investments49:16 Battlefield 6: Competing with Call of Duty01:01:58 Pokemon TCG Pocket: A Year in Review

Great creatives don't guarantee great traffic. Karen Levy unpacks how to scale UA with structured testing, controlled volume, and ruthless iteration. We explore the rise of AI-driven pipelines, why UGC-style ads dominate TikTok and Reels, and why authenticity outperforms glossy fakes.

What makes a hybridcasual hit? Guy Agiv explains how to design a core loop that hooks instantly but also unfolds depth over time. We cover the milestones from prototype to scale, how publishers and developers shift roles across the journey, and why “simplicity beats complexity” when it comes to retention.

Hybridcasual isn't just “hypercasual with IAP.” Igor Beraslavski (GM at Supersonic) breaks down how publishing has evolved from testing prototypes to becoming a full-stack partner in design, monetization, and live ops. We discuss what publishers look for, how to spot market trends before the herd, and why most me-too products never scale.

Ben Feder has done it all: CEO of Take-Two Interactive during the GTA and Red Dead years, President of Tencent's International Partnerships, and board member at Epic Games and Bad Robot. Now he's turned investor, running Tirta Ventures, a fund at the intersection of AI and gaming.In this conversation, Ben and Michail Katkoff explore what makes a great founder, why “operational VC” is a myth, and where the next billion-dollar gaming companies will come from. They discuss how AI is reshaping creativity, why talent is shifting away from the West, and what the next Walt Disney of interactive entertainment might look like.

Jen Donahoe makes her triumphant return. She's joined by Eric Kress and special guest Stan Kwon from BetaHat.We dig into:Battlefield 6 corrections, marketing takeawaysAndroid's new payment-link era Unity's cross-platform paymentswhat General Intuition's $134 M seed means for spatial reasoning and game dataRovio's restructuring Football Manager deal with FIFA00:00 Welcome03:12 Jen's Update09:17 Industry Insights and Trends14:56 Battlefield Six Analysis23:05 Marketing Strategies and Success26:12 Marketing Choices and Target Audience27:13 Epic vs Google: Legal Battle Update36:42 Unity's New Commerce Management Product41:53 AI and Gaming: General Intuition's Ambitious Plans49:16 Rovio's Restructuring and Industry Trends52:40 Football Manager's Success and Future Plans

Mishka Katkoff is joined by Daniel Ahmad (Director of Research & Insights, Niko Partners) and Lisa Hanson (CEO & Founder, Niko Partners) for a deep dive into the latest trends and insights from the Asian, MENA, and Indian gaming markets. We cover regulatory changes in China, the rise of India as a gaming powerhouse, the evolving MENA landscape, and much more. If you want to stay ahead in the global games industry, this episode is packed with actionable intelligence!01:30 China's Gaming Market: Policy Shifts & Opportunities09:00 Entering the Chinese Market: Risks & Strategies23:39 India's Gaming Market: Growth & Monetization25:36 Western Success in India & Market Insights41:33 MENA Region: Female Gamers & Genre Trends42:50 GTA V & Mature Content in MENA44:15 Southeast Asia: Monetization & Generative AI1:10:02 Closing Thoughts

Supercell's CEO releases a rare open letter calling for more industry collaboration, while Ubisoft's nepotism controversy reignites debates around leadership culture. Netflix Games kicks off its Battle for the Living Room with a push into Smart TV party games, and early buzz around PlayStation 6 points to an AI-driven leap in graphics and efficiency. Meanwhile, Battlefield's launch performance goes head-to-head with Call of Duty once again, and Disney enters the overcrowded match-3 market with Magic Match. All that and more, as we unpack the business behind the biggest moves in games this week.00:00 - Intro & Guest Welcome07:17 - China's Gaming Policy Shifts & Market Access22:00 - Sponsor: Sensor Tower23:55 - China's Game Development & Publishing Landscape38:35 - India's Gaming Market: Growth & Monetization55:00 - Sponsor: AppCharge55:45 - India: Western Success Stories & Localization1:12:20 - MENA Region: Female Gamers & Genre Trends1:28:10 - Sponsor: AppsFlyer1:28:45 - MENA: Cultural Sensitivities & Mature Content1:47:30 - Southeast Asia: Monetization & Payment Trends2:05:00 - Southeast Asia: Generative AI in Gaming2:15:00 - Final Thoughts & How to Access Asian/MENA Markets2:20:00 - Outro & Community Call-to-Action

This week in games: Ilke's open letter to the EU stirs the industry pot, AppLovin faces an SEC probe, and Epic drops its new Web Shops like it's 2012 all over again. Ubisoft's management drama continues, Istanbul's gaming boom is no joke, and we wrap with a spicy take on the new wave of AI business slop.00:00 Welcome01:00 Intro & Shills07:58 Ilke's Open Letter on EU Regulations21:38 AppLovin Under Fire: SEC Probe and Stock Volatility29:19 Epic Games' Web Shops Launch36:50 Ubisoft's Management and Future41:47 Istanbul's Gaming Industry Boom51:32 AI Business Slop01:01:00 EOS

A one-person poker roguelike sold seven million copies and outperformed studios with hundred-million-dollar budgets. In this episode, Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott joins Michail Katkoff to break down how they discovered Balatro, what makes a modern indie publisher truly valuable, and why the next wave of hits will come from focus—not funding.02:07 Understanding Bellatro's Success: Metrics and Engagement04:50 The Indie Developer vs. Publisher Dynamic08:11 Finding the Right Fit: Indie Publishers and Developers17:20 Standing Out in a Crowded Market: Indie Publishing Strategies23:22 AI in Game Development: Opportunities and Challenges33:26 Post-Launch Support: Keeping Games Alive38:15 Creative Game Integrations and Developer Relationships41:05 Royalty Structures and Developer Support47:09 Negotiating Publisher Agreements and Revenue Shares50:41 Funding Models and Developer Financial Security56:27 Budgeting for Indie Games and Financial Viability

A new guest host, Josh Chandley, is stepping into the arena as we dig into Microsoft's latest controversial moves and what they signal for the company's long-term gaming strategy. Then, we unpack the historic $55B acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia, the largest leveraged buyout in gaming history. What does this mean for EA, for the industry, and for the shrinking pool of public gaming companies? Finally, we explore AppLovin's surprising push into e-commerce, and why it might be more disruptive than you think.Timestamps00:52 Guest Star Host: Josh Chandley06:23 Microsoft's Controversial Moves13:35 The EA Acquisition: A Historic Deal17:31 Industry Reactions and Analysis29:12 Saudi Arabia's Gaming Ambitions31:39 Financial Concerns and Debt Management40:16 AppLovin's E-commerce Expansion50:58 Unity's Challenges and Opportunities

No Jen this week — just the boys. Phil loses it on Supercell and Google Play, we wade into the “brain rot” panic, and Simon Hay somehow still gets a shoutout. From Newzoo's latest report to Supercell's IPO pipe dreams, Discord going offline, Xbox hiking prices, and Epic trying to AI their way out of irrelevance…Chapters00:00 Introduction00:27 Jen's Neuralink Update00:41 Phil's Rant on Supercell and Google Play01:48 Brain Rot Controversy03:59 Shoutout to Simon Hay and Space Ape04:52 New Zoo Gaming Market Report05:22 Upcoming Events and Conferences09:07 Supercell's Struggles and IPO Speculations18:52 Discord's Decline and Google Play's New Features27:15 Xbox Game Pass and Price Hikes29:35 Microsoft's Struggles and FTC Concerns31:15 Epic Games' Monetization Shift35:52 Epic's New Announcements and AI Integration38:54 European Lottery Giant Acquires Prize Picks45:55 Lingo Kids' Funding and Strategy50:51 Take-Two's Puzzle Game Success54:28 Borderlands 4 Release and Performance Issues

Mobile gaming is slowing down, and the question isn't if, but who still wins.www.newzoo.com/resources/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2025In this conversation, Michail Katkoff and Emmanuel Rosier from Newzoo break down Newzoo's latest forecast, projecting the industry to hit $103B in 2025 with growth slipping below 3%. The duo explores what this slowdown means for developers, platforms, payment intermediaries, and a new wave of tech financing companies that are quietly reshaping the ecosystem.Chapters00:00 The State of Gaming in 202505:26 Player Demographics and Engagement Trends10:22 Regional Growth and Market Dynamics15:14 Revenue Distribution and Market Focus22:18 Mobile Gaming Challenges and Opportunities27:11 Genre Evolution and Player Preferences38:23 The Shift from Console Wars to Nostalgia42:06 The Balance of Remakes and Creativity45:31 Understanding Remakes vs. Remasters48:35 The Mobile Gaming Landscape53:37 Roblox's Rise and Its Impact58:34 The Future of Gaming Platforms and Trends01:08:58 Outro.mp4

The TWIG crew dives into Unity's latest missteps and what they signal for the future of game development, breaks down Discord's push toward a blockbuster IPO, and unpacks how Nintendo's big announcements could reshape the company's next chapter. We also examine TikTok's potential U.S. acquisition, Apple's quiet but bold moves to redefine its gaming app strategy, the explosive rise of AI-driven apps, and go behind the scenes of Diablo Immortal's development, while debating what Supercell must do to navigate a turbulent year ahead.Chapters01:21 Community Engagement & Updates02:38 Game Economist Podcast Highlights07:01 Unity's Strategic Missteps11:23 Diablo Immortal Dev Insights16:04 Apple's Gaming App Strategy28:18 TikTok's US Acquisition Talks30:59 The Rise of AI-Driven Apps33:31 Discord's Upcoming IPO42:57 Nintendo's Big Announcements54:24 Supercell's Struggles & Future

What really happens when brands collide with games? Mishka Katkoff sits down with Bastian Bergmann, COO of Solsten, to break down why gaming is the most transformative medium of our time, how consumer psychology shapes player engagement, and why authenticity in games runs circles around social media. 00:20 The Power of Reading and Writing01:12 Video Games as a Medium for Transformation02:57 Parenting and Gaming: Finding Balance08:25 Understanding Consumer Psychology13:39 The Importance of Human Connection in Marketing19:50 Gaming and Emotional Engagement23:09 Games Driving Social Change28:37 The Business Impact of Gaming on Brands30:42 Navigating Risks in Gaming Investments32:56 Starting Small: Testing the Waters in Gaming36:08 Key Performance Indicators for Gaming Initiatives39:26 Authenticity in Gaming vs. Social Media43:49 Integrating Brands into Games: Challenges and Opportunities45:47 Myth Busting: Data, Creativity, and Gaming Audiences

From Roblox's RDC bombshells to Destiny Rising's flop, this week's DoF crew breaks down the biggest shifts in gaming. We get into NetEase's bets, China's growing power, and why analytics from Newzoo's 2025 report matter more than ever. Plus: Blizzard's messy leadership shakeups, Roblox's new monetization tricks, Xbox's subscription struggles, and the hype around Hollow Knight: Silksong. Oh, and yes, Jen's got a big personal update too.

Jen Donahoe is joined by Joe Ferencz (GameFam) and Stephen Dypiangco (Max Power Gaming) to break down the biggest takeaways from Roblox Developer Conference (RDC) 2025. The crew digs into Roblox's massive milestone of 112M DAUs, the 8.5% bump in the developer exchange rate to lure in more professional talent, and the new “ad flywheel” that streamlines campaigns while adding rewarded video into the mix. They also tackle the tricky business of bringing IP into Roblox, how AI is supercharging UGC, and why the company is doubling down on safety with 100+ new tools and policies. 00:18 Roblox's Growth and Platform Dominance00:51 Overview of RDC 202504:39 RDC Vibes and Attendee Insights09:48 Roblox's Monetization and Developer Payouts18:21 Advertising and Rewarded Video Innovations26:29 Brand Integrations and Campaigns on Roblox28:34 Integration vs Standalone Brand Experience30:46 Rewarded Video and Its Benefits32:22 Challenges with Brand Hubs on Roblox36:26 New IP Platform and Licensing42:53 AI Tools for Developers and Players46:11 Roblox Moments: TikTok Meets Roblox50:38 Safety Measures and Brand Concerns53:31 Roblox's Growing Influence

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Pranav Singhvi (General Catalyst, Customer Value Fund) and Joe Wadakethalakal (PVX Partners) to unpack the rise of UA financing, a new capital instrument that lets gaming and app companies scale user acquisition without giving up massive chunks of equity.We break down:1. Why traditional VC or debt financing is often a poor fit for customer acquisition.2. The origins of UA financing and why treating cohorts as “assets” changes the game.3. The differences between PVX Partners' gaming-first model and General Catalyst's broader CVF.4. Success stories like Superplay's $2B exit, powered by UA financing.5. How founders should think about timing, risk, and capital allocation.6. Why CAC is the new CAPEX, and how EBITCAC could replace EBITDA as the real profitability metric for gaming and app businesses.00:00 – Guest Intros (Pranav Singhvi & Joe Wadakethalakal)01:00 – What is UA Financing05:30 – PVX Partners vs. Customer Value Fund15:00 – Equity vs. UA Financing: Which Capital Fits Which Stage?19:15 – Founders as Capital Allocators: Balancing Risk, Growth & Dilution22:30 – What Returns Look Like in UA Financing (Real Economics)24:30 – Scaling Beyond Balance Sheet Limits28:00 – When Is the Right Time to Use UA Financing? 32:00 – LTV Curves, Incremental ROAS & Product Readiness35:30 – Case Study: How Superplay Used UA Financing to Reach a $2B Exit38:50 – PVX Success Stories 41:40 – Managing Risk: Oversight & Skin in the Game48:00 – What Counts as CAC? Influencers, Celebs, and Brand Marketing49:40 – The Future of UA Financing & Cohorts as a New Asset Class52:40 – CAC is the New CAPEX: Rethinking EBITDA as EBITCAC57:30 – Why Tech Companies Look Unprofitable but Aren't59:00 – Advice for Founders Considering UA Financing01:04:00 – Capturing Market Share Before Competitors Catch Up01:07:00 – Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

This week, we cover Google's latest courtroom headaches, the evolution of KPIs in gaming analytics, and the incoming Call of Duty live-action movie. We unpack Rec Room's layoffs, compare Roblox vs Rec Room head-to-head, and dig into Microsoft's IP bets from Perfect Dark to Halo. Plus, we debate Star Wars: The Old Republic, break down Roblox's latest monetization trends, and ask what the rise of real-money gaming in India means for the global market.00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter02:38 Upcoming Gaming News Highlights03:35 Cress's Personal Update05:39 Phil's Podcast Review07:16 Debate on Star Wars: The Old Republic10:32 Google's Legal News and Impact12:58 New KPIs in Gaming Analytics20:19 Call of Duty Live Action Movie Discussion29:15 Google Play's New Public Profiles31:15 Rec Room Layoffs and Analysis34:05 Capital Deployment and Venture Capital Concerns34:47 Roblox vs. Rec Room: A Comparison38:12 Perfect Dark and Microsoft's IP Strategy39:11 Halo and Hell Divers Collaboration44:29 Destiny Rising and the Mobile Shooter Market55:26 Roblox's Monetization and UGC Trends01:03:57 Real Money Gaming in India01:07:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Phillip Black and Michail Katkoff break down why they left the Nordics, trading modesty-maxxing for Mediterranean chaos and a bit more sun. The two dive into the quiet conservatism baked into Scandinavian life, the erosion of hunger that comes with too much comfort, and the calculus behind moving to Cyprus and Greece. 00:00 The Conservative Psyop of Scandinavia04:31 Cultural Reflections and Personal Experiences in Sweden09:07 Transitioning to Cyprus: Opportunities and Challenges13:37 Understanding the Swedish Welfare State18:03 Career Reflections and the Consulting Path24:30 Navigating the Gaming Industry's Landscape26:54 The Challenges of Client Management29:51 Decisiveness in Consulting32:41 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Consulting34:36 Building a Sustainable Deal Flow37:26 Establishing Expertise vs. Personality41:39 Life Choices and Career Reflections42:34 Balancing Work and Personal Life46:13 Relocation and Family Decisions48:58 Cultural Differences and Education Challenges55:28 Economic Growth and Finland's Future61:04 Reflections and Future Aspirations

TWIG crew dives into Gamescom chaos, funding trends, and post-Ibiza IV drips. From Supercell's leadership addition, to IP-powered collabs (Raid x TMNT) and the EU's regulatory squeeze on F2P, this episode cuts through the noise with sharp insights, hard takes, and a few too-real laughs.02:07 Gamescom Highlights and Industry News02:50 PlayStation Portal and American Football06:45 DOF Talent Network and Scopely Controversy10:39 EU Regulation Impact on Free-to-Play Games14:43 Gamescom Vibes and Funding Trends27:33 Raid: Shadow Legends x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles31:51 The Risks and Rewards of Using IPs36:09 King's Internal Struggles and Solutions39:51 Severance Packages and Labor Laws45:15 Supercell's New Leadership and Strategy49:12 Innovative Game Concepts and Licensing55:48 Twitch's Crackdown on View Botting56:32 Debate on Game Innovation and Industry Growth

This one's for the shooter heads. Host Phil Black (ex-DICE) is joined by Chris Sides (ex-Bungie) and longtime strategist Chris Anjos (ex-Activision) to dig into the decade-long arms race between Battlefield and Call of Duty. The muzzles are off.Chapters:02:01 Meet the Experts03:54 Historical Context: Battlefield and Call of Duty Sales13:04 Battlefield's Comeback: Beta Impressions16:06 Gameplay Mechanics: Evolution and Innovations32:21 Progression Systems: Challenges and Solutions43:31 Core Gameplay and Player Feedback44:55 Product Management in Gaming52:25 UGC and Portal in Battlefield01:02:04 Mobile Gaming and Its Impact01:08:09 The Future of FPS Games01:16:41 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

We dive into Duolingo's ruthless gamification, how BeReal is evolving beyond its viral gimmick, why Tinder is betting big on live events, the surprising social features inside DraftKings, and the stickiness of Crypto.com's engagement loops. Each case study is a window into how apps are blurring the line between entertainment, habit, and monetization.Guest: Kalle Heikkinen, Lead Analyst at App Refinerywww.linkedin.com/in/kalleheikkinen/Chapters:[00:00] App Refinery [05:30] Duolingo's Gamification [12:15] BeReal's Evolution [20:45] Tinder's Live Events [28:00] DraftKings' Social Features [35:20] Crypto.com's Engagement Mechanics [42:50] Conclusion and Insights

This week on TWIG, the crew covers everything from corn in Minecraft to streak psychology in the New York Times' latest game, Pips. We kick things off with Gamescom highlights, fresh updates from Ethan and Laura. From there, we dig into why streaks are such a powerful mechanic. We also debate Supercell's unexpected Clash Royale comeback, before wrapping with a look at what Nintendo has in store with the Switch 2.00:00 Introduction and Opening Banter03:06 Episode Summary and Upcoming Topics03:47 Ethan and Laura's Updates04:33 Minecraft Corn Update09:16 Lego Digital Play Interview15:55 Gamescom Highlights32:19 New York Times' Pips Game34:08 The Psychology of Streaks in Games53:36 Supercell's Clash Royale Resurgence01:00:09 Nintendo Switch 2 and Upcoming Releases

Why is LEGO doubling down on digital? In his first-ever interview as the founding president of LEGO Digital Play, industry veteran Aaron Loeb (Electronic Arts, FoxNext, Kabam) reveals the bold vision behind LEGO's new division.From “forever games” like Roblox and Minecraft to building trust with kids and families, Aaron breaks down why now is the right time for LEGO to level up in gaming — and how his journey from Broadway to the boardroom shaped the company's next chapter.02:00 Meet Aaron Loeb: A Journey Through the Game Industry03:28 The Birth of Lego Digital Play + Lego's Organizational Structure08:20 Aaron's Path to Lego Digital Play15:21 Target Audience: From Kids to Adults19:30 Long-Term Challenges in the Gaming Industry27:39 The Future of Digital Play and Innovation32:55 The Challenge of Building the Right Team36:00 Assembling a Diverse and Talented Team38:03 Lego's Unique Onboarding Experience41:03 The Emotional Connection of the Lego Brand44:05 The Importance of Trust in Gaming48:51 Choosing London as the Headquarters51:11 Balancing Remote and In-Office Work53:55 Upcoming Industry Conferences and Events56:43 Reflecting on Past Projects and Lessons Learned

We kick things off with “midlife Kress-ises” before diving into the headlines you can't ignore: Tencent's latest controversy, AppLovin's monster quarter, and Blizzard's leadership shuffle.From Storm Gate's rough launch runway to the brutal math of market fit, we unpack why good games still fail. We break down Duolingo's surprise move into music games, and why Playtika's doubling down on direct-to-consumer could be the smartest—or riskiest—bet they've made yet.Then it's guns out for Battlefield's comeback, a hard look at Moon Active's new portfolio plays. As always, plenty of spicy takes, questionable analogies, and insights you won't find anywhere else.00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions01:34 Upcoming Game Releases and Industry Updates02:58 Midlife Kress-is06:05 Event Announcements + DOF Talent Acquisition08:19 Data Analysis and Market Trends09:22 Tencent's Game Controversy17:16 AppLovin's Impressive Growth21:12 Blizzard's Leadership Changes25:19 Storm Gate's Launch Challenges27:19 Financial Engineering and Tim's Struggles28:28 Market Fit and Game Quality Issues33:32 Duolingo's Acquisition of Beat Star36:50 Playtika's Direct-to-Consumer Strategy43:20 Battlefield's Comeback and Market Impact54:58 Moon Active's New Games and Portfolio

Full-time execs are out, and fractional leaders are in? In today's episode, we break down the growing trend of founders building companies like modular tech stacks, swapping in CMOs, Product leads, and other execs *only* when they're needed.But here's the catch: done right, fractional hires can supercharge growth. Done wrong, they can kill momentum before you even hit scale. I'm joined by executive headhunter Miklos Blasko to unpack when fractional actually works, when it backfires, and the hiring mistakes even experienced founders make.00:00 The Rise of Fractional Work in Gaming and Apps04:31 Understanding Fractional Work vs. Freelancing08:56 The Popularity of Fractional Roles13:51 Company Perspectives on Fractional Hiring19:28 Talent Perspectives on Fractional Work26:22 When Fractional Work Doesn't Work38:19 Key Considerations for Hiring Fractional Talent41:41 Wartime Leadership vs. Peacetime Leadership45:17 Ruthless Execution and Stakeholder Management47:58 Incentive Structures for Fractional Roles51:54 Charging Models and Engagement Structures57:44 Common Mistakes in Fractional Roles65:51 Advice for Founders and Fractional Executives

This week, the TWIG crew goes full galaxy brain. We kick things off with the real effects of celebrity cringe marketing. Then it's onto the real news: Probably Monsters' search for $220M ROI, Match Villains' monster raise, Lilith's search for growth, and Roblox's unstoppable growth. 00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions02:46 Episode Overview and Key Topics03:32 Celebrity Gaming League and Brand Marketing04:56 Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle Partnership05:54 Review Bombing and Gamer Activism08:00 Gamescom Event Announcements09:15 Medica and Multi-Arm Bandit Experimentation13:11 FIFA Online and Free-to-Play Discussion16:39 Probably Monsters and AAA Development21:51 Epic vs Google Lawsuit Update26:55 Atari Acquires Thunderful Group30:42 Good Job Games Raises $60 Million31:58 Analyzing Revenue Per Download32:32 Hypothesis on Grand Games' Rapid Fundraising34:05 Match Villains' Market Performance34:28 VC Funding vs. Non-Dilutive Funding36:36 Investment Trends in Turkey's Gaming Market37:42 Challenges in Scaling Puzzle Games41:47 Farlight 84: A Relaunch Story45:37 Lilith Games' Portfolio Performance49:33 DC Worlds Collide and the Squad RPG Market54:02 Roblox's Monetization and Engagement Strategies

In this episode, we unpack how today's biggest mobile publishers are ditching segmentation in favor of experimentation at scale, what Apple's privacy-first approach means to running LTV-focused live ops, and why personalization is no longer a “nice to have” but a competitive weapon.Who better to answer the questions than the founding team of Metica, Phil Mohr, Puli Liyanagama, and Justin Stolzenberg?These aren't your average startup bros. We're talking about the same crew that built Comify (acquired by King), then DataTiger (acquired by Apple), and now they're back with a third act: Metica, a machine learning-powered platform tackling LiveOps personalization, blended ROAS optimization, and bid floor automation.Check out the STATE OF CREATIVES: https://tinyurl.com/393d9rum03:27 The Evolution of Data Analytics in Gaming 11:00 Metica and Its Purpose15:24 The Growth Loop24:44 Personalization at Scale: The Future of Gaming 33:21 Practical Applications in Game Development 43:08 Timing and Strategy 44:53 Future Roadmap

Hola! Greetings from Spain. Mishka here, tanned, confused by dinner hours, and tragically absent from today's pod. But fear not, Eric questions the rise of private equity in games and reports back from an anime convention while giving Andrew Wilson a new mobile crown. Phil wants a recount on a couple of Scopley acquisitions, while Jen channels Kate Hudson into top-of-funnel awareness. Gundam demands attention while the crew debates scaling the Drive to Survive treatment of One Piece.00:00 Introduction and Host Banter02:06 Today's Agenda and Topics Overview02:50 Nintendo Direct and Market Trends05:29 Unity's Challenges and UA Discussion08:22 Gamescom Parties and Community Engagement09:20 Economic Theories and Gaming Experiments17:32 Convoy Report and Market Analysis26:29 Sony's Strategic Moves and IP Partnerships30:12 Anime's Mainstream Status in America37:16 Crafton's Acquisition of 11th Hour Games39:13 Scopely's Portfolio Performance48:32 EA's Quarterly Earnings and Mobile Strategy56:23 Sony vs. Tencent: The Horizon Knockoff Controversy01:03:30 Ruckus Team's New Game: The Holdouts

In this Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Mishka Katkoff sits down with three of the sharpest minds in growth: Josh Chandley (Wildcard Games), Warren Woodward (Uptick), and Paul Bowen (StreamElements) to dissect the state of user acquisition in 2025.STATE OF CREATIVES Report: https://tinyurl.com/393d9rumChapters: 02:00 Is UA Dead or Just Evolved?07:00 The Real Impact of IDFA Deprecation13:00 Time Spent vs Installs: The New Market Reality18:00 AppLovin: Apex Predator of Ad Tech27:00 Attribution Fraud and Click Link Hijacking34:00 Why AppLovin Keeps Winning39:00 Can Unity's Vector Compete?48:00 Unity's Strategy, PR Games & Technical Hurdles57:00 Building a Modern Growth Org01:06:00 Creative Production as the Last Lever01:13:00 Fake Ads, Clickbait, and Mad Men01:19:00 Closing Advice for Growth Teams in 2025

Miska's usual jetset life hits a snag when he misses Kress' Subnotica correction. Adam calls in from his cottage to lay down the law on Merge history, while Phil gushes over $500m in capital deployment. Eric details Ubisoft's reality TV show attempt at Succession, and Jen delivers the 411 on Apple's hypercasual attempt. The group pours one out for a very special Candy Crush anniversary.01:58 Gaming News Highlights02:42 Personal Updates05:33 Remembering the Mario Lopez Candy Crush Show07:52 Subnautica and Crafton Legal Drama10:37 App Charge Sponsorship and Insights14:40 Ubisoft Earnings and Family Drama22:44 Battlefield 6 Trailer and Expectations24:57 Call of Duty's Tech Debt and Battlefield's Response26:24 Battlefield 6 Release Date and Editions Leak28:31 Challenges and Risks for Battlefield 638:03 Supervi's Full Launch and Market Challenges40:05 Splitgate 2's Struggles and Relaunch43:09 Wild Gate's Launch and Marketing Issues46:58 Apple's Emoji-Based Puzzle Game49:39 Conclusion and Sign-Off