Episoder
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Mishka Katkoff sits down with Uri Marchand, CEO of Overwolf, to break down how user-generated content (UGC) is quietly reshaping the gaming industry. They dive into Overwolf’s mission to turn in-game creation into a viable profession, and why modding — once a hobby for the few — is now a legitimate career path for thousands.
This isn’t just about mods anymore — it’s about the future of gaming economies.
00:00Introduction to Overwolf and UGC0
4:05 The Evolution of Modding in Gaming
06:56 Industry Trends: Embracing UGC
10:05 Challenges and Opportunities in Modding
13:17 The Role of Platforms like Roblox and Fortnite
16:32 Balancing Creator Support and Developer Benefits
19:37 Sustainability of the Modding Economy
22:23 Revenue Share Models in the Creator Economy
25:34 The Impact of AI on Modding
29:14 The Power of AI in Game Development
30:15 Democratizing Game Creation
31:01 Challenges in Scaling Overwolf
33:51 Overcoming Investment Hurdles
37:41 The Future of Overwolf and Gaming
43:24 Innovations in User-Generated Content
45:39 Changing Mindsets on Premium Mods
48:17 Disruption in the Gaming Industry
52:09 Lessons Learned from Overwolf's Journey
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The crew unpacks a week of spicy news and strategic contradictions, starting with Supercell’s latest investments and how VC incentives often clash with long-term game building. We weigh in on GamesBeat’s move to independence, the ongoing esports funding debate, and whether Netflix’s Rebel Moon game is a flex or a fumble.
Valorant Mobile’s China launch signals Riot’s next big move, while Tencent continues to dominate with titles like Gunfight King.
The team dives into Disney’s Solitaire push, Habby's intriguing new soft launch, and the return of Royal Kingdom’s celebrity-fueled ad campaign—capped off by a heated debate: do TV ads still move the needle for mobile games, or are we watching legacy marketing die in real time?
01:56 Industry News Highlights
02:47 Supercell Investments Analysis
05:35 VC Contradictions and Incentives
17:43 GamesBeat Independence
20:17 Esports Investment
22:31 Oblivion
24:15 Netflix's Rebel Moon Game
31:00 Valorant Mobile Launch in China
32:36 Gunfight King and Tencent's Gaming Dominance
33:19 Disney Solitaire
40:00 Habby's New Game in Soft Launch
46:33 Royal Kingdom's Celebrity Ad Campaign
48:44 Debating the Effectiveness of TV Ads for Mobile Games
01:06:53 Concluding Thoughts on Marketing Strategies
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Lightspeed’s Moritz Baier-Lentz joins us for a no-holds-barred conversation on venture capital, gaming, and the inner workings of multi-billion-dollar venture funds. No fluff—just real talk about fund math, spotting exceptional founders, the future of AI in gaming, and why most investments won’t work out (and why that’s okay).
00:00 from pro-gamer in Diablo II to Goldman Sachs to Lightspeed VC
10:00 The Lightspeed model
18:00 How Moritz spots truly exceptional founders (hint: not a checklist)
24:00 Fund math 101
30:00 Studio investing vs. tech investing in games
36:00 How consolidation is reshaping gaming M&A (and why it’s a big deal)
43:00 Speedrun, a16z’s gaming accelerator: innovation or red flag?
51:00 Debunking big VC myths
58:00 The future of gaming: AI, generative content, and creating the next Roblox
1:05:00 How Lightspeed wins competitive deals—and what founders should ask VCs
1:12:00 Is raising VC money harder now? Yes. But here’s why it’s still a golden era.
1:20:00 Final thoughts: investing at the edge of what’s possible
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Kress is fresh back from Turkiye, sharing on-the-ground insights before diving headfirst into the week’s big beats.
We break down Epic Games Store’s revenue, debate the Minecraft movie’s potential for franchise dominance, and unpack the latest M&A and investment trends shaping gaming’s future. Inflation’s creeping impact on game pricing gets a hard look, while the crew wrestles with the evolving MTX and revenue models.
Things heat up with Marvel Rivals throwing punches at Overwatch, a sharp take on Western vs. Eastern LiveOps strategies, and a no-holds-barred discussion about Bungie’s Marathon pivot into extraction shooters. To wrap, a quick (and slightly roasted) look at Kingdom’s celebrity-packed ad campaign.
00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
03:09 Chris' Insights from Turkey
07:02 Epic Games Store Revenue Discussion
13:30 Minecraft Movie and Franchise Management
21:07 M&A and Investment Trends in Gaming
29:47 Game Pricing and Inflation
30:31 MTX and Revenue Models
32:59 Marvel Rivals vs. Overwatch
37:33 Western vs. Eastern LiveOps
44:24 Marathon: The Extraction Shooter
58:13 Kingdom's Celebrity Ad Campaign
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In this episode of Deconstructor of Fun, Jen Donahoe is by Charles Hambro, CEO and Co-Founder of GEEIQ, and Matt Edelman, President and CEO of Super League, to dive deep into the evolving world of brand activations and UGC (user-generated content) in gaming.
We explore how brands navigate virtual worlds, the ROI of successful campaigns, and why gaming audiences are more valuable than ever. The conversation spans the rise of playable ads, IAB standards, and the growing distinction between branded content and traditional ads.
Charles and Matt also share their insights on the future of campaign-based activations and why entertainment brands are doubling down on gaming.
00:00 Introduction to Brand and UGC Activations
04:57 UGC and Virtual Worlds
07:44 Brand Activations
15:47 ROI and Success Stories
21:02 Challenges and Future of UGC Platforms
27:12 The Power of Gaming Audiences
27:45 Mobile Advertising
29:00 Playable Ads
29:42 IAB and Playable Ad Standards
31:34 Engaging Audiences with Playable Ads
35:49 Branded Content vs. Traditional Ads
36:41 The Future of Branded Content in Gaming
42:40 The Importance of Campaign-Based Activations
44:47 Entertainment Brands in Gaming
46:59 Concluding Thoughts and Future Trends
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In this week’s episode of This Week in Games, we’re joined by special guest Chris Sides for a jam-packed conversation covering everything from transmedia storytelling to the latest moves in the gaming industry.
We dive into the surprising momentum behind the Minecraft movie, explore Gen Z trends and market predictions, and unpack Netflix’s bold push into interactive fiction. Plus, we break down A16Z’s new Speed Run initiative, take a close look at Supercell’s evolving investment strategy, and compare War Robots to the newly launched Steel Hunters.
00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions
01:58 Special Guest Chris and His Background
02:49 Transmedia and Pop Culture Discussion
03:48 Industry Updates and News
07:03 Podcast Highlights and Recent Episodes
09:21 Minecraft Movie Success
16:54 Gen Z and Market Predictions
20:48 Netflix's Interactive Fiction Strategy
28:44 Speed Run Initiative by A16Z
30:22 Supercell's Investment Strategy
31:19 Supercell's Investment Philosophy
32:54 Supercell's Investment History and Performance
43:14 Blueprints: The Best Rated Game of 2025
49:21 RE's Latest Deck Recap
53:36 Steel Hunters: Early Access and Unreal Engine
01:03:02 War Robots vs. Steel Hunters01:05:02 Conclusion and Farewell
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In this episode, Deconstructor of Fun’s Michail Katkoff sits down with Tobias Knoke — long-time Googler, gaming industry expert, and Gen Z whisperer — to unpack what game developers need to know right now about the fastest-growing and most misunderstood audience in gaming.
👉 Learn why Gen Z is about to become the biggest spending group on mobile
👉 Why they’re less loyal to individual games, and how to win them back
👉 How to build creator strategies that actually work
👉 What Gen Z hates about ads — and what they love
👉 How AI is quietly reshaping game development (and why Gen Z doesn’t care)
🧠 Read more at:
www.deconstructoroffun.com
00:00 The State of Gaming Post-Pandemic
03:51 Understanding Gen Z's Gaming Behavior
06:53 Strategies for Engaging Gen Z
10:05 The Role of Creators in Gaming Marketing
12:52 Building Effective Creator Strategies
15:43 The Impact of Social Connections on Gaming
18:43 Achieving Escape Velocity in Game Launches
33:38 Navigating Competition in Mobile Gaming
36:52 Understanding Gen Z's Unique Gaming Preferences
41:23 Ad Monetization Strategies for Gen Z
46:53 High Expectations and LiveOps for Gen Z
49:37 The Role of AI in Game Development
Gen Z, gaming strategies, mobile gaming, creator marketing, ad monetization, LiveOps, AI in gaming, audience engagement, gaming behavior, influencer strategies
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GDC’s over, but the takes are still hot. Eric Kress recaps the chaos and questions Dark Legion’s staying power, while Phil gives the Game Craft boys a well-deserved nod.
Then it’s Switch 2 speculation time: is Nintendo finally back in the power game? Meanwhile, Roblox cozies up to Google for rewarded ads—what does that mean for the ecosystem?
Meanwhile, AppLovin fights off short seller heat while asserting market dominance. Plus, Tencent’s playing the long game with Ubisoft, again—no surprise, but lots to unpack.
02:12 GDC Highlights and Dark Legion Update
03:18 Game Craft Podcast
05:27 CEO Interviews and App Charge Partnership
07:31 GDC Attendance and Dark Legion Performance
15:58 Switch 2 Announcement
23:26 Roblox Rewarded Ads and Google Partnership
31:54 AppLovin's Short Seller Allegations
36:17 Hedge Fund Hotels and Market Dynamics
36:36 AppLovin Market Dominance
38:49 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Acquisition
43:57 Supercell's New Game: First Impressions
53:22 Ubisoft's $1.25 Billion Tencent Deal
01:05:36 Tencent's Long Game and Market Strategy -
What makes the company a great place to work? We discuss the significance of company culture, leadership evolution, and the vital role of customer obsession with AppsFlyer's CEO and co-founder, Oren Kaniel.
Oren shares his entrepreneurial journey, how the company overcame early financial challenges, and the importance of remaining innovative and passionate. Additionally, we explore AI's role in the future of business, balancing data privacy with technological advancements, and the grand vision for AppsFlyer's continued growth and impact.
02:44 Building a Company Culture
06:33 The Importance of Customer Obsession
15:24 Challenges and Early Days of the Startup
20:15 Navigating Growth and Scaling Up
25:06 Hiring and Nurturing Talent
42:15 Transparency vs. Clarity in Leadership
44:02 Innovative Solutions for Business Growth
56:39 The Role of AI in Business Transformation
01:05:47 Building a Sustainable Business Ecosystem
01:15:20 Future Prospects and Innovations
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Josh Wilson, CEO of SciPlay, returns to the podcast for the third time to discuss key topics such as the significance of Q5, the challenges of app store reliance, the stalled growth in the gaming market, the emergence of hybrid casualization, and the role of AI in gaming.
Subscribe to the Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
Continue the conversation on our Slack channel: www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack00:00 Introduction and Previous Conversations
03:28 Understanding Q5 and Its Impact on Gaming
12:38 Navigating App Store Reliance and Customer Ownership
21:46 Stalled Growth in the Gaming Market
31:24 Customer Retention as a Business Strategy
37:44 Embracing Change and Innovation
40:55 The Shift to Hybrid Casual Gaming
55:15 The Role of AI in Gaming
01:09:02 Future Skills in a Changing Landscape
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Eric speedruns through an a16z correction, while Phil can’t wrap his head around Funplus’ new 4x Dark Legion thesis. Adam tells us Netease’s Fragpunk is dead, and Jen tells us games journalism is alive. Against all odds, Netflix Games records its first positive segment. And did you hear that? It’s the inZOI train CHUGGin’.
Subscribe to the Deconstructor of Fun Newsletter:
www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
Continue the conversation on our Slack channel:
www.deconstructoroffun.com/slack
02:16 Post-GDC Debriefing
09:35 A16Z Speed Run
13:48 Game Journalism is Back!!
17:08 Nintendo Direct and Switch 2 Rumors
18:41 MOBA Shutdowns and VC Funded Games
25:15 FunPlus and Dark Legion
31:00 DC Comics in Gaming: Challenges and Failures
35:03 The Future of 4X Strategy Games
37:18 Marvel Rivals and Rag Punk Analysis
56:27 Netflix's Gaming Strategy -
The rowdy and tired DoF crew closed down their GDC with a live TWIG show at Moscone Center. Tune in!
Chapters:
02:47 Kickoff
03:15 GDC Vibe Check
06:30 Industry Sentiment and Challenges
21:20 Emerging Markets and New Game Development
22:26 A16Z Speed Run and Industry Shifts
26:21 Funding Trends and Credit Lines
27:40 Absurd Ideas and Rumors
31:00 Supercell's MoCo Launch
33:53 Embracing Experimentation in Gaming
38:31 Absurd Compensation Packages in the US
43:28 The Future of AA and Indie Game Funding
46:57 Highlights from Recent Gaming Events
51:55 Impact of the Podcast on Careers
01:02:54 The Rise of Apps and AI in Mobile Gaming
01:05:05 VCs, Ad Tech, and Online Gambling
01:07:41 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous -
Alexei Chemenda, CEO and co-founder of Poolday.ai, discusses how AI enables marketers to focus on strategy and storytelling. Discover the future of personalized video ads, the evolving role of A/B testing, and the importance of combining creative and analytical skills in marketing.
00:00 Introduction: Misconceptions About AI in Marketing
01:53 Revolutionizing Ad Creation with AI
02:53 Personalization and Creative Control
04:15 Continuous Creative Cycle
04:37 AI in Gaming and Brand Marketing
09:22 Balancing Volume and Quality in AI-Driven Marketing
16:37 Predictive Analytics and Data Fluency
20:19 Future Skills for Marketing Leaders
23:13 Enhancing Human Creativity with AI
25:22 Conclusion and Contact Information
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Marion Balinoff and Sara Guerola share data-driven strategies for maximizing influencer marketing in gaming.
As CPIs rise and privacy regulations evolve, influencer marketing is becoming a key performance channel. Marion and Sara break down budget calculations, track organic uplift, and analyze campaign performance while highlighting tactics like QR codes, giveaways, and custom in-game assets to boost conversions.
Whether you’re testing with smaller creators or scaling with top-tier influencers, this episode provides a strategic framework for driving profitable results.
00:00 Introduction to Influencer and Podcast Marketing
02:56 Meet the Experts: Marion and Sarah
04:33 Defining Influencer and Podcast Marketing
08:16 Budgeting and Setting Objectives
14:24 Measuring Campaign Performance
23:58 Tracking Links and Performance Metrics
24:35 Challenges in Getting Clicks
25:08 Podcast Advertising Strategies
27:21 Creative Performance Reports
30:40 Influencer Integration in Games
32:56 Effective Campaign Strategies
34:45 Deep Integration Benefits
38:11 Creative and Contract Tips
42:57 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
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Mishka wrestles with the implications of AppLovin’s Triple Dot acquisition, while Scopely’s latest move has everyone questioning the future of Pokémon Go. Eric breaks down the latest insights from the Turkish gaming industry, while Jen dissects the Midia Research gamer segmentation report. Phil revisits the hypercasual ad playbook, while Subway Surfers just keeps running. Plus, a final look at GDC announcements, the mobile vs. console showdown, and what it all means for the industry.
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04:24 Turkish Gaming Industry Insights
06:20 GDC Event Announcements
09:16 Triple Dot and AppLovin Acquisition Analysis
22:58 Midia Research Gamer Segmentation Report
30:10 Social Elements in Gaming
30:35 Mobile vs Console
31:13 Farmville, Monopoly Go, and Female Gamers
33:41 Subway Surfers
34:23 The Hypercasual Ad Strategy
41:12 Scopely's Acquisition of Niantic Games
44:04 The Future of Pokemon Go
53:50 Scopely's Strategy -
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 Welcome
00:19 Skill-Based Mobile Games Accelerator
04:09 Monetization and Market Strategy
13:32 Retention and Engagement Metrics
22:07 Skill-Based Gaming Market Insights
25:36 Understanding Sweepstakes and Skill-Based Gaming
26:17 Skill-Based Gaming Prizes and Competitions
28:06 Future of Skill Gaming
30:32 Expanding Game Genres and Market Reach
32:57 Skill-Based Gaming on Different Platforms
33:36 Addressing Bot Concerns in Skill Gaming
37:43 Insights from the Startup Journey
43:14 Challenges and Benefits of Going Public
45:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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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 Guests
00:30 Success Stories and Achievements
03:31 Challenges and Strategies in Game Development
09:14 Company Culture and Hiring Practices
17:47 Scaling Companies and Future Prospects
21:14 Insights on the Turkish Gaming Ecosystem
31:07 Balancing Creativity and Data-Driven Decisions
44:46 Balancing Internal and External Motivations
45:56 Early Days and Scaling Merge Dragons
47:25 The Impact of External Validation
49:29 Cultural Differences in Handling Failure
53:20 Challenges in the Turkish Gaming Industry
01:07:32 The Importance of Mentorship and Partnerships
01:24:22 Future of the Turkish Gaming Ecosystem
01:30:43 Conclusion and Community Engagement
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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/slack
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
02:27 Today's Topics Overview
03:01 Jen's UCLA Story
04:00 GDC Announcements
05:46 AppLovin's Short Seller Drama
07:26 Steam's Record-Breaking Numbers
08:32 AppLovin's Game Division Sale
12:50 Sony's PlayStation VR 2 Price Drop
13:55 Supercell and SpaceApe Updates
17:15 Forte's Acquisition of Sealants
18:06 Miniclip Acquires Lessmore
18:38 Supercell's New Boat Game
23:05 Supercell's Market Mismatch
23:34 Roblox Comparison Debate
24:06 Monetization Challenges
25:01 Split Faction Reviews
25:43 Fable Delayed Again
26:44 Monster Hunter's Global Success
31:29 Disney Step in Japan
34:10 Scopely's Vanity Play
39:06 Guitar Hero Mobile Announcement
44:45 The Fall of Music Games
46:52 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/
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00:00 Introduction and Background of Rollic
06:41 Türkiye as a Hub for Game Development
13:18 Business Model and Future Vision
25:54 Competition and Talent in the Turkish Gaming Industry
29:45 Creativity in Gaming: The Key to Success
31:54 The Importance of Ideation in Mobile Gaming
33:52 The Role of Testing in Game Development
36:32 Transitioning from Startup to Industry Leader
46:46 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers
52:47 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects
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With Miska back jet-set life, Eric is HOT about the newest RNG platform, while Phil wants to revisit Niantic’s $9B valuation and go shopping in the Epic Game Store. Jen explodes a new angle on Vector, but Eric isn’t buying the geometry. The crew fights the first war on Last War’s Fake Ads: get real or get rich?
To meet the Crew, check out our event in the weekly newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
01:19 Star Wars
03:36 Shilling and Advice
06:48 Niantic's Valuation and Exit
08:48 PrizePix and Gambling
11:44 Hasbro Digital's Success
16:04 Epic Game Store Analysis
23:03 GTA and UGC Potential
29:14 Steam Deck's Impact on the PC Market
30:17 Unity's Earnings & Vector
44:00 Warner Bros Studio Closures
45:50 Love and Deep Space: A Unique RPG
48:18 Last War Survival's Success
50:09 Fake Ads
57:33 Overwatch Loot Boxes Return??
58:45 Conclusion and Sign-Off
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