Episodes
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We kick things off with a deep dive into what separates different Nordic countries with regional experts Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff.Next, we tackle Squad Busters’ ambitious new update. Will it be enough to reverse its decline, or is it too little, too late?Then, there will be chaos in the streaming world as Netflix Games gets GTAd! What went down, and what does it mean for the company’s gaming ambitions? Only Kress can give it to us.Finally, Jen takes us through the Game Awards (aka. the Jeff Keighley Awards) — the wins, the snubs, and what it all means for the industry.Hosts: Mishka Katkoff, Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, and Phillip Black.02:07 Supercell's LinkedIn Antics03:07 Nordic Rivalries Explained05:09 Event Updates07:43 Path of Exile Monetization08:32 Roblox and UEFN Profitability12:11 Epic Games and Telefonica Deal15:52 AppLovin's Ad Strategy Change16:43 Brawl Stars and Toy Story Collaboration17:25 Netflix Games Licensing Issues26:07 Build a Rocket Boy Acquisition28:28 Beam Ventures Gaming Fund33:40 Game Updates: Path of Exile 2, Marvel Rivals, Delta Force37:57 Pokemon TCG Pocket's Performance39:56 Pokemon Go vs. TCG Pocket44:07 Royal Kingdom's Launch and Comparison49:42 Supercell's Squadbusters Update57:17 Game Awards 2024 Highlights
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Cameron Stewart, Group Vice President at SciPlay, shares valuable insights on the robust growth of social casinos, emphasizing retention and monetization strategies.
We explore how SciPlay operates with low concentration levels in the market, the importance of personalizing user experiences, and the innovative approaches driving their success.
Get an insider's look at the strategic decisions, including talent investment and the unified infrastructure for game development, that make SciPlay a leader in the field.
Additionally, Cameron speaks on the benefits and challenges of a return-to-office workplace culture and the strategic value of acquisitions and portfolio diversification.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:28 Understanding the Social Casino Market
03:15 Challenges and Strategies in Game Development
06:15 Segmentation to Personalization
10:25 Retention and Engagement Metrics
16:39 Monetization and Live Operations
33:09 Direct-to-Consumer Strategies
37:19 Exploring the Social Casino Market
38:32 Partnerships and Strategies
40:37 Innovations and Player Behavior
42:11 The Role of IP in Casino Games
43:45 Player Engagement and Retention
51:05 Work Culture and Talent Investment
59:04 Strategic Acquisitions and Diversification
01:06:18 Key Learnings and Advice
01:10:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Social Casino, Monetization, Retention, Personalization, Gaming KPIs, Player Experience, Live Operations, Direct to Consumer, Market Trends, SciPlay, social casino, game development, innovation, acquisitions, player engagement, market strategy, IP integration, casino industry
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Missing episodes?
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With Miska set on another jet, Q5 launches in earnest with Marvel Rivals, Delta Force, Path of Exile 2, Infinity Nikki, and Girlsfront Line 2. Oh my, oh my.
Kress gives his full review of Infinity Nikki’s costumes, while Jen pulls “Franchise” Beetlejuice. How can Marvel Rivals cross-promote in every Marvel game? Adam pours cold water retention down the acquisition’s back while Phil tries to light the Chinese game industry fire while wearing a tight desert camouflage shirt (?).
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
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00:56 Meet the Hosts
01:33 Secret Level Screening Review
06:13 Game Exec Supper Club Announcement
07:47 Industry News and Corrections
09:55 Investment and M&A Updates
12:36 New Game Releases and Performance
34:43 Mastery Issues in the Game
35:11 Unique Selling Points and Differentiation
35:46 Honeymoon Phase and Meta Development
36:56 Onboarding and Mastery Curve
39:22 Marvel Cross-Promotions and IP Management
44:32 Path of Exile 2: Strategy and Success
53:59 Delta Force: A Battlefield Clone
58:12 Fortnite's New Tactical Shooter
01:00:59 Infinity Nikki: A Unique Pivot
01:07:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions -
Mishka Kaktoff is joined by Steve Lockwood from TikTok and Roy Yanai from AppsFlyer, who share their extensive insights on evolving attribution techniques, overcoming challenges in the privacy landscape, and future-proofing measurement strategies.
This episode is packed with valuable information that can help improve your campaign performance, game design, and overall marketing outcomes.
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Mobile Marketing Attribution
01:11 Guest Introductions
04:11 Evolution of Attribution
07:40 Challenges in Attribution
08:59 TikTok's Role in Attribution
12:12 Debate on Last Click Attribution
18:02 Incremental Testing and Media Mix Modeling
31:29 Questioning the Truth in Marketing
32:35 The Evolution of Attribution Methods
33:28 Advertiser Perspectives on Ad Networks
35:07 The Importance of Views in Advertising
36:57 TikTok's Unique Role in Advertising
42:44 Future-Proofing Measurement Strategies
45:28 The Role of Privacy in Measurement
56:06 Success Stories in Attribution
01:01:57 Future Trends in Measurement
01:08:38 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
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Up Down Up is now available as an audiobook on Audible!
https://www.amazon.com/UP-DOWN-companies-succeed-others/dp/B0CR7T9DPT
In this episode, Kim Nordstrom joins the podcast to discuss his journey in the gaming industry, from releasing his first game in 1995 to significant roles at PlayStation, King, and Paradox.
The conversation delves into topics from his book 'Up, Down, Up,' exploring what it takes to build a successful game company, the importance of culture and psychological safety, and the challenges of transitioning between growth and maturity phases.
Kim also shares insights from his interviews with top industry leaders and how these experiences have shaped his current role as CEO of PlayerUnknown Productions.
01:05 Kim Nordstrom's Career Journey
03:06 The Making of 'Up, Down, Up'
06:31 Exploring Company Growth Patterns
10:19 The Importance of Company Culture
30:16 Understanding Psychological Safety
43:03 The Importance of Actions Over Words
44:10 Changing Culture Through Leadership
46:20 The SEAL Team Leadership Experiment
47:32 Scaling Teams and Maintaining Culture
48:57 Principles and Values in Leadership
53:34 The Role of Timing in Success
58:58 Navigating Growth and Maturity Phases
01:11:25 Challenges of Innovating Within Established Companies
01:24:32 Reflections on Leadership and Wisdom
01:28:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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In this episode of This Week in Games, we dive into the intriguing rumors surrounding a potential new PlayStation Portable and discuss Elon Musk’s rumored AI game studio, which could reshape innovation in the space.
On the business side, we analyze the closure of Ubisoft studios and the enduring popularity of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
In mobile gaming, we spotlight Habby’s big launches, including Capybara Go and Archero 2, before discussing Path of Exile 2's early access success.
Plus, we compare two heavyweight Eastern shooters, Marvel Rivals and Delta Force, and examine why so many new MOBAs struggle to gain traction.
Don’t miss this deep dive into the industry’s most exciting stories!
Chapters:
02:48 Shills
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04:17 Hybrid Casual Playbook Release
04:38 App Monetization Report
10:30 Fortnite's Record-Breaking Season
14:29 PlayStation Portable Rumors
16:47 Elon Musk's AI Game Studio
18:39 Investments and M&A
24:33 Ubisoft Studio Shutdowns
30:07 Pokemon Trading Card Game Success
35:37 Habby's Big Launches: Capybara Go and Archero 2
40:44 Path of Exile 2 Early Access
43:18 Battle of the Eastern Shooters: Marvel Rivals vs. Delta Force
48:27 The Struggles of New MOBAs
56:51 Conclusion and Sign-Off -
In this episode, host Mishka Katkoff is joined by Sergei Vasiuk, LiveOps Director at Wargaming and author of 'Running a Successful Live Service Game.'
The two delve into Sergei's book, discussing everything from the evolution of gaming models to data-driven development, player engagement, monetization strategies, and the challenges of global operations.
This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in game development or LiveOps. Tune in for practical advice, learnings from Wargaming, and how to keep players engaged and your game profitable!
00:41 Importance of Live Operations
01:08 Overview of Sergei's Book
03:34 Sergei's Journey and Role at Wargaming
07:50 The Evolution of Gaming Models
12:03 Challenges and Strategies in Live Service Games
31:29 The Future of LiveOps and Community Engagement
38:23 Building Relationships with Content Creators
40:12 The Role of Data in Game Development
42:11 Understanding LiveOps and Player Engagement
45:34 The Importance of Decision Making in LiveOps
58:34 Balancing Monetization and Player Experience
01:11:16 Global Operations and Regional Relevance
01:18:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Dive deep into the world of game development and user acquisition with AppLovin’s Daniel TchernahovskyIn this episode, we explore the growth of mobile gaming, the significance of hybrid monetization, and the impact of automation and AI on user acquisition strategies.
Learn how Applovin's journey from startup to powerhouse company evolved, the importance of maintaining company culture, and strategic insights on app and game monetization.
00:51 Daniel’s Journey with Applovin
08:21 Industry Trends and Insights
18:23 The Rise of Hybrid Monetization
31:46 Aligning Marketing and Product Teams
35:09 Understanding Benchmarks and Metrics
37:14 Integrating User Acquisition in Development
38:33 Team Dynamics and Agile Development
42:50 Predictive LTV and Visualization Techniques
47:35 Avoiding the Doom Loop
56:50 The Rise of Apps vs. Games
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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
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Phillip Black sits down with Leo Yao, General Manager of Timi Studio Group’s J3 studio, for an exclusive look at the making of Call of Duty Mobile and the upcoming Delta Force.
Discover how Timi shocked Activision with a two-month Nuketown demo, the secrets behind COD Mobile’s record-breaking live ops, and why Delta Force pivots to tackle Battlefield.
Insights:
The surprising dominance of Crossfire in China over global FPS franchises. The East vs. West FPS divide—tactical vs. arcade gameplay. Delta Force’s PC-first pivot, cross-platform ambitions, and bi-monthly content updates. Timi’s roots in humility and adaptability for live-service success.Chapters:
00:53 Leo Yao and Timmy's Studio Group
02:31 Call of Duty Mobile: Development and Success
05:21 Challenges and Strategies in the Mobile FPS Market
09:23 Team Structure and Company Culture at Timmy
14:14 Cross-Platform Gaming and Future Trends
18:10 Chinese PC Shooter Market Insights
21:21 PC vs Mobile: A Developer's Perspective
23:38 Delta Force: Fitting into the FPS Landscape
25:49 Live Service and Content Updates
28:23 Monetization Strategies for Delta Force
30:14 The Rise of Extraction Shooters
36:54 Why Delta Force? The Strategy for IP's Revival
38:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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As Kress’ World of Warcraft account turns 20, we blow out the candles and reflect on a surprising reason behind EA’s disastrous AI investor presentation. Jen delivers a valiant defense of Monopoly Go’s new TV campaign, while Phil reviews the early returns of Pokémon TCG Pocket. Big in Japan, as they say? The group wraps up with what might be the year’s final Embracer hazing session, absolving themselves of any remaining crimes.
chapters:01:19 Birthday Wishes for WoW and Half-Life 2
04:48 EA Tries to Soothe AI Worries
10:03 Game Industry Awards and Nominations
14:47 AAA Devs and Startups
19:04 PlayVentures' New Gaming Fund
21:24 Miniclip Acquires EasyBrain
28:32 X Rioters and Supervive
31:15 Capybara Go and Archero 2
32:02 Pokemon TCG Pocket Success
38:47 Marvel Snap and Sinister Loot Boxes
41:15 New Monopoly Go Campaign
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Join us on the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast as we delve into LiveOps strategies for Q5 with esteemed guests Sezer Degirmenbasi, head of EMEA for mobile gaming at TikTok, and John Wright, head of publishing at Kwalee.
In this episode, you’ll discover what Q5 is and why it's crucial for game marketers and learn detailed strategies for leveraging TikTok's LiveOps tools to extend your game's lifecycle, increase user engagement, and maximize revenue
00:00 Introduction
00:56 Understanding Q5: The Invisible Quarter
06:10 LiveOps Strategies and Definitions
11:27 TikTok's Role in LiveOps Success
16:24 TikTok's LiveOps Program Explained
21:56 Creative Strategies for LiveOps
27:55 The Need for Differentiation
29:34 Reviving Older Games with TikTok
36:56 Success Metrics for LiveOps Campaigns
46:54 Final Thoughts and Advice for Developers
51:02 Culturalization in LiveOps
54:35 Conclusion and Community Engagement
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HYBRIDCASUAL PLAYBOOK: metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com
In this podcast episode, Michail Katkoff hosts Manish Gajria, Director of Product from Meta, and Ryan Davies, Head of Performance Marketing from Kwalee to discuss the current trends in the mobile gaming market, focusing on value optimization, hybrid casual games, and the impact of AI on user acquisition strategies.
They explore the challenges of measurement and attribution in a changing landscape, and the importance of creative strategies, and share success stories from the industry. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of gaming marketing and the tools that Meta is developing to support advertisers in achieving better outcomes.
Chapters0:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:46 Meet the Guests: Manish Kashria and Ryan Davis
02:19 Current Trends in Mobile Gaming
04:15 Value Optimization in User Acquisition
07:24 Challenges and Strategies in Gaming Marketing
17:37 Hybrid Casual Games: The New Frontier
33:19 Success Stories and Case Studies
34:54 Gaming Apps and Value Optimization
36:17 Subscription Apps and Value Optimization
38:14 The Role of UA Managers and Automation
44:53 Combining Optimization Techniques
48:24 AI in User Acquisition
57:16 Measurement and Attribution Challenges0
1:04:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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After Kress released the rockets at large VCs last week the crew gets back into heated venture capital discussions exploring the complexities of VC investments in gaming and the shifting landscape of game development and funding.
The conversation also touches on the potential leadership changes at EA, the implications of recent acquisitions in the gaming industry, and the performance of companies like Roblox. The discussion highlights the strategic moves by companies like MTG and Take-Two, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the current market landscape.
Hosts: Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Phillip Black, Jen Donahoe
Content:01:30 Mishka's Banter and Shills
06:41 Corrections and Clarifications
10:22 VC Investments in Gaming
22:04 Crunchyroll and Meta Updates
24:59 EA and Disney Rumors
27:20 Wall Street's Favorite CEOs
30:18 MTG's Strategic Acquisitions
31:46 Plarium's Surprising Valuation
37:51 Take-Two's Divestments and Chartboost Sale
43:51 Roblox's Impressive Growth
49:55 Dream's New Puzzle RPG
56:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics
Keywords: game industry, venture capital, Crunchyroll, mobile gaming, EA leadership, gaming news, game funding, gaming trends, gaming investments, acquisitions, MTG, Plarium, Take-Two, Roblox,
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Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, and Eric Kress live from GamesForum San Francisco.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:29 Panelist Intros
05:53 First Topic: Unfiltered Growth and Monetization
12:50 Incentivized Advertising: Past and Present
17:59 Challenges and Future of Incentivized Ads
27:27 Expanding Beyond Gaming: Brand Collaborations
32:15 Exploring Roblox's Integration with Shopify
32:52 The Shift in Game Design and Monetization
35:29 Surviving in 2025
36:12 Mobile and Console Gaming's Existential Crisis
37:55 Opportunities and Challenges in Mobile Gaming
39:00 The Role of Small Studios in the Gaming Market
44:11 Netflix's Foray into Gaming
50:57 Challenges in Game Discovery and Engagement
59:42 The Future of Gaming and AI in Marketing
01:00:05 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
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Eric roleplays as his Old Man Yells at Cloud Halloween costume, sparing no expense at Netflix’s strange announcement and an ugly breakdown of modern venture capital. Laura tells us if Pokemon’s new mobile game looks more like Go or Masters, while Jen gives a eulogy for Space Ape. Phil raves at Call of Duties monster success and asks Nadella to release the Game Pass tapes.
00:26 Nintendo Switch Earnings Analysis
16:31 Netflix's Interactive Titles and Generative AI
20:49 Supercell Acquires SpaceApe
23:02 Dragon Age and Call of Duty Updates
31:51 Pokemon TCG Mobile: First Impressions
38:50 The Role of VC in Gaming Startups
42:09 Investment Trends and Success Stories
45:22 VC Firm Challenges + The Future of VCs in Gaming
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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
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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 KatkoffKeywords: 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 trendsChapters:01:39 Halloween and Conference Season03:56 Basketball Update and Conference Insights10:36 Shooter Panel + Market Trends16:46 Netflix's AAA Game Shutdown and Apple App Store Rumors22:15 Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors26:34 Roblox's Child Safety Measures31:29 Investments, Divestments, and M&A38:50 The Struggles of IP-Driven Games41:40 The MOBA Market in the West45:30 Bungie Under PlayStation: Not Good47:14 Sony Shuts Down Firewalk Studios52:21 Chinese Developers and 4x Games56:24 Barbie Game's Creative Mismatch01:05:19 Call of Duty Continues Crushing It01:10:21 Battlefield's Downfall
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In this deep dive discussion, Adam Telfer, Chris Sides, Phillip Black, and Davan Brannan explore the current state of the PC and console shooter genre, analyzing player engagement trends, the impact of COVID-19, and the struggles of new game entrants in a saturated market.
They discuss the decline in player numbers for popular titles, the challenges of maintaining engagement, and the implications for future game development. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the challenges and strategies surrounding the launch and retention of new first-person shooter (FPS) games.
The four also discuss the importance of live content, player migration, and the barriers new titles face in a saturated market.
The conversation ends with an exploration of the future of extraction shooters and the key elements developers must focus on to succeed in the competitive landscape of PvP shooters.
Chapters:
00:00 The Shooter Genre Landscape
02:36 Analyzing Player Engagement in Shooters
09:06 The Impact of COVID on Shooter Game Popularity
11:00 Contrasting Successes and Failures in Recent Titles
21:33 New Entrants and Their Struggles in the Market
28:35 The Challenge of Launching New FPS Games
32:00 Player Migration and Retention in FPS Titles
35:32 Barriers for New PvP Shooters
38:09 Strategies for Competing in a Saturated Market
41:58 The Future of Extraction Shooters
49:57 Key Takeaways for Developing Successful Shooters
Keywords:
PC, console, shooter games, player engagement, market analysis, COVID impact, game launches, FPS, PvP, PvE, FPS games, player retention, game development, extraction shooters, PvP shooters, gaming market, player migration, live service, game thesis, competitive gaming
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This episode of This Week in Games covers major shifts in gaming, as Netflix shutting down its AAA studio, TikTok’s LiveOps program, and the rise of influencer marketing and Supercell’s all-hands-on-deck approach to save Squad Busters. The episode also addresses the perceived decline of AA studios.
Hosts: Jen Donahoe, Adam Telfer, Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff
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