Deconstructor of Fun podcast is created by games professionals for games professionals. We explore the business side of the games industry with the goal of brin...
TWIG #319 Scopely 💰 Niantic, Marvel Rivals Drama, and Xbox in Downfall?
Our IRL events. Signup via the newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeScopely and Niantic are making moves, but can they actually change the game? NetEase unloads Marvel Rivals US studio—a political or an efficiency move? Plus, SMicrosoft’s console strategy looks shakier than ever, and we break down what the future of console gaming really looks like. And just when you thought it was over, King pulls another card from its sleeve. 🚀🎮03:55 - GDC Shills11:03 - Scopely & Niantic20:10 - Jam City & Ludia AR Market21:43 - Marvel Rivals & Netease31:13 - Sony Earnings32:06 - Microsoft's Console Struggles38:00 - The Future of Console Gaming50:54 - Return of King
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270. Why This CEO Moved His Gaming Studio from London to Abu Dhabi
🔗 Connect with Boris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boris-kalmykov-7ba38065/We chat with Boris Kalnikov, CEO & Co-founder of Hype Masters, about relocating his gaming studio from London to Abu Dhabi. Boris shares his journey with World War Armies, the challenges of remote work, and why he chose Abu Dhabi as his new home.We dive into Abu Dhabi’s rise as a gaming hub, its government incentives, and the realities of running a studio in the region—from tax benefits to hiring talent and lifestyle changes. Whether you’re a developer, founder, or just curious about gaming in the Middle East, this episode has key insights you won’t want to miss.Timestamps:⏳ [00:00] Why Boris left London for Abu Dhabi🏗️ [06:00] Building a gaming studio in a new ecosystem💰 [20:00] What incentives and funding opportunities are available?⚖️ [27:00] Abu Dhabi vs. London: Cost of living, taxes & hiring🎮 [40:00] The future of gaming in Abu Dhabi💬 the DoF Community: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe🎧 Subscribe: www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribe
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TWIG #318 Supercell’s Records, Unity’s Chaos & AppLovin’s Fire Sale
ALL upcoming events in our newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeSupercell had a monster year with €2.8B in revenue, proving that bigger live ops teams and aggressive marketing can still drive growth—but let’s be real, Squad Busters flopped hard despite the hype. Meanwhile, Unity continues its slow-motion train wreck, losing key talent and scrambling to fix its ad tech, while AppLovin is absolutely crushing it, with stock up 700% thanks to AI-powered ads. Now, in a power move, AppLovin is dumping its entire games portfolio for $900M—so who’s buying? Scopely? Zynga? Playtika? Drop your bets in the comments. 🚀🎮01:29 Shills07:25 Dream and Venture Capital10:27 Battlefield and Shooter Games14:23 Minecraft Studio Leadership Changes20:39 Supercell's Record Year25:57 Live Ops and Monetization Changes26:52 Squad Busters' Marketing Missteps31:35 Spark Labs's Bootcamp Vibes37:44 Unity's Struggles and Layoffs41:45 AppLovin's Strategic Shift
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269. The Ultra Positive Gaming Market Report: Sensor Tower's State of Mobile 2025
State of Mobile 2025 Report:https://bit.ly/42T04bXJoin us in this episode as Jonathan Briskman from Sensor Towers and Michail Katkoff explore the overall health of the mobile market, Jonathan highlights strong growth metrics despite a mature landscape. He sheds light on the booming in-app purchase revenue and time spent on devices, while also discussing intriguing trends such as digital fatigue and the rise of hybrid apps. We also touch on the global success stories in mobile gaming, focusing on new hit games and the strategic importance of localization for cracking difficult markets like Japan and South Korea.01:03 Mobile Market Trends and Metrics05:33 Mobile Gaming Analysis07:50 Challenges and Regional Factors15:50 Success Stories and Strategies25:57 Non-Gaming App Revenue Growth35:03 Innovative AI Features in Apps35:29 Gamification and User Engagement36:36 Duolingo: A Game or Learning Tool?38:14 Blurring Lines Between Games and Non-Games38:25 Short Drama Apps: A Growing Trend40:45 Global Mobile Usage Trends42:26 Digital Fatigue and Market Shifts49:40 Localization Strategies for Global Success53:56 Emerging Markets and Growth Opportunities56:46 Tapping into User-Generated Content Platforms01:00:06 Key Takeaways from the State of Mobile Report
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268. Wilfrid Obeng on How to Scale a $100M Startup and Choosing Abu Dhabi over Silicon Valley
Wilfrid Obeng’s journey from Goldman Sachs and Google to gaming startup CTO is anything but typical.In this episode, he breaks down how AudioMob is redefining in-game ads with audio, why they chose Abu Dhabi over Silicon Valley to scale their engineering team, and what it takes to transition from corporate structure to startup chaos. We dig into leadership lessons, hiring strategies, and the future of ad monetization—all from someone who’s been in the trenches. If you’re scaling a startup or rethinking monetization, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧🔥www.linkedin.com/in/wilfridobeng00:00 Wilfrid Obeng and AudioMob04:51 From Goldman Sachs to Startup CTO07:24 The Importance of Mentorship13:40 Creating a Performance Culture24:52 Life in Abu Dhabi: Work and Play28:47 Hiring and Leadership in a Diverse Team35:03 The Reality of Startups37:10 Competing for Talent in Startups39:05 Leadership Evolution and Challenges42:07 The Importance of Company Culture56:44 Living and Working in Abu Dhabi01:05:01 Future Plans and Personal Growth
Deconstructor of Fun podcast is created by games professionals for games professionals. We explore the business side of the games industry with the goal of bringing listeners content that is relevant, insightful, and entertaining on a weekly basis.
Hosts:
Michail Katkoff @mkatkoff www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/
Eric Kress @ekress
www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/
Laura Taranto @laurataranto www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/
Phillip Black @econosopher www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/
Jen Donahoe @Jen_Donahoe www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdonahoe
Netherlands