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...
From Casual to Complex: Trends that Shaped Gaming in 2024
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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1:06:54
TWIG #310 Can Royal Kingdom Reach the Peak? Who Wins the War of the You Giants?
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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1:16:38
#254 Inside Timi Studio: How Call of Duty Mobile Set the Stage for Delta Force
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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39:48
TWIG #309: EA’s AI problems, Monopoly GO’s decline, and Pokémon Pocket’s success
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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53:41
#253 TikTok's LiveOps Enchantment
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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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
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support