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 www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/ Eric Kress www.linkedin.com/in/erickress/ Phillip Black www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-black-economist/ Jen Donahoe www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferdonahoe
WEBTOON serves as a high-impact, untapped marketing channel for gaming brands seeking to reach a mobile-savvy, Gen Z audience. With 160 million monthly active users, the platform offers a unique "brandformance" opportunity where gaming IPs integrate into vertical-scrolling webcomics through authentic collaborations lik...
Specialized investment banking in the gaming industry functions primarily through long-term, trust-based relationships rather than transactional, high-volume deal-making. Affan Butt, founder of Areem, highlights that successful M&A outcomes, such as the $1 billion acquisition of Loom Games by Scopely, stem from deep-ro...
The mobile gaming industry faces significant shifts as major players navigate earnings volatility and evolving user acquisition strategies. AppLovin’s recent stock fluctuations highlight the impact of hedge fund sentiment despite strong underlying ad-tech performance, while Unity demonstrates improved execution through...
Emmanuel De Maistre, founder of the AI company Scenario, reflects on a decade of navigating volatile markets, from early drone ventures to the current AI landscape. He emphasizes that resilience and timing are more critical than rigid business plans, noting that his transition into AI was a founder-led pivot driven by ...
The gaming industry faces a significant shift as hardware costs rise and consumer attention fragments. Sony maintains a strong market position with a growing install base, while Microsoft’s strategy remains unclear amid steep price hikes and potential hardware withdrawal. Capcom demonstrates the power of established in...
Sensor Tower’s inaugural ad monetization report reveals a $12 billion market for mobile game advertising in 2025, anchored by 2.4 trillion observed impressions. While gaming advertisers account for 72% of this revenue, non-gaming demand—particularly from finance and e-commerce—is increasingly significant. Puzzle games ...
Mobile gaming faces significant headwinds as global download volumes decline by 12%, signaling a shift in consumer demand toward established titles rather than new releases. Market consolidation remains a critical issue, with AppLovin and AdMob controlling two-thirds of gaming ad revenue, driving up user acquisition co...
Toon Blast maintains its market dominance in the Blast subgenre by evolving from a static, puzzle-heavy experience into a dynamic, luck-driven game that prioritizes engagement. The game’s sustained revenue growth stems from the rapid adoption of the "Super Light Ball" mechanic, which significantly increased board-wide ...
Grand Theft Auto 6’s pricing strategy highlights a shift toward premium SKUs, though market projections regarding attach rates remain overly optimistic compared to historical benchmarks. Unity’s roadmap for Unity 7 aims to streamline development, yet the platform faces significant challenges in scaling user acquisition...
Bungie’s historical resilience faces a new test as the Destiny franchise concludes its ten-year narrative arc, leaving the studio at a critical crossroads. Historically, the developer has repeatedly navigated severe crises—from the Myth 2 uninstallation error to the transformative success of Forsaken—by delivering revo...
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