Deconstructor of Fun

We start with a massive Switch 2 record-breaking pre-launch momentum and what it signals for Nintendo’s comeback strategy. Then it’s on to Tencent’s rumored bid for Nexon that could reshape the Korean gaming landscape.

Candy Crush OGs jump back into the game as we unpack the shock closures (RIP Believer), restructures (Warner Bros Games), and slowdowns (Bungie’s Marathon, Build a Rocket Boy). Plus: Mobile Gaming Trends 2025,...

Mishka Katkoff talks with George Ng, co-founder and CTO of GGWP, about the real AI crisis in gaming—and it’s not what you think.From manipulative personalization to privacy nightmares, we unpack how AI is already reshaping development, monetization, and the player experience. George breaks down the tech behind the buzz, the moral minefields, and whether AI will elevate creativity or just flood the market with noise.Topics: • AI as ...

Habby has a new surprise launch that may push the publisher to $1B ARR. Apple somehow does worse than Game Center 2.0, while Xbox delivers a near swan song. Did we mention LARS IS GONE FROM EMBRACER? Eric vows a commitment of swear-free chastity, while Jen and Phil remind him of his true podcast self.03:33 Off the Record in LA05:27 Phil's Singapore Experience07:28 Dune Awakening and Game of Thrones Kings Road09:14 Off the Recor...

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Carla Rylance - external development expert, XDS Advisory Committee Chair, and Head of Business Solutions for XDS Spark - to dive deep into the 2025 XDS Insights Report.

In this episode:
Key trends in external development, co-development, and industry shifts following the pandemic. The growing role of AI in game development: how publishers and service providers are using (or not using) AI. Budget...

The crew dives into a jam-packed week of industry news from Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 launch to Epic’s evolving Store strategy. We unpack the growing importance of social features in games and the buzz around the new D&D project from the Star Wars Jedi director.

Meanwhile, Elden Ring’s Night Reign expansion proves brutally satisfying, while Zynga quietly shuts down the studio behind Torchlight.

We also tackle Activision’s to...

State of Gaming report: https://tinyurl.com/5eyye63d

In this episode, Mishka Katkoff sits down with Sensor Tower gaming insights analyst Sam Aune to dissect the state of mobile gaming in 2025. They unpack download trends, the evolving UA playbook, the hybrid casual boom, and shifting genre engagement. The conversation dives into emerging markets, how ads really impact player behavior, and what Gen Z expects from modern mobile games....

In this episode, Deconstructor of Fun’s Mishka Katkoff sits down with Thibault de Vésinne-Larüe, VP of Core Gaming at Voodoo, to unpack one of the industry’s most ruthless yet successful publishing machines. How does Voodoo test 2,000 prototypes a year? What separates great studios from the rest? Why do most games get killed — and how do you know which ones to bet on? If you’re serious about understanding hybrid-casual publishing, ...

With Michail out, and definitely not living a jetset life, Jen, Eric, Adam, and Phil huddle around the WWDC campfire to tell tales of Game Center. There’s a big change to Battlefield that threatens the franchise, while Delta Force rises as a threat to the East. Split Gate 2? Not so much.

Jen defends Apple, marketing, and transmedia, all in one, while Adam claims a Marvel Rival bet and claps for the French. Eric certainly isn’t clap...

Michail Katkoff and Rhys Elliott break down the widening gap between legacy studios bogged down by process and fresh teams building with urgency.

From the slow death of bloated AAA games to the shaky economics of Game Pass, they explore why shorter, more creative games are winning hearts—and why team quality now matters more than genre. Plus: why subscription models are struggling, and how devices like Switch 2 and Steam Deck might...

The BIG stories:

1. Finland’s game awards controversy (yes, it’s messier than you think)

2. Epic’s endless courtroom war with Apple

3. Supercell’s dual bet on transmedia and AI.

The team also breaks down the implications of ChatGPT infiltrating development workflows, the battle brewing in the Solitaire segment, and what Roblox’s new in-game shopping means for UGC economies. Add in Take-Two’s financials and some spicy predictions on ...

We are joined by George Ng, co-founder and CTO of GGWP, to dive deep into the world of bots in gaming.

We explore the differences between game-created bots and player-created bots, the cat-and-mouse game of detecting and preventing bots, and regional differences in bot usage.

We also look ahead at the evolving landscape of bots in gaming and discuss strategies that studios can adopt to stay ahead.

01:09 The Impact of Bots on Player...

Why are seasoned PMs, growth leads, and designers ditching games for fintech, wellness, or even dating apps? What do these companies see in game industry vets—and what blind spots do they have?

In this episode, Mishka Katkoff talks with executive headhunter Gerard Miles about one of the most underreported shifts in tech: gaming talent is migrating to the app world.

03:14 Understanding Talent Migration and Skill Sets

12:20 Engagement ...

The team reacts to this year’s World Video Game Hall of Fame inductees and unpacks Triple Dot’s surprising acquisition of AppLovin’s mobile games business—what does it signal for the midcore M&A market? With public gaming companies hitting all-time highs, we discuss whether this is a sustainable trend or a short-term sugar high. Supercell’s major

Squadbusters revamp gets the DoF treatment, and we debate Nintendo’s cautious fore...

Mishka Katkoff interviews Aaron Thandi, Chief Commercial Officer at Mistplay, discussing the innovative approaches to loyalty-driven user acquisition and retention in the mobile gaming industry.

They explore how Mistplay has established itself as a leader in rewarded engagement, the importance of personalized user experiences, and the strategic methods behind their global expansion.

The conversation also delves into the role of AI ...

Can someone really grow from 3D artist to GM of a billion-dollar title — without switching companies, logos, or careers? SciPlay’s Justin McFarlane did just that, and his story is a masterclass in product-first leadership and long-term growth.

03:48 Navigating Remote Work Challenges and Team Engagement

07:10 Making Tough Decisions: Prioritizing Team Cohesion

15:56 Transitioning Teams: Managing Relocation and Operations

19:05 The Import...

Get the AppsFlyer Creative Report: https://shorturl.at/Mjaiz
The crew jumps into a galaxy of transmedia takes with May the Fourth and how IPs stretch across games, shows, and beyond—sometimes elegantly, sometimes painfully. We dissect the long-awaited GTA 6 trailer and release window, then shift gears into Dream Games’ latest raise and what it says about Turkey’s still-thriving gaming ecosystem.

The team breaks down Super League’s a...

🚨 Deconstructor of Fun Exclusive — We’re releasing the UNCUT version of our legendary interview with Javier Ferreira, co-CEO of Scopely. This is the twice-as-long version only a handful of insiders have ever heard before.

In this rare, candid, and *fully unfiltered* conversation, Javier breaks down Scopely’s transformation from a $12M startup to a $3B+ revenue machine. Why *Monopoly GO!* succeeded where so many IP-based games fail...

In this emergency podcast episode, Mishka Katkoff and Maor Sason, CEO and co-founder of AppCharge, discuss the implications of the recent Epic vs. Apple ruling, which allows developers to link to external payment methods.

They explore the potential benefits for small to medium-sized studios, the strategies larger publishers can adopt, and the importance of building customer relationships through loyalty programs.

The conversation e...

We start where we ended last week: the $50M Royal Match campaign and the issue of overspending. Then it's all about Discord’s new CEO and how that signals a potential pivot toward enterprise, ending the platform’s gaming-first DNA.

Then, the crew covers NetEase’s sudden executive shakeup and the surprising Delta Force vs. Call of Duty Mobile battle before unpacking Blizzard’s Nexon partnership in Korea. We cap it off with an exp...