Deconstructor of Fun

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 reshape portable play.

Rhys Elliotwww.linkedin.com/in/rhyselliott/Alinea Analyticswww.alineaanalytics.com

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:52 Fat Cats vs. Hungry Cats

22:05 Evaluating Game Development Teams

24:36 Investment Principles in Startup Life

26:31 The Shift from AAA to AA Games

33:25 The Demand for Shorter Games

39:45 The Challenges of Subscription Gaming

49:04 The Future of Game Pass and Subscription Models

53:35 The State of Subscription Services

55:50 Live Services vs. Premium Games

66:20 The Future of Portable Gaming

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 AI’s workplace takeover—and you’ve got a packed episode that hits strategy, creativity, and the future of the industry in one fatality-worthy sequence.

02:29 Industry News Highlights
04:24 Meta Horizon Worlds and Game Development Insights
05:25 Podcast and Blog Updates
07:00 Dreams TV Campaign Analysis
09:32 Finn Game Awards Controversy
13:36 Epic Games vs. Apple: A Legal Battle
21:45 Supercell's Transmedia Ventures
29:03 Supercell's AI Initiatives
29:55 AI's Impact on the Workplace
30:34 ChatGPT in Game Development
32:00 The Future of AI in Gaming
41:23 Solitaire Market Shake-Up
45:15 Take-Two's Financial Overview
53:41 Roblox's New In-Game Shopping
01:00:57 Conclusion and Outro

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 Experience

13:21 Regional Trends in Bot Usage

14:57 The Future of Bots in Gaming

20:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 and User Experience in Apps

18:17 The Future of Gaming and Consumer Apps

31:07 The Evolution of Game Marketing Strategies

37:04 Cultural Differences Between Game and App Industries

56:41 Career Transitioning: From Gaming to Broader App Ecosystem

01:03:47 The Future of Gaming Professionals in Diverse Sectors

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 forecasts in light of its market position. Rounding things out, we analyze Microsoft’s strategic shifts post-console wars and what the completed Activision deal actually changes for the ecosystem. Packed episode. Big takes. No filler.

02:43 Hobby Updates and Banter

05:06 Dream Games TV Campaign Analysis

06:40 Interview with Mike Quigley

07:29 Prize Picks and Predictive Markets

17:37 World Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees

20:38 Triple Dot Acquires AppLovin's Mobile Game Business

30:03 Publicly Traded Gaming Companies at All-Time Highs

36:03 Supercell & Squadbusters Revamp

50:48 Nintendo's Conservative Forecast

54:16 Microsoft's Strategic Shift and Console Market Impact

56:58 The Activision Deal and Its Implications

01:02:23 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

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 in enhancing user engagement and the future opportunities for growth in emerging markets.

Get the AppsFlyer Creative Report: https://shorturl.at/Mjaiz00:00 Introduction to Misplay and Its Market Position04:11 Understanding Loyalty and Reward Systems08:02 User Acquisition and Retention Strategies10:52 Game Catalog and User Engagement14:26 Geographic Expansion and Market Localization17:32 Future Roadmap and Innovations20:15 Building Strong Developer Relationships23:18 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion33:14 Work with DoF!

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 Importance of Listening in Leadership

27:57 From Artist to General Manager: Career Growth Insights

39:09 The Importance of Purpose in Work

45:22 Understanding LiveOps: The Key to Success

56:06 Balancing LiveOps and New Game Development

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 acquisition of Super Social and digs into Roblox’s beast-mode growth metrics and smart (if aggressive) pricing strategies.

There’s love for Expedition 33, curiosity around Overwatch’s new stadium mode, and a sharp look at the Epic vs. Apple legal saga—culminating in a bold discussion on the future of app store economics and a tip of the hat to the ever-controversial Tim Sweeney.

02:13 May the Fourth and Transmedia

18:18 GTA 6 Trailer and Release Date

23:03 Dream Games Investment and Turkey's Gaming Ecosystem

32:35 Super League Acquires Super Social

34:13 Roblox's Impressive Growth Metrics

39:08 Roblox's Pricing Strategies

43:43 Expedition 33's Success Story

47:07 Overwatch's New Stadium Mode

50:43 Epic Games vs. Apple: The Legal Battle

55:57 The Future of App Store Economics

01:09:31 Thank You, Tim Sweeney

🚨 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. How Scopely builds “learning machines,” not just game teams, and the secrets to long-term conviction, even in the face of failure

If you want the real story behind the game industry’s biggest hit — and how Scopely is building the definitive free-to-play company — this is the one to watch.

01:11 The Role of a CEO in Company Success

07:06 Company Culture and Learning

19:54 Challenges and Successes with IP Partnerships

29:30 The Process of Game Development

38:37 The Role of Intervention in Product Strategy

40:45 The Responsibilities of a GM

49:47 The Impact of the Savvy Acquisition

01:04:31 Advice for Laid-Off Game Developers

01:10:08 Exciting Future Prospects in the Gaming Industry

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 emphasizes the need for developers to act quickly and adapt to the changing landscape of mobile gaming and payment methods.

00:00 Introduction to the Emergency Podcast

05:41 The Impact of the Epic vs. Apple Ruling

12:35 Strategies for Developers Post-Ruling

19:39 Long-Term Considerations for Developers

27:41 Building Customer Relationships and Loyalty Programs