Deconstructor of Fun

Get the latest dose of game industry news shaken, not stirred.

In this episode, Dennis Fong, CEO and co-founder of GGWP, discusses his remarkable journey from being the world's first professional gamer to a successful serial entrepreneur. He shares insights from founding and selling four companies, emphasizing the importance of open conversations and the tough realities of making pivots and layoffs. Dennis also reflects on his motivations, and the challenges he's faced, and offers advice on culture building, securing funding, and overcoming doubts in the entrepreneurial world.

In this episode, Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, Phillip Black, and Mishka Katkoff dive into the unexpected closure of Game Informer.

The conversation then shifts to financial matters, with insights on the stock market and breakdowns of quarterly earnings reports. We examine the latest on the Microsoft & Activision deal, VC funding trends, and web-based game distribution.

The podcast continues with a discussion on Bungie's recent layoffs and Jam City's strategic moves, followed by a spotlight on Supercell's hiring spree in Helsinki and the console launch of Valorant along with other new game announcements. Wrapping up, we explore the explosive growth of Roblox and share their final thoughts and recommendations.

We assembled an Avengers-style team of Consumer Insights leaders from publishers and Vendors Blizzard, Riot, Zynga, and Beta Hat to dig into how Consumer Insights can help Devs and Marketers make and market successful games.

The team digs into how each company approaches CI, uncovers trends around older and younger gamers, and gives tips for teams looking for financing or greenlight.

The session is filled with tips and stories, helpful to anyone in the games industry.

Host & Guests: Jen Donahoe - Strategic Marketing Consultant

Matt Penfield - VP of Consumer Insights at Zynga

Mike Swiontkowski - Head of Global Research and Consumer Insights at Blizzard

Bennett Robbins - Global Head of Publishing and Ecosystem Insights at Riot

Stan Kwon - CEO at Beta Hat

02:03 Overview of Consumer Insights

06:16 Role of Consumer Insights in Companies

08:52 Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

21:12 Market Trends and Insights

30:58 Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite

31:25 False Signals and Market Opportunities

32:44 Understanding Player Preferences

35:51 Consumer Insights in Game Development

37:09 The Speed of Consumer Insights in GaaS

38:19 Multi-Platform Gaming

39:41 Multiplatform Player Experience

42:01 Devs and Marketers Collaboration

50:27 Tips for Early-Stage Developers and CI

01:00:46 Wrap-Up

Jen and Phil close the book on licensing…or do they…while Eric closes the book on the 500 World of Warcraft gear score. Laura looks at Scopley’s new global forgotten franchise, and the team examines mounting Twitch losses. Eric makes 10 x new faces in the episode.

After dropping mice nuts somewhere on the Blizzard campus, Eric returns to remind Matthew Ball of his crypto advocacy. Jen raises the banner for games as toy brand extensions and enrolls in Joost’s class. Phil is ready to be The Second Descendant and reports on Rainbow Seige’s new marketplace. 

Pete Hawley (former executive at 100 Thieves, EA, Zynga, Lionhead, Sony, Telltale, and Mythical Games) and Alexander Seropian (founder of Bungie, Industrial Toys, Wideload, and Look North Games) unpack their experiences with the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) platform, discussing marketing strategies, player engagement, technical limitations, and opportunities. 

00:00 Introduction to Heroic Labs

01:01 Meet the Legends: Pete Hawley and Alex Seropian

01:43 Pete’s Journey and Insights

03:27 Exploring UEFN: Challenges and Opportunities

08:19 Alex's Perspective on UEFN

11:33 The Future of UEFN 

23:11 ROI in UEFN Development

35:42 Challenges in Game Development

44:14 Monetization Strategies

49:53 Marketing and Launching 

01:02:52 Lessons Learned 

01:12:54 Final Thoughts 

The one newsletter to rule them all - not really, but it is good:

The prodigal pair of Jen and Eric return from trotting around L.A. in the Jade Inferno mobile, while Laura laments the lack of Disco Ball. Phil stacks the chips on Zenless Zone Zero’s role in MiHoYo’s portfolio. Jen gives us the 411 on Disney IP’s 911 on mobile. Why do they all fail? And finally, we get real data on Valve salaries.

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This episode is perfect for those interested in game development while managing significant brand collaborations.

Join our host Mishka Katkoff as we delve into game development and IP licensing with Peter Hansen-Chambers,  co-CEO of Hutch. 

Peter shares his journey to become a co-CEO and explores the unique strategies behind Hutch's successful racing games like F1 Clash and Top Drives. 

Discover the importance of strong relationships with car manufacturers, learn about the evolving strategies driving Hutch's success, and gain valuable insights into maintaining long-term partnerships with major brands. 

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00:00 Introduction 

00:45 Hutch's Game Development

03:03 Peter Hansen's Journey at Hutch

04:21 Challenges and Successes in Game Launches

07:26 Licensing and Partnerships with Car Manufacturers

13:13 Navigating Approval Processes and Brand Relationships

19:21 Pitching to Major License Holders

30:40 Evaluating Brand Partnerships

31:52 Understanding Developer Expectations

33:03 Navigating Manufacturer Relationships

35:35 Balancing Enthusiasm and Practicality

43:43 Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions

46:13 Maintaining Long-Term Relationships

48:29 Common Mistakes in Licensing

57:54 Future Plans and Projects

60:31 Final Thoughts