Barbie movie anticipation reaches all-time highs, but it’s not clear who paid who for brand integration into Stumble Guys. Marvel Snap escaped our H1 review, but not before dropping a doubling cube; we review its performance to a somber reality. Niantic doubles down on a confusing strategy while Xbox Trial leaks continue to bring home the insider bacon.


We're running an anonymous games industry job satisfaction survey. Findings will be shared next week. Consider adding your voice ⁠here⁠ (⁠https://forms.gle/RFVWVZZz5bG3awDE9⁠), it only takes a couple of seconds to complete.


This podcast was brought to you in part by Xsolla Pay Station. You can see it in action at xsolla.pro/payments-dof

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TWiG 239: A Ken't Miss Collaboration, Niantic’s Final Folly and the Real Cost of AAA Development

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

Video Games

Games & Hobbies

Leisure

Join seasoned UA and marketing consultant Matej Lančaric as he shares his decade-long journey from being an employee to running a global user acquisition consulting business. Discover his transition to solopreneurship, client management tips, and leveraging AI tools. Gain insights on balancing work, creativity, and family life alongside the importance of genuine passion and unique goal-setting approaches. 
This episode is packed with valuable advice for both aspiring and veteran consultants, including tips on growing professionally, networking, and content creation. Perfect for anyone looking to master the solopreneur path with hard work, persistence, and enjoyment.


Matej’s solopreneur journey in his own words
https://lancaric.me/matej-lancaric-the-story-of-a-solopreneur/


The state of ad creatives in-app marketing report:
https://www.appsflyer.com/resources/reports/gated/state-of-creative/?formsent=true

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Solopreneur Success: Balancing Work, Life, and Passion with Matej Lancaric

The big topic of the episode is Netflix which struck a partnership with Roblox. What does this mean to Netflix Games? Hear our hypothesis. The crew has BIG debates about Eurovision, and Tencent's role is Supercell's turnaround as well as anime. 

Your hosts:
Jen Donahoe, Michail Katkoff, Phillip Black, and Eric Kress
Segments:
00.00 Shill & Banter
09:20 News & HOT takes
44:23 Netflix Games is in trouble?
61:30 Xbox PR disaster

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TWIG #282 Is Netflix Games in trouble? Xbox PR stumble 

In this episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, host Mishka Katkoff engages with Ben Porter, NewZoo's Director of Consulting, to delve into the profound shifts within the gaming industry reflected in NewZoo's latest report. 

They explore a variety of pressing topics such as the industry trends post-COVID-19, console market dynamics, opportunities for game developers, the impact of AI and technological advancements, and the shifting dynamics of player engagement. Additionally, they address the economic aspects influencing the industry, including inflation and the increase in demand for profitability over growth. 

A key discussion revolves around the challenges and strategies for future growth, touching on the importance of breaking through market concentration with innovation and versatility in game development. Ben provides insights into the role 

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast
01:39 Introducing Ben Porter and NewZoo
04:29 The Pulse of the Gaming Market in 2023
13:30 The Challenges and Opportunities in PC and Console Gaming
30:31 Navigating the Mobile Expansion for PC and Console Publishers
38:05 PS5 Exclusives and Market Diversification
39:18 The Shift from Mobile to AAA: Challenges and Changes
40:01 Xsolla: Empowering Game Developers for Global Success
40:34 Analyzing Market Concentration in PC and Console Gaming
42:04 The Secret Sauce Behind Top PC and Console Titles
44:20 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of New Game Titles
52:16 The Impact of Remakes and Remasters in the Gaming Industry
58:02 The Role of Transmedia in Engaging and Expanding Game Audiences
01:03:38 Understanding Playtime Trends and the Future of Gaming
01:12:52 High-Level Predictions and Closing Thoughts

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The Shifting Landscape of the Gaming Industry in 2024 with Newzoo's Ben Porter

Players prevail with Helldivers 2 vs Sony PSN, Nintendo announces Switch 2 is coming before the end of Q125, Unity gets a new boss, Squadbusters racks up the pre-registrations, and Turkish Spyke Games goes to the Moon (Active).
Hosts: Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto & Phillip Black

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TWIG #281 Switch 2, Moon Active 

Listen and watch (there are visuals!) as industry veterans Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto and special guest Ken Landen deep dive into 'Legend of Mushroom,' the idle action mobile game that's taken players (and revenue) by storm. We'll break down the game's mechanics, exploring what made this game into the success it is today.

Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the realm, there's something here for everyone.

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TWiG 239: A Ken't Miss Collaboration, Niantic’s Final Folly and the Real Cost of AAA Development

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