Avsnitt
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Host Jen Donahoe is joined by a panel of emerging game industry professionals—Pedro Bravo (Lead PM Monopoly Go at Scopely), Vlada Kumova (Game Producer at GameFam), and Lara Burić (Game Designer at Hutch).
The discussion centers around the challenges and barriers faced by the next generation of game developers as they enter the industry, the difficulties of securing opportunities, and the ongoing changes in hiring practices.
They share candid experiences about breaking into the industry, the expectations placed on junior versus senior talent, and the evolving dynamics of leadership and mentorship. The panel also explores the importance of fostering supportive environments and reducing crunch culture.
Tune in to hear valuable insights on how the next wave of creators is navigating the complexities of game development and paving the way for future industry practices.
02:34 Guest Intro
03:16 Pedro
04:07 Vlada
04:47 Laura
05:14 Challenges of Breaking into the Industry
11:20 Bipolar Hiring Vibes
18:07 Training and Mentorship
24:42 Early Career Challenges
28:10 Crunch Culture and Work-Life Balance
34:09 Specialization and Workload Management
36:54 Creating a Positive Work Environment
42:19 Effective Communication and Management
46:45 Gen-A and the future of Social Gaming
51:35 Wrap-Up
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Kress bites back at Cupcake listeners, while Adam thinks a Space Marine live service is as dead as the Necrons. Phil thinks MoPoGo is groundbreaking, but no one is surfing the waves yet. Laura tells us the real origin story, and Jen has her best Italian accent.
00:00 Intro
01:49 Shills
02:46 AI in Gaming
07:16 EA Strategy
09:28 Adam & Laura: Origins
18:32 Industry Trends and Predictions
31:28 Favorite Podcast Moments
36:36 GDC Memories and Parasocial Relationships
37:55 Nintendo vs. Palworld Legal Battle
40:45 Dreamhaven's First Publishing Partnership
42:57 Microsoft's Game Pass Spending
44:27 Everdale's End and Brawl Stars' Rise
46:40 Space Marine 2's Success
49:10 Raid Shadow Legends' Impressive Run
50:42 Playtika's Acquisition of Superplay
53:17 Monopoly Go: A Social Casino Debate
59:07 Future of IP in Mobile Gaming
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Mishka Katkoff chats with Sebastian Forsström, Head of Paradox ARC, to explore the world of indie game publishing at Paradox Interactive. Sebastian provides an overview of Paradox Interactive and dives into the role of Paradox ARC, a division dedicated to helping indie developers.
They discuss how Paradox evaluates and develops games, the importance of sustained user engagement, and effective marketing strategies. Sebastian also shares insights on publishing deals, revenue sharing, co-publishing agreements, and the critical role of DLCs in player retention.
01:08 Sebastian's Intro
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02:46 Paradox Interactive
05:23 Paradox Arc
11:35 Game Evaluation and Development
18:13 Sustained User Base + Marketing
23:44 Paradox Arc Deep Dive
34:09 Publishing Deals and Development Fees
38:26 Co-Publishing Agreements + Revenue Sharing
42:49 Marketing and Release Strategies
48:57 The Role of DLCs in Player Retention
53:27 Trends in the Indie Game Industry
59:39 Advice for Indie Developers
01:04:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts -
The crew gets together to talk about the past and the future of This Week in Game show in this special 300th episode.
But it wouldn’t be a TWIG without a bit of news. Kress gets triggered by EA’s AI + UGC + Apps presentation. And we all wonder what happened to Spectre Divide - a highly anticipated shooter from a top team that seems to have missed its mark.
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In this episode of the terrific trio: Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, and Adam Telfer dive into product strategy and market insights, highlighting how developers are differentiating themselves in a saturated market.
The three also discuss Apple’s September event, analyze the PlayStation 5 Pro, analyze Sony’s broader strategy, and look at Roblox’s ambitious goals for expansion and its push to lead in user-generated content.
00:00 Introductions
04:05 Heroic Labs 2 Mil User Milestone
04:45 Apple's September Event
06:38 PlayStation 5 Launch
10:55 Layoffs & Closures
13:57 Sony
16:45 Top Games by Revenue in North America
24:01 Product Strategy & Market Insights
28:49 Differentiation in Gaming
33:44 GameDev & Marketing Challenges
40:48 Roblox's Ambitious Goals
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Join host Jen Donahoe for an in-depth discussion on venture capital funding in the gaming industry with experts from Transcend Fund, Sisu Game Ventures, and PlayVentures.
The panel covers key topics including how VCs work, investment processes, team equity structures, board dynamics, and the unique challenges and opportunities within different gaming platforms.
Learn what gaming VCs are looking for and get insights directly from industry professionals who help shape the future of gaming startups.
00:00 Ad0
1:06 Panel Introduction and Topic Overview
02:59 Meet the Experts: Sikandar
04:48 Meet the Experts: Jere
06:35 Meet the Experts: Anton
10:25 Understanding Venture Capital
15:45 Equity and Cap Table Basics
21:17 Gaming VCs: What They Look For
27:12 Understanding Risk in Business Platforms
27:46 Content and Platform Agnosticism
28:18 Distribution and Growth in Gaming
30:05 Tech Investments in Gaming
31:33 Marketing and User Acquisition
38:42 Investment Pitches and Processes
45:32 The Role of Boards in Startups
54:27 Fund Size and Investment Strategies
58:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Phillip phones it in from Taipei as the team covers the launch of Spectre Divide, Crypto Czar's last hurrah Supercell's potential IPO. Eric Kress dives into Ubisoft’s mismanagement and its effect on company valuation while Adam compares key data insights from NewZoo and Circana. Mishka and Jen talk about influencer marketing trends and shooter game futures.
hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Mishka Katkoff, Adam Telfer and Phillip Black
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Ever fancied yourself becoming a VP of a large publisher managing multiple cross-platform teams across several countries?
Tune in to the episode and figure out if this is a job for you! Dimo Dimov, Vice President of Live Games at Gameloft, shares his 17-year impressive career journey at Gameloft, from QA to VP.
He dives into Gameloft's international growth, his daily responsibilities managing live services for heavy-hitting cross-platform titles like Disney Speedstorm and Asphalt 9, and the shifts in LiveOps over the years.
Dimo also discusses the integration of marketing with game teams, forecasting, handling crises, and the future of live services with a focus on cross-platform challenges and AI advancements.
Tune in for insightful industry perspectives and lessons from a seasoned professional in game development and operations.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
03:00 Dimo's Career Journey
05:33 Life as VP of Live Games at Gameloft
07:34 Managing Multiple Teams and Projects
09:42 Empowering Teams and Strategic Planning
15:18 The Evolution of LiveOps at Gameloft
27:39 Marketing and Community Engagement
36:00 Balancing Personal Preferences in Game Development
37:37 Challenges of Managing Live Operations
38:25 Structuring Content and Pipelines
40:37 Team Dynamics and Reporting Structures
50:37 Leveraging AI and Tools in Game Development
56:51 Future Trends in Live Services
01:03:34 Key Learnings and Advice for Game Developers
01:09:48 Exciting Upcoming Projects at Gameloft
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The crew is one down as Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, and Mishka Katkoff hop in to knock one off on the road for #300. In this episode, Mishka gives his takeaways from Gamescom. We discuss a conspiracy theory on why Steam is allowed in China and talk about Wukong and Supercell's new CFO. Most importantly, this episode settles the case about Tim Hortons for good.
BIG UP for our supporters!
Heroic Labs, Sensor Tower, AppsFlyer and Xsolla
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Order your cup of Tim Hortons super hot for this first all-Canadian episode! The lost-and-found podcast host Adam Telfer delves into the state of the industry with Newzoo's Devan Brennan.Topics covered include market trends, forecasts for mobile gaming and the PC market, console performance, and the challenges faced by new free-to-play live service games. The two also explore the optimism surrounding indie and AA game development, and strategies for managing the costs of premium games. Segments00:00 Ads01:26 Devlin Brennan from Newzoo02:25 Understanding Newzoo's Market Reports04:46 General Market Trends: Growth and Forecasts07:35 Mobile and PC Gaming: Key Drivers and Insights09:24 Console Gaming: Current Trends and Future Prospects21:41 The Rise of PC Gaming and Cross-Platform Play28:14 Mobile Gaming: Heavy Hitters and Market Challenges31:48 Ads33:31 The Rise of Blockbuster Single-Player Games36:58 Balancing Game Length and Development Costs47:54 The Future of Indie and AA Games53:12 Challenges in Free-to-Play Live Services58:53 Strategies for Live Service Success01:07:45 Final Thoughts and Industry Plea
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Fresh from another Tim Hortons ribbon cutting in Dubai, Adam Telfer returns to the cast. He’s packing heat, laying down hot takes on The Finals, Once Human, and the colossal capital required to ship single-player games. Meanwhile, Eric drops a margin call on Riot’s transmedia move while Jen rallies in defense. Phil thinks everyone is missing the real Wukong takeaway with a mysterious winner. The group discusses a somber Newzoo report and how single-player games can survive.
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Get the latest dose of game industry news shaken, not stirred. In this episode, Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, and Laura Taranto debate the merits of VR, discuss Zynga's match-three strategies, and evaluate market trends in the mobile gaming sector. Plus, the crew takes a look at the dreadful reception of the Borderlands movie and the ongoing challenges in launching successful game franchises. To cap the episode off, we take a deep dive into the reason behind Bungie's recent layoffs.00:00 Intro02:34 Economic Insights 03:17 Transmedia Failures 4:48 College Tours and Family Updates06:41 Gaming Events and AWS Support16:01 Market Reports and Industry Growth30:32 Exploring Match-Three Puzzle Games31:27 Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery32:42 Playtika's Strategic Shift 35:28 Bungie's Layoffs and Sony's Acquisition Strategy42:54 Nexon's Earnings and Market Strategy45:32 Take-Two Interactive's Performance and GTA VI54:40 Zynga's Portfolio and Market Performance64:11 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Subscribe to our weekly insights-filled newsletter:https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/subscribeIn this episode, we’re focusing on the impact of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and antitrust policies on game monetization. Our guest, Archie Stonehill, Chief Product Officer at Stash, is providing insights into how the DMA is changing the landscape for app stores and game developers. From sideloading to third-party app stores, we dive deep into the regulatory shifts and their implications for developers, publishers, and the entire mobile gaming ecosystem. Discover why this could be a positive turning point for the industry and how innovative businesses can navigate these changes.00:00 Introductions 03:14 The Digital Markets Act (DMA)04:55 Apple's Response to DMA14:04 Global Antitrust Movements25:21 App Monetization Outside the App Store25:42 Deals and Engagement Outside the App Store26:53 Sideloading and Third-Party App Stores28:38 Anti-Steering Policies and Their Impact32:59 Global Regulatory Landscape36:10 Future of Game Monetization38:32 Economic Implications for Developers43:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructoroffun/support
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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.
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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
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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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