Deconstructor of Fun

• Masters of Publishing 5: Scaling is a Grind

  Scaling hybridcasual games is like solving a puzzle with moving pieces: CPI, retention, and platform dynamics constantly shift. Samantha Benjamin explains why profit-sharing doesn’t guarantee profit, how the spray-and-pray era is over, and why scaling is now a perpetual process of adjustment and reinvestment.👉 Understand what it takes to grow efficiently when downloads plateau.

  --------  

  34:19

  --------

  34:19
• Masters of Publishing 4: Secrets to Winning Big with Game Monetization!

  Monetization in hybridcasual is a balancing act: ads for early players, IAP for the committed ones. Maayan Eshkol dives into player segmentation, the real role of a game economist, and why monetization has to be part of the design loop from day one.👉 Learn how to integrate ads and IAP without sacrificing retention.

  --------  

  23:13

  --------

  23:13
• 310. Pim De Witte on Turning Down $500 Million from OpenAI... Then Raising $134M.

  Pim De Witte, founder of General Intuition and Medal.tv, turned down a deal reportedly worth $500 million from OpenAI, and instead raised $134 million to build an AI lab rooted in games, not words.In this conversation, Michail Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) dives deep into:1) How world models could replace game engines2) Why games are the best simulation layer for developing intelligence3) What “AI-native” really means for future studios4) And the paradox of ther AI bubble00:00The Decision to Walk Away from OpenAI02:24Building for the Games Industry05:24The Future of Game Development and AI08:06 Understanding World Models and Their Impact10:38 Talent Acquisition in AI and Gaming13:17 Strategic Risks of AI Integration16:11 The Role of AI in Game Design18:52 Navigating the Future of Game Engines26:31 The Future of Game Distribution and Economics30:06 Generative Systems in Game Design36:29 The Role of Game Designers in AI40:18 AI Integration in Game Studios52:02 AI's Impact on the Economy and Employment

  --------  

  1:03:46

  --------

  1:03:46
• TWIG #355 Apple’s $2B Problem, Halo’s PlayStation Leap, and EA’s Reality Check

  We unpack Apple’s $2B legal battle, Halo’s surprise move to PlayStation, and EA’s latest earnings reality check, alongside Amazon Game Studios’ restructuring, AI’s growing impact on gaming investments, and a one-year look back at Pokémon TCG Pocket. From corporate chaos to console crossovers, it’s a packed week of insights, strategy, and sharp takes on the business of games.00:00 Welcome 03:09 Family Updates and Personal Stories04:22 Deconstructor of Fun Roundtable Events08:16 Apple's $2 Billion Legal Trouble12:03 EA's Earnings Report and Industry Insights14:17 Halo's PlayStation Debut and Console Wars34:24 Amazon Game Studios Restructuring37:41 Challenges and Missteps in Game Selection41:53 AI and the Future of Gaming Investments49:16 Battlefield 6: Competing with Call of Duty01:01:58 Pokemon TCG Pocket: A Year in Review

  --------  

  1:08:40

  --------

  1:08:40
• Masters of Publishing 3: What Makes Game Go Viral in 2026?

  Great creatives don’t guarantee great traffic. Karen Levy unpacks how to scale UA with structured testing, controlled volume, and ruthless iteration. We explore the rise of AI-driven pipelines, why UGC-style ads dominate TikTok and Reels, and why authenticity outperforms glossy fakes.👉 https://supersonic.com/

  --------  

  38:14

  --------

  38:14

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About Deconstructor of Fun