Deconstructor of Fun

Join us at PGC After Dark: ⁠https://lu.ma/m75avtgb⁠ This week’s TWIG episode starts with bold predictions for 2025 in mobile gaming, followed by Eric Kress’s half-hearted backtracking on hyper-casual games and the latest Nintendo Switch 2 leaks before deep diving into Marvel Rivals’ potential impact. The team revisits the year’s most significant moments, explores standout moments, and wraps up with listener feedback and reflections. 00:00 Squad Intros01:28 California Wildfires + How to Help03:18 Shills05:34 Predictions for 2025 in Mobile09:44 Corrections and Hyper Casual Talk14:06 Nintendo Switch 2 Leaks16:05 Investments and Funding News20:15 Marvel Rivals34:10 Talk of the Year: Mass Layoffs34:53 Embarrassing Predictions35:58 Company Damage: Ubisoft's Downfall37:04 Most Disappointing Game40:36 Financial Success: Mice Nuts42:32 Questionable Moves47:46 Brilliant Moves50:35 Crushing It: Brawl Stars53:13 Layoff Lowlights53:43 Limping Donkey Award55:20 Listener Feedback and Wrap-Up

CEO and co-founder of PvX Partners (www.pvxpartners.com), Joe Wadakethalakal shares his unique journey from India to Indonesia and beyond. Key takeaways from our chat with Joe Wadakethalakal: **Resilience matters**: Entrepreneurship is brutal—Joe’s journey shows how surviving failures and tough times builds long-term success. **Market size over Network**: Starting in large, scalable markets (U.S., India, China) beats hustling in smaller ones. Lesson learned the hard way. **Smart fundraising wins**: Raising capital isn’t just about money—it’s about unlocking talent, momentum, and strategic growth. Just don’t overdo it! Chapters: 00:00 Intro 05:53 Banking and Private Equity Experience 12:28 Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:53 Joining MPL and Strategic Growth 49:20 The Importance of Capital in Startups 54:10 Leaving MPL and Starting PVX 01:00:48 PVX's Unique Approach to UA Financing 01:19:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

CAST YOUR VOTE! https://forms.gle/BfBn6H123S2D1QdY9 Brace yourself for the most candid awards show in gaming! Join us as we dissect the highs and lows of 2024, dishing out Golden TWIGs for the year’s most memorable moments. From epic fails to surprising triumphs, we’re covering it all: Company Carnage: Who took the biggest hits? Gaming Letdowns: Which hyped title fell flat? Layoff Lowlights: The most brutal workforce cuts Oops, We Did It Again: Our most embarrassing predictions Get ready for unvarnished opinions, heated debates, and a no-holds-barred look at the gaming industry’s rollercoaster year. Don’t miss this annual tradition where you separate the gold from the garbage!

The Hybridcasual Playbook https://metahybridcasualplaybook.splashthat.com/ In this episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Mishka Katkoff interviews Vincent Fevrier, CMO of Tap Nation, discussing the evolution of hybrid casual games and the unique position of French publishers in the gaming industry. They explore Tap Nation's growth from a startup to a mid-size publisher, the challenges of transitioning from hypercasual to hybrid casual, and the importance of user acquisition and marketing strategies. The conversation also delves into acquisition strategies, building internal capabilities for live operations, and the future outlook for the gaming industry. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Hypercasual Gaming in France 02:52 Tap Nation's Evolution: From Hypercasual to Hybrid Casual 06:04 Navigating Challenges in a Post-COVID Gaming Landscape 08:54 Marketing Strategies: LTV vs. CAC in Hybrid Casual 12:04 Acquisition Strategies: Building a Portfolio of Games 14:56 Operational Changes: Adapting to Hybrid Casual Dynamics 17:51 Building Internal Capabilities for Game Development 21:00 The Future of Tap Nation: Diversifying Game Types 24:07 Competing in a Crowded Market: Finding Unique Assets 32:25 The Competitive Landscape of Game Publishing 35:11 Building Relationships in the Gaming Industry 39:11 Navigating Acquisitions and Partnerships 44:17 The Evolution of Tapnation and Its Strategies 50:43 Industry Outlook: Challenges and Opportunities keywords hypercasual, hybrid casual, gaming industry, Tap Nation, ad tech, game development, user acquisition, monetization strategies, French gaming market, game publishing, game publishing, acquisitions, industry trends, mobile gaming, Tapnation, partnerships, user acquisition, market growth, gaming industry, competitive landscape