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262. The Secret Sauce of 🇫🇷 French Game Publishers with Vincent Février, CMO of TapNation
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
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261. Climbing to the C-Suite: Insights from Mission One's Gerard Miles
Michail Katkoff and Gerard Miles dive into the nuances of executive headhunting, exploring the role of headhunters, pathways to the C-suite, and the significance of personal branding and mentorship in career growth. They share insights on how candidates can position themselves for leadership roles and embrace strategic thinking to thrive in a competitive hiring landscape. The discussion also highlights common mistakes in the executive search process, the importance of empathy in interviews, and the value of building genuine relationships. They address the challenges and advantages of international relocation, as well as the growing role of AI in hiring, stressing the need for candidates to be prepared and deeply engaged throughout the process. 00:00 Introduction to Executive Headhunting 01:00 Understanding the Role of an Executive Headhunter 10:41 Navigating the C-Suite: Pathways to Leadership 20:36 Building Your Personal Brand for Executive Roles 27:32 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Growth 37:59 Common Mistakes in Executive Search 44:40 Empathy in the Interview Process 51:40 Building Relationships in Recruitment 57:38 Challenges and Benefits of International Relocation 01:10:48 The Rise of AI in Executive Hiring keywords: executive headhunting, C-suite, leadership, personal brand, mentorship, career growth, talent acquisition, strategic thinking, networking, hiring process, executive search, interview preparation, candidate experience, recruitment process, international relocation, AI in hiring, empathy in interviews, building relationships, hiring mistakes, talent acquisition
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TWiG Bonus Episode: Holiday Special (UEFN, Royal Kingdom, and the Steam race)
No agenda? No problem! Ethan returns from UEFN dormancy to break some exciting news. Jen sells a BMW, while Eric tries to sell a Roblox correction. The Puzzle Queen herself ascends to browbeat Royale Kingdom into better KPIs, and Phil shares pictures of his cat in a banana. 01:17 Holiday Reflections and Family Updates03:03 Good News, Bad News04:01 Parenting Challenges and Teenage Years06:23 Podcast Banter and Personal Stories08:29 Cat Updates and Car Stories12:50 Seattle Winter and Personal Updates14:22 Startup Exit and GameFam15:09 Roblox and UEFN Discussion29:03 The Evolution of Fortnite's Algorithm29:17 Challenges with Limited Analytics30:27 Licensed Content and Revenue Sharing31:45 The Future of Survival Crafting Games33:21 Comparing Royal Kingdom and Royal Match35:13 Analyzing Game Revenue Trends37:06 Predictions for 2025 Gaming Trends39:22 Golden Twig Awards Recap53:21 Handheld Gaming Innovations55:25 Holiday Wishes and Final Thoughts
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260. David Nelson: The Maverick’s Guide for Thriving in BIG Organizations
In this episode, David Nelson co-Founder of Magnetic and a true maverick of our industry, dives deep into the nuances of mobile gaming innovation. David discusses his journey through King, including the formation and successes of the experimentation group. As the industry transforms, he explains the importance of understanding your audience, the pitfalls of following trends blindly, and the necessity of building a strong company strategy. David also offers insights on how to navigate organizational changes and cultivate a culture of constructive conflict. Finally, get a sneak peek into what Magnetic is working on and its approach to creating the next big hit in mobile gaming. 01:03 David Nelson's Background and Identity 04:38 Career at King and Experimentation Group 06:18 Starting a New Company and Investor Insights 09:44 Importance of Honest Feedback and Alignment 11:59 Challenges and Strategies in Game Development 24:31 The Role of Conflict in Meetings 33:07 The Debate Over Small Games 34:04 Testing and Proving Concepts 38:04 Framework for High-Impact Tests 40:35 Challenges of Creative Work 43:33 Experimentation Group Achievements 49:59 Navigating Corporate Culture 55:58 Building Trust and Social Capital 01:03:46 Advice for Driving Change 01:12:21 Insights on Mobile Game Industry 01:35:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections
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TWIG #313 Netflix Games Gets Jacked while the Game Awards Jacks Up Numbers
We kick things off with a deep dive into what separates different Nordic countries with regional experts Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff. Next, we tackle Squad Busters’ ambitious new update. Will it be enough to reverse its decline, or is it too little, too late? Then, there will be chaos in the streaming world as Netflix Games gets GTAd! What went down, and what does it mean for the company’s gaming ambitions? Only Kress can give it to us. Finally, Jen takes us through the Game Awards (aka. the Jeff Keighley Awards) — the wins, the snubs, and what it all means for the industry. Hosts: Mishka Katkoff, Eric Kress, Jen Donahoe, and Phillip Black. 02:07 Supercell's LinkedIn Antics 03:07 Nordic Rivalries Explained 05:09 Event Updates 07:43 Path of Exile Monetization 08:32 Roblox and UEFN Profitability 12:11 Epic Games and Telefonica Deal 15:52 AppLovin's Ad Strategy Change 16:43 Brawl Stars and Toy Story Collaboration 17:25 Netflix Games Licensing Issues 26:07 Build a Rocket Boy Acquisition 28:28 Beam Ventures Gaming Fund 33:40 Game Updates: Path of Exile 2, Marvel Rivals, Delta Force 37:57 Pokemon TCG Pocket's Performance 39:56 Pokemon Go vs. TCG Pocket 44:07 Royal Kingdom's Launch and Comparison 49:42 Supercell's Squadbusters Update 57:17 Game Awards 2024 Highlights
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About Deconstructor of Fun

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

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