Deconstructor of Fun

The one and only Ahmetcan Demirel analyzes Wildlife Studios's latest puzzle title. Is it a blast from the past or a glimpse of the future? Check out the write up with some really great insights!

"Most of the companies that I started actually were a result of something that I was just frustrated in my personal life. And you know, I'm just one of those guys that goes and does something about it." -Dennis Fong

The much-requested DMA for Dummies quick course is live on our blog! Michail Katkoff was the brave dummy schooled by the always-on-point Archie Stonehill. Make sure to check it out as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by EU regulators is a significant shift in government policy towards big tech. Something that can free up distribution and payments in apps and games.

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Squad Busters One Month Later: Down, But Not Out It's been about one month since Squad Busters launched—enough time for front-loaded marketing spend to subside and the immediate reality to set. Squad Buster’s launch failed. We were hilariously wrong about the launch prospects of this game. Much less than acquiring portfolio-high download volume, Squad Busters is Supercell's weakest launch entry, behind only Boom Beach. While Squad Busters initially drove massive download quantity, it quickly sputtered out, and poor download quality translated to lackluster active users and revenue. The unreliability of pre-registration numbers, the overestimation of brand equity, and the waning influence of first-party featuring are soon becoming recurring themes in mobile gaming; Squad Busters' launch throws these challenges into the spotlight. It’s particularly a poor showing of Supercell’s IP. Gathering all Supercell IPs under one roof was supposed to be Squad Busters' strength, but the result is irreverent. Supercell may have brand recognition, but brand equity remains questionable. One thing we know for sure: Squad Busters launched too early. Forgoing a soft launch deprived Supercell of the ability to assess even Day 30 KPIs. This decision remains puzzling, as there was no pressure to launch Squad Busters. Brawl Stars is completing a historic comeback, while Clash Royale requires immediate attention. Instead, Supercell now needs to repair both Clash Royale and Squad Busters while also managing a plethora of other initiatives: Spark Labs, a growing investment of 19 companies, scaling headcount & remote work, and a North American studio that rears its head once a quarter. While the decision to forgo a soft launch was wrong, it was human. Sources indicate that no individual made the call, and leadership stood behind the decision. Forgoing a soft launch reflects a near decade of understandable Supercell frustration and an easy way out of prolonged soft launches: “Just do it.” Combined with a brand view of Supercell IP as akin to Nintendo, glowing first-party allegiance, and an eagerness to rack up another win on top of Brawl Stars’ revival, Squad Busters’ launch was too tempting to pass up. Squad Busters is a disciplined reminder of the importance of soft launching and a reality check on the strength of platforms and mobile-first IPs. While the game holds immense promise—a claim we stand behind—game lead Eino Jonas and the team are tasked with growing its magnitudes behind its portfolio peers. Yet, Brawl Stars reminds us that nothing is outside Supercell’s purview. (full post in comments)

In our latest article the powerful Lexi Sydow, Director of Corporate Marketing and Insights at Sensor Tower, unleashes her mobile gaming market insights. Lexi covers significant trends in mobile gaming and marketing: 📱 app vs game dynamics 🕺 Ad spending on TikTok and YouTube 🌎 Regional differences 🎭 IP collaborations 🔮 the future of subscription gaming. Gain valuable insights on market normalization post-COVID and ATT changes. #gameindustry #mobilegaming #gamedev https://lnkd.in/dKpSWNYx

Trigger warning: if you’re a founder struggling to raise funding despite doing every little thing that the VCs requested and showing promising early KPIs, this podcast may enrage you... Klang Games out of Berlin has raised 77M over 6 funding rounds from reputable investors like Supercell, LVP, North Zone, and Makers Fund. Why is this impressive? 1️⃣ The company was established in 2013 2️⃣ They haven’t shipped a game in a decade 3️⃣ They don't have any scalable data to show they are heading in the right direction. And despite all of this, they are somehow able to raise consecutive rounds of tens of millions. Year after year! Fundraising is unfair. No matter what VCs say, it is ultimately subjective. The founder’s charisma plays a huge part. Storytelling is crucial. Without selling, your ability to raise outsized funding is nearly impassive. In this episode, we got Klang co-founders Mundi Vondi and Oddur Magnusson talking about their journey thus far and Michail Katkoff trying to understand how they were able to get funded for their never-ending story. If you're a founder, or considering becoming one, this is a podcast you should probably listen to...

How to get noticed and hired into an executive position by a headhunter? Deconstructor of Fun got you covered! In the latest podcast, Gerard Miles from Mission One is shedding light on the multifaceted nature of executive positions and debunking common misconceptions about the executive sphere. https://lnkd.in/dEwT-xc4

What is Voodoo's secret sauce? Join us on a tour inside the office! Our first AAA podcast episode is filmed at Voodoo's HQ in Paris. You'll not only hear how the company has transformed from a hypercasual giant to a hybrid casual powerhouse. But also see inside the studio. The video version can be viewed on YouTube and Spotify. Link in the description! Oh, and let us know how you like the elevated production values. Should we do more of these? Which companies would you like us to visit? #gamedev #gameindustry

SQUAD BUSTERS RAISES THE SUPERCELL STAKES Matthew Emery, Michail Katkoff, and Phillip Black gather around the Finnish campfire to discuss Squad Buster’s significance to Supercell’s Next Chapter - Is Supercell under owner pressure? - Is Brawl Stars as successful as we think it is? - Why was Supercell’s top chief put on the game? - Why will Supercell reach record revenue with this game? - New innovations in the consumables economy and a genre born? Listen or Watch below: 📺 https://lnkd.in/ezqTf32W 🎧 https://lnkd.in/efsazhyG