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Deconstructor of Fun breaks down successful free-to-play games in search of what makes them fun - or not. All of the contributors to this site are both gamers and game makers.

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Deconstructor of Fun
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How I Went From a 3D Artist to GM of a Billion-Dollar Game
May 12

May 12 How I Went From a 3D Artist to GM of a Billion-Dollar Game

Kate Halewood
Business

Justin McFarlane went from 3D artist to GM of SciPlay’s Billion Dollar flagship game. We explore how long-term trust, internal growth, and deep product proximity shaped his unconventional path — and what it says about building great teams in gaming.

Why Smart Founders Say No to Billions
May 8

May 8 Why Smart Founders Say No to Billions

Michail Katkoff
Business, Founders

What if the smart move for a unicorn founder isn’t to sell or go public, but to simply stay the course?

AppLovin: The Apex Predator
May 5

May 5 AppLovin: The Apex Predator

Guest Writer
Business

AppLovin didn’t win mobile ad tech by competing harder. It rewrote the rules, seized the pipes, and made everyone else dependent.

Rethinking Creative Production with AI
Apr 30

Apr 30 Rethinking Creative Production with AI

Michail Katkoff
Marketing

Debunking AI myths in marketing: creativity, brand voice, and personalization

Mobile Dreams of Hollywood: Inside Royal Kingdom’s Celebrity Blitz
Apr 28

Apr 28 Mobile Dreams of Hollywood: Inside Royal Kingdom’s Celebrity Blitz

Michail Katkoff
Business, Marketing

"When in doubt, add LeBron." That seems to have been Dream Games' mantra when they unleashed an all-out celebrity siege for Royal Kingdom.

Supercell Investments: A Creative Community or a Missed Opportunity?
Apr 22

Apr 22 Supercell Investments: A Creative Community or a Missed Opportunity?

Michail Katkoff
Business

Supercell has revamped its investment strategy under a new brand, but is it more than just rebranding? We break down Supercell Investments' track record, how it compares to CVC best practices.

Duolingo: How the $15B App uses Gaming Principles to Supercharge DAU Growth
Apr 14

Apr 14 Duolingo: How the $15B App uses Gaming Principles to Supercharge DAU Growth

Guest Writer
Deconstructions

The green owl isn’t cute. It’s ruthless. Here’s how Duolingo gamified education and built one of the stickiest consumer apps on the planet.

The Future of Gaming: Engaging Gen Z
Apr 7

Apr 7 The Future of Gaming: Engaging Gen Z

Kate Halewood
Business

By 2026, Gen Z will be the biggest spenders in gaming. But winning them over takes more than a good game—it takes creators, social ecosystems, and seamless cross-platform play. Here’s how to stay ahead.

The Power of Q5 and Retention: Lessons from SciPlay
Mar 31

Mar 31 The Power of Q5 and Retention: Lessons from SciPlay

Kate Halewood
Business

How do you grow in a mature market? Well, there’s no one better to answer this question than Josh Wilson, CEO of SciPlay, who has steered the company to growth every year since 2013.

Beyond User Acquisition: How to Win with Influencer Marketing
Mar 24

Mar 24 Beyond User Acquisition: How to Win with Influencer Marketing

Guest Writer
Business

Influencer Marketing is a key UA channel, but making it profitable takes more than guesswork. Here’s what drives real, measurable impact.

The Magic Behind Magicabin’s ARPDAU
Mar 19

Mar 19 The Magic Behind Magicabin’s ARPDAU

Guest Writer
Deconstructions

Magicabin, a captivating farm adventure game by Ivy Mobile, has rapidly gained popularity with its immersive gameplay and seasonal events. As it continues to rise, it establishes itself as a strong competitor to the reigning leader in the niche, Moon Active.

Inside the Skillz Developer Accelerator: Why $75M is Up for Grabs for Game Studios
Mar 13

Mar 13 Inside the Skillz Developer Accelerator: Why $75M is Up for Grabs for Game Studios

Michail Katkoff
Business

Skillz is betting $75M to find the next big skill-based game, pushing real-money competition beyond casual titles into new, high-stakes genres. Is your game the one they’re looking for?

How Istanbul Became the New Capital of Mobile Gaming – And Where It’s Headed Next
Mar 10

Mar 10 How Istanbul Became the New Capital of Mobile Gaming – And Where It’s Headed Next

Michail Katkoff
Business

Türkiye has mastered hyper-casual and puzzle games, turning startups into billion-dollar giants. The question now is: Can it break into new frontiers?

Six Hiring Mistakes Most Companies Make
Mar 3

Mar 3 Six Hiring Mistakes Most Companies Make

Michail Katkoff
Business

With fewer open roles and more talent on the market, you’d think hiring would be easier—but it’s not. In fact, the high stakes mean hiring mistakes have never been costlier

Gaming in the Middle East: My Take on Abu Dhabi’s Big Bet
Feb 24

Feb 24 Gaming in the Middle East: My Take on Abu Dhabi’s Big Bet

Michail Katkoff
Business

Great gaming hubs need talent, money, and opportunity—and Abu Dhabi is going all in on all three. Could this be gaming’s next big hotspot?

Supercell's Record Year: Crushing It, But At What Cost?
Feb 17

Feb 17 Supercell's Record Year: Crushing It, But At What Cost?

Michail Katkoff
Business

Dive into our take on Supercell's jaw-dropping 2024! While they celebrated record revenue and user growth, we’re asking the tough questions.

How Drama and Fake Ads Convert To Real Profits
Feb 10

Feb 10 How Drama and Fake Ads Convert To Real Profits

Guest Writer
Deconstructions

Mobile gaming is getting more dramatic—literally. With games like Dark War: Survival proving that players don’t just want new mechanics, they want high-stakes stories that pull them in.

Why Some Puzzle Games are More Addicting Than Others?
Feb 3

Feb 3 Why Some Puzzle Games are More Addicting Than Others?

Guest Writer
Deconstructions

Hybridcasual puzzles mix fast, easy gameplay with just the right amount of challenge. We analyze why some are more addicting than others.

Five Predictions for Consumer Apps in 2025
Jan 27

Jan 27 Five Predictions for Consumer Apps in 2025

Guest Writer
Business, Predictions

2025 is going to be a wild year for consumer apps. From TikTok’s survival saga to AI-driven personal finance apps and the rebirth of super apps, here’s what we think will shake up the market and reshape how we connect, spend, and engage.

8 Predictions for Gaming M&A and Investments in 2025
Jan 20

Jan 20 8 Predictions for Gaming M&A and Investments in 2025

Guest Writer
Business, Predictions

From private equity power plays to Web3 comebacks, here’s what we think will shake up the gaming world and redefine deal-making and investment strategies this year.

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