Deconstructor of Fun

From Niantic’s $3.5B sale of Pokémon GO to Scopely, to the rise of SLAP, a fast-paced, IRL multiplayer game that blends social tagging with viral video content Jen Donahoe and Lauren Steidl, CEO and co-founder of Integrated Reality Labs, explore how geogames are evolving from novelty apps into a new genre of play.Why Pokémon GO showed both the power and the limits of GPS gamingThe tech leap making real-world multiplayer actually workSLAP’s breakout performance—10 sessions/day, no paid UAHow TikTok culture is shaping the next generation of mobile gameplayWhy the future of mobile gaming may lie in neighborhoods, not screens🔗 Learn more about SLAP and IRL Labs: www.playslap.com/irl00:00 Introduction and Host's Excitement02:25 The Game 'Assassin' and Its Evolution03:30 Introducing Integrated Reality Labs and 'SLAP'04:31 Meet the Founders: Lauren and Ian06:06 Gameplay and Features of 'SLAP'08:05 Social Media Integration and Viral Growth12:16 Technical Innovations and Proximity Gaming18:32 Marketing Strategies and User Engagement22:25 Future Plans and Monetization34:07 Conclusion and Contact Information#Geogaming #PokemonGO #SLAPgame #MobileGaming #GameDesign #AugmentedReality #LocationBasedGaming #DeconstructorOfFun #Podcast

We start with a massive Switch 2 record-breaking pre-launch momentum and what it signals for Nintendo’s comeback strategy. Then it’s on to Tencent’s rumored bid for Nexon that could reshape the Korean gaming landscape. Candy Crush OGs jump back into the game as we unpack the shock closures (RIP Believer), restructures (Warner Bros Games), and slowdowns (Bungie’s Marathon, Build a Rocket Boy). Plus: Mobile Gaming Trends 2025, Remedy’s mysterious new drop, and why Kingshot might be the next game to watch. Sharp, unsentimental, and essential, just how you like it. Appsflyer State of Creative Optimization: shorturl.at/Mjaiz Timestamps 02:54 – Saltwater Fish Tank Update 04:02 – Shilling and Blog Highlights 07:56 – Mobile Gaming Trends 2025 13:35 – Not E3 Events Recap 19:12 – Switch 2 Record-Breaking Launch 27:00 – Tencent’s Potential Nexon Acquisition 29:26 – Korean Gaming Industry Insights 30:42 – Western Capital in Eastern Markets 32:01 – Stellar Blade’s Success on Steam 35:07 – Candy Crush Veterans’ New Venture 36:42 – Nice Plans Studio’s Funding Round 38:05 – Warner Bros. Game Restructure 39:36 – Believer’s Shutdown 42:17 – Build a Rocket Boy’s Struggles 49:31 – Bungie’s Marathon Delay 50:18 – Remedy’s New Release 56:13 – King Shot’s Rise Subscribe, rate, and tell a friend who’s still waiting on the Marathon beta. In this podcast, the group shares **game dev** secrets and **game design** insights from working in the industry. They also discuss the realities of **game development**, covering everything from the highs to the lows, and provide a **reaction video** to specific scenarios that can happen. The discussion also includes stories from **indie game dev** studios.

Mishka Katkoff talks with George Ng, co-founder and CTO of GGWP, about the real AI crisis in gaming—and it’s not what you think.From manipulative personalization to privacy nightmares, we unpack how AI is already reshaping development, monetization, and the player experience. George breaks down the tech behind the buzz, the moral minefields, and whether AI will elevate creativity or just flood the market with noise.Topics: • AI as a tool—or a trap—for player engagement • The shifting role of creatives in an AI-driven dev pipeline • Procedural generation, NPCs, and the illusion of emotion • Why the biggest threat isn’t bad AI—it’s good AI used badlyConnect with George on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/georgeng/Sponsored by: AppCharge, Sensor Tower, Want to work with us? Reach out: consulting@deconstructoffun.com00:32 - Ethical concerns: AI personalization, monetization & manipulation03:17 - AI bias and fairness in moderation07:33 - How AI impacts game development & team structure11:03 - Where AI’s impact is most significant: narrative design?13:01 - The future of autonomous NPCs & emotional attachment16:39 - Procedural generation: Can AI replace human designers?21:07 - Market trends: AI, copycats, and the “bull vs. bear” case34:51 - Fully AI-generated games: who needs them?42:45 - The future of AI in game development

Habby has a new surprise launch that may push the publisher to $1B ARR. Apple somehow does worse than Game Center 2.0, while Xbox delivers a near swan song. Did we mention LARS IS GONE FROM EMBRACER? Eric vows a commitment of swear-free chastity, while Jen and Phil remind him of his true podcast self.03:33 Off the Record in LA05:27 Phil's Singapore Experience07:28 Dune Awakening and Game of Thrones Kings Road09:14 Off the Record Event Highlights12:53 Embracer CEO Shakeup15:55 Unity CTO Resignation17:28 Xbox Showcase Disappointment21:29 Xbox Handheld Announcement24:51 Call of Duty Marketing Concerns29:52 Fun Plus and the Pokémon MMO34:45 Summer Games Fest Highlights36:30 Nintendo Switch 2 and Third-Party Challenges40:20 Apple's New Gaming App46:59 Tim Sweeney's Explosive Interview50:52 New Marvel Games Announced53:01 Whittle Defender's Surprising Launch53:52 Habi's Success and Future Prospects56:19 Art Style Shifts in Midcore Games

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Carla Rylance - external development expert, XDS Advisory Committee Chair, and Head of Business Solutions for XDS Spark - to dive deep into the 2025 XDS Insights Report. In this episode: Key trends in external development, co-development, and industry shifts following the pandemic. The growing role of AI in game development: how publishers and service providers are using (or not using) AI. Budget trends, rates, and the business realities facing external studios. Why publishers are sticking with trusted partners and the importance of security, flexibility, and due diligence https://xdsummit.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlarylance/https://deconstructoroffun.com/slack Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & technical mishaps 02:00 – What is the XDS Insights Report? 06:00 – Trends in external development & co-dev 15:00 – Budgets, rates, and industry shifts 25:00 – The rise of AI in game development 35:00 – Security, trust, and partner selection 45:00 – Q&A and closing thoughts #ExternalDevelopment #XDS #Podcast #GameIndustry #AI #CoDevelopment