Sign In

Michail Katkoff

Deconstructor of Fun I Founder I Executive I Angel Investor

Michail Katkoff is a prominent figure in the gaming industry with extensive experience in game development, studio management, and venture capital. He is currently a Venture Partner at Play Ventures, a position he has held since September 2022.1 Katkoff is also the founder of Deconstructor of Fun, a blog, podcast, and advisory company that analyzes free-to-play games and their success factors.2

Katkoff's career spans over a decade in the gaming industry, including leadership roles at major companies:

  1. CEO and co-founder of Savage Game Studios (acquired by PlayStation in 2022)14
  2. Head of Studio at Rovio Entertainment Corporation1
  3. Studio Lead at FunPlus1
  4. Executive Producer at Zynga1
  5. Product Manager at Supercell1
  6. Monetization Manager and Executive Producer at Rovio Entertainment1

He has been an angel investor since January 2019 and continues to advise various gaming companies.1 Katkoff's expertise in free-to-play games and team building has made him a valuable asset in the gaming industry.4

Katkoff is also known for his content creation, including the "This Week in Games" podcast and industry predictions.2 His background in both game development and venture capital gives him a unique perspective on the gaming market and strategy.3

Highlights

Sep 2 · linkedin

🚀 5 Key Takeaways from Deconstructor of Fun's latest podcast with Dimo Dimov, VP of Live Games at Gameloft

1️⃣ Live Ops Evolution

There's a shift from Live Ops being purely a monetization tool to a holistic approach involving the entire game team. Everyone from artists to QA is now deeply integrated into Live Ops, ensuring every feature impacts key KPIs and overall game health.

2️⃣ Strategic Roadmaps

By involving the whole team in brainstorming and refining ideas for the roadmap, 70-80% of the game’s direction comes directly from the developers. This inclusive strategy drives innovation and ownership across the board.

3️⃣ Cross-Platform Challenges

Synchronizing updates across multiple platforms, each with its certification process, requires foresight and flexibility. The ability to adapt quickly is crucial.

4️⃣ Monetization is Liberation

As Dimo puts it, “Monetization is the liberation of the gaming industry.” A financially stable game not only secures your team’s future but also gives you the creative freedom to experiment and innovate.

(Phillip Black 🇸🇪 🇺🇸 supports this message...)

5️⃣ Player-First Approach

Listening to your community isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Gameloft’s success hinges on putting players at the heart of their Live Ops strategy.

🔗 Dive deeper into Live Ops strategies and more by checking out the full episode on YouTube or any platform you get your podcasts from. Just search for Deconstructor of Fun, subscribe, and enjoy!

#GameDevelopment #LiveOps #CrossPlatform #Monetization #Gameloft

Aug 23 · linkedin

GUESS WHO'S BACK?!? Back again! Adam Telfer is back. Tell a friend!

Fresh from another Tim Hortons ribbon cutting in Dubai, Adam Telfer returns to the Deconstructor of Fun podcast.

In the latest This Week in Games segment Adam is packing heat, laying down hot takes on The Finals, Once Human, and the colossal capital required to ship single-player games.

Meanwhile, Eric Kress drops a margin call on Riot’s transmedia move while Jen Donahoe rallies in defense.

Phillip Black thinks everyone is missing the real Wukong takeaway with a mysterious winner. The group discusses a somber Newzoo report and how single-player games can survive.

Get your latest Deconstructor of Fun podcast and enjoy the insight and the outrage on your travel back from Gamescom.

Related Questions

What inspired Michail Katkoff to start Deconstructor of Fun?
How did Michail Katkoff's experience at Supercell influence his career?
What are some key lessons Michail Katkoff has learned from his time at Zynga?
How does Michail Katkoff balance his roles at Savage Game Studios and Deconstructor of Fun?
What makes Michail Katkoff's approach to game development unique?
Michail Katkoff
Michail Katkoff, photo 1
Michail Katkoff, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Helsinki Metropolitan Area