Baltics
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent Victoria Trofimova
In this edition of HIPTHER Community Voices, we talk with Victoria Trofimova, the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent, the biggest game studio to come out of Lithuania and the Baltics. Since starting the company in 2002, Victoria has led Nordcurrent from a small team to an international gaming success story — all without external funding.
She shares how key decisions like focusing on mobile games, building a diverse team, and staying true to their creative vision helped shape Nordcurrent’s growth. We also dive into how she’s helping put the Baltics on the global gaming map, supporting young talent, and what advice she has for the next generation of women leaders in tech.
Nordcurrent has grown into a Baltic powerhouse since its founding in 2002. What were some of the pivotal moments that shaped the studio’s identity and success—especially as a bootstrapped company?
One key moment was our decision to focus fully on mobile gaming early on. That shift, around 2010, allowed us to scale globally with titles like Cooking Fever, which became a long-term success story. Another pivotal step was building and retaining in-house capabilities, from development to marketing, while staying self-funded. Being bootstrapped taught us discipline, resilience, and how to make bold yet thoughtful decisions without external pressure.
You’ve scaled a 360-person team across multiple countries. What have been the biggest challenges—and advantages—of growing Nordcurrent without external funding?
The biggest challenge has been growth pacing. We had to build sustainably, without shortcuts. But that’s also been our advantage; we’ve kept creative control, built long-term trust with our team, and stayed focused on profitability and product quality. It’s a different rhythm, one that favors deep thinking over hype.
Diversity in gaming is still lagging behind. What concrete steps has Nordcurrent taken to drive inclusion, and how do you embed this into studio culture, hiring, and leadership?
We don’t overcomplicate it, we hire the best people who want to build great games with us. We don’t separate or label by gender, background, or title. If someone brings talent, drive, and a collaborative mindset, they belong here. That approach has naturally led to a diverse team, including strong female leadership across departments. We focus on creating an environment where everyone is treated equally, trusted, and heard.
You’ve spoken about attracting global talent to Lithuania and the Baltics. What makes the region appealing—and what misconceptions do you often have to overcome when recruiting internationally?
The Baltics offer a great work-life balance, strong tech ecosystems, and a tight-knit creative scene. But we still need to overcome outdated perceptions; for example, that it’s cold, isolated, or lacking opportunity. The truth is, Vilnius and other cities here are dynamic and are increasingly being recognized for innovation.
In such a saturated gaming market, how does Nordcurrent approach innovation and stay relevant without falling into trend-chasing?
We listen deeply. To players, to data, and to our instincts. With over two decades of experience, we’ve built a rich internal library of what works, what lasts, and what connects. Innovation for us isn’t about reinventing the wheel every time. It’s about layering insight, emotion, and cultural nuance onto strong foundations. We don’t chase trends, we ask how a game fits into people’s lives. That’s why titles like Airplane Chefs resonate. They’re familiar yet fresh, culturally rich but globally accessible. Years of learning has given us the confidence to trust our gut and the clarity to know when to try something bold.
From mobile hits to console and PC publishing—how has your portfolio strategy evolved, and how do you decide what kinds of games to invest in today?
Our mobile success gave us the freedom to diversify. With Nordcurrent Labs, we now publish PC and console games that align with our values: original IP, strong storytelling, and long-tail potential. We look for teams with vision and grit, whether it’s cozy games or narrative-rich adventures.
You recently acquired River End Games and the Cinemaware catalog. What’s the strategic thinking behind those moves, and what can players expect from these legacy properties going Forward?
River End Games brings deep narrative talent and AAA craftsmanship, which complements our publishing ambitions. With Cinemaware, we’re reimagining classics for a new generation. These acquisitions aren’t about nostalgia only, they’re about unlocking untapped creative value in ways that feel both respectful and bold.
How are you helping to nurture the next generation of game developers in the Baltics, and what role do you think studios should play in education or early talent development?
We take this responsibility seriously. As the largest Lithuania-born game developer, we feel a strong duty to help grow the industry, not just our studio. We actively collaborate with the Lithuanian Game Developers Association, support local game jams, and organize major meetups that bring the community together. Our goal is to make the gaming industry more visible, more accessible, and more appealing, especially to young people who may not yet see it as a real career path.
It’s not just about hiring talent, it’s about helping to create it. We believe studios should take an active role in popularizing the industry, opening doors, and building a future where game development is seen as a creative and respected profession.
You’re leading a company that’s rooted in Eastern Europe but competing on a global stage. How do you balance local values with global ambitions?
We don’t see it as a conflict. Our roots give us authenticity and resilience, and these are qualities that resonate globally. We build games that are grounded in strong craft and cultural richness but are universally relatable. Staying true to who we are has been our best strategy for going global.
And finally—what advice would you give to aspiring women leaders in tech and gaming who want to break into this industry and rise through the ranks?
Own your voice. You don’t need to fit a mold to lead. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. And remember, leadership isn’t just about a title, it’s about taking responsibility, lifting others, and staying curious. Tech and gaming need your perspective, and there’s room for you at the table.
The post HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent Victoria Trofimova appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solution supplier, has signed a content deal with Entain NCE, to strengthen the esports betting offer of their brands (Optibet and Klondaika) across the Baltics and Nordics – with Estonia as a key rollout market.
Through the collaboration, Entain and its portfolio of brands will receive DATA.BET’s premium esports coverage. The package includes a comprehensive Odds Feed, Risk Management, Bet Builder and a suite of engagement Widgets – Pitch Tracker (interactive 2D map), Scoreboards (visual representation of player statistics), live Video Streaming, Statistical Widgets (team history and game stats) and a Multi Widget that unites all these tools within one screen. The partnership is designed to help Entain brands and their clients increase profitability in esports by combining precise pricing and risk controls with engagement tools that lift turnover and margin.
With the deal, Entain’s customers get access to DATA.BET’s 30+ disciplines and over 10,000 monthly events, delivered with a down-to-the-second bet delay across leading titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends and others. A phased expansion of additional disciplines and features will follow to meet Entain’s demand.
“This partnership sets a high bar for product excellence. Our role is to power that ambition with an esports layer that’s rich in content and strong on risk, enabling consistent margins and a best-in-class customer experience. We’ve aligned on a clear roadmap to scale, with more Entain brands scheduled to join the rollout next,” said Otto Bonning, Head of Sales at DATA.BET.
“We are thrilled to partner with DATA.BET who are renown for being the leading Esports provider and who share the same passion and commitment for Esports as we do. DATA.BET’s deep understanding of the esports ecosystem and its growing influence among modern audiences makes the collaboration a perfect fit. Together, we aim to elevate esports and deliver the best experience and entertainment to the fans across Baltics and Nordics regions,” said Hendrik Ahuna, Director of Sportsbook at Entain NCE.
The post DATA.BET Now Powers Esports for Entain NCE Across Baltics & Nordics appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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In a move that further reinforces its footprint across regulated European markets, SYNOT Games has announced a new partnership with Boost Casino, a prominent platform in Estonia. The collaboration brings certified SYNOT titles, including some of the studio’s latest and most innovative releases, to the casino’s rapidly growing grid.
Players on Boost Casino can now enjoy brand-new titles such as the mystical Respin Multi Joker, 40 Coins of Chance, or Rio Mystery Night. These additions expand Boost Casino’s offering with a spectrum of engaging mechanics, premium design, and mobile-first performance, ensuring the highest-quality entertainment for the Estonian audience.
The agreement is part of SYNOT Games’ strategic initiative to solidify its presence in licensed, regulated markets, providing innovative content through partnerships with established and trusted regional operators.
Martin Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games, said: “We are excited to bring our portfolio to Estonian players through this strategic alliance with Boost Casino. Estonia represents a market with great potential and an audience that appreciates quality, variety, and innovation. Boos Casino’s agility and commitment to delivering premium entertainment make them an ideal partner for our continued Baltic expansion.”
Boost Casino, known for its user-centric approach and cutting-edge platform, views the addition of SYNOT Games content as a key enhancement to its offering and a testament to its mission of hosting best-in-class gaming experiences.
Janis Bariss, Head of Gaming, Entain Baltics & Nordics at Boost Casino, said: “Teaming up with SYNOT Games is an exciting opportunity to enhance our content library with vibrant, engaging titles that truly connect with today’s audience players. Their blend of storytelling, striking visuals, and proven game performance perfectly complements our vision for the future of digital gaming in Estonia.”
This collaboration not only empowers Boost Casino to further differentiate its portfolio but also underscores SYNOT Games’ long-term commitment to regulated growth, responsible gaming and working exclusively with trusted local operators—a model increasingly valued by players and regulators.
The post SYNOT Games Announces Strategic Partnership with Boost Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Is AI technology really at the point where it can truly add value to customer engagement? Tugi Tark’s new sandbox environment allows operators to find out.
Tugi Tark, the Estonian-based international AI customer service company, has launched its sandbox this week with the aim of giving operators the ability to explore how AI could work for their players, using their specific casino policies and player profiles, all in a real-world scenario.
By testing an unlimited number of situations wherein players interact with AI agents, the sandbox allows operators to experience how conversations and escalation flows would work if they implemented Tugi Tark as their customer service solution.
Harpo Lilja, CEO of Tugi Tark, explains: “The sandbox is essentially a controlled environment we’ve created where operators can test the AI agent capabilities against their own needs. They can configure the sandbox to their specific casino policies and adjust the agent’s tone of voice — which gives them a first-hand preview of how our AI agent can serve their players.
He continues: “One reason we built the sandbox is that we know from conversations with operators that people are still hesitant about whether AI solutions have reached a point in customer service where the impact is worth implementing – or if AI technology is still at a level where it risks alienating players due to poor quality. And people don’t want to commit if they don’t really know what they’re getting, which is often the case, as companies usually don’t provide enough testing to do so.
What does the sandbox allow operators to do?
Tugi Tark’s sandbox can mimic everything operators need to see how it actually works, including:
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player frustrations
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technical troubleshooting
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KYC concerns, bonus requests
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payment issues, and more.
Casinos can manually add synthetic player data without integration, which showcases how well the AI agent can handle player inquiries when it has access to both policy documentation, player data, and gaming history.
Tugi Tark’s hybrid AI model blends operational automation with human oversight, focused on compliance, emotional intelligence, empathy, service mindset, and player safety. And now, that’s available for operators to test fully using their own unique circumstances.
The testing environment allows manual casino player profile inputs, such as name, account creation date, birthday, KYC status, account limits, player segment, available bonuses, transaction and game history, and a brand’s all policies.
Using intuitive automation, the AI agent is contextually appropriate for each conversation – there are no drop-down menus or prompts, but rather, ‘natural’ language that mimics how humans communicate. For example, if users misspell, abbreviate, or use slang, the agent will understand, and if not, it will ask follow-up questions until it does.
Another feature that was integrated for customer comfort is that if a player is a little vague, rather than return the classic AI chatbot “I didn’t understand your inquiry”, the agent can check all the KYC documentation, including status, player history, exact amounts and date, so it can ask intuitive follow-up questions and arrive at a solution more quickly and thoroughly.
“With the sandbox up and running, any operator in dozens of languages and geos is able to test how Tugi Tark’s AI agents will work, on their site, within their player base. That means without having to endure lengthy sales pitches or commit to a product, operators are able to test exactly what it’s like having our technology work for them,” concludes Lilja. “And the great thing is that the entire process has a setup time of 30 minutes.
The post Introducing the newest testing tool for AI-boosted customer engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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