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.
Baltics
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 Agenda Unites Digital Governance, AI, Fintech & Regulated Growth
HIPTHER has officially revealed the Agenda for HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026, taking place on 2 June at Hilton Tallinn Park, bringing together regulators, operators, fintech builders, founders, compliance leaders, legal experts, AI practitioners, and startup innovators for the grand finale of the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 series.
Tallinn is not just another conference destination for HIPTHER — it is home base. The city where the #hipthers story evolves, and the natural setting for a conference built around digital governance, startup ecosystems, operational resilience, and the future of regulated innovation.
The newly released program features:
- 16 sessions across one focused day
- 2 parallel stages
- 3 practical HIPTHER Academy workshops
- 40+ speakers & experts from across the Baltics, Nordics, and wider European ecosystem
One Agenda. Multiple Industries. Real Operational Conversations.
Tallinn 2026 brings together discussions that typically happen in separate rooms: AML supervision, fintech scaling, AI implementation, digital identity infrastructure, crypto payments, operational risk, behavioural science, startup growth, and commercial strategy.
Across the Compliance & Operations Lab and the TechXperience Stage, attendees will explore topics including:
- AML supervision, financial intelligence & market trust
- Operator-supplier partnerships under mature regulation
- Digital identity infrastructure & eIDAS 2.0
- AI-powered operations & compliance automation
- Player acquisition after the easy-growth era
- Stablecoins, Travel Rule & trusted payment infrastructure
- Governance, board accountability & operational risk
- VC, alternative finance & cross-border startup scaling
- Agentic AI and production-ready AI workflows for regulated sectors
The agenda also includes a focused Finland regulatory update alongside keynote sessions examining CRM strategy under tightening Nordic regulation, behavioural science in regulated environments, and the realities of operational AI adoption beyond the hype cycle.
HIPTHER Academy Expands the Practical Layer
Tallinn 2026 continues the expansion of HIPTHER Academy with practical workshops designed for professionals operating inside fast-changing regulated industries.
This year’s Tallinn workshops focus on:
- Digital body language & executive communication
- Production-ready AI agents for regulated industries
- Agentic AI workflows and orchestration systems
More Than a Conference Floor
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 also brings back the curated social experiences that have become part of the HIPTHER DNA.
Welcome Drinks – Olympic Park Casino
1 June · 18:00–22:30
Meet & greet in the relaxed and luxurious atmosphere of the new flagship Olympic Park Casino – located at Hilton Tallinn Park hotel.
Nordic Flow: Morning Reset & Networking
2 June · 07:15–08:45
A gentle yoga and breathwork session inspired by the calm, grounded energy of the Baltics and Nordics. Designed for the conference guests and busy professionals, this session will help participants release tension, reconnect with the body, and start the day with balance, energy, and presence. No previous yoga experience is needed.
HIPTHER Baltic & Nordics Gaming Awards + Karaoke @ Fort Bar
Sponsored by Amusnet
2 June · 20:00 – Late Night
Recognising Excellence Across the Baltics & Nordics and connecting in a celebratory atmosphere. Because some of the best conversations happen long after the panels end.
A Baltic-Nordic Industry Room Built for Decision-Makers
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 closes the 2026 Baltic series by bringing together the people shaping regulated growth across gaming, fintech, AI, compliance, payments, cybersecurity, and startup innovation — all inside one highly focused, boutique environment built for real conversations instead of expo chaos.
Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, commented: “Tallinn has always represented something unique for us. Not only because HIPTHER OÜ proudly calls Estonia home, but because the Baltic-Nordic region continues to prove that practical innovation, digital governance, and entrepreneurial resilience can coexist without unnecessary complexity.
With Tallinn 2026, we wanted to build more than another conference agenda. We wanted to create a room where operators, regulators, founders, compliance leaders, fintech innovators, and AI practitioners can have honest operational conversations about what comes next.
The future of regulated industries will not be shaped in isolated verticals. It will be shaped through collaboration between technology, compliance, governance, finance, and human decision-making. That is exactly why Tallinn felt like the natural grand finale for our Baltic series.
And frankly, there is no better city in Europe to host these conversations than Tallinn.”
As HIPTHER returns home to Tallinn, the final stop of the series promises a high-level gathering designed around substance, operational insight, and the future of the Baltic-Nordic innovation economy.
HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026
2 June 2026
Hilton Tallinn Park
More information & registration:
https://hipther.com/events/tallinn/
The post HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics: Tallinn 2026 Agenda Unites Digital Governance, AI, Fintech & Regulated Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Andreas Larsson Casino Manager for Entain
Spinomenal content goes live in Estonia via Entain NCE brands
Spinomenal has expanded its presence in Estonia through a new content partnership with Entain NCE (Entain North and Central Europe).
Under the agreement, Entain NCE’s Estonia-facing brands Ninja Casino and Boost Casino will offer Spinomenal titles via Light & Wonder’s OpenGaming
platform. Games cited by the company as now available include Majestic King, Demi Gods V and Fairytale Beauties 2.
The deal extends Spinomenal’s wider commercial relationship with Entain across regulated European markets, with the Estonia rollout delivered through Entain NCE’s regional operation.
Yossi Shayovits, Head of Business Development for Spinomenal, said: “Entain is one of the most influential groups in the global gaming industry, and expanding our presence with them in Estonia demonstrates the quality of our content. This is an important part of a broader, evolving relationship across different markets, and we look forward to what’s to come.”
Andreas Larsson, Casino Manager for Entain, added: “Time and time again, Spinomenal knows what it takes to create content that our players genuinely love. Estonia marks the next chapter in a highly productive partnership that we expect will deliver strong results.”
The post Spinomenal content goes live in Estonia via Entain NCE brands appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
PopOK Gaming has partnered with Lithuanian operator TOPsport to integrate PopOK’s content into TOPsport’s platform.
Under the agreement, TOPsport players will gain access to PopOK Gaming’s catalogue, including slots, live casino titles and instant games.
“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with TOPsport, a brand that defines excellence in the Lithuanian market,” said Luiza Melikyan, Head of Business Development of PopOK Gaming. “Our mission has always been to provide high-quality, entertaining content that resonates with players. Partnering with a market leader like TOPsport allows us to showcase our innovation to a massive audience and reinforces our commitment to growth in regulated European markets.”
TOPsport CEO Dainius Gulbinas said: “This collaboration is an important step for both teams. PopOK’s engaging content and dynamic entertainment format are a strong addition to the TOPsport platform, helping us deliver even more variety, quality, and excitement to Lithuanian players.”
PopOK Gaming said the integration supports TOPsport’s strategy to broaden its entertainment offering in the region.
The post PopOK Gaming partners with Lithuania’s TOPsport appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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