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HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent Victoria Trofimova

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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.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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BOS in letter to the Government: appoint a new Gambling Inquiry

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BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today sending a letter to the Ministry of Finance with a proposal to appoint a new gambling inquiry. The inquiry’s task should be to propose measures that strengthen the proportion of legal, licensed gambling in Sweden, that is, the so-called channelization.

The Swedish Gambling Authority confirmed earlier this week in a report that the state’s goal with the gambling policy regarding its channelization is not being reached. The goal is at least 90 percent channelization, but Sweden only reaches 85 percent. And for online casino, the product category where it is most important for consumer protection reasons that the proportion of legally licensed gambling is the highest, it is actually the lowest (72-82%).

During September this year, government investigator Marcus Isgren is expected to present a proposal that aims to strengthen channelization within one area, namely the so-called scope of application of the Gambling Act. It is a welcome proposal, but few stakeholders believe that this single adjustment is enough to achieve the goal of the gambling policy, at least 90 percent channelization.

For this reason, BOS is proposing today in its letter to the Ministry of Finance that the government appoint a new broad gambling inquiry, with the task of proposing measures that strengthen channelization in the Swedish gambling market. Among the proposals that should be considered, BOS mentions a somewhat less rigid regulation of loyalty bonuses, which are currently completely prohibited.

BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt comments:

“We hope that the government will take to heart the serious situation for the licensed gambling market, most recently confirmed in the Gambling Authority’s report on the proportion of unlicensed gambling in Sweden. The appointment of a broad inquiry tasked with preventing leakage to the unlicensed gambling market would undoubtedly be this government’s most important measure to protect and strengthen the legal regulated gambling market, before Sweden goes to the polls in September next year.”

The post BOS in letter to the Government: appoint a new Gambling Inquiry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BETBY SUCCESSFULLY WRAPS SiGMA EUROMED 2025 PARTICIPATION WITH SPORTSBOOK RECOGNITION

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BETBY has been awarded the Best Online Sportsbook Provider at the SiGMA EuroMed Awards 2025. This accolade highlights the company’s unwavering dedication to delivering robust sportsbook tech solutions that empower iGaming operators worldwide.

However, SiGMA EuroMed 2025 provided a platform not only to showcase BETBY’s accomplishments but also to reaffirm its role as an industry leader.

Already preparing for the next major event, SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 taking place later this month, BETBY will once again present its cutting-edge sportsbook tools and insights to operators worldwide.

BETBY is an international technology company which for the past eight years has carved a role in the sportsbook supplier scene developing innovative solutions renowned for their excellence for the iGaming industry. BETBY holds a number of gaming licences and is a one-stop-shop for all sportsbook requirement for iGaming projects.

To find out more about BETBY’s cutting-edge sportsbook solution visit booth C110 during SBC Summit Lisbon. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with BETBY’s team, and discover how the company’s solutions and services can be their winning aspect for their iGaming project.

Alternatively, please visit: https://betby.com/

The post BETBY SUCCESSFULLY WRAPS SiGMA EUROMED 2025 PARTICIPATION WITH SPORTSBOOK RECOGNITION appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Puts the Pedal Down with Rohini Sardana—From Esports Pioneer to iGaming Visionary

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GR8 Tech’s drive-time podcast, Bet It Drives, returns for a high-speed third episode with Rohini Sardana, Founder & CEO of WiseWager Consultancy Ltd. A 20-year veteran in sports, esports, media, and tech innovation, Sardana has been behind some of iGaming’s boldest product launches—from introducing Competitive Gaming at SIS to spearheading the EsportsEvolved platform at Pinnacle Solution—and she’s nowhere near the finish line.

On this ride, Rohini shares:

  • The iGB side events she’s most excited about
  • The industry leaders she’d invite to her dream dinner
  • The iGaming product she wishes she had invented
  • Where esports stands today as a betting product
  • Her vision of what “iGaming hell” would look like

“Rohini has that rare combination of big-picture vision and ground-level experience,” said Yevhen Krazhan, Chief Sales Officer at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives. “She’s been on the front lines of iGaming innovation, and in this episode she brings the kind of fearless opinions and smart observations that make you want to keep driving just to hear more.”

Bet It Drives swaps the static studio for the streets, turning every interview into a rolling conversation through London. Host Yevhen Krazhan sits alongside iGaming’s most interesting voices, letting the road rhythm shape the dialogue. With multiple cameras capturing the ride and an award-winning crew behind the scenes, each episode mixes sharp industry insight with the unscripted moments you only get when the scenery—and the conversation—are always moving.

Episode 3 with Rohini Sardana is live now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Buckle up for expert insights, bold ideas, and a few turns you won’t see coming.

The post GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Puts the Pedal Down with Rohini Sardana—From Esports Pioneer to iGaming Visionary appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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