We continue our review of 2024 together with top managers and experts from the games industry (and related fields). Up next is an interview with Vladimir Nikolsky, founder of Utmost Games.
How was 2024 for Utmost Games and you personally? What achievements would you like to highlight?
In 2023, I officially left My.Games and, after a brief break, began building a new gaming business. In 2024, Utmost Games became the answer to what the market needs today. Over the past few years, the industry has faced challenging times, during which fundamental values are often forgotten. I remain committed to the principles that helped me build successful game companies in the past. Employees and the products created by their teams are the cornerstone of success — only through them can we build long-term plans and achieve outstanding results.
For me personally, this year has been defined by two key directions. First, my investment in Digital Vortex Entertainment, a game publisher led by Alex Izotov. The team has already announced its first game, with more announcements on the way. Second, my investment in Top App Games, whose debut title Ludus is nearing $3 million in monthly revenue. I know that Top App Games is preparing to announce a new project and is actively seeking studios for collaboration.
Ludus
How have conditions in the games industry changed for those who are ready and willing to invest in this area?
For several years now, we’ve seen how those who bought projects, studios, and franchises recklessly and without strategy are losing ground and struggling to sell off their assets. Some studios have ceased to exist altogether. There are many development studios in the market today without partners or publishers, all seeking funding to bring their projects to release.
In my opinion, it’s essential now to value expertise in development, publishing, and “old-school” marketing. Specialists in classic marketing — those who don’t blindly rely on traffic acquisition but know how to work with organic growth — are very rare. Consequently, studios and teams that have such experts are highly valued today.
Has anything changed in the investment landscape for studios looking to attract funding?
Studios are no longer just looking for money; they’re seeking partners who can provide the expertise they need across various areas. This can include project promotion or team management, often appearing as interconnected challenges. Finding such a partner is no easy task.
Additionally, there’s a growing segment of studios seeking partners who will allow them to retain control over their product and its market launch while still providing the necessary funding. While it’s often assumed that the primary risk lies with the investor or publisher, time has shown that development teams themselves bear the greatest risks.
What investment trends do you expect to intensify or emerge in 2025?
The games industry constantly brings new ideas, with the market evolving and offering many intriguing opportunities. One area worth attention is skill-based gaming. While not a new concept, it has grown significantly stronger recently and presents a very promising market entry point.
Additionally, the merge genre — often dubbed the “new match-3” — continues to show great potential.
What are your and Utmost Games’ plans for the coming year?
We’re preparing several major announcements that we’ll share early next year. Beyond that, I plan to continue investing in talented teams and offering them expertise. At later stages, I’ll be ready to step into management roles myself. Right now, we’re laying the foundation for what will eventually become a billion-dollar business.