"We Can Do It, It Just Takes Time." Kirill Zolovkin on the Future of Russian Game Development

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Kirill Zolovkin has over 10 years of experience in the gaming industry. He held the position of Senior Game Designer at Allods Team and worked as an independent developer. Kirill currently leads the Heart Core studio and is developing Gripper, an ARPG in which players control a biker who battles mechanical monsters and frees the hearts of their loved ones.

Events in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed have threatened the closure of many projects in Russian gaming development. We talked to Kirill to find out how his team is overcoming the current crisis, what aspects need to be taken into account when relocating, and what prospects await the Russian gaming industry in the future.

Head of Heart Core Studio, and A game designer and head of development on Gripper, he has significant experience in the video game industry. Heart Core is known for its innovative approaches to game creation, and Gripper attracts attention with its unique concept and engaging gameplay. As a game designer, he develops interesting mechanics and stories, which allows him to create high-quality and memorable games.

When did you and your colleagues realize the need to consider relocation?

We made this decision almost immediately when we realized what awaited the Russian gaming market. Firstly, it became obvious that we would not be able to generate income from game sales on electronic platforms. Secondly, we lost several large publishers who stopped working with us. Thirdly, my ticket to GDC was revoked, which also impacted our plans. These factors forced us to reconsider our strategy and seek new avenues for development in the changed environment.

Our Gripper team is made up of professionals representing various countries and cultures. I was born and raised in Kazakhstan, where I received my education and spent a significant part of my life. We have always championed peace and unity, rejecting conflicts between nations. Our goal is to create a productive and friendly atmosphere that fosters cooperation and mutual understanding.

One of my key tasks has always been ensuring the timely payment of salaries to all team members. Therefore, when the process began, we immediately began developing strategies for relocating our employees and ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Before relocating your team, it's important to consider several key aspects. First, it's important to assess the legal and tax implications of relocating employees. This includes visas, work permits, and compliance with local laws. Second, it's important to consider cultural differences and the team's adaptation to the new environment. Conducting training and team-building activities can help facilitate this process. It's also important to consider logistics: employee housing, transportation, and access to necessary resources. Finally, consider the impact on team productivity and possible changes to the workflow. Proper preparation and attention to detail will help ensure a successful relocation and maintain the team's effectiveness.

According to my research, Georgia, one of the most popular destinations for relocating IT specialists, has welcomed over 30,000 people from Russia. The country is currently experiencing a significant population increase, which has led to a sharp increase in housing and utility prices.

Renting a home for $500 per month is becoming increasingly difficult to afford. This is due to rising real estate prices and changes in the economic situation. It is also important to consider opening an international bank account in advance. For example, the Mir card is not accepted in all places in Georgia as it used to be. Therefore, it is recommended to research available options and prepare in advance to avoid potential complications when traveling abroad.

I recommend avoiding the most popular relocation destinations, such as Armenia and Georgia. Instead, consider moving to lesser-known but more accessible countries. This will allow you to avoid competition and find more comfortable living and working conditions.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan offer attractive conditions for IT specialists, especially during the current period. Both countries are developing their IT parks, which help simplify the relocation process. These parks take away some of the hassle associated with finding housing, submitting documents, and simplifying bank account openings. In Kazakhstan, for example, it's possible to complete some of these steps remotely by arranging a power of attorney.

A community of Russian-speaking developers has truly developed in these countries. This community actively interacts, sharing experiences and knowledge in programming and technology. Russian-speaking developers participate in various events, conferences, and online platforms, which facilitate the exchange of ideas and the development of professional skills. Joint projects and initiatives help strengthen ties within the community and contribute to its further growth.

There are chats on Telegram dedicated to relocation. For example, a significant community of game development companies has already formed in Cyprus, which began developing well before February 24th. These companies already have offices on the island, and key employees were able to relocate in advance. This has created a favorable environment for new professionals looking to join the industry and pursue careers in game development.

New countries like Georgia currently have a less developed game development industry compared to Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. This means that the community in Georgia will need more time to form and grow. The development of game development in these countries depends on many factors, including access to education, investment, and support from the government and private sector. It's important to note that this situation may change over time, and Georgia could become a significant player in the video game market.

Armenia is seeing a growing interest in meetups, especially in Yerevan, where the IT community actively gathers. Many specialists can be seen in cafes and public spaces, indicating the emergence of a vibrant IT environment. Meetups are expected to begin in the near future, providing an excellent opportunity to share experiences and establish professional connections.

In Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, developer events are actively held as part of the IT hub. This space has created gamedev chats on Telegram, which facilitate integration into the Kazakhstani gamedev community. These chats facilitate the process of meeting and collaborating for new participants, thereby promoting the development of gamedev in the country.

I haven't seen similar initiatives in Uzbekistan yet. We need to organize chats and meetups. Don't expect everything to be ready and organized upon your arrival, like in Russia. Create your own communities and actively participate in their development.

The gaming industry in Russia continues to develop, despite various economic and political challenges. Interest in domestic games is expected to grow in the coming years, along with an increase in the number of developers. Government support, aimed at developing technologies and creating a favorable environment for startups, plays a key role in this process.

The development of mobile and online games also contributes to expanding the audience and attracting new players. Russian developers are expected to more actively enter international markets, which will help increase competitiveness and improve product quality.

Thus, the future of the gaming industry in Russia looks promising, with opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation.

The Russian gaming industry has faced crises several times, such as the "vomgla" crisis and the 2008 economic downturn. Despite these difficulties, game development still has financial resources. I am confident that new approaches and solutions will allow for continued success in this sector. The chains of companies through which interactions are carried out will expand, creating additional opportunities for development.

The market is currently experiencing a state of shock. This is evident in the decisions made by management, which often appear chaotic and inconsistent. There is a clear lack of understanding of future prospects. Communication difficulties are becoming especially evident, especially in relations with nations that were previously considered friendly. This creates additional challenges for businesses and requires adaptation to new realities.

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Many conferences are adapting their plans, paying special attention to Ukrainian companies. For example, DevGAMM has changed its location to Vilnius. GamesGathering has focused on Ukrainian developers, emphasizing their experience working in wartime conditions. The InGameJob platform has limited job postings from Russia and Belarus, but actively publishes offers from Ukrainian companies and job seekers. I fully support and respect this position, as it aims to help those in difficult circumstances. Many professional ties are being severed, and some companies are taking a more active role in leadership positions. The Talents in Games portal and the White Nights conference are examples of projects that continue to operate and support specialists based in Russia. These initiatives play an important role in maintaining professional contacts and developing the industry in the current climate.

New opportunities for online gaming will appear soon. The My.Games platform may launch its own service, which will lead to an increase in available content. The number of games on the VKontakte platform is also expected to grow. Importantly, new payment processing initiatives will be introduced, including through Xsolla. Users will be able to take advantage of convenient transfer methods, such as QIWI Wallet. These changes will improve player interaction with gaming platforms and expand the selection of available services.

Opening an account in friendly countries gives you the opportunity to receive payments and distribute them among Russian offices. This is an important step for maintaining financial stability. Large companies have long had accounts in Cyprus or the UAE, which allows them to effectively manage their finances. Thus, even in difficult conditions, they can continue their operations and ensure business sustainability.

Projects such as SberGames and other large initiatives will likely distance themselves from government structures and may be sold to Tencent. This is due to the clear division between the public sector and the gaming industry, as gaming companies primarily generate revenue from the overseas market.

I am confident that we will be able to overcome the current difficulties. We'll find the optimal solution, it'll just take a little time.

Your team has strategies and goals for The future?

We are closely monitoring the current situation. Our Russian office continues operations, and we have no plans to abandon our employees. We are actively seeking ways to continue development of the Gripper project. We have no plans to close the project and are confident that we will be able to complete the game while maintaining high quality standards.

We are currently actively developing new projects in pre-production with the goal of attracting funding. We are now accelerating processes that previously seemed abstract and were discussed only for the long term. This allows us not only to optimize resources but also to better prepare for entering the market with innovative solutions. Our team is focused on creating a high-quality product that will be in demand.