About the Company

RetroStyle Games is a game art and development studio founded by Pavel Konstantinov. The company specializes in 2D and 3D game design, handling over 100 projects annually. Clients mainly come from the US, EU, and South Korea, where the gaming industry is well-established.

The studio started small but has seen substantial growth, especially in the last few years. Despite the war in Ukraine, where their main office is located, RetroStyle Games continues to thrive and invest heavily back into the company.

With a revenue of $330,000 per month, the company employs around 80 people. It prides itself on delivering high-quality game art and development services, contributing to its strong reputation in the industry.

Idea Behind Company

Pavel's inspiration to start RetroStyle Games stemmed from his love for computer games and a pivotal moment in 2007 when he saw an interview with the developers of "The Witcher." This interview highlighted the dedication and risk-taking involved in game development, inspiring Pavel to create his own games.

He began by developing a game with a friend in their spare time, which, although not a hit, proved their capability to produce a complete game. Pavel, being a 3D artist, handled all the artwork and level design for their initial project.

The launch of Apple's Appstore prompted them to develop mobile games. Their first major success was "Spirit Run," inspired by "Temple Run" but with unique elements like characters turning into spirit animals, a concept not yet seen in the mobile market.

Creating the Company

RetroStyle Games started with freelancers working part-time, later transitioning them to full-time roles as the company grew. Initially operating from a small office in Kyiv, the company expanded from 3-5 employees to nearly 100 over three years.

The company’s growth required significant dedication and passion, as it was self-funded from the beginning. Despite the war in Ukraine, RetroStyle Games continued to grow by focusing on the global market and not allowing circumstances to hinder their development.

Pavel emphasizes the importance of working hard, staying open to new ideas, and finding innovative solutions. His love for game development drove him to make it his life's work, which has been a key factor in the company's success.

Launching the Business

Launching RetroStyle Games involved utilizing forums and game developer communities to find initial clients. The company’s website initially served as a platform for game downloads, later evolving into a portfolio showcasing their work.

Having a strong online presence on platforms like Artstation, Behance, Upwork, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter became crucial. They also focused on SEO and Google Ads to drive traffic and attract clients, despite the high cost of customer acquisition in the specialized game development niche.

The business was entirely self-funded, making the process challenging yet rewarding. Early efforts in marketing and client acquisition were critical to the company's eventual success and growth.

Earnings

RetroStyle Games is profitable, even amid challenges like the war in Ukraine and the IT crisis. The company plans to open a third office in Kyiv and expand its portfolio with more game projects.

Pavel learned valuable lessons about the importance of relationships and curiosity in business. Proper processes and organization have enabled the company to manage a large team effectively. Despite its size, Pavel remains involved in the hiring process to ensure quality.

The company relies on various tools and platforms, such as Coda.io, Float, Monday, and Google Workspace, to manage projects and operations. RetroStyle Games also participates in IT and GameDev conferences to stay updated and connected in the industry.