"No tech ecosystem grows on companies alone," Andrei Sokal, CTO and Co-Founder of SayGames suggests, explaining, "Real, lasting growth happens when businesses, universities and government are actually pulling in the same direction. Universities shape the next generation of talent. Companies give them somewhere to apply it – real experience, mentorship, career paths. Government sets the conditions that make innovation and international investment possible in the first place."
As well as elaborating on why collaboration is key to establishing Cyprus as a regional powerhouse for game development, in a recent interview with GOLD magazine on the occasion of SayGames being recognised with an Invest Cyprus International Investment Award, Sokal also discusses the island’s evolving technology ecosystem and the transformative role of AI in gaming.
Founded in 2017 by Yegor Vaikhanski and Andrei Sokal, SayGames develops and publishes mobile games enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. It partners with game studios across the globe, providing product expertise, analytics, user acquisition, monetisation, and technology solutions to help games scale successfully. Its portfolio includes more than 200 mobile games, including globally recognised titles such as My Perfect Hotel, Little Farm Story, Dreamdale, and My Little Universe, which have generated more than 8 billion downloads. In 2020, impressed by Cyprus’ transparent, EU-aligned business environment and access to international talent and technology communities, SayGames establised its global headquarters on the island.
How has Cyprus’ tech ecosystem evolved since 2020 and which developments have had the greatest impact on SayGames?
The growth here has been something to watch. When we arrived, the tech community was already taking shape but today it feels far more mature and connected. There are more international companies, more specialised service providers, stronger professional networks and a much deeper pool of experienced talent. Maybe the biggest shift is how diverse the ecosystem has become. Cyprus is pulling in founders, engineers, investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world and that mix means that ideas and experience move fast among companies and industries. That’s good for everyone. It makes hiring easier, opens up more chances to collaborate and helps companies grow while staying genuinely rooted in the local community.
Gaming is increasingly becoming converged with AI, data analytics and cloud technologies. How is SayGames embracing these trends, and what opportunities do they present for Cyprus’ wider technology sector?
Gaming has always combined creativity with cutting-edge technology and that intersection is becoming even more exciting. At SayGames, data has always been central to how we make decisions – from improving the player experience to helping partner studios build sustainable businesses. Today, AI is becoming another powerful tool. It helps our teams accelerate content production, automate routine tasks and experiment with new creative approaches, allowing specialists to spend more time on the work that requires human imagination and expertise. What makes the games industry particularly valuable for a country’s technology sector is its interdisciplinary nature. It brings together software engineering, AI, analytics, design, product management, marketing and creative storytelling. The knowledge developed within gaming often transfers to many other technology fields. As Cyprus continues to expand its innovation economy, we believe the games industry can play an increasingly important role in attracting highly skilled professionals, encouraging entrepreneurship and driving technological innovation far beyond entertainment.
How important is collaboration between government, academia and the private sector in building a thriving games ecosystem?
It’s essential – honestly, non-negotiable. No tech ecosystem grows on companies alone. Real, lasting growth happens when businesses, universities and government are actually pulling in the same direction. Universities shape the next generation of talent. Companies give them somewhere to apply it – real experience, mentorship, career paths. Government sets the conditions that make innovation and international investment possible in the first place. Cyprus has already made significant progress and we believe that even closer collaboration will help develop local talent, encourage innovation and attract more international companies in the years ahead.
Can Cyprus realistically become a regional hub for video game development and what further steps are needed to attract more international studios?
Cyprus is already well on its way. By some estimates, Cyprus is now home to more than 300 active game studios – a genuine cluster for an island this size. The country offers much of what international studios look for: quality of life, an international workforce, a stable business environment, strong connectivity and an increasingly vibrant tech scene. The next step is building even more critical mass – attracting more studios, backing local entrepreneurship, strengthening ties with universities and growing specialised talent across engineering, game design, art and product. Just as important is reputation. As more successful companies choose Cyprus and more great games get made here, the island will be known not just as a great place to live and do business but as a real hub for innovation in interactive entertainment. The foundations are already there. We believe the momentum is real and we’re excited to be part of Cyprus’ next chapter as a global tech hub.
The Invest Cyprus International Investment Award recognises not only SayGames’ success but also its commitment to Cyprus. What does this award mean to the company and why is it important to your long-term vision?
Receiving this award is a real honour for all of us. We are genuinely happy and grateful to be recognised by a country that has become our home. When SayGames chose Cyprus in 2020, we weren’t simply opening a new headquarters – we were making a long-term commitment. Today, Cyprus is where many of our employees and their families have built their lives. It’s where we’ve invested in our own growth, helped partner studios relocate their businesses and teams and become part of a vibrant technology community. We also believe that being part of a community means contributing to it. Beyond business, we regularly support local charitable initiatives and social projects because we see ourselves not just as a company operating in Cyprus but as a company that belongs here. This award recognises that relationship. It reflects not only what SayGames has achieved globally but also our contribution to Cyprus’ growing technology ecosystem. It inspires us to keep investing in people, supporting entrepreneurs and helping strengthen Cyprus’ position as one of Europe’s leading technology destinations.
This interview first appeared in the July edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
