Vladimir Markov: "Cyprus is definitely the right place to start an IT business"

"In my opinion, Cyprus is definitely the right place to start an IT business, especially if we are talking about GameDev.," Vladimir Markov the CEO of Limassol-based Top App Games suggests.

In an exclusive interview with CBN, the gaming veteran highlights the many benefits the island offers IT businesses setting up shop in Cyprus while also pointing out where there may be room for improvement.

"Cyprus is already positioning itself as a solid business hub. I believe that to attract and retain more international companies, especially in the technology and entertainment sectors, the country can continue strengthening its business infrastructure and regulatory processes," Markov notes.

Among other things, the CEO also talks about exciting developments at Top App Games, including the success of hit strategy RPG ‘Ludus: Merge Arena’, and what's next for the company.

As someone who has been deeply involved in the local sector for several years now, what is your view of the business climate for tech and gaming in Cyprus? How has your experience of doing business here been?

In my opinion, Cyprus is definitely the right place to start an IT business, especially if we are talking about GameDev. It offers great opportunities for entrepreneurs, with a dynamic environment for tech innovation and business development. I’d also highlight the supportive business climate and the strength of the local community. Cyprus has a high concentration of talented people, many of whom are friends or close contacts. There’s always someone to talk to, share ideas with, or learn from.

Further to the above, what do you suggest could be done to encourage more international companies, particularly those from the tech and gaming sector, to come to–and stay in– Cyprus?

Cyprus is already positioning itself as a solid business hub. I believe that to attract and retain more international companies, especially in the technology and entertainment sectors, the country can continue strengthening its business infrastructure and regulatory processes. So far, Cyprus offers a great lifestyle, attractive tax incentives, and a strong talent pool. Further improvements in banking services, regulations, and digital infrastructure would make Cyprus an even more attractive place to run a business.

On an international level, what do you consider to be some of the most exciting game development trends, especially for niche genres?

Right now, we’re thinking about how to grow and retain our audience. To truly achieve that, we’ll need to create our own trends and develop fresh approaches to show a global audience just how engaging our game is. If you’re following a trend, you’re already late — that’s the reality of today’s industry. I believe passive gameplay experiences will continue to engage players over time. Simple yet addictive projects like our own Ludus have the potential to attract and retain a wide audience. In my view, games in this category are well-positioned to maintain a strong presence in the market.

We’re also focused on exploring new genres and mechanics and bringing them to market. Cross-platform play is a big part of this, as it lets players connect and enjoy the game regardless of their device. Additionally, we’re keeping an eye on AI tools to personalize gameplay and improve player experience.

Moving on to your hit strategy RPG ‘Ludus: Merge Arena’. Can you tell us more about the roadmap you followed to the game’s success, particularly taking into account it was developed by a comparatively small team out of Cyprus?

Absolutely. This year, we’ve already rolled out a number of exciting updates, as Ludus celebrated its two-year anniversary and surpassed six million players. To mark the milestone, we introduced a new mechanic, Spells, which adds more depth and strategy to battles by allowing players to cast them in real time.

And there’s still more to come. Our main focus has been on clans and group gameplay: we want Ludus to be something players can enjoy together with friends. Looking ahead, we’ll be turning our attention to the early-game experience and rethinking how we onboard new players.

What’s next for Top App Games?

We have a lot in the pipeline. Ludus remains our top priority, and we’re actively developing it in multiple directions, from gameplay and features to community engagement and scalability in the long term. We see Ludus as a core part of our strategy and a key competitive advantage. In many ways, the future of Ludus is the future of Top App Games.

As for the game itself, I would say that in the early days, we were primarily focused on player retention. Now, as we’re growing, we’re also paying close attention to a second key metric: market size. Going forward, we plan to continue refining our approach and optimizing our CPI to better scale our reach.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Since I’ve become a part of Top App, my life has changed a lot, it’s much more exciting right now. And in many senses, thanks to Cyprus and the people living here. In terms of business, I've gained a lot of hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the market.