Meridian Play launches an Asia-centric gaming accelerator and corporate advisory service
ℹ️ News provided by: Meridian Play
TED Talk by Ilya Gutov
CHINA – 15 NOV 2024 – Meridian Play, founded by Ilya Gutov, a seasoned gaming industry executive with over 10 years of experience and former Asia Regional Head of the global gaming powerhouse MY.GAMES, is announcing the launch of its gaming accelerator and corporate advisory service. With three investment deals closed and five clients onboard, Meridian Play connects gaming companies and startups with vital fundraising support, resources, and business opportunities in the dynamic markets of Greater China, as well as South East Asia, Korea, and Japan.
Before launching Meridian Play, Ilya Gutov spent over a decade structuring and advising on gaming deals across China and the Asia-Pacific region from his Shenzhen base, overseeing the successful launches of titles like War Robots and Mushroom Wars 2. Recognized for his expertise in cross-border negotiations, Gutov shares his insights beyond the boardroom, hosting podcasts, speaking at TEDx events, and contributing to publications like TechCrunch and Reuters.
Joining him as CMO is Eugene Konash, former Growth lead at IGG. Based in Bangkok, Eugene was instrumental in bringing top Chinese MMOs to Western markets and establishing game publishing at BlueStacks.
“The global gaming market is equally divided between East and West, but the distinct business cultures, regulatory environments, and market dynamics create significant challenges for companies seeking to expand internationally. At Meridian Play, we specialize in bridging this gap reducing the risks associated with fundraising and market entry. By fostering strategic cross-border partnerships and leveraging our deep understanding of local ecosystems, we empower gaming companies to scale globally. Our expertise in Western and Asian markets enables us to guide clients through the complexities, helping them unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth,” said Gutov in an interview.
Alex Sorbac, Head of Business Development at iDreamSky, a leading digital entertainment platform in Mainland China and Meridian Play’s partner, commented: “In the gaming industry, cross-border collaboration is essential, but succeeding in Asia requires a unique depth of regional insight and carefully chosen partnerships. With extensive experience across China and Asia, Ilya connects companies to a full go-to-market toolkit: localization, asset creation, marketing, and securing the right publishing or investment deals. Now, with a dedicated team, I’m sure that Meridian Play stands ready to help navigate the complexities of regional regulations, ensuring a smooth and effective market entry for games.”
Most of the deals in the Meridian Play pipeline are due to be announced in the coming months, but the company can already reveal a strategic partnership with WN Media Group, kicking off with a joint industry event at G-STAR 2024, in addition to three completed investment deals: Meridian Play acted as an advisor in the fundraise for Forklift Interactive — a video games publisher specializing in smart, systemic titles for PC & Consoles; while Top Joy Games and “a yet to be unannounced mobile game studio” closed their rounds via participation in the inaugural batch of its acceleration program.
“We aim to build a hub for a talent pool in Asia as well. Whether you seek local partnerships, proven market entry strategies, regulatory guidance, or business intelligence, we will leverage our experience and extensive network to support your growth.” Gutov added.
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