How Nordcurrent’s Cooking Fever Surpassed 100M Downloads & Redefined Mobile Gaming
From Lithuania to Global Success: Nordcurrent’s Journey
Nordcurrent, a Vilnius-based game studio, has cemented Lithuania’s position on the global gaming map. With over 100 employees, the company owes much of its success to Cooking Fever, a mobile game that has surpassed 100 million downloads since its 2014 launch. Founded in 2002 by CEO Victoria Trofimova, her husband Michail Trofimov, and his brother Sergej Trofimov, Nordcurrent has published 50+ titles—but none as impactful as their culinary hit.
The Evolution of Nordcurrent’s Strategy
Early Days: Console Development for Hire
- Developed Wii and PlayStation 2 titles for major franchises like Shrek and Barbie under Activision.
- Operated as a contractor before pivoting to self-publishing.
Transition to Free-to-Play Mobile Dominance
- Initially tested paid games like 101-in-1 (licensed to Atlus) but shifted to free-to-play (F2P) after recognizing its potential.
- Cooking Fever became a genre leader, consistently ranking in the top 100 grossing games with 22 locations and 880 levels.
Key Monetization Insights
- Trofimova noted: “Free-to-play was about paying to speed things up. We diversified monetization with upgrades and new ingredients, which drove success.”
- Inspired by their PC casual game Happy Chef, Nordcurrent refined the F2P model for mobile.
Expanding Beyond Casual Games
Venturing into Mid-Core with Sniper Arena
- Launched in February, this sniper shooter targets male players over 35 seeking community-driven experiences.
- Trofimova: “We know it will be a hit, but we’re gauging its scale.”
Upcoming Projects:
- Mobile adaptation of *Happy Cafe*: A city-builder centered on café management.
- Interactive mystery game: Murder in the Alps, set for release later this year.
Leadership and Industry Challenges
Breaking Barriers in Gaming
- Trofimova, one of the few female CEOs in gaming, highlighted hiring their first female programmer.
- “We’re a family company. Seeing more women in gaming now is progress,” she shared.
Navigating the Competitive Mobile Market
- Budgets for visibility have skyrocketed: “Today, launching from zero requires six-to-seven-figure investments.”
- Competes with Eastern European studios like Playrix but maintains a diverse portfolio across casual and mid-core genres.
- On AR/VR: “Future platforms, but not yet promising.”
The Future of Cooking Fever and Nordcurrent
- Continuous innovation keeps Cooking Fever ahead: “We evolve so no one catches up.”
- Trofimova’s mantra: “Every five years, everything changes.”
Nordcurrent’s story exemplifies adaptability—from console subcontractor to mobile gaming powerhouse—proving that even smaller markets like Lithuania can produce global hits.
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