Meridian Play

Asia is huge in Gaming and we are your
Gateway to Asia

Asian gaming is bigger than the rest of the world combined:

Asia

1.48 billion

Europe

715 million

Latin America

420 million

North America

285 million

MENA

168 million

Sub-Sahara African

144 million

China
111,948.15

US
101,007.71

Japan
40,677.77

UK
13,650.29

South Korea
12,264.23

Asian gaming market is exploding:

Mobile and PC Gamers

2019 535M

2024 826M

Highest Revenue

China

Japan

Korea

Revenue Growth

2019 $29.3B

2024 $42B

Fastest Growing

Indonesia

Phillipines

China

Thailand

Malaysia

Vietnam

We guide and support established studios and scrappy indies as they expand their business into new markets in Asia and beyond, presenting you with the greatest opportunities for your gaming business.

We ensure smooth market entry if you decide to go solo and scale your business by building out a new team, opening a new company branch and implementing a go-to-market strategy for your gaming company or game. We help you navigate all the challenges and local regulations, providing access to essential business circles in the region.

Alternatively, if you're looking to find a reliable partner and build long-term relationships, we've got you covered. We track down the best partners for publishing, payments, game service localization and culturalization as well as marketing while keeping you up-to-date with developments in the local market.

Leveraging our decades of experience, local expertise and our network to facilitate the best deals possible, in the shortest time with minimal obstacles.

About us

Ilya Gutov

CEO, Founder • Shenzhen, China

Over the past decade, Ilya has been structuring, closing and advising on gaming deals across China and the APAC region for the likes of MY.GAMES, Tinno Mobile Corp and other large corporations, launching acclaimed titles like Huste Castle and War Robots throughout China and beyond. He is a vibrant presence in the gaming community, hosting podcasts, speaking at TEDx events, and frequently cited by renowned publications including TechCrunch, Reuters and Pocket Gamer.

Publishing deals closed

$32m

Raised for studios

Large corporate M&A deals

Eugene Konash

CMO • Bangkok, Thailand

Eugene has been working in management roles across finance and gaming for the last fifteen years: from taking Chinese MMOs to Western markets for the likes of Tap4Fun and IGG to setting up publishing at BlueStacks, before launching his studio.

Publishing deals closed

$3.5b

Game revenues with him as marketing lead

Corporate Advisory + Startup Accelerator

Whether you’re choosing a local partner, navigating regulatory hurdles or raising financing - operating in a new market is risky and the stakes are high. We put our expertise, experience and network at your disposal to maximize deal outcomes, reduce lead time and avoid bad surprises through strategic advisory services for established studios and our acceleration program for indies and startups.

Corporate Advisory

Your boots on the ground between borders:

Connecting you with regional corporations, developers, publishers, and a vast gaming business network.

Creating effective go-to-market strategies while optimizing your products for local markets with industry experts.

Providing business Intelligence, due diligence and market insights, navigating government relations and gaming programs.

Game Accelerator

Scaling your product requires the right partners:

Publisher matchmaking to amplify your product's reach.

Investment support including access to a network of Venture Capital, Private Equity, Family Offices and Strategic Investors.

Expert guidance in business strategy and fostering value-added partnerships.

Unparalleled access to industry expertise, fueling the growth of early and mid-stage companies.

Assistance in crafting and reviewing agreements with investors and publishers.

Join us to develop and enhance your regional corporate identity, as we pave the way for your gaming triumph in Asia

Partners

The Meridian Play team's expertise and dedication to fostering growth in startups have been invaluable, particularly in the gaming sector. They successfully introduced three business partners to our startup in Indonesia, significantly enhancing our market reach. Additionally, their contributions to EsportsXO were noteworthy, as they brought in key partners and opportunities that propelled the startup forward. Their expertise in the APAC region has proven to be a tremendous asset.

Nick Ponomarev

SOSV | Orbit Startups - Senior Investment Analyst

I have personally known Ilya for years and collaborated with him on several projects in China. His on-the-ground presence provides invaluable insights into the Asian market. I highly recommend partnering with Meridian Play, as I am confident they will handle your project with the utmost care and professionalism, ensuring every detail is expertly managed to unlock its full potential.

Hannah Han

Bubble Tea Studios, Director of Partnerships

Meridian Play is composed of an experienced team of professionals with vast knowledge of the CN and APAC markets. They are well-informed about local opportunities and get things done efficiently. My relationship with the team members predates Meridian, as they were managing the MyGames portfolio in the APAC region. Multiple titles were signed and have proven successful in the Chinese market.

Alex Sorbac

iDreamsky Technology

The Meridian Play team has a profound knowledge of and connections in the Chinese and APAC gaming markets. The team members are true professionals who combine market expertise, solid vision, and integrity.

Ivan Karpinsky

Azur Interactive Games. Greater China Chief Business Officer

Ilya Gutov from Meridian Play has played an important role in building bridges between the East and West gaming markets for many years, providing invaluable expertise for your expansion ambitions. He has been a great mentor and advisor during the initial steps of my business development career and has always been a reliable and straightforward businessman.

Pavel Melman

Aidian Network Technology, Business Development Manager

It has always been a pleasure to work with Meridian Play. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with them several times, and it has always been easy. They respond quickly, sign contracts promptly, provide strong communication support, and are willing to travel for face-to-face meetings.

Dominic Plamondon

Teebik Inc., Business Director

Ilya was key in finding a premium publisher for our indie game in China. We needed a regional partner, and Ilya's intervention was critical—first, to solve a legal issue with another entity in the region, then to help with the negotiation phase and ultimately sign with a Chinese publisher. This allowed us to secure the funding needed to finish the game and a good partner for distribution. I highly recommend working with Meridian; I trust Ilya and his team completely.

Iñaki Díaz

Appnormals Team, CEO, Co-Founder

We have long and strong connections with the Meridian Play team. They are helping us reach our Asian investors and publishers. Everyone knows how hard it is to enter the Chinese market nowadays. A huge thanks to Ilya personally for finding a solid Chinese publisher for our mobile game, 'Bowling Clash.' We had many unsuccessful attempts previously, and only Meridian Play finally led us to the real deal.

Evgenii Luubetskii

Square Triangle, CEO

A big thank you to Ilya for his help. Every time we needed something, we received it really fast. I highly recommend these guys.

Andrey Belousov

Door 407, Co-Founder

Ilya Gutov is a leading expert in the Chinese gaming market, with an extensive network of high-level contacts and a deep understanding of navigating relationships with publishers. He guided us through the early stages of the publishing and licensing process for Shadow Fight 3, laying the foundation for us to build a dedicated team focused on this region.

Nikita Korzhavin

Nekki, CBDO

Highly professional and efficient. Every aspect of the workflow was seamless and enjoyable. This is truly one of the best teams I have had the pleasure of collaborating with.

Mike Fei

ZPLAY, Global Business Development Director

I have known Ilya from Meridian Play for ages, and I can tell that he is an exceptional professional with vast knowledge of Asian gaming markets and an incredible work ethic. Every collaboration with Ilya has been straight to the point and free of unnecessary chatter.

Dmitriy Byshonkov

MY.GAMES, Senior Business Development Manager

Working with the Meridian Play team was excellent. They provided invaluable support, helping me successfully navigate the fundraising process and secure my first investor.

Piotr Grechun

Top Joy Games, Founder

Meridian Play is an exceptional partner for any studio looking to enter the Asian market. Their expertise and established network with all key local strategic players make navigating this growing market seamless and effective, positioning studios for long-term success.

Evgeniia Samsonova

Level 4/64, Investment Team

I've never met anyone except Ilya who has so much knowledge about how to prepare, adapt, navigate regulations, and open and run an international game in China.

Roman Polyak

MY.GAMES, CBDO

The Meridian team helped me establish effective communication with investors and improved our business offer. Ilya assisted us in quickly finding suitable investors.

Leonid Gorbachev

Mind Control Interactive, Director

Working with the Meridian Play team has been a fantastic experience. Their deep connections across China and Southeast Asia, coupled with their extensive knowledge of the gaming industry, have been invaluable in helping us forge key partnerships and gain valuable insights into these markets.

Julia Lebedeva

COO & Partner, WN Media Group

We have had great success in China with our mobile games! Thanks to Meridian Play for their invaluable support!

Alexander Lebedev

AppLife, CEO & Founder

It's a pleasure working with Ilya and Eugene. They are always available, consistently providing the highest quality advice while upholding the utmost professionalism and standards of work.

Andrei Podoprigora

Forklift Interactive, СEO

I have had a very positive experience working with Ilya. He is always quick to respond to any inquiries or concerns.

Apol Dionglay

Playpark, CCO

Notable Game Accelerator Mentors

Mentor Bio:

Experienced business development specialist

Current BD Director at GameOps and MEE Games

Proven track record in fostering partnerships and driving growth

Co-founder of GameDev Summit Asia

Key figure in the Game Developers Association of the Philippines

Key Areas of Expertise:

Strategic partnerships and industry development

Business growth and market expansion

Mentorship and support for indie studios

Alexis is dedicated to advancing the gaming industry through collaboration and innovation.

Mentor Bio:

Current role at a large independent game publisher in China

Responsible for content acquisition partnerships and game sourcing

Expertise in game data analytics

Skilled in identifying the right games for the right teams

In-depth knowledge of the local Chinese gaming ecosystem

Proficient in contract negotiation

Alex is dedicated to connecting quality games with the right partners, fostering growth and success in the gaming industry.

Mentor Bio:

Experienced and results-oriented leader in the mobile games domain

16 years of experience in the video games industry

Proven expertise in product management

Key Areas of Expertise:

Product and Project Management

Game Design

Business Development and Negotiations

Deep analytical and evaluation skills

Financial modeling

Mikhail is committed to driving innovation and success in the gaming industry through strategic leadership and effective management.

Mentor Bio:

20 years of experience in the online game business

Specializes in connecting game developers to publishers and distributors in the SEA region

Expertise in local marketing, customer support, community management, and QA

Key Regions of Focus:

Thailand

Philippines

Indonesia

Singapore

Malaysia

Seth’s extensive network and knowledge enhance collaboration and growth opportunities within the Southeast Asian gaming market.

See all mentors

Unlock your gaming business's potential!