Former developers from Belka Games found Studio42 and are already preparing new games

New company bets on small teams and agile development of casual puzzles

A new game studio was born from the hands of veterans from Belka Games, and its philosophy is clear: lean teams, fast development, and engaging casual games. Studio42, founded by Pavel Sudakov, Alex Bogdanov, and Ivan Larionov, is already working on their first titles, which are expected to be released soon.

Who are the founders of Studio42?

The new developer is led by three experienced names in the mobile industry:

• Alexandr Bogdanov (CEO): Former CEO of Belka Games for seven years, led the company's growth and the launch of hits like Clockmaker, Roger That!, Bermuda Adventures, and Solitaire Cruise.
• Ivan Larionov (COO and Co-founder): Served as Project Manager, Development Director, and Development Head at Belka Games. Responsible for the release of Solitaire Cruise, Bermuda Adventures, and Roger That!.
• Pavel Sudakov (Co-founder and Producer): Worked for five years at Belka Games as Head of R&D department, leading research, experiments, and new releases.
   

The three developers left Belka Games in early 2024 and now share the goal of creating something new, without the bureaucracies of large studios. According to the official statement, the name Studio42 was inspired by the concept that "the simplest answers solve the most complex issues" — a philosophy reflected in the design of their future games.

Why create a new studio?

The founders say they missed the dynamics of small teams, where innovative ideas can be quickly transformed into complete games, without the long and rigid processes of large companies. In a LinkedIn post, Ivan Larionov highlighted:

"It's been a while since I shared something about my professional life! Since January this year, I'm no longer part of Belka Games. I'm grateful for everything I've learned and achieved there, but now it's time to start a new chapter with Studio42. We have experience, a strong team, and eyes shining with passion for what we do."

The same sentiment was shared by Pavel Sudakov, who emphasized the desire for change:

"When I was a child, my father had a Zippo lighter with the phrase: 'In a world of constant change, we do not change'. I thought it was brilliant at the time, but now I see that it only applies to Zippo. In the gaming world, not changing means falling behind. After five incredible years at Belka, it's time to turn the page and create something new."

What to expect from Studio42?

The new company is already working on its first title, a casual puzzle game with a hybrid monetization model. The studio has not revealed specific details, but assured that news will be shared soon. Additionally, the founders promised that after the first release, more games will follow in succession.

"We are creating games. We are releasing news. Stay tuned, follow our pages, and check our website." — Sudakov concluded.

Studio42 enters the market with a small team but with big ambitions. The studio's goal is clear: to develop accessible, fun, and well-polished games, without wasting time with bureaucratic processes that can delay innovation. Now, we just have to wait for the first announcements to see how this new approach will translate into experiences for players.