Marina Ostrovtsova, BGaming: “The fact that we’ve managed to grow without losing our character, that’s what matters more to me than any numbers”

BGaming CEO Marina Ostrovtsova discusses the company’s eight-year journey, its “powered by people” culture, and the role of the streaming community in shaping game design.

Exclusive interview.- As BGaming marks its eighth anniversary, the company finds itself balancing global scale with a studio-style culture that prioritises experimentation, autonomy and close collaboration with streaming communities. In this exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, CEO Marina Ostrovtsova reflects on how a “people-first” philosophy has shaped BGaming’s evolution from an ambitious challenger into a globally recognised game publisher without losing its creative identity.

The conversation explores leadership through trust and accountability, the role of stream analytics in product design, and the strategic importance of long-term partnerships across Latin America, where BGaming has built strong visibility among influencers and players alike. Ostrovtsova also shares personal milestones from the company’s game portfolio and outlines how culture, rather than scale alone, continues to drive BGaming’s momentum as it enters its next phase of growth.

When you think about BGaming at eight years old, do you see the company you once imagined, or has the journey taken you somewhere even more unexpected?

If I’m honest, both yes and no.

From the start, we didn’t want to become “just another provider.” We wanted to build a company that keeps space for experiments, that can move fast, change its mind, and try things that might not work.

But what I didn’t fully see back then is how much the journey would be shaped by people around us. Our team, our partners, the streaming community — they didn’t just support the growth, they changed us.

BGaming has grown into a global game publisher, and I’m proud of that. And the fact that we’ve managed to grow without losing our character, that’s what matters more to me than any numbers.

“We wanted to build a company that keeps space for experiments, that can move fast, change its mind, and try things that might not work.”

Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming.

BGaming’s eight-year story is described as “powered by people.” As a leader, how do you create an environment where creativity thrives while still keeping everyone aligned around a shared vision?

For me, “powered by people” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a management principle. It means constant team development. Company growth doesn’t equal business growth alone. First — people. Then — metrics.

To make this real, you have to build an environment where it’s normal to argue, normal to make mistakes, and normal to suggest ideas that may sound “too bold.” Creativity needs that space. If people feel limited, they stop bringing their best thinking.

At the same time, everyone needs to clearly understand why we’re doing what we’re doing and where we’re heading. Direction keeps energy focused and helps the BGaming team move together.

We invest in internal initiatives, open dialogue, and transparency around goals. When people feel genuinely heard, they take ownership, and that’s when strong ideas appear.

You’re often described as a leader who gives teams real ownership. Why is autonomy so important to you, and how has that philosophy shaped the kind of company BGaming has become?

I don’t see autonomy as unlimited freedom. I see it as trust paired with accountability.

When people have real ownership over a product or direction, their mindset changes. They don’t just complete tasks, they make decisions. They think about consequences. They feel personally connected to the result.

I believe strong ideas don’t grow in a micromanagement culture. They appear where there’s space for initiative, for experiments, and yes, even for mistakes.

This philosophy has shaped BGaming in a very practical way. We move fast because decisions don’t get stuck at one level. Teams feel responsible for their products. People aren’t afraid to suggest unconventional solutions.

Autonomy builds a culture of mature professionals. And culture is what ultimately defines whether a company becomes just another provider or something truly distinct. For us, this has been a foundation for growth.

“I believe strong ideas don’t grow in a micromanagement culture.”

Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming.

Is there one of those eight titles that feels particularly personal to you, a game that represents a turning point, a lesson, or a moment of belief for the team? 

Over the past eight years, certain games have become milestones in our journey.

Elvis Frog TRUEWAYS, Space XY, Plinko, Bonanza Billion, Burning Chilli X, Merge Up, Snoop Dogg Dollars, Aviamasters — each one represents a new stage for us. A bold move. A challenge. A moment where we chose to push a little further and see what would happen.

At the same time, my personal favourite remains Deep Sea. It has a special place in my heart because it reflects an idea I believe in: strength doesn’t need to be loud to be real.

BGaming has built a strong reputation as a streamer-friendly provider. When did you realise that streaming communities weren’t just amplifying games, but actively shaping how games should be designed? 

At some point, we realised streamers are more than a marketing channel.

Watching their streams closely showed us where players lose interest, where real reactions happen, and which mechanics actually engage people. It was direct, unfiltered feedback.

When we started analysing streams systematically and working regularly with the AI platform Strmlytics, it became clear: the streaming community is like a live testing lab. That’s when we began using stream analytics more deeply in our development process.

Today, the results are visible. According to Strmlytics reach data, BGaming ranks among the Top 5 most-streamed providers by leading Latin American influencers. For us, that reflects the trust and attention we’ve earned from the audience.

You’ve been the General Partner of the Scatters Club Streamers Awards for three consecutive years. What does that long-term partnership mean to BGaming,  and what have you learned from being so closely connected to the streaming ecosystem in LatAm? 

For BGaming, this partnership goes beyond sponsorship. Three years as General Partner signals our dedication to a long-term strategy and our respect for the streaming community’s role in shaping the industry.

The ecosystem in LatAm is especially strong: dynamic, authentic, and deeply engaged. Working alongside it gives us a clearer understanding of the audience and helps us adapt more quickly to changes.

We also collaborate closely with our LatAm brand ambassador, Jon Vlogs, one of Brazil’s most recognised influencers, which strengthens our connection to the community even further.

Beyond products and partnerships, BGaming now counts 330+ team members worldwide. What makes the BGaming team unique, and what do you believe truly powers the company’s momentum after eight years? 

The BGaming team is a mix of ambition and flexibility. With 330+ people, we’ve built a solid structure, yet we’ve kept the spirit of a studio: a willingness to experiment, make fast decisions, and take responsibility.

What really drives our momentum is our culture of openness and curiosity. People who want to create something new, beyond simply completing tasks. That’s why eight years isn’t an endpoint for us, it’s just a stage in an ongoing journey.

My favourite phrase “Keep it unreal!” is a mindset. And it’s the people who bring that mindset to life. I love our team, every single BGamer!