In the fast-paced world of mobile games, where flashy graphics and aggressive monetisation often dominate, one developer quietly built a global audience through strategic thinking, technical ingenuity, and classic gameplay. That developer is Andrei Kulakov, founder of Elvista Media Solutions – a studio behind one of the most downloaded checkers games in the world.

Founded in 2007, Elvista didn’t begin in gaming. It started as a solo-run web development business, but in 2013, Kulakov made a strategic pivot into mobile game development. This move would define the next decade of his career and lead to a portfolio of more than 15 games for Android and iOS – including the wildly successful Checkers Elite.

The Breakout: Checkers Elite

Checkers Elite wasn’t just another casual board game. Under Kulakov’s hands-on leadership – he personally oversaw programming, monetisation, and even server infrastructure – the game became a standout hit. It climbed the charts on both Google Play and the App Store, and eventually amassed over 10 million downloads worldwide.

The game’s quality and performance didn’t go unnoticed. In 2017, Samsung Russia signed a deal to preinstall Checkers Elite on a special series of Samsung Galaxy S4 Black Edition smartphones sold across the CIS region. Few indie developers achieve this kind of visibility – the game was baked into the phone’s firmware and expected to operate independently of Google services.

The same year, Elvista secured a partnership with Viber Media Sarl, integrating several games into the messaging platform’s gaming section at launch – another milestone that brought Elvista’s games to millions of potential users organically.

All Systems Built In-House

Unlike most studios, Elvista avoided reliance on external services. Instead, Kulakov developed proprietary tools and backend systems – most notably, a real-time messaging system akin to PubNub. This enabled real-time multiplayer experiences across countries, even during periods of internet instability or government-imposed throttling in regions like Russia.

One of the biggest challenges Kulakov faced was ensuring stable connectivity for Russian users. To solve this, he deployed a distributed proxy system with servers in Finland and Russia, creating internal communication bridges that enabled smooth global gameplay regardless of firewalls or blackouts.

From Peak to Passive Growth

By late 2022, Elvista’s games were drawing 40,000–50,000 daily active users, with the company earning around 10 million RUB (approximately £140,000 GBP) that year. Kulakov, operating without employees and relying on contract-based artists and developers, was drawing a personal net income of £80,000/year.

However, after relocating to the UK, Kulakov was restricted from running the company full-time. In his absence, the games are being supported by his wife (now operating under UK sole trader status), and still attract a steady audience of 70,000 daily users, generating £65,000/year in revenue with zero active development or marketing.

High-Profile Projects and Strategic Pivots

Elvista’s technical flexibility opened the door to high-profile projects. Among them was a collaboration with GS Group, which aimed to launch its own gaming console. Elvista was tasked with adapting several titles for the console, including revised monetisation models. Although the console was ultimately shelved, the project demonstrated Elvista’s ability to customise its games for non-standard platforms and hardware environments.

Long-Term Vision, Temporarily Paused

While Elvista is currently in maintenance mode, its future remains bright. Kulakov plans to resume full-time development once he secures Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. He also considers restructuring the business as a UK-based LLC, which would help streamline operations with app marketplaces like Apple’s.

And with a strong foundation, technical infrastructure, and a loyal player base still intact, Elvista is well-positioned to evolve into a new phase of growth.

Lasting Impact

Kulakov’s success with Elvista offers a counter-narrative to the mainstream industry model. No external funding. No big team. Just a sharp technical mind, steady iteration, and an unwavering focus on user experience and global accessibility.

In an era of noisy launches and short attention spans, Elvista built something quieter – and arguably more lasting. As the mobile gaming landscape matures, the story of Elvista shows that smart scaling, technical ownership, and deep product focus can still cut through the noise and stand the test of time.

Quick Facts

• Founded: 2007 (pivot to games in 2013)
  
  
  
• Founder: Andrei Kulakov
  
  
  
• Focus: Mobile game development (Android & iOS), product-led growth
  
  
  
• Key Titles: Checkers Elite, Kozel, Durak, and others
  
  
  
• Downloads: 10M+ for Checkers Elite
  
  
  
• Revenue: ~£65K/year in 2024–2025 (passive)