Pavel Konstantinov is the CEO and Founder of RetroStyle Games, a game art outsourcing and development studio established in 2010. Trained as an architect at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Pavel transitioned into game development, starting with small mobile projects before establishing RetroStyle Games as a reputable studio.
Under his leadership, RetroStyle Games has grown from a small team of three into an international studio employing nearly 100 professionals, with offices in Kyiv and Limassol. The studio has delivered art and animation for a wide range of clients from the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition to outsourcing services, the company has developed its own successful games, accumulating over 80 million downloads across various titles.
Despite external challenges, including the war in Ukraine, Pavel has successfully expanded the company’s operations and increased revenue, achieving multi-million dollar annual earnings. His leadership style emphasizes creative vision, strategic growth, and talent development. Pavel’s approach to management is characterized by practicality and consistency, attributes that have contributed to the company’s resilience and expansion over the years.
Having built a robust and versatile business from modest beginnings, Pavel Konstantinov continues to play a significant role in the game art outsourcing industry, steadily guiding RetroStyle Games toward further growth and development.
Company: RetroStyle Games
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Pavel Konstantinov: Hello, and thank you for having me! My name is Pavel Konstantinov, and I’m the CEO and Founder of RetroStyle Games. I’ve been passionate about games since childhood, and I was fortunate enough to turn that interest into a career. About 15 years ago, I established RetroStyle Games, starting with a small mobile game as our first project. At that time, it was a small team effort driven by enthusiasm and a vision to build a studio capable of delivering high-quality game art and development.
Today, RetroStyle Games has grown into a game art and development studio with a team of over 90 professionals. We provide a full range of services, including 2D and 3D game production, from initial concept art to game-ready assets like characters, environments, and animations.
In addition to offering art production services to clients worldwide, we also develop our own games, which have collectively reached over 80 million downloads. Our projects have received recognition, including one of our indie games breaking into the Top 100 charts in the United States. We have also collaborated with well-known companies such as Amazon and Disney on various projects.
It has been a path evolving from a small initiative into an international studio, and I am proud of what we have achieved so far. We continue to grow, innovate, and strive for excellence in every project we undertake.
How do you personally define success, and how has that definition evolved throughout your career?
Pavel Konstantinov: Today, success means maintaining stability and growth, especially when navigating external challenges like the war in Ukraine. It’s about ensuring RetroStyle Games remains resilient, innovative, and trusted by our partners.
In the beginning, success was about launching our first game and getting positive feedback from players. As the company grew, my focus shifted towards building a sustainable business – expanding our team, consistently delivering high-quality projects, and establishing a strong client base worldwide. Achieving multi-million dollar annual revenue and exceeding 80 million downloads across our games were important milestones.
What lasting impact do you hope to leave through your business, and what steps are you taking to build that legacy?
Pavel Konstantinov: I want RetroStyle Games to be recognized as a reliable, innovative, and resilient studio known for high-quality game art and development. The goal is to build a company that continues to grow sustainably and provides opportunities for talented artists and developers worldwide. To achieve that, I focus on expanding our portfolio, strengthening partnerships with clients, investing in talent development, and ensuring consistent quality across all projects. We’re also committed to maintaining a strong company culture that values creativity, collaboration, and adaptability.
Beyond financial success, what initiatives—whether in mentorship, sustainability, or social responsibility—are you most proud of?
Pavel Konstantinov: I’m proud of creating a work environment that supports growth and learning for our team. Mentorship is a big part of our culture – we actively encourage knowledge-sharing and skill development among . We also prioritize maintaining a stable and supportive workplace, even during challenging times. Ensuring our team members feel secure and valued, regardless of external circumstances, is a priority. Building a resilient company culture that fosters creativity, professional growth, and collaboration is something I am proud of and thank our HR team for.
What lessons have you learned about leadership that you wish more entrepreneurs understood early on?
Pavel Konstantinov: One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability and resilience. Conditions change, whether it’s market trends, client expectations, or unexpected crises. Successful leadership means staying focused, making tough decisions quickly, and keeping the team motivated and supported.
Another key lesson is consistency – delivering quality work repeatedly builds credibility and trust over time.
Finally, investing in people is essential. Your team’s skills and well-being are your strongest assets, so mentorship, clear communication, and providing growth opportunities are important.
Looking ahead, how do you see your industry evolving, and what role do you hope to play in shaping its future?
Pavel Konstantinov: The game development industry is constantly evolving, especially with the rise of AI tools, new platforms, and increasingly player expectations. I see more demand for high-quality art and unique visual styles, along with faster turnaround times. At RetroStyle Games, we aim to stay at the forefront by continuously improving our production processes, adopting new technologies, and expanding our service range. I want our studio to be recognized not only for its creativity and reliability but also for its adaptability to industry changes. My goal is to keep building a team that sets standards in quality and creativity while remaining resilient and innovative.
