2010: At “Russobit-M”, we aimed for something new for the Russian gaming market: to create our own online store, GamePitStop.
Imagine: Steam didn’t exist yet. People went to electronics stores or (scary to remember) to markets for discs! (Millennials might recall words like “Gorbushka” and “Sovok” here). Seas of pirated versions that might not even launch. The idea of “buy once — download forever” with prices lower than at the Savyolovsky Market seemed like something from the future. We were heading into a dark forest where there were no trails yet. We didn’t know what the result would be. But we went — like pioneers with a raised flag.
And the project manager for all this was ME. I was entrusted with this cool and promising project. Although, at the time, we didn’t even realize just how promising it was.
The project team? Just three people.
Me — Project Manager (and also marketer, analyst, tester, and “the engine”).
Daniil Kuznetsov — a genius programmer (innovator, creative mind, and generator of awesome features).
Sofia Mukhina — a talented designer-artist who made the site vibrant, rich, and maximally attractive.
Of course, lawyers, accounting, and other departments helped us. But the core team that pulled off the concept, development, and launch — that was our trio.
In 9 months, we did the impossible: from an idea to a working store with personal accounts, different user roles, and connected payment systems. Daniil worked miracles with code. With Sofia, we built a logical and beautiful design and architecture. And we launched.
Just 7 months later, the store broke even! It was a “WOW!” result we hadn’t even dared to hope for at the start of the journey.
We started with our own products. But within a year, we signed contracts with competitors, expanded our portfolio to include AAA titles, and organized exclusive launches. Our social media grew. We established direct contact with gamers and started hearing their desires. It was an incredible feeling.
Numbers that still warm my heart:
2010 (launch year): the company’s total sales grew by +49% compared to 2009. GamePitStop’s share was about 8%.
2011: growth of another +15%. GamePitStop’s share — almost 20%.
It was a time of incredible energy, passion, and belief in the idea. It was cool, fun, and bright.
I still deeply regret that the project had to be closed due to the company’s dissolution. But I am forever grateful to Daniil and Sofia — the awesome people I walked this path with. And to “Russobit-M” itself for the courage to entrust us with this avant-garde project.
This experience leveled me up in more than just marketing. It taught me to manage uncertainty, to lead a small star team, and to believe that three people can change the rules of the game in an entire market. Even if only for a while.