The Final Boss
Every month an industry leader wraps up MCV/DEVELOP with their unique insight
How did you get started in the games industry?
It was a happy accident! My career began in business administration and tourism, with roles at Roche and Bosch before I unexpectedly found my way into the games industry. I was one of Kalypso Media’s early hires, starting as a temporary employee before pursuing my MBA and writing my media studies dissertation while working at Kalypso.
Over the past 18 years, I’ve worn many hats, including Marketing Manager, Head of Marketing, and International Marketing Manager. Eventually, I climbed the ladder to my position as Owner and Managing Director, overseeing all departments and driving the company’s strategic direction. My focus includes developing our existing IPs like the Tropico and Dungeons series, identifying new publishing opportunities, and leading corporate initiatives that support Kalypso’s long- term success.
leadership roles and invest in the next generation. I actively support this by speaking at colleges and universities and through initiatives like Girls’ Day at our HQ in Germany, helping to inspire and encourage young women to pursue careers in games.
My current focus is on the launch of Commandos: Origins, which is hugely exciting for us. I can’t wait for the fans to experience the game and see how they respond.
Anika Thun, Managing Director, Kalypso Media Group
What is your greatest personal achievement? Becoming Kalypso Media’s sole owner and managing director is a defining moment in my career, but it’s part of a broader journey rather than a single achievement. Seeing how far we’ve come from a small startup to an established global publisher is incredibly rewarding. Kalypso has grown from two founders to nearly 200 employees, expanding our presence with offices in the UK, USA, and beyond while staying true to our identity, championing strategy and simulation games.
If I had to pick one personal highlight, standing on the main stage at Gamescom 2019 to present Port Royale 4 alongside Daniel Dumont (Gaming Minds) was an unforgettable moment. Showcasing our project to such a large audience was a testament to the passion and dedication that drive this industry.
What are your ambitions for the future? Kalypso has a strong legacy in the strategy and simulation space, and my goal is to continue evolving that, both in the games we publish and how we support our development teams. I want to ensure we remain a publisher players trust to make excellent games in these genres. I’d also love to see more diversity across the industry, particularly
more women in leadership positions. I do my best to empower the talented women at Kalypso to take on greater responsibilities and
50 | MCV/DEVELOP April/May 2025
What do you think are the biggest challenges for a game publisher right now? The landscape is more competitive than ever. Players have countless options, and standingout requires excellent games, smart publishing, and marketing strategies. Additionally, the industry faces rising development costs, evolving consumer habits, and ongoing shifts in digital distribution. Balancing these elements while
ensuring long-term sustainability is a major challenge. In Germany specifically, challenges include funding, access to global markets, and production costs. These could be improved through continued investment and a more efficient funding system that allows studios to innovate and grow.
How are you taking those challenges on? Our focus is on quality and consistency. We’re not looking to chase trends but rather to refine and build on what we do best by investing in our studios, ensuring they have the time and resources to develop great games, and delivering content that resonates with our audience. We’re also exploring ways to strengthen our distribution and marketing strategies to ensure our games reach the right players at the right time.
What would you like to change about video games in the next few years? I’d love to see more recognition for the depth and complexity of strategy and simulation games. These genres have a massive audience and offer great gameplay experiences, but they don’t always get the attention they deserve. On an industry level, I want to see progress in workplace
culture, supporting teams with sustainable working conditions, fostering creativity, and ensuring the industry remains a great place to build a career.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
