Room 8 Voices: Meet Karina Karnaukh!

Welcome to Room 8 Voices, a new series about the people behind the projects. With Voices, we’ll strive to highlight the unique journeys and experiences of our specialists—those whose creativity and dedication powers everything we do. 

Our goal is to bring you closer to the people who make our company what it is. Through interviews with all our specialists, from senior leadership to junior talent, we’ll share their stories and take pride in the incredible ability within our team.

Today’s voice is Karina Karnaukh, Senior Business Development Director at Room 8 Group! 

If you want to become a part of the Room 8 Group team, explore the opportunity here.

Karina Karnaukh: Building Success in Global Markets

With over seven years at Room 8 Group, Karina Karnaukh has been a driving force behind the company’s growth, working with top global studios and expanding Room 8 Group’s reach across various markets. Karina shares her journey, challenges, and what keeps her passionate about the game industry. 

How did your career journey begin?

My path into the game industry began quite unexpectedly. Thanks to my knowledge of German, I was invited to join Absolutist, one of the oldest gaming studios in Ukraine, as a content manager for their German website. I worked there for five years, and that’s when I realized that games were my passion. Later, I moved to iLogos, where I continued working on gaming projects but with a focus on business development. For the last seven and a half years, I’ve been with Room 8 Group, drawn in by the dynamic and ambitious nature of the team.

Seven years at one company is a serious commitment. What attracted you to Room 8 Group?

Joining Room 8 Group was a decision that impacted me both professionally and personally. Moving from Dnipro to Kyiv for this job was a huge step out of my comfort zone. But I was drawn to the challenge. Room 8 Group gave me incredible career momentum. I immersed myself in business development, started working with major clients, and attended international conferences. The trust and opportunities I was given here helped me grow into the professional I am today.

When I first joined, we had around 100 people. Now, we’re at 1,300. Managing such rapid growth is a serious challenge, but for those who thrive in dynamic environments, Room 8 Group offers an amazing experience.

You’ve committed so much to your role, even relocating to Canada at one point. Can you tell us more about that experience?

When I started at Room 8 Group, there were just three of us in the business development department, and I was responsible for several regions: Germany, Israel, and Scandinavia. This involved frequent trips to places like Tel Aviv, Berlin, Helsinki, and Stockholm. Over time, the company identified underdeveloped markets with huge potential, and Canada was one of them. I was asked to move to Montreal to strengthen our presence on the East Coast of North America and expand our client base.

I spent two years in Canada, and it was a fascinating experience. It gave me the chance not only to work with a new market but also to dive deeper into the specifics of the Canadian game industry. Being on the ground allowed us to build stronger relationships with clients, ultimately leading to significant growth. I had the opportunity to visit clients’ offices for informal meetings, where we discussed not only current projects but also shared ideas for the future. Building these personal connections is difficult when you’re working remotely or only see clients once a year at conferences.

Explore the opportunity to join our team as a Business Development Director in Canada

 What soft and hard skills are essential for a Business Development role?

Soft skills are absolutely critical in business development. It’s important to communicate effectively with clients, build trust, and be able to ‘read between the lines’. Often, clients don’t openly express their concerns out of politeness. The ability to pick up on subtle cues and grasp unspoken concerns or needs is key.

Another important skill is listening. Many business developers talk too much, aggressively selling and presenting long pitches. But from my experience, this approach often backfires. Game developers love to talk about their projects—it’s their passion. You need to give them the space to share and show genuine interest in their work, rather than constantly interrupting them with sales pitches. Clients will naturally steer the conversation towards business if they feel heard.

As for hard skills, having a solid understanding of the industry and being able to analyze projects and offer tailored solutions is crucial. Of course, familiarity with analytical tools and CRM systems is also helpful in managing data and conducting negotiations effectively.

You’ve worked with various markets. What cultural differences have you noticed in business interactions?

There are definitely differences. For instance, the gap between European countries like Germany and Scandinavia is quite subtle, mostly in communication nuances. However, working with Israel is a completely different experience. Israeli companies tend to operate much faster and are more demanding. They prefer quick decisions and have little tolerance for prolonged discussions. Everything needs to happen swiftly, and if you adapt to this pace, you can build long-term and productive relationships. For example, we started with just one project for Playtika, a major Israeli studio, and within two years, we worked with nearly all their studios.

In contrast, Canada is more open and less formal regarding hierarchy. In studios like those in Montreal, I could communicate with people across various levels—from outsourcing managers to founders—without feeling any barriers. Everyone is friendly and approachable, and it’s easy to have discussions with producers and executives alike. This working style is quite different from the more structured approaches seen in Eastern Europe, where getting things done without leadership buy-in can be challenging.

Additionally, many Montreal studios prefer working with local companies with French-speaking staff or production teams in the region, as it’s more comfortable for them. For a long time, we didn’t have local production in Montreal, which added competition since many local studios offered similar services. Now that a team is physically present there, it’s much easier.

What inspires and drives you most in your work?

I’ve always been inspired by great games—projects that have changed the industry. Games like Angry Birds or Dead Space are ones I’ve known and loved, and I’ve always dreamed of being part of such projects. Working at Room 8 Group has allowed me to contribute to the creation of some of these legendary games, and that really motivates me. Even if my role is small, I’m proud to be involved in something global that people recognize all over the world.

For instance, working with Motive on the Dead Space remake was a special moment for me. I knew we were contributing to the art of a game that is already legendary. Knowing that my name would be in the credits and that the world would play this game gave me a huge sense of fulfillment. It might sound a bit selfish, but for me, that’s a big internal driver.

Do you play games yourself? What are your favorites?

Yes, I do! I mostly play mobile games like Tune Blast and Jelly Splash—typical match-three puzzles that are great for relaxing and taking short breaks. My favorite is still Hearthstone, which I’ve been playing for years. On consoles, I occasionally play more intense games, like the Tekken series. It demands quick reflexes and tactical thinking, and I find myself coming back to it again and again. I also make a point to test the projects we’re working on at Room 8 Group—I’m always curious to see the results and evaluate them from a player’s perspective.

Do you have any personal rituals that help you stay productive?

After transitioning to remote work due to COVID-19, I realized how important rituals are for productivity. For me, it’s essential to wake up at the same time, do yoga, and dress as if I were going to the office. This creates a work-focused atmosphere even at home. I can’t work in a bathrobe—if I don’t feel like I’m in the right mindset, my efficiency drops immediately.

I also make a point of maintaining a clear work-life balance. When there aren’t any pressing projects, I finish work by 7pm at the latest to avoid burnout. This is key for long-term productivity and keeping my passion for work alive. In my free time, I enjoy walking and reading books.

Join the Room 8 Group Business Development team! 

We are currently looking for:

• Business Development Director (Location: Canada)
• Business Development Director (Location: USA)
• Business Development Director (Locations: Poland, Romania, Spain, UK)

Explore our vacancies and be part of creating great games together!