On March 26, 2025, we reported that Voodoo has opened a new studio in Istanbul, led by Kutaycan Boysan, that will focus on next-gen Match-3 games.
Following the news, we contacted Voodoo and Kutaycan for an interview about the new studio.
Boysan brings experience from top Turkish studios, including roles as Product Specialist at Peak Games and Studio Lead at Ace Games.
How did your previous experiences shape your approach to building a studio from scratch, and what excited you most about this opportunity?
The most important learning for me is how much the team dynamics impact both quality and performance. If having a team of rockstars is essential, it’s the team culture that truly makes the difference.
I’ve seen firsthand how things change when you bring together curious people who genuinely enjoy collaborating and spending time together. That’s when the magic happens.
What excites me most about this new opportunity at Voodoo is the chance to build exactly that kind of team, one that thrives and shares ambition toward a clear, tangible goal.
Voodoo’s decision to open a new studio in Turkiye marks a significant step. What factors made Turkiye the right choice, and why now?
Turkiye’s importance in the global gaming industry no longer needs to be proven. It has companies competing at the highest level, with an impressive track record of international success, and a strong talent pool.
For Voodoo, the story with Turkiye is already long and fruitful. We’ve had great success working with local teams.
Opening a new studio here felt like a natural next step, and the timing couldn’t be better. The market is evolving, the ecosystem is booming, and we’re excited to be part of that momentum in a more structured and long-term way.
The new studio is focused on next-generation Match-3 games. What does “next-gen” mean in this context, and where do you see room for innovation in the genre?
Match-3 is one of the hardest categories to enter, and I’m hearing a lot of discussions about whether it’s even saturated with huge incumbent titles that have tens of millions of active users.
I strongly believe that creativity thrives within constraints when the proper environment is provided. It would be easier to talk about where I don’t see innovation.
I don’t think executing on the highest level (both visually and technically) will be a differentiator between games anymore.
Next generation games should match the execution quality of the incumbents while bringing something new to the table. This something new could be innovation in: core and/or meta gameplay, marketability, social aspect, and much more.
While we understand it’s still early in development, is there anything you can share about the project your team is currently working on?
Our studio’s main focus is M3 games. It’s still early to talk about any specifics, but we are excited to challenge the status quo by introducing some new feelings and further emphasizing some existing ones.
We believe there is much more to offer to the existing user base by introducing a unique gameplay experience while organically growing the user base itself. Long story short, what you can expect from us is to provide a unique experience while matching the execution quality of leading incumbent titles.
You’re in the early stages of building the team. What kind of talent are you looking for, and what qualities matter most to you at this foundational phase?
I value cultural fit just as much as technical or creative talent. At this early stage, we’re looking to build a team of people who:
- Are self-motivated, with an irresistible curiosity and a strong drive to take action.
- Believe in constant growth, showing no visible ceiling in their potential or mindset.
- Are easy to work with, and who radiate positive energy just by being themselves.
- Crave success and are ready to roll up their sleeves and put in the work to get there.
- Share the broader vision, but aren’t afraid to give and receive honest feedback.
- Are obsessed with playing and analysing games.
- Are equally obsessed with excellence, aiming to deliver at the highest possible level.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Voodoo Turkiye, both in terms of the studio’s creative ambitions and its role within the broader gaming landscape?
Our vision is to captivate and connect players of all genders worldwide through vibrant, immersive puzzle games that spark joy, challenge the mind, and keep them coming back for more. We’ll deliver game/s that have our unique sauce that the other studios are inspired by.
In addition, I’m particularly excited about exploring a deeper take on the M3 experience itself by utilising simulations and complex algorithms while investing in an internal AI team with the purpose of perfecting UX.
