Interview: Ante Odic and Jernej Cesen discuss Outfit7's ambitious roadmap for the My Talking Tom series

Recently, Outfit7 have announced not one, not even two, but three upcoming games set in the ever-popular My Talking Tom universe. The team has decided that now is the time to 'go all in,' and I was intrigued to find out why. So, I recently spoke to Ante Odic and Jernej Cesen all about this, alongside their general plans for the franchise.

Ante Odic: I'm Ante Odic, and I lead the vision and direction for the Talking Tom & Friends games. It’s my job to ensure that the world of Talking Tom continues to grow, surprise, and delight fans. From launching new games to introducing fresh features and unexpected twists, we’re constantly evolving the universe while staying true to the heart and spirit that fans know and love.

Jernej Cesen: I’m Jernej Cesen, COO at Outfit7. I oversee group operations and lead global distribution. In the ever-evolving world of mobile gaming, my role is all about making sure the amazing things our teams create don’t just exist, but actually reach players, connect with them, and spark joy around the world. Overseeing our entire portfolio and activities fits within our long-term vision for Outfit7.

Jernej: From the outside, “going all in” during uncertain times might seem like a risk, or even madness. But for us, this is the way. When the market tightens, others wait; we move. We have seen this industry morph time and again, booms, busts, reinventions, disruptions. This is just another cycle. But we do not chase trends, we follow our instincts. We ask, what feels right for our players? Then we build boldly.

In situations like this, there are two options. You can stand still and try to protect your position for as long as possible, or you can think ahead and make the next move, the one that could give you the best starting point to ride the next big wave. We are not wired to stand still. Evolution is in our DNA. With a strong brand, a creative team that refuses to be boxed in, and a hunger to keep pushing forward, now is the time, not to play it safe but to shape what comes next.

Jernej:  Absolutely. Collaborations are a big part of how we keep the Talking Tom & Friends universe fresh, dynamic, and fun for everyone.

We’ve already had some moments, like Tom crashing into the Angry Birds world (and them into ours), or our characters stepping into PK XD for a collab. And what is next? We’re going bigger. Think Miraculous. Think Roblox. Big names, big energy.

But here’s the thing, these collabs aren’t just about visibility. Though in today’s market, where discoverability is tougher than ever, that’s a powerful side effect. Great partnerships cut through the noise. They create conversation. They open new doors. And in a world where attention is currency, that matters. Still, the real value? It’s in the synergy.

Our characters have strong identities, and when they cross into other universes or welcome others into ours, there’s a spark. A moment of shared joy that feels bigger than any single IP. That’s the magic.

And the truth is, we go for brands where fan bases already overlap. We see it in the data, we hear it in the community. So these collaborations aren’t random; they’re natural extensions of how people already play. We’re meeting them where they are, and giving them more of what they love.

We don’t see other developers or publishers as competitors. We see them as co-players in the same creative playground. Fans jump between games all the time. Why shouldn’t their favourite characters do the same?

That’s why we’re intentional. Every partnership has to align with our values and vision. Because when it clicks, it’s not just cool, it’s meaningful. It creates new entry points, new emotional connections, and gives our world room to grow in bold, joyful directions.

Jernej: Honestly, the biggest battle these days is visibility. It is not about building a great game; we have that covered, because that part is fully in our hands. From the idea, through development, testing, and global release, our team knows what to do and how to tackle it. But getting visibility and discoverability on the relevant publishing platforms is the real challenge. That is a whole different game. 

Too often, discovery depends on how much you are willing to spend, and that is a broken system for both creators and players. Penetration obstacles are artificially becoming so high that, in my honest opinion, the entire industry is suffering because of it. Big players at least have a better starting point, but for startups with great products, the chances of getting any traction are very slim.

We believe that developers and users deserve better; they deserve a fair chance to publish, play, and discover the best apps out there. In the end, the market and players should decide what interests them. We, as developers and publishers, are here to create opportunities, to enable players to discover the best ideas out there.

When we set out to make My Talking Tom Friends 2, the challenge was not just how do we make a sequel? It was, how do we introduce something new and exciting, without making the original feel outdated or irrelevant? The answer is simple: do not treat it like a replacement, treat it like an evolution.

My Talking Tom Friends 2 is a fresh chapter. It is a standalone experience, but still connected. It brings new energy and mechanics, while keeping the soul of the original intact. Because for us, this is not just about launching new titles, it is about expanding a world where players already feel at home.

Ante: We didn’t just want to make a sequel, we wanted to evolve the experience and surprise even our most loyal fans. Players get to jump into a totally reimagined world and hang out with Talking Tom, Angela, Hank, Becca, and Ben like never before. This highly anticipated sequel ramps up the friendship vibes, offers fresh new ways for them to express themselves, and a ton of things to explore.

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My Talking Tom Friends 2 opens up a whole new neighbourhood, full of character-themed locations like the grocery store, a clinic, greenhouse, clothes store and more, each packed with interactions that reflect our characters’ personalities. Every friend now has their own home, their own space. And that sense of identity? It runs deep. With real voiceovers and richer animations, they feel more alive than ever.

But here’s the biggest twist: you’re no longer confined to just one space. The living space has expanded beyond a single shared house and garden to encompass the whole neighbourhood, and players can travel between these vibrant locations, unlocking fresh adventures along the way. Now, you can leave the neighbourhood entirely. Hop on a bus and explore exciting new worlds, starting with the Water Park. And that’s only the beginning. Our roadmap already includes even more destinations to discover.

We’ve also packed in a bunch of new mini-games that push creativity and skill, and added dynamic systems like a full day-night cycle to make the whole world feel more alive.

Ante: With Talking Tom & Friends: World, we started with a simple belief: every generation deserves a world of their own.

Talking Tom & Friends: World isn’t just a “kid version” of something else. It’s its own thing. A sandbox playground where kids can create personal avatars that reflect who they are, or who they want to be and many different characters to populate Tom’s world as they wish. They can host tea parties, float through space, run a bakery, or just hang out with Tom and Angela in their apartments. We give them the tools. They write the story.

We worked closely with child development experts, educators, and researchers to ensure every feature in the game is age-appropriate, emotionally intelligent, and promotes healthy play. We've also conducted white paper research to support these efforts, exploring the impact of mobile interactive play and learning for young children. 

And while this is our first game built specifically for kids, it’s still 100% Talking Tom. That heart, that humour, it’s all there. Just wrapped in a new kind of experience where the youngest fans don’t just watch or tap, they lead. For us, that’s the future.

Jernej: With Talking Tom & Friends: World, we’re reaching a new milestone, our first ad-free, kid-focused game built around optional in-app purchases. But let’s be clear: this isn’t about locking fun behind a paywall. It’s about giving families a safe, flexible, and rewarding way to play.

The full core experience is completely free. Kids can jump in, explore, create, and enjoy the world from the very beginning, no purchase necessary. What in-app purchases offer is the chance to extend, personalise, and co-create their version of the Talking Tom world. Think of it as unlocking more tools for self-expression, creativity, and imagination.

This is also the first time in the franchise that the full crew is entering a brand-new shared universe, a “new normal” where characters interact with each other and with new characters in dynamic, evolving ways. Players will help shape this world, from customising avatars and homes to discovering new storylines and surprises. The IAPs support this vision, but they’re never required to enjoy the game.

At Outfit7, we believe monetisation should never feel forced. It should respect players' time and choices. That’s why we’re taking a hybrid approach across our portfolio, experimenting, learning, and most importantly, staying player-first.

Ante: Tom’s core personality, that quirky, playful spirit and those spontaneous, funny moments, is something we hold sacred. It’s what made Talking Tom beloved from the very start, and that hasn’t changed.

While the franchise has grown and evolved over 15 years, our focus has always been on deepening emotional connections. With this new chapter, we’re layering modern storytelling and technology on top of that timeless core, adding real voices, immersive environments, and new ways to play, all while keeping Tom’s original charm front and centre.

This isn’t about replacing the past; it’s about growing alongside our fans and creating a universe that feels alive, welcoming, and creative. So whether you’re a longtime player or discovering Tom for the first time, you’ll feel that familiar magic, only bigger and more vibrant.

Ante: At the heart of it, Tom is still Tom. That quirky charm, his playful energy, those random, lovable moments, that's the soul of the character. And that soul? It’s untouchable. We knew from the start that no matter how much the world changes, or how much we evolve technology, those fundamental elements that made people fall in love with Talking Tom had to stay intact.

We’re reimagining the classic virtual pet experience, yes, but we’re doing it with deep respect for where it all began. Fans will recognise his familiar expressions, his unpredictable pranks, and that weird, wonderful joy he brings into any room (or screen). It’s the kind of timeless humour that still makes you laugh, even a decade later.

Of course, the world around Tom has changed. New platforms, new player expectations, new storytelling tools. But every new feature, every fresh design choice, is layered on top of that original core, not replacing it. We’re building for today, while keeping a strong emotional thread to yesterday.

Jernej: 2025 is a massive step, but it’s definitely not the endgame. It’s about building a solid foundation for what comes next. Our North Star hasn’t changed: we want to be one of the most influential entertainment companies out there. That means thinking way beyond games.

Beyond mobile. We’re already diving into new tech, new formats, and fresh ways to connect with audiences, wherever they are. We’re not just scaling up. We’re evolving. Creating space for big thinking, big swings, and bold moves that take us into unexpected, exciting territory.

And yes, we’ve heard the question: “Where’s Ginger?” Don’t worry. He’s not just coming back… he’s getting a world of his own. You’ll hear more very soon.