“Few cities combine lifestyle and creativity like Barcelona,” by Asi Burak
Asi Burak, 54 years old, married with two daughters. A dual U.S. and Israeli citizen, he lived in New York for nearly 20 years and in Tel Aviv for about 15 before moving with his family to Barcelona in the summer of 2023. He is Chief Business Officer in Tilting Point, a global video game publisher with approximately 350 employees, where he leads strategic partnerships with studios, licensees, and major platforms.
Why did you choose Barcelona?
Tilting Point has had an office in Barcelona for many years, so I used to visit it often. Every trip made it harder to leave: the light, the rhythm, the sense of possibility. When the opportunity to move arose, I didn’t hesitate. For my wife, a European at heart, it was like coming home; for me, it was discovering a new version of my home, with more sunlight, space, and balance than New York could ever offer me.
What positive aspects of the city would you highlight?
A friend once said that when you make a list of the pros and cons of Barcelona, you quickly run out of cons. I agree. Few cities combine lifestyle and creativity the way Barcelona does: a Mediterranean climate, architecture that makes every stroll inspiring, an international community that keeps things dynamic, and a thriving tech and gaming scene. It’s not just livable—it’s energizing.
What aspects of the city must be improved? How?
If I could import anything from New York, it would be the culture of serendipity fostered by professional networks. In the United States, people openly share their passions: they love connecting the dots, presenting new ideas, and meeting new people—often without any ulterior motives. That openness fosters innovation. I think Barcelona could benefit from a little more of that spontaneous energy of “let’s grab a coffee and create something together.”
What do you expect from Barcelona in the coming years?
Barcelona has everything it needs to become Europe’s next creative capital: talent, lifestyle, and ambition. What it needs now is a supportive ecosystem: more collaboration across industries, and more bridges between local and international voices. If it embraces this openness, it can evolve from being a beautiful place to live into a global engine of innovation.
Which city do you consider “your city”? What do you miss the most?
Barcelona already feels like home, even though I’m still getting to know it: a Spanish class, a tapas bar, a new friendship at a time. Language is the key to culture, so now I’m learning Spanish and then Catalan. Even so, I still carry with me the intensity of New York and the boldness of Tel Aviv. They shaped my sense of creativity and my purpose, and I believe Barcelona is the perfect third act in that journey.
