For players, by players

Can you tell us about your journey in game development and how you got started in the online slot game industry?

My journey in the gambling industry began way back in 2004 as a Digital Artist. I worked on virtual racing and football for Inspired Broadcast Networks, then moved on to designing slots for the UK land-based market (CAT-C and B2/B3). In early 2006, I transitioned into i-gaming where I have remained.

What does the market require from a new game providers now in your opinion? 

Innovative Features and Game Variety: The market is increasingly competitive, so new providers need to offer something unique to gain traction and reputation. This could be through new game mechanics, different themes, or a unique blend of existing features. Players are looking for novel experiences and unique twists in existing mechanics. 

Convenience and Accessibility: With the rise of mobile gaming, new providers need to ensure their games are compatible across multiple devices and platforms, from smartphones and tablets to desktops. An “omnichannel” approach is crucial at Wildcat-Gaming we operate a mobile first approach. 

Player Engagement and Loyalty: The market requires providers to go beyond just the games themselves. This includes offering attractive bonuses, promotions, and a system for rewarding loyal players, all of which form part of our overall design strategy in collaboration with our extensive client base. 

Regulatory Compliance: New providers must adhere to strict regulations and pass certification processes to ensure their games are fair and responsible. This includes a certified Random Number Generator (RNG) and adherence to a declared Return to Player (RTP) percentage. 

What are some of the key features you focus on when designing a new slot game? 

Engaging Theme and Visuals: A strong concept and theme are the starting points for any successful slot game. This includes the storyline, symbols, animations, and sound design, which all work together to create an immersive experience. 

Mathematical Model: This is the core of the game. It determines the volatility, win frequency, and prize size. A good mathematical model balances the player’s desire for big wins with a fair and engaging gameplay loop. 

Bonuses and Special Features: These features, such as free spins, bonus rounds, and unique wild symbols, are essential for player excitement and retention. They break up the standard gameplay and offer the potential for larger payouts. 

Player-Centric Design: As you mentioned in one of your questions, a “for players by players” philosophy is key. This means understanding what players want, whether it’s challenging gameplay, open-world exploration, or a good story. Data analytics and user feedback are critical in this process. 

How do you balance creativity and market trends when developing new game concepts? 

Data-Driven Innovation: Successful game developers use data and market research to understand player preferences and identify trends. They then use these insights to inform their creative process, ensuring that new ideas will resonate with the target audience. 

Iterative Development: Instead of a single, groundbreaking idea, we focus on “combinative creativity”—recombining existing ideas from different sources into new products. This allows them to create experiences that are both fresh and familiar. 

Collaboration: Involving commercial stakeholders and using collaborative development tools ensures that creative ambitions remain aligned with practical constraints like budget and timelines. 

How do you plan to maintain the competition among the giant corporations and boutique game studios?

As a boutique studio, we can adapt to existing market trends in a lean, agile way. This means we can design and develop games that larger, more complex, and autocratic corporate structures find difficult. In this sense, all Wildcat-Gaming games will be at the very cutting edge, offering our players up-to-the-minute, top-notch experiences. 

Our AI development tools allow us to engineer more finished, less conceptual content through rapid game prototyping. This gives us a strategic edge over our competitors because we embraced AI much sooner than most, and as a result, the production quality of our games is at a much higher level, much sooner in the scope of our products lifecycle. 

From the ground up, our approach is to create games designed by players, for players. We leave no stone unturned in our pursuit to keep players central to our mission. 

You have an extraordinary start under the wing of the Amatic brand, how will your paths converge or diverge?

Firstly, acknowledging that any success Wildcat-Gaming has achieved is as a direct result of the Amatic brand is of crucial importance mainly as without the umbrella of Amatic it would have been near impossible to hit the ground running as we have or to enjoy the success we are so grateful for. 

Although we are two unique brands, we are one team with a single vision: to become the best at what we do. What benefits one team will ultimately benefit the other. This is a key mantra where knowledge sharing is an essential ingredient of our continued success. We are a multidisciplinary team; any benefits or improvements made at either brand will be adopted by both.

What plans do you have for WILDCAT portfolio in the upcoming year?

We have a fully loaded roadmap for the upcoming year. As a new brand, we are focused on developing exciting new game features and brand-new game designs, all with unique twists on familiar mechanics and some entirely new mechanics being introduced throughout the year. We are confident you will embrace these new concepts as you would an old friend.

Your positioning WILDCAT GAMING studio as the games designed for players by players. What do you think the players crave for now?

Players are tired of soulless, corporate products. They’ve seen too many games that feel like they were designed by a committee to maximize returns, rather than by people who genuinely love slot games. The “by players” part of your slogan directly addresses this, but this isn’t just a marketing slogan it’s a genuine belief. 

Games with a Clear Vision: Titles that aren’t just a hodgepodge of the latest trends but have a singular, creative purpose. They want a game that feels like a labour of love, not just a product. 

Respect for the Player’s Time and Wallet: This means ethical monetization practices, creating games which have a sense of fairness and a moral compass, we create games which entertain and offer escapism, but we are also focused on fairness and generating quality gaming experiences. 

Deep and Polished Gameplay: Whether it’s a new twist on a classic genre or a completely new mechanic, players want a game that is fun to play at its core. This includes things like solid easy to understand features, satisfying fluid gameplay, and well-balanced probability systems. 

Compelling Narratives: Gamers are hungry for good stories. This can range from deep, character-driven single-player experiences to well-crafted lore of more complex mythical worlds. They want a reason to care about the game beyond just the mechanics. 

Player Focused Experiences: We engineer experiences not just games and the experience the game has to offer must be achieved withing a standard play session without seemingly hiding the great features behind what seems to be an infinite number of spins. 

In short, the “for players, by players” ethos resonates because it promises a return to what many feel is missing from the industry: a focus on fun, respect, and a genuine connection with the people who play the games.

How do you see the online slot game market evolving in the next few years?

Gamification and Social Interaction: Expect to see more elements from video games integrated into slots. This includes features like leaderboards, missions, achievements, and interactive bonus rounds. Social elements like multiplayer slots and tournaments will also become more common, replicating the community feel of a land-based casino. 

Immersive Technologies (VR/AR): While still in their early stages, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are poised to create truly immersive gaming environments. VR will allow players to “walk through” a virtual casino floor, and AR will overlay game elements onto the real world via mobile devices. 

AI and Personalization: Artificial intelligence will be a key driver for personalizing the player experience. AI algorithms will analyse player behaviour to recommend games, tailor promotions and bonuses, and even adjust gameplay in real-time. This also extends to using AI for responsible gambling tools and fraud detection. 

With a younger, tech-savvy player base, mobile gaming will remain a dominant force. Developers will continue to prioritize a “mobile-first” approach, ensuring games are optimized for smartphones and tablets with intuitive touch controls and seamless cross-platform functionality. 

The integration of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies is gaining momentum. This offers benefits like increased transparency, security, and anonymity for players. “Provably fair” games built on a blockchain ledger will become more widespread, fostering greater trust between players and operators. 

Storytelling and Thematic Depth: Slots will move beyond simple themes to offer more complex narratives and cinematic visuals. High-quality 3D graphics, intricate animations, and dynamic sound design will become standard. 

Unique Mechanics: Developers will continue to innovate with unique twists on familiar mechanics, as well as introduce entirely new game concepts. This includes more skill-based elements and games that blend slots with other popular genres. 

Responsible Gambling and Regulation: As the market expands, there will be an increasing emphasis on player protection and responsible gambling. Stricter regulations, self-exclusion schemes, and AI-powered tools to monitor and mitigate problematic gambling behaviour will become standard practice across the industry. This is a critical factor for sustainable growth and a positive public perception of the market.

What do you believe is the most critical factor in developing a successful online slot game? 

A strong initial concept and theme. 

A well-defined and fair mathematical model. 

Seamless software development for a smooth user experience. 

Rigorous testing and quality assurance. 

Strict adherence to regulatory compliance. 

An effective marketing strategy to reach players.