21 September, 2023 | SEPT OCT 2023

Evoplay CEO Q&A: Crossover fusions

Gambling Insider speaks with Ivan Kravchuk, Evoplay CEO, about the pioneering of crossover fusions and what goes into the making of an online casino product.

At iGB Live in Amsterdam, we discussed Evoplay pioneering crossover fusions with the likes of casino and sports betting. Are there any other fusion crossovers you’re looking into developing?

Our aim has always been to create immersive, cross-platform experiences that captivate a wide spectrum of players. From online casino enthusiasts to sports bettors and from casual gamers to adrenaline-chasing thrill-seekers; our games cater to all tastes and preferences.

We continuously strive to push boundaries, blending genres and defying traditional categories in our relentless pursuit of the next breakthrough in gaming. We’re deeply intrigued by the potential of integrating our games with sports betting. Our third focus is meta-mechanics. We’re experimenting with various mechanics and activities, such as tournaments and quests.

How do you go about making games as quick as possible for those users in LatAm that don’t have fast internet service and use old devices?

In regions like LatAm, we’re aware that players trademarks for each game to protect our intellectual property. This is a crucial step, although it can sometimes present challenges.

We scrutinise what our competitors are doing, take note of wider industry trends, and - most importantly - we pay close attention to our players’ feedback. This in-depth analysis informs our decisions about where to channel our creative energies and investments

Once we’ve navigated the legal landscape, we shift our focus towards creating a name that aligns with our player’s expectations and the game’s unique attributes. The aim is to encapsulate the essence of the game within its name – think of it as crafting an accurate and enticing summary. This is where our dedicated creative team comes into play. They devote considerable effort to brainstorming and selecting names that are not only descriptive and appropriate but also memorable.

Could you elaborate on the research and development process that’s involved in the creation of innovative features like the random prize drop?

In the current gaming industry landscape, meta-mechanics play a critical role. The market is quite saturated, so it’s crucial to continually innovate and introduce fresh, engaging mechanics.

We scrutinise what our competitors are doing, take note of wider industry trends, and – most importantly – we pay close attention to our players’ feedback. This in-depth analysis informs our decisions about where to channel our creative energies and investments.We closely monitor the performance metrics, analyse the response from our players and use these insights to further refine our mechanics.

Can you explain the mechanics of the new random prize drop feature and share your reasons for choosing to award prizes irrespective of the game outcomes?

The premise of the random prize drop is to add a twist of surprise to the gaming experience. It’s somewhat akin to the fundamental nature of iGaming itself. Regardless of how the game unfolds, there’s always that chance of receiving a surprise prize. It’s this unpredictable element that keeps the excitement alive.The decision to award prizes irrespective of game outcomes was driven by our understanding that everyone enjoys the feeling of being lucky.

The unexpected reward gives players a sense of achievement and enhances their engagement with the game, making their experience more enjoyable and memorable.

What kind of rewards can players expect with this new feature? Are they game-oriented or have a financial value?

With the new random prize drop feature, the initial rewards are financially based, adding immediate and tangible value to player winnings. After the feature is launched, we plan to conduct an in-depth analysis based on the feedback and performance data we collect. Based on this analysis, we could potentially diversify the types of rewards offered in the future.

If the random prize drop feature proves to be a hit with your audience, is there a possibility of incorporating it into other games within your portfolio in the future?

Our ultimate goal is to integrate the random prize drop feature into as many games as possible within our portfolio. However, it’s crucial that we navigate this carefully. We need to adhere to certain technical norms to ensure seamless integration. Our main focus is to avoid any clashes with existing game mechanics. Beyond that, we believe this feature could significantly enrich our players’ experience across different games, making their gaming journey even more exciting and rewarding.