The new generation of gamblers prefer games that provide a more social experience, often choosing esports or scratch cards over casino games, according to Petra Maria Poola, head of business development and operations at OneTouch.
Following on from the well documented troubles of 2020, OneTouch has a keen eye on the future as it looks to merge skill games with gambling.
“Content developers need to be more creative: our vision for the future is to merge skill games with gambling in a way that appeals to both experienced slot enthusiasts and complete newcomers,” noted Poola.
“With many land-based casinos still shut, many players will be looking to recreate the land-based experience from home. OneTouch has partnered with a high-end studio to create a unique series of Roulette and Baccarat games which do exactly that, with Blackjack soon to follow. Join us at the Festival to find out more.”
“Players are moving away from conventional slots and towards more innovative, hybrid games, so as providers we are adapting our approach accordingly.”
During lockdown, Poola stated that OneTouch continued to ‘build a diverse portfolio based on the needs of the market’.
She continued: “Agility is crucial, because those requirements are constantly shifting. It’s all about deploying the traditional slot features that work best, while also adding innovative updates that enhance the gaming experience. Players are moving away from conventional slots and towards more innovative, hybrid games, so as providers we are adapting our approach accordingly.
“Our development roadmap for the coming year comprises mobile-first table games and advanced in-game engagement tools. Despite the lockdown that has been imposed in some countries, mobile content continues to play a key role, particularly because it hasn’t stemmed the increasing adoption of smartphones in emerging markets.”
Analysing the current state of the slot market, Poola noted it was ‘no secret’ that today’s market is ‘saturated by a constant stream of new content’. She continued: “That makes every developer’s job a lot harder, so it’s more important than ever to set yourself apart from the competition.
“Mobile gaming has also continued to proliferate over the course of this year, and the slot market is no different. Statistics from the UK Gambling commission, for example, show that more than half of the country’s online gamblers have placed bets on a mobile or tablet, so it’s clear that the future belongs to providers who can optimise their content for the full range of devices.”
“We set out with the vision of playing the latest and greatest games on a phone in one hand while holding the handrail of a bus with the other.”
CasinoBeats puts gameplay at the heart of product selection this week via the inaugural Slots Festival, designed to give participants a valuable overview of the games market and the latest trends, providing a new perspective as they develop their product roadmap into 2021.
Commenting on the festival, Poola exclaimed: “We love the whole concept! It’s a great way to differentiate, and although conventional conferences certainly have a place, it’s fantastic to see our industry doing something different.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 has also made networking opportunities a lot harder to find, so it’s good to have another chance to share insights with our colleagues from the iGaming community. Of course, nothing can replace face-to-face communication, but we applaud our friends at SBC for making the best of what has been a difficult situation.”
Taking place on Wednesday 18 November, the festival will see attendees be able to drop in at a time convenient for them on the day and try out a host of games in free-play mode, enter slots tournaments with eye-catching prizes, and watch some of the leading casino streamers playing a selection of titles.
Discussing what content OneTouch will be showcasing, Poola concluded: “We look forward to discussing OneTouch’s world class portfolio of mobile-first casino games with fellow attendees. The idea that games should be both highly engaging and easy to enjoy underpins everything we do as a company.
“OneTouch was founded on the premise that players should be able to enjoy their favourite games on the move. We set out with the vision of playing the latest and greatest games on a phone in one hand while holding the handrail of a bus with the other.
“Our high-quality designs, immersive sound effects and intuitive UIs work in tandem to create a gaming experience that stands out from the crowd, and we can’t wait to both showcase our games and hear more from colleagues about the content they’re unveiling.”
Gaming professionals, such as members of operators’ casino teams, slots and casino affiliates, content aggregators, and igaming industry media, can register for the CasinoBeats Slots Festival for free by clicking here.
