SlotBeats Insight delves into the backgrounds of Evoplay Entertainment in a three part series taking a look at the creativity process in slot development.
“Trends which originate from outside of our industry will always have a strong impact.” noted Oleg Yakovlev, product owner at Evoplay Entertainment, who highlighted outside sources which influence the development of 2D slots.
SlotBeats spoke to Yakovlev about the future of 2D slots against 3D, what he draws inspiration from and how slot development should resonate with players following the last 12 months.
SlotBeat: What’s hot in 2D slots development for you right now?
Oleg Yakovlev: When it comes to gauging the hottest trends in slot development, one factor stands above the rest: player preference. From ease of use to smooth gameplay, immersive sounds, and bonus offers that keep the excitement coming, it’s all about the user experience. The objective should therefore always be to enhance the player journey by combining different mechanics and adding new opportunities to land winning combinations.
Additionally, developers should remember that maximising a game’s complexity is not always the right approach. As suppliers, we should produce content that is both enjoyable to use and easy to understand. This is why classic slot gameplay attracts a consistently global audience – and will continue to do so. It’s also the reason why so many studios go ‘back to basics’ on thematic effects, with Ancient-Egypt and fruit-based symbols still proving popular.
SB: What outside influences are having an effect on the development of 2D?
OY: Trends which originate from outside of our industry will always have a strong impact. For example, when Marvel movies were in vogue, developers began to create superhero-themed slots. A similar process played out with hip hop. Popular culture plays a vital role, and it should never be underestimated when it comes to resonating with the player.
SB: How does the future of 2D slots shape up against 3D?
OY: Game suppliers will continue to excite players with experiments in 3D slot development. That said, more traditional 2D slots are still in high demand amongst gamblers across the globe because that’s what players know and love.
Looking to the future – I predict that we will see plenty of the 2D mechanics currently deployed on the market begin to take a more innovative twist as developers get more creative. Add in gamification in the form of drops, wild symbols and free spins, all of which can be presented at different speeds, trajectories and sounds, and you’ve got a wealth of options on your hands.
We welcome such developments and are proud to have led the industry’s charge towards a more innovative future catered to the next generation of gaming. That said, providers need to focus on features that add value to the gaming experience, rather than confusing players with additions that are needlessly complicated. Players value the experience, atmosphere and emotions rather than detailed mechanics, so there’s no need to make it difficult to understand.
SB: Where do you draw your own inspiration from?
OY: One thing that motivates me more than anything else is the prospect of creating content which will be enjoyed in the years ahead. We want our slots to have staying power and ensure that they retain their relevance throughout the next decade and beyond, just as some of the best slots have in Vegas. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and some of my best ideas have actually come outside of the workplace. Making sure you have time for leisure is essential – and watching films, listening to music or reading a book can sometimes prove to be the most productive sources of inspiration.
SB: Starting from a blank canvas, what’s your approach to the creative process?
OY: The creative process depends on the specific type of product and the combination of the game theme and its mechanics. For this, I list my thoughts on the selected theme and analyse how they can be displayed in the slot to make the player feel immersed in the atmosphere of a game.
For example, if I create an Egypt-themed slot, the symbols and events on the reels will carry the attributes of ancient Egypt – mummies, pyramids and yellow sand. Based on this, I build technical components and connect them with the capabilities of each attribute. The mummy can wake up, the pyramid can be opened, and the cat as a spiritual animal can provide gifts to players. Thus, the game is presented as one complex project and appears more exciting to the player.
Also, players want to see games fit for a 21st century world. For example, Egypt should not always be depicted not as ancient, but as a vibrant and modern country, and new cultural themes such as Japanese mythology can add significant excitement when presented correctly.
SB: Given this year’s events and its effect on player behaviour – how should POs be looking to resonate with players right now?
OY: The first thing to say is that there are no shortcuts. The most effective method is to constantly analyse the behaviour of players. Finding out their preferences and priorities when choosing a game and taking that data into account in the development of new games can only be an advantage.
As a content creator, making sure you’re constantly tapped into what’s trending immediately puts you on the front foot. That’s why anybody working in game development has to be well-versed in the latest trends and developments from both inside and outside of the gambling community. Taking responsibility for the finished article is a big part of my role as a product officer; and if you want to do it well, you need to make sure you’re connecting with something that players can resonate with.
