What started in 2022 as a small studio comprised of a few passionate developers has blossomed into a successful large-scale studio that produces two engaging titles per month. The founding team started ELA Games with the mantra “For players, by players.” This philosophy empowered the studio to create exciting and unique games that they would want to see in the casino world.

The studio has curated an impressive portfolio with multiple popular titles, such as Cash Crab, Devil’s Treasures, Joker Cashpot and more. ELA Games’ states that its commitment to steady and sustainable growth while continuously innovating has turned it into one of the more exciting software development companies in the industry.

Innovating Gameplay With Cash Crab

A quick look at ELA Games’ catalogue reveals its diversity and creativity. The studio doesn’t shy away from experimentation, always developing games with unique themes, exciting features and interesting game mechanics. For example, one of the studio’s flagship titles, Cash Crab, is an homage to classic retro arcade games. It gives users more agency over their gameplay, as they can control a claw to grab prizes. Due to its simple yet exciting gameplay, Cash Crab has become a staple game for many online casinos. 

Cash Crab is also an exciting prospect for operators due to its high level of customisability to meet their specifications and 24/7 support with analytical and reporting tools. Operators can also pick and choose various gamification and social mechanics to enhance the user experience. Users can bet on one another via the BetBehind feature, participate in tournaments, climb the leaderboards and collect prizes, which makes the game stand out in a competitive and crowded landscape.

Daring to Experiment

Slot gaming can feel repetitive for veteran gamers, as many games rehash the same themes, features and formats. During the brainstorming and development process, ELA Games seeks to challenge the norm and create titles that break boundaries. While some developers may stick to what’s successful, the ELA Games team has proven that players are looking for something fresh, with many of the studio’s more creative games experiencing widespread success.

Joker Cashpot quickly became one of ELA Games’ most successful launches, with it being the best-performing game in terms of Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the first 30 days with a margin of 27.7%. Similarly to Cash Crab, Joker Cashpot’s call-back to retro gaming has shown that occasionally straying from the traditional slot format can work for a studio.

Similarly, Bandidos Bang! reinvents slot gaming by stripping away the confinement of reels, rows and paylines and transports players to a Wild West shootout. In this simple yet exciting game, players aim to collect various multipliers of up to x50. The game’s simplicity adds to its success, as players can quickly grasp its mechanics and enjoy its fast-paced gameplay.

For Players, by Players

We anticipate 2025 being a pivotal year for the studio, as we have a lot in the works. We’re preparing to announce new partnerships, a lot more content and new innovations in the slot gaming space. With the SiGMA Europe Summit in Malta coming up from November 11-14 at Stand 1078, we look to close 2024 strong and start ELA Games’ next chapter.

The studio’s founding mantra has remained unchanged and continues to inspire the team as it grows. ELA Games continues to develop games with a strong foundation of intuitive UI and attractive design. As the studio has increased its game output to two titles monthly, those foundations have become more important to the team as it seeks to maintain its high quality while creating games with ELA Games’ signature values.

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CasinoBeats: ELA Games has grown substantially both operationally and in terms of recruitment. How important has it been to scale the team to continue the business’s development?

David Fall: The studio outlined its ambitions early in 2024 and quickly recognised the need to scale operations. Throughout the year, we’ve doubled our team, bolstering our capabilities with valuable design, management and technical talent. ELA Games isn’t afraid to push the boundaries and recruit the necessary talent to realise our ambitions and plans.

This rapid expansion of personnel allows us to achieve so much more. Specifically, we’ve increased our output from one to two games per month, boosting our exposure to the public with the goal of becoming a well-known name for players. We’re excited to show the public what we have coming up.

CB: One way that ELA Games is differentiating itself is through the use of streamers. How have you tapped into that market and what are the benefits of doing so? 

DF: Utilising streamers’ influence with their large and diverse audiences is something that I resonate with, seeing as I’m also a streamer. So, seeing our success with this marketing tactic brings me extra joy. 

We’ve identified a collection of macro and targeted micro-streamers who align with our growth objectives. They streamed a number of our games, including Cash of Gods and Lucky Dwarfs, which saw traffic to these games increase drastically. Our high-quality animations, unique and exciting gameplay mechanics and colourful aesthetics were big contributors to attracting and retaining these new players. We look forward to developing these partnerships and seeing more streamers introduce our games to their audiences in the coming months.

CB: You have come from a streaming background yourself – what are your experiences in slot streaming and how are you applying it here at ELA Games? 

DF: My experience as a streamer gives me a unique advantage as ELA Games’ Business Development Manager. I understand how each game might resonate with streamers and players, and I can channel my deep knowledge of slot gameplay to create high-impact and popular titles. I’m also familiar with the business side of slot streaming, giving me a unique perspective on how to handle collaborations with any streaming partners ELA Games is interested in.

However, a significant part of game development is listening to player feedback. I test our games rigorously, and we consult with our streamer partners to improve our products. This two-way collaboration gives us a unique advantage, and we’re able to curate a portfolio of games that players will continue to enjoy.

CB: Why do you think ELA Games titles are popular among streamers? Were they developed with streamers and their audiences in mind? 

DF: We put a lot of attention and care into the art and design. When we develop our games, we build captivating worlds supported by high-quality graphics, fluid animation and vivid themes. These elements, combined with our engaging game mechanics, mean ELA Games titles are perfect for streamers and their audiences.

Cash of Gods is one of our most popular slots. It’s a well-rounded game and simple to understand. However, due to its mythological theme, it’s extremely popular with the Greek market. Our more experimental and creative games, like Joker Cashpot or Bandidos Bang!, are gaining traction in the streaming world. The gameplay is unique and refreshing, which resonates with streamers’ viewers.

CB: Tell us about some of your recent partnerships, including with Relax Gaming and Slotegrator. How are you collaborating with these new partners? 

DF: As part of our growth strategy, we identified key industry figures and signed mutually beneficial partnerships with them. Recently, we partnered with Relax Gaming and Slotegrator, two crucial B2B iGaming providers and aggregators that will help ELA Games gain exposure to a more diverse audience. 

We’re always open to discussion and are eager to explore new possibilities with more partners. If you’re a directory, iGaming platform or B2B distributor, we encourage you to get in touch with us by reaching out directly or by visiting us at one of our stands at some upcoming events we’ll be attending. 

Check out our website for more info: https://www.elagames.com/ or contact us at sales@elagames.com 

CB: ELA Games recently launched a video series. What is the series about and what sort of content can our readers expect from it? 

DF: We started our new video series, ELAborated Games, two months ago. We have so many more episodes in the works, and we’re excited to expand the format in the future. These short videos cover everything that we’ve been cooking at the studio, including new games, exciting partnerships, industry recognition and much more. We’ve received amazing feedback regarding the video format, and I’m excited to see how we can spice them up and develop the series with every release!

CB: We are fast approaching the SBC Summit in Lisbon, where ELA Games will be exhibiting. What are your plans for the event?

DF: This event is going to be a bit different for us, as we’re unveiling some ambitious plans. I can’t delve too much into the details, but we’re going to be increasing our output to two games per month, made possible by our recent explosion in talent. But, more importantly, we’re going to be demonstrating our new games live! We have four games we’d like to show off:

• Madshow Circus: We cooked up a chaotic and 5×4, 10 payline, maddening circus-themed slot. It comes with two major bonus features: Wild Ride and Knife Klash, both full of multipliers to maximise gains.
• Devil’s Treasures: A thrilling online slot game featuring the groundbreaking PopWins mechanic from AvatarUx! Each winning symbol increases reel height, and I’m so excited to see attendees chaining together huge wins.
• AquaMafia: Dive deep for captivating gameplay with this slot’s Sticky Respin feature! Winning symbols stay locked and the reels respin until no winning combinations form. Great potential for some massive wins there!
• Farm Hunt: Enjoy some countryside gaming with a slot that’s packed with bonus features. Like various surprises when playing? This is a slot for you.

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As a result of the partnership, Relax Gaming’s third-party service will be bolstered by 28 games from ELA Games, including a range of slots and instant games developed in-house by the provider. 

David Fall, Business Development Manager at ELA Games, stated: “This is another notable step in the growth of ELA Games. Together with Relax Gaming, we will open up the studio’s already beloved projects to a new audience, and continue to deliver new games with creative mechanics and top-notch design at a rhythmic pace.”

Within ELA Games’ content offering will be slot titles such as Joker Cashpot and Sugar Spins, as well as Cash Crab, an instant game inspired by arcade claw machines. 

The studio’s Business Development Manager, David Fall, recently spoke to CasinoBeats about Cash Crab’s release, explaining how the title derived from a personal experience of nostalgia. 

Reacting to the aggregation deal, Nicholas Hammon, Aggregation Business Director at Relax Gaming, added: “We’re delighted to be enhancing our games catalogue even further with some more top-quality titles.”

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CasinoBeats: Can you explain the origin story of ELA Games? How was the company formed, and how did you transition into a provider of engaging games? 

David Fall: ELA Games was incorporated by a small group of hardcore gaming enthusiasts raised on classic games, arcades, and shooters. Our team is strongly motivated and passionate about game development. The ELA Games team has years of experience in game development and igaming as well as a strong commitment to the industry, providing me with the necessary support I require as I evolve in my new role as Business Development Manager.

CB: How has the studio grown over the years, and how did you scale up the business over time as you became more popular among players?

DF: I’ve been keeping tabs on ELA Games externally for a while, and I’ve noticed its tremendous growth. Now that I’m part of the team, I experience firsthand the team’s dedication as they consistently release engaging games with rich visuals and push the boundaries of the igaming industry further and further. We currently release one game per month and we have imminent plans to increase this quota to two games per month, with even more ambitious plans to come.

Our growth strategy centres on delivering creative mechanics and unique gaming experiences. For example, we’ve developed distinctive games like Bandidos Bang! an instant-win betting shooter; Cash Crab, a real claw machine with a digital interface and community interaction; and Joker Cashpot, a one-reel, one-row game where players can choose to take their winnings or continue playing.

To support this rapid release schedule and ensure the quality of our offerings, we’ve invested heavily in scalable infrastructure and top talent acquisition. Before I joined, we had expanded our reach and refined our game development process by forming strategic partnerships and leveraging robust data analytics. Currently, our focus remains on pushing the boundaries of gaming innovation and delivering exceptional experiences that captivate our audience. Expect more creative titles as we continue enhancing our players’ gaming experiences.

CB: Cash Crab is ELA Games’ newest title – can you explain the concept of this game and talk about how the idea for the game first came about? 

DF: Cash Crab was inspired by a nostalgic discovery in our office (which used to be an arcade). The team found an old claw machine during renovations, which sparked the idea of modernising this classic game. Thus, Cash Crab was born — an engaging underwater adventure with vibrant graphics and immersive sound effects. How inspiring is that? The game combines a digital interface with HD video streaming and real-time remote control, offering players a unique and interactive experience.

This game allows players to win big, but it also includes social features like leaderboards and a chatbox. Cash Crab perfectly illustrates our commitment to blending classic game concepts with modern technology to create something truly special.

CB: In which jurisdictions can we see ELA games?

DF: Our projects over the last year have received notable attention from players in Europe, especially from the countries of the European North. This year, we are continuing our expansion into new markets and jurisdictions, including new countries in Europe, such as Denmark. Expect news very shortly). Players can find the game on various operators, for example, Campobet, which is live in Sweden.

CB: What are some of Cash Crab’s key technical features, and how does the game stand out from the crowd in the casino lobby?

DF: I love Cash Crab for its unique features that enhance gameplay and player engagement. First and foremost, the game integrates HD video streaming with real-time remote player control, creating a highly interactive experience. Players can control the claw machine remotely, which adds a layer of authenticity and excitement reminiscent of the classic arcade experience.

Social features are another standout aspect. Cash Crab includes leaderboards, chat functions and emoji reactions, fostering a strong sense of community and competition among players. The ability to bet for other players adds a unique social interaction element rarely seen in typical casino games.

The potential to win big attracts a wide initial audience. However, its flexibility, with the option to bet on other players and regular tournaments, caters to various player preferences, assisting with player retention. These features collectively make Cash Crab a standout choice in casino lobbies.

CB: What early commercial success have you seen from Cash Crab so far, and what do you think the game’s potential is?

DF: I looked at Cash Crab’s growth metrics recently and saw how much the game and ELA Games have grown. In just 12 months, 45 brands have hosted the game. This widespread and ever-increasing adoption has been bolstered by strategic partnerships with 11 new platforms and operators, such as 1×2 Network, Reevo and Relax Gaming. These collaborations have significantly expanded our reach and influence, enabling Cash Crab to attract a diverse audience.

After gathering valuable feedback from our players, we can see that the game’s innovative blend of traditional claw machine mechanics and a modern digital interface has resonated well with them and led to significant growth metrics. Since January 2023, player acquisition and retention have increased by 144%, while revenue generation has surged by 200%. Additionally, the number of game rounds played has risen by 149%. These key figures highlight the game’s popularity increase and our engagement strategies’ effectiveness.

One of Cash Crab’s standout features is its social interaction capabilities, which have fostered a strong sense of community among our dedicated player base. With unique features like leaderboards, chat functionality and emoji reactions, the game registers an average of 3,500 monthly tournament participants. This level of social engagement enhances player retention while attracting new players due to the bustling community, contributing to the game’s increasing popularity and success.

CB: What plans does ELA Games have for the Cash Crab game? Will it be entering any new jurisdictions or operators shortly? 

DF: When I joined this promising and ambitious team, we discussed the company’s future, aligned ourselves and outlined plans for Cash Crab. Our primary plans are to expand into the LatAm, Greece and EU Nordic regions. These markets present exciting opportunities for us, and we’re eager to introduce Cash Crab’s unique gameplay experience to players in these areas.

We’re also developing new localised games for each region to reflect their unique histories, cultures, and traditions. For instance, in the EU Nordic region, we have a game called Vikings Wild Cash that celebrates the rich Viking heritage. We aim to create games that resonate with local cultures while maintaining the high innovative standards and engagement that ELA Games is renowned for. Expect more thrilling and culturally inspired titles as we continue to expand and push the boundaries of igaming.

CB: Does ELA Games as a studio have any big expansion plans in the future – what can readers expect from you over the next year? 

DF: Absolutely. One of the reasons why I was so excited to join ELA Games is because we have so many upcoming ambitious plans. We’re committed to significantly increasing the number of high-quality and unique games we release. Each new title will feature rich, immersive designs and innovative gameplay mechanics. Our design philosophy emphasises simplicity without compromising depth, ensuring our games are accessible and engaging from the first second of play.

Before I joined, the studio had already experienced staggering growth, starting as a small team creating games for players by players. This founding philosophy led to a colossal influx of users and rapid growth in a short period. With over 400 brands distributing our games and 16,000 active monthly players (not including the operator audience), we’re ready to take the next step forward and I’m happy to be a part of this momentum.

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Niche games can unlock new avenues of engagement

Fuelled by a desire for fast money and the significant marketing shift towards influencers, niche games can raise the ceiling in terms of player engagement when it comes to the igaming sector. 

During a panel at the event, Michael Cini, Owner of ELA Games, underlined that from their infancy he held alternative game formats in high regard as he revealed that the original office for ELA Games was an old abandoned arcade. 

Cini explained: “One game was one of those claw machines, and one of us had the brilliant idea of, ‘why don’t we turn that into an online game?’ – which is when we came up with Cash Crab. From the very start, we found niche games to be an important part of us for creativity reasons.” 

Daniel Giuffra, Brand Manager from CasinoGrounds also detailed that the growth of niche games can be elevated by the shortening of attention spans from casino players. 

It can also be a route to engagement in the Brazilian market which is garnering inevitable attention from igaming operators across the globe. 

Mariana Tostes, Head of Operations at FBMDS, estimated that the group’s Brazilian online casino offering is made up of around 40 per cent niche games, naming online bingo and crash as examples, with the rest made up by slots. 

Trust remains integral in igaming payments 

As crypto adoption continues to grow and digital finance options are increasing efficiency in the user experience for igaming players, it is clear that trust is still a vital factor. 

While the shift for alternative payment methods in the mainstream was explored, moving humans away from ingrained habits will be a challenge especially when it comes to finances. 

According to Sean Spiteri, Head of Payment Solutions at PressEnter, humans “tend to stick to what they know”. Nonetheless, he highlighted that at the heart of any potential changes will be “simplicity and speed”.

Veiko Krünberg, CEO at XGateway, emphasised that we’re still in the early days of crypto, going on to laud the impact he believes that blockchain technology will have on igaming.

Krünberg urged operators to take note of oncoming developments and payment journeys that are steadily growing into the mainstream and being adopted by a larger number of players.

“Teething problems within the sector are improving at dramatic speed” according to Krünberg, who was keen to state his belief that the benefits of Decentralised Finance (DeFi) are going to fuel the way it is embraced by igaming players and operators. 

Learning from video games for the next level of engagement 

A pioneer in the world of first person shooters, John Romero spoke of the parallels between video games and igaming when it comes to maximising engagement. 

He drew attention to the importance of the immersive experience, urging operators and suppliers not to neglect elements like audio, which ensure that a player is enriched by the game even when it isn’t paying out big wins. 

He detailed that “in order to keep a player in the game, they need to be comfortable with the experience”, he then praised the immersive tech utilised for big titles seen across casino floors including Wizard of Oz, Rocky and Game of Thrones. 

Poker needs to play its hand of innovation 

As player attention spans wilt at a dramatic rate, one element of the gaming sector that desperately needs innovation is poker. 

Off the back of a recent “renaissance” due to the COVID-19 pandemic keeping everyone indoors and on screens, a return to normality has dealt online poker a challenging hand – with player acquisition in decline. 

Speaking at the event, Telly Bartolo, Marketing and Event Manager at Casino Malta, explained the vital nature of live tournaments, which offer much more than just a gameplay experience. 

He said: “Poker players moving from online to live tournaments are looking to travel, they’re looking to meet people form different nationalities and mingle around. It’s not all about the actual game, but it becomes about all the other things in the full experience.”

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Taking place in the hustle and bustle of the Summit’s first day, the ‘Navigating niche – mainstream opinion on alternative games’ panel questioned whether game formats like crash, plinko and mine are beginning to break into the mainstream. 

Moderated by Rhino Entertainment CEO, Ross Parkhill, the panel kicked off by looking into the dawn of these formats, with cryptocurrency casinos providing the birthplace for several niche game styles. 

As the COO for crypto operator 500 Casino, panellist Christoffer Andersson explained that fast-paced demands from cryptocurrency gamblers had a big part to play in establishing many niche game formats.  

“There’s a big difference when it comes to regulated, fiat money gambling to unregulated crypto gambling, we have a much younger audience that want fast money straight away, and they want to understand the game straight away,” he said. “That’s why I think niche games are performing so well for us.” 

With alternative formats thriving in the crypto space, it didn’t take long for regulated operators to take note, creating a rapidly growing demand for new and innovative genres. 

Michael Cini, Owner of ELA Games, noted that he took alternative game formats seriously “from the very beginning”, telling the audience that ELA’s first office was an old abandoned arcade from which the firm drew inspiration from. 

Cini explained: “One game was one of those claw machines, and one of us had the brilliant idea of, ‘why don’t we turn that into an online game?’ – which is when we came up with Cash Crab. 

“From the very start, we found niche games to be an important part of us for creativity reasons,” he continued. 

“They’re predictable, provably fair and trustable. That resonates with the player.”

Daniel Giuffra, Brand Manager at CasinoGrounds

While the panel went on to analyse the rise in popularity for alternative titles, Cini did underline that “there’s no questioning the dominance of slots in our industry”. 

However, this led him to suggest that although slots are still a key focus for the supplier, niche games can open developers up to “endless possibilities”. 

Daniel Giuffra, Brand Manager from CasinoGrounds, was also present to provide a casino streaming perspective and explain why niche games can not only provide an alternative to slots, but enhance them as well. 

Giuffra also suggested niche games can create a more exciting experience for a streamer and their viewers when compared to slots, due to typically being much more fast-paced games. But, he did note that the games streamers decide to push usually depend on whatever “can go viral”. 

He said: “It doesn’t really matter if it’s the new hot slot, or the new hot, provably fair, RNG software, it really depends on what provider can create a game that is easily shared on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, all of those.” 

Arriving equipped with knowledge on Brazil’s existing gambling market, ahead of the nation’s well-awaited regulation, was Mariana Tostes, Head of Operations at FBMDS. 

Tostes highlighted online bingo as a standout performer in Brazil, perhaps due to the land-based alternatives’ historic presence in South America’s largest country. 

She estimated that FBMDS’ Brazilian online casino offering is made up of around 40 per cent niche games, naming online bingo and crash as examples, with the rest made up by slots. 

“players have the shortest attention span ever and it’s only getting shorter”

Daniel Giuffra, Brand Manager at CasinoGrounds

The conversation then moved to what the younger generation of players that view slot streams desire, with Andersson in no doubt that the need for players to feel “a part of something” is pushing suppliers towards multiplayer titles. 

While agreeing that multiplayer igaming is an important aspect to consider when making new games, Cini warned studios not to “go too heavy too fast on it [multiplayer] right now” due to risks of burning themselves out. 

“We know crash games and skill games are getting more popular, and I think that’s an important thing to register,” said Cini. “But you’ve also got to prepare for the future.

“You’ve got a new generation of players that aren’t used to slots, they’re used to multiplayer games with social features and I think you have to prepare yourself for that future. 

“Don’t go too fast and too heavy on it right now, don’t burn yourself out as a company, but you should start planning ahead and weighing that in.”

Later on, Andersson warned that suppliers should refrain from overcomplicating titles. He explained: “That is the reason that people are playing these games, they want to understand it straight away and they want to know how to win.” 

Responding to that notion of avoiding overcomplication, Giuffra agreed “100 per cent”, claiming that “players have the shortest attention span ever and it’s only getting shorter”. 

He continued: “We used to have the 100 spin rule,” referring to the need for bonuses to be provided within 100 spins, “now it’s the 50 spin rule. “You have to strike this very delicate balance between trying to innovate in a slot, and giving players something they already know. 

“That’s where I think these niche products stand, as they’re the same across different casinos. They’re predictable, they’re provably fair and they’re trustable. That resonates with the player.”

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Scheduled to take place on Thursday, 23rd of May at Hilton Malta, the exclusive ceremony will host 300 industry professionals for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence. 

The twenty shortlists, covering categories like Game Performance, Game Creation, Game People, Streamers, and Casino Platforms, are now available for review, with the remaining three SlotCatalog data-driven awards to be revealed at a later stage.

In the Game Performance categories, the competition for the ‘Slot of the Year’ title is set to be fierce, with ten prominent studios, including AvatarUX, ELA Games, ELK Studios, Endorphina, EveryMatrix, Nolimit City, Pragmatic Play, Push Gaming, Red Tiger and Relax Gaming locking horns for the coveted title.

Pragmatic Play is in the running for multiple accolades, including the ‘Slot Legacy’ title with its Gates of Olympus, as well as the ‘Game Mechanic of the Year‘ award for its MultiHold mechanic. Additionally, the studio is contending for the ‘Game Feature of the Year’ and ‘Game Design & Art Direction’ awards in the Game Creation Categories with Zeus versus Hades. Competing alongside Pragmatic Play for the ‘Slot Legacy’ award are studios such as Blueprint Gaming, Eyecon, Fortune Factory Studios, Games Global, IGT, Light & Wonder, Mascot Gaming, and NetEnt.

In the Game Creation categories, an impressive lineup of fourteen companies earned their spot in the shortlist for the ‘Game Mechanic of the Year’ title. These companies, apart from the previously-mentioned Pragmatic Play, include 7777 Gaming, BGaming, Bragg Gaming, Evoplay, Fortune Factory Studios, Hacksaw Gaming, Nailed It! Games, Omnigame, PearFiction Studios, Slotmill, SPRIBE, Swintt, and Wazdan, each having introduced a groundbreaking game mechanic that has either redefined industry standards or elevated existing features to offer players an unmatched level of gaming excitement.

The ‘Game Feature of the Year’ award also witnessed a record-breaking number of fifteen shortlisted companies, including Wazdan — with its unique feature in the Coins series —  the winner of last year’s award in the same category. Other categories within the Game Creation segment include ‘Game Licensed Content,‘ ‘Game Retro-Style’, ‘Game Design & Art Direction,‘ and ‘Game Music/Soundtrack.‘

Among the noteworthy nominees for ‘Game Music/Soundtrack’ is Mascot Gaming, recognised for its Dreamshock Jackpot X soundtrack. Mascot Gaming has also been shortlisted for the ‘Slot to Watch’ award with Hook Up! Fishing Wars, ‘Slot to Debut’ with Crash, Hamster, Crash!, and the ‘Game Composer of the Year’ award for its Dreamshock Jackpot X soundtrack composed by Maxim Shulgin.

The ‘Game Composer of the Year’ award falls under the umbrella of the Game People categories, uniquely designed to honour the individuals responsible for the triumph of various titles. This year, alongside composers, recognition will be extended to game designers and product managers. Notably, ten individuals will contend for the ‘Product Manager of the Year’ title, twelve for ‘Game Designer of the Year,’ and seven for ‘Game Composer of the Year.’

On the streaming scene, three prestigious awards are on offer, honouring the ‘Streamer of the Year,’ ‘Next-Gen Streamer of the Year,’ and ‘Responsible Streamer of the Year.’ Competing for the ‘Streamer of the Year’ title are casino streamers Brian Christopher, CasinoDaddy, Chipmonkz, Classy Beef, Fruity Slots, GamDucks, Haddzy, Hideous Slots, and Kim Hultman (LetsGiveItASpin). Notably, Haddzy is also in contention for the ‘Next-Gen Streamer of the Year,’ while CasinoDaddy, Chipmonkz, and Hideous Slots are up for the ‘Responsible Streamer of the Year.’ Bob Slots is set to appear in both the ‘Next-Gen Streamer of the Year’ and ‘Responsible Streamer of the Year’ categories. 

Among the contenders in the Casino Platform categories, WA.Technology, Bragg Gaming Group, Digitain, EveryMatrix, and iGP emerged as notable presences, securing nominations in both the ‘Aggregator of the Year’ and ‘Platform Innovation of the Year’ category shortlists. 

Access the full list of shortlisted companies per category.

To reserve a table at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards ceremony, please reach out to sales@sbcgaming.com or visit this page.

For comprehensive details regarding the CasinoBeats Summit conference and exhibition, taking place at the InterContinental in St Julian’s, Malta on 21-23 May, and to secure your pass, kindly visit the event website.

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Within the deal, 1X2 Network has agreed to host ELA Games’ portfolio of igaming content on its aggregation platform, adding slot titles such as Cash of Gods, Kraken Bay, and Fish and Spins. 

Christopher Reid, Director of Accounts at 1X2 Network, noted: “Our collaboration with ELA Games reflects our unwavering commitment to driving innovation in the igaming industry. ELA Games’ diverse gaming portfolio perfectly aligns with our vision of delivering forward-thinking and entertaining gaming products to players worldwide.”

In addition to slot content, ELA Games’ offering consists of proprietary arcade-style claw-machine titles Cash Crab and Bonus Crab. 

“Partnering with a provider such as 1X2 Network Partnerships marks an important milestone for ELA Games,” added Mike Cini, ELA Games’ Business Owner.

“Leveraging 1X2 Network’s extensive industry expertise and global reach provides us with a tremendous opportunity to showcase our products on a global level, and we are excited to take advantage of this opportunity.”

While offering titles on a third-party basis, 1X2 Network has also focused on increasing the visibility of its in-house slot content in recent weeks, forming an integration agreement with MrQ. 

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The deal will see ELA Games gain access to the First Look Games platform and have its own dedicated library. The group will be able to upload information and assets for each of its games, plus benefit from the First Look Games White Label Client Area. 

Elliott Resnick, Managing Director at First Look Games, commented: “It’s great to see ELA Games come on board to not only take advantage of our marketing platform but also our cutting-edge client area, taking the promotion of its games to the next level. 

“Game marketing is tough given the competition that studios are up against, but affiliates provide direct access to player communities seeking the next slots to spin. ELA Games can now tap into these audiences and showcase what its titles offer.” 

Including age verification and jurisdiction services, ELA’s free to play games will be available to all registered publishers through the First Look Games Demo Game Server.  

Mike Cini, Business Owner of ELA Games, added on the deal: “First Look Games offers what we need to elevate our marketing activity and leverage the power of affiliates to make more players than ever before aware of our studio and the awesome games that we produce. 

“We focus heavily on data and analytics as we believe it’s important for us to be aware of how our games are performing and how they are perceived by players. First Look Games provides great insight to this as well as providing us with a client area where our partners can access everything they need in a seamless manner.”

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Sugar Spins – ELA Games

Sweet scatter-pays feature in the latest title from ELA Games, offering multiplied muffin wins on a 5×6 reel slot with a maximum win of x5,000 the player’s wager. The slot has medium volatility with an RTP of 95.7 per cent. 

Oleksii Shulhin, Head of Studio at ELA Games, explained: “Today is a special release as it marks the 20th title that ELA Games is releasing. This is a fantastic milestone for us. In addition, this is our first online slot title with cascading reels and we’re really excited to see how players react to this feature. 

“We’re confident players will find Sugar Spins’ fun graphics and friendly design appealing and dive into the sweetest spins to get their candy-coloured treats.”

The game uses scatter-pays of eight or more identical symbols, with cascading wins causing winning symbols to disappear after providing their payout prizes, making way for new symbols to drop in and increase the win potential. 

Scatter pudding bowls are available, triggering 15 free spins when three or more scatters appear on the same spin. Landing four, five or six scatters on the same turn will also award wins worth x3, x5 and x100 the player’s wager. 

Additionally, wrapped presents can drop into play, revealing multipliers from x2 to x250 to be applied to any wins that occur on the same spin they appear on. 

During the free spins feature, all multipliers that drop into play will be applied to a persistent multiplier meter that will enhance all subsequent wins. 

Furthermore, this feature can be retriggered if three scatter symbols appear on the same free spin. 

Enchanted: Forest of Fortune – Betsoft

Prepare for a fantasy adventure as Betsoft has taken players within an enchanted forest for a 5×4 reel slot with 40-paylines and a maximum win of up to x4,924 the player’s wager. This fairytale title has high volatility with an RTP of 96.2 per cent. 

Fernando Van Velzen, Head of Account Management, Betsoft Gaming, stated: “Enchanted: Forest of Fortune is a great slot that mixes high impact graphics with engaging features to deliver big win potential. 

“Our slots are designed to engage and entertain all demographics and styles of play. With this new sequel release, we are confident that we will also charm and reward our players.”

Special orb symbols are available, displaying monetary values from x1 to x500 the player’s chosen stake. Six or more orbs appearing on the same spin will activate the hold and win game mode. 

Book scatters can also drop into play on reels one, three and five. Landing three scatters on the same spin will award 10 free spins. 

In addition, wild flaming phoenix symbols can appear, substituting for all symbols other than the book scatters and orb prizes. Landing two, three, four or five wilds on a winning payline will provide wins worth x0.5, x2, x7.5 or x100 the player’s bet. 

Throughout the base game, stacked mystery symbols are available, revealing identical symbols across the board to increase the win potential. 

These mystery symbols can reveal all symbols other than scatters, including special orb prizes to trigger the bonus game mode. 

In the hold and win feature, players are given three spins to land as many prize symbols on the board as possible, with each symbol that appears resetting the number of spins to three. 

Once all three spins have been completed, the accumulated value of all prize symbols on the board will be awarded to the player. 

Rock Star Santa MultiMax – Yggdrasil

Santa has plugged in his electric guitar for a Christmas concert like no other in Yggdrasil’s latest slot release, presenting a 6×6 reel slot with cluster-pays of five or more symbols offering a max win of x10,000. The slot has high volatility with an RTP of 96 per cent. 

Mark McGinley, Chief Gaming Officer at Yggdrasil, stated: “We’ve taken a different approach when it comes to festive hits and introduced the world to our show stopping Santa in our rocking new release, Rock Star Santa MultiMax.

“Incorporating a cluster-pays mechanic is an exciting addition to our portfolio, where we strive to deliver incredible experiences for our players.”

This slot uses cluster-pays, with identical symbols needing to land in adjacent clusters of five or more to form cluster wins. 

Each win that is formed will cause a cascading wins feature to occur, removing the winning symbols from the board to allow new symbols to drop into play. 

When these cascades occur, Santa wild symbols are guaranteed to appear in one of the spaces left by the cluster. This is the only time wilds will drop into play. 

Each wild that does appear will also cause a reel multiplier above the reel it sits in to become active, starting at x2 and increasing by a value of one with each extra wild that appears in any subsequent cascades on the same spin. 

While these reel multipliers reset in between base game spins, they will not reset in the free spins game mode. 

Additionally, Christmas present bonus symbols can appear, awarding either instant prizes between x5 and x100 the player’s stake, between seven and 11 free spins or four extra wilds when they appear in the base game.

These Christmas present scatters will offer different prizes during the free spins, providing either between x5 and x100 the player’s bet, extra free spins, four added wilds or additional multipliers. 

Crabbin’ for Christmas Jackpot King – Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming has placed a Christmas spin on its crazy crabbing series, showcasing a festive 5×3 reel slot with 10-paylines and a maximum win of up to x5,000 the player’s wager. This icy-cold title has medium-high volatility with an RTP of 93 per cent.

Four crustaceans depict the game’s medium value symbols, which can provide payline wins between x1 and x20 the player’s bet. However, these symbols will also showcase monetary values from x1 to x50 the player’s bet, or jackpot values of mini (x10), minor (x25), major (x100) or grand (x1,000). 

These prizes can be won in the lightning spins game mode, triggered by landing four or more crustacean symbols on the same spin. The prizes can also be won in the free spins. 

Boat scatters can also appear, triggering the free spins feature if three or more appear on the same spin. Landing three, four or five boats on the same spin will trigger 10, 15 or 20 free spins. 

Moreover, wild Santa fishermen and gold wild Santa fishermen can drop into play during the free spins, substituting for all symbols other than scatters while performing crustacean-collecting features. 

In the lightning spins game mode, players are taken to an empty reel set where only crustacean symbols or wild fishermen can drop into play. 

Players are given three spins to land as many symbols on the board as possible, with each symbol that drops in resetting the number of spins to three. 

As crustaceans land on the board, their prize values can be collected by wild fishermen for individual spins, while all crustacean prize values will be awarded to the player when all three spins have been completed. 

If gold fishermen land during this feature, not only will they collect all prize values in view, but they will also apply a multiplier of up to x10 to the prize values. 

For the free spins game mode, players will hope to land crustacean symbols on the same spins as wild fishermen, as they will collect all available prize values on spins they appear on.

Additionally, gold wild fishermen will also apply x10 multipliers to prize values in this game mode as well. 

Furthermore, for every four wild fishermen that appear in the free spins, the game mode will upgrade to a new tier, awarding 10 extra free spins and removing the lowest-value crustacean prize values from play. 

Cursed Can – Evoplay

Viscous vegetables grow across Evoplay’s latest slot release, taking place in a pumpkin patch with a 5×3 reel slot that has 20-paylines and a maximum win of x2,225 the player’s bet. This title uses high volatility with an RTP of 96.12 per cent. 

Ivan Kravchuk, CEO at Evoplay, commented: “Cursed Can takes players on a voyage to an enchanted garden where spooky prizes and scary symbols await.

“The trio of captivating features bolsters the distinctive player experience whilst the Bonus Buy version adds another level of thrill and win potential to this exciting title.”

Scatter watering cans are available, triggering the free spins feature if three or more appear on the same spin. Landing four or five scatters on one spin will award respective wins of x10 or x100 the player’s bet.

When the free spins feature is activated, players will receive 10 spins while four meters sits beside the reel set with four water droplets underneath each high value symbol. 

If a scatter symbol drops into play during the free spins, one water droplet will be removed from the first high value symbol, starting with the blueberry and then leading to the apple, turnip and pumpkin symbol. 

Once the four water droplets have been removed for one symbol, it will transform into a wild symbol for the remainder of the game mode. 

Additionally, during the base game, a randomly activated highlighted reels feature can occur, causing one, two or three reels to have a full stack of high value symbols. 

Wild ‘W’ symbols can also appear, substituting for all symbols other than the scatter watering cans. If three, four or five wilds land on a winning payline, wins worth x2, x16 or x60 will occur, respectively. 

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