The best way to talk about the gaming industry is only by its participants. Casino.ru editorial staff talked to the marketing director of Pateplay studio. This is a young company, founded in Bulgaria in 2022. It already has 60 slots on its account, and ambitious plans ahead. The team is preparing to launch a live casino and produce equipment for land-based clubs.
Martin Jonovski told how the provider’s slots differ from competitors, shared his personal rating of favorite machines and explained why it is important for developers to attend thematic events.
I would like to give an interview
– You have been in the gaming industry since 2011 and have already accumulated a lot of experience. Before that you were involved in logistics and marketing of “ordinary” brands such as Adidas, Remington and NEXT. Tell us why you decided to change your field of activity?
– The change came naturally and was a challenge in the early years of my professional journey. I was 22 years old when I entered the gaming industry. I had no experience in this field, even as a player. But it was very curious, that’s why I’m here.
– Pateplay Studios is founded in 2022. What challenges do young providers face?
– There are a lot of challenges. But what is more important is how you approach them and how quickly you find a way out of the situation.
– You didn’t join the Pateplay team right away, but we suspect that the team is still being formed. Does the company attract only specialists with experience in the iGaming industry or is it open to fresh eyes from outside?
– Pateplay is a young company, but the entire management team has a wealth of experience in the industry. Among us we have professionals who have been in the industry for more than 20 years. They have gone through numerous market transformations that are defining the trends of tomorrow.
We use different concepts and strategies in recruitment. But we pay great attention to developing our own talent.
– We notice that new developers start stocking fruit slots. Surely they are easier to produce. But is there no risk of getting lost among other slot machines with fruit symbols?
– Our portfolio depends entirely on the markets in which we work. We produce what is in demand among players.
– How do Pateplay’s classic slots differ from those of your competitors?
– Pateplay games are characterized by their modern design, unique strategy, interactive bonus rounds, extra cash wins and impressive jackpot functionality.
In addition, we are developing new unique features and preparing for the launch of cluster and crash games
In addition, we are developing new unique features, preparing for the launch of cluster and crash games.
– Name your personal top 3 Pateplay slot machines.
– At the moment my ranking includes Pure Ecstasy, Mr. First and Regal Spins. These games are simple and classic, but bring a lot of joy and entertainment to users. Now more about each one.
Pure Ecstasy will charm at first sight with its simplicity. The machine uses a 3×3 layout and drags on hours of play thanks to the dynamic process and the Lucky Reel function. When three scatters fall on the field, a reel appears on a separate screen, which determines the payout multiplier from x25 to x100.
The slot has several other features. There is a wild, a jackpot and an additional cash prize. Also, the payouts can be increased in the risk game.
Mr. First teleports users to amazing space distances, filled with spectacular animation. The game promises a lot of action and amazing winnings. This slot, like the previous one, uses a 3×3 field layout.
There is a wild with a substitution function, a scatter and a collect-sign that collects cash values. And that’s not all the features:
- Doubling risk game with card color selection.
- Pile of Tokens feature. When money signs fall out without collect-symbol, they accumulate and return to the field when the right coin falls out, so that the user gets a larger amount.
- Progressive Jackpot Drawing.
Regal Spins is a video slot with a 5×3 playing field, fruits and royal crowns that act as wild symbols and expand to the entire reel. The machine is released in several variants: with 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100 lines.
We traditionally added a wild symbol and a scatter. Built a risk game, which can be launched after each successful spin. We added an additional cash bonus function and a game with 4 types of jackpot.
– How closely do developers and marketers work together when creating slots?
– The process of creating our games is extremely complex. It is based on a lot of data and information about the market, rules, consumer and operator behavior.
– Is it possible to predict the success of a future slot machine?
– Yes, to a certain extent it can be assumed.
– In your opinion, what primarily affects the popularity of the slot?
– I emphasize two things:
- Product
- Marketing.
– You have been working in the team of Bulgarian National Lottery 7777 almost since its foundation – from 2012 to 2019. How did you get into the project? What do you remember about this period?
– The National Lottery has been an excellent project. It was developed at a very high professional level. Personally, I went through a lot of small tasks and responsibilities until I took the position of marketing manager in the company.
-Pateplay has received licenses from Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania. Do you plan to enter other markets? Which countries are next?
– Now our main markets are Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Romania and Bulgaria. We are actively expanding our representation abroad. Now we are getting a license from the MGA [Malta Gaming Authority]. We are certifying games for Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Belarus.
And
we
have also started the licensing process in New Jersey, USA
Also started the licensing process in New Jersey, USA.
-In February 2024, your team took part in the ICE London conference. How did it go?
– TheICE 2024 conference was probably the most important event for Pateplay this year. We closed direct deals, established new potential business relationships. We received a lot of compliments on our products.
Several of the world’s largest companies visited our booth to build rapport and communicate on common goals for the year. We showed the industry that Pateplay is already in the spotlight.
– Why is it important for developers to attend themed conferences?
– The benefits are many, and not just financial. Anyone who attends such an event should be ready to listen, observe and analyze in order to make their product as profitable and in demand as possible.
– In 2024, the studio will launch its own live casino broadcasts, congratulations! Right now two types of roulette and blackjack have been announced. Do you plan to expand the range of games? What language will the dealers speak?
– We are planning to launch live casino in the coming months. The announcement has already attracted the interest of many partners. Of course, we will replenish the portfolio with different games and increase the number of languages spoken by the dealers.
– What other high-profile releases can we expect from Pateplay in the near future?
– In 2024, our first mass-produced slot machine models for land-based casinos will be released. Players can expect unique designs, builds, technology and atmospheres.
I would like to give an interview
- “Customer service is always on your side” – interview with the head of customer service department at 7K
- “Live games are far from being the most demanded section in CIS” – interview with the head of Royal Partners partner program in CIS region
- “Our games are broadcasted by 400 streamers” – interview with Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO of BGaming