GOODBYE 2016…
the games we produce in front of a much wider audience. It will, of course, bring additional hurdles and challenges, but we are ready to take them on and are excited what the next 12 months have in store.
What are you most excited about for the industry in 2017? Innovation. Now that the shift from Flash to HTML5 has happened, suppliers will be able to push the boundaries with what the platform has to offer. Game graphics will take on a new level of realism, while soundtracks will become more authentic and powerful. When combined, they will crank up the dial to immerse players in a game above and beyond what we are currently able to achieve. New tech such as VR and AR will also shape the direction in which game developers take their product pipelines; it is still early days in this regard but something we are certainly keeping an eye on.
Joachim Timmermans, Co-founder/Chief Product Officer
QUICKSPIN
What was the biggest event for Quickspin in 2016? On a personal note, that would have to be our acquisition by
Playtech. It was a major milestone in the history of our company, and one that will lead us into a new and exciting chapter. Since signing the deal it has been very much business as usual, with our game factory and product conveyor belt firing on all cylinders and rolling-out a raft of new blockbuster titles such as Gold Lab, Second Strike, Dragon Shine and the forthcoming Phoenix Sun. At the back end of last year, we also unveiled a set of flexible promotional tools – including offering unique free rounds in all our games with up to six bet options – so it’s been great to see how they drive engagement and retention for our partners. They have been very well received by our operating partners.
What do you think was the most important occurrence for the industry in 2016? The wave of M&A activity that has crashed down on the industry.
There has been a seismic shift in the landscape, so much so it is almost unrecognisable when compared to just a few years ago. The impact of deals such as the Paddy Power Betfair merger will take time to be felt, but there is a sense of heightened anticipation and excitement about the industry right now. We believe this M&A will ultimately drive growth, making the sector more streamlined and efficient, and putting
What are you most excited about for your own company in 2017? Fine-tuning our approach to gamification. It is a buzzword the industry understands, but few know how to deploy in a meaningful way. We have made some inroads, but there is a lot more we can do. We can learn a lot from the video games and social casino industry, and what they are doing to move the needle. I think greater rewards for players in the form of in-game achievements is something the online casino industry needs to take a close look at. Things like trophy rooms, as well as additional quests and goals, go a long way to giving players a great experience. We also have some awesome new games in the pipeline that we can’t wait to share with our partners and their players.
Anything else you’d like to say about the passing of 2016 and 2017’s arrival? The past 12 months have been a game-changer for the industry; online casino has enjoyed phenomenal growth off the back of new markets legalising and regulating the activity, and a general uptick in the number of players accessing slots and casino games. This growth only looks set to continue, but it is up to operators and suppliers to dig deep and to continue to up their game. There are so many entertainment options out there that we need to ensure we offer players absolute quality, while innovating and putting new products and features in front of them. It is a massive challenge, but here at Quickspin we welcome it with open arms.
92 JANUARY 2017
© EtiAmmos/Adobe Stock
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