BLUE GURU GAMES
GIO: How do you identify the stories/narratives that you create games around? KH: We really are extremely interested in the topics, stories and themes we cover in our games. The office is like a mix between a debating chamber and a literary festival most of the time with a constant stream of new ideas and quirky stories we’ve uncovered. Octopus Armada, our second game, is a prime example and is based on a scientific study which cited Octopuses as evidence of Panspermia - the seeding of life on Earth from outer space. We can say for certain that there is no other slot in the markets based around this theme so it will be incredible fun for players looking for something a bit different. Of course, this is just the start and have some crackers lined up and due for release of the coming months.
GIO: Would you say you have a particular style when it comes to design and artwork? Or does this change from game to game based on the theme, etc? KH: We have a few styles which is perfect as certain styles will resonate with a section of players and not others. Of course, each game demands a new approach but this can be broadly split along the lines of European and US tastes. With three in-house artists each with a different approach, we get some great art iterations that ultimately will ensure our games are distinct and stand out from other slots in the market.
GIO: You seem to be taking game audio/sound seriously via your partnership with ReelTrax. Can you shed a bit more light on how you are working together? KH: ReelTrax is great to work with as they are big musos like us and they take game audio really seriously. This goes as far as even researching and sourcing original period instruments where warranted by a game theme. They also make music for video games and movies and they add a lot to a game. Again, this is an area we believe we can stand out by ensuring our games feature powerful, authentic and engaging sound that helps to further immerse players in the stories and narratives that are the driving force behind each of our games.
GIO: What is your approach to features and bonuses? Do you like to pack as many as possible into your games? How do you ensure the gameplay fits with the narrative/theme of the game? KH: Generally, we’ll have a range of themes that we really want to explore and the games team will have a range of mechanics they wish to develop and we marry the two together. This invariably leads to more themes and mechanics as we explore our options. Features and bonuses are important to us and are factors that we didn’t give enough attention to with our first two releases due to constraints. However, future games (beginning with Curse of the Mummies which is available via Relax Gaming in June) will
This is a year of learning for us and for fi ne- tuning our games based on player and market feedback. By 2023 you’ll be able to clearly spot a Blue Guru game from those of other studios and we’ll be focusing much more on the red thread throughout the themes
feature multiple Bonus Buys as well as the ability to buy different game elements.
GIO: Are you working on any big innovations? Or are you more focussed on marginal gains to improve the overall player experience? KH: Great question! To begin with, we will be working with existing mechanics and making adjustments and tweaks to those. But yes, we have a unique mechanic in development and which will see a first release in Q3. We have high hopes for this mechanic as it is genuinely new to market and will provide players with a totally new slot experience.
GIO: What can we expect from Blue Guru for the rest of the year? What are your long-term plans for the studio? Where do you want to be in five years time? KH: This year we expect to release a game per month in Europe and from Q3 onwards in the US, too. This is a year of learning for us and for fine- tuning our games based on player and market feedback. By 2023 you’ll be able to clearly spot a Blue Guru game from those of other studios and we’ll be focusing much more on the red thread throughout the themes. In five years? We’d like to create a niche within iGaming, a place for people who enjoy uplifting themes and games that are exciting and compelling with themes that warrant further reading. If players enjoy our games and are enthused by the themes to dive deeper into them, then we will have done what we set out to do.
GIO JUNE 2022 11
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