Originally published on January 19, 2023, with the latest update on February 21, 2023.
HHello Hannah, and welcome to our Q&A session on Real Gambling. We truly appreciate you dedicating your time to answer our inquiries.
Please share with our audience a bit about your background, your journey in the iGaming sector, and how AvatarUX came to be.
It’s a privilege to discuss with you today, and I appreciate your interest in AvatarUX. My career in technology and product management spans over 11 years, out of which I've spent four years in the iGaming realm, focusing on game development and management.
AvatarUX was established with a clear vision centered on enhancing player experiences; in fact, 'UX' is part of our name and core ethos. Our journey in product development has been significantly shaped by slot mechanics, particularly following the remarkable success of PopWins in titles like CherryPop™. We are constantly innovating features and introducing new gameplay mechanics in our games such as PiggyPop™, MonkeyPop™, and CritterPop™, while also refining the PopWins feature.
What would you say is your company's strategy in response to the recent trends in the gaming industry?
We are highly adaptive and closely monitor the evolving preferences of players, the changing demographics among gamers, as well as market potential and competitive dynamics. The gaming landscape is quite vibrant, and whenever we conceptualize a new feature, we evaluate it from multiple perspectives to craft something that we believe will resonate with players. We are fortunate to have an incredible team that relentlessly challenges the limits of creativity. Reflecting on the past year, especially the beginning of 2022, we have achieved significant milestones in a brief period, propelled by our ambition to consistently deliver an exceptional gaming experience.
What achievement at AvatarUX are you most proud of?
Our team has put in tremendous effort to create distinct games and enhance user experiences. I take great pride in the launch of MonkeyPop™ in 2022; it was not only a commercial success but also a launchpad for us to explore novel approaches in crafting great player experiences and experimenting with various artistic styles and mathematical structures.
In your opinion, what are the key features that distinguish your games from your competitors?
The standout feature of our games undeniably lies within our unique mechanics. PopWins™ has emerged as a fan favorite among our players. Additionally, our games are characterized by a fluid and captivating animation flow, seamless transitions, and rewarding wins that allow players to immerse themselves in a different universe – each game possesses a certain visual attractiveness that is hard not to love.
Today’s players are more knowledgeable than ever regarding aspects like volatility and RTP. Do you view this as a challenge for the slot machine industry?
With players becoming increasingly informed, slot developers are compelled to enhance transparency in their game designs and underlying mathematical frameworks. I don’t see this as a challenge; instead, it strengthens the connection between players and developers, provided that studios are willing to adapt.
We frequently share comprehensive statistics with our player community, not only RTP and volatility level including probabilities related to achieving maximum payouts or hitting significant win amounts, as well as feature activation rates and specific bonus statistics. The response from players has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating their deeper engagement with slot games.
Could you share any intriguing anecdotes from your game development process? How does your company approach game creation?
I’m extremely proud to collaborate with an outstanding team – each member, alongside our stakeholders, shares a commitment to excellence. Witnessing players and streamers interacting with our games, eagerly anticipating big wins, sharing laughter, and commenting in real-time, fuels our passion. We often solicit feedback, and I’ll always treasure the memory of one feedback participant who was so enchanted by a concept we proposed that they continued to ask about it months later!
Our development process begins with a pre-production phase where we ideate and prototype concepts, followed by iterative enhancement. Once we are satisfied, the project advances into a comprehensive cycle addressing game flow, visual design, animations, and sound integration.
Can you elaborate on your latest games – HipHopPop™ and HelioPOPolis™?
HipHopPop™ invites players into a lively universe where dance and rap duels take center stage, complemented by infectious rhythms. It features two exciting gameplay options along with PopWins: Synced Reels and Guaranteed Wilds, both of which can be purchased separately as bonuses. There's also a Super Buy option that allows players to access both features simultaneously, significantly elevating win potential. Imagine unlocking extensive ways with PopWins, hitting synced reels and wilds in a single spin while benefiting from a global multiplier that boosts the chances of achieving the remarkable maximum win of 50,000 times the player's bet!
HelioPOPolis™ is a personal favorite of mine – it transports you to a technologically advanced ancient Egyptian setting. The beauty of HelioPOPolis™ lies in its ability to integrate various features seamlessly.
In the bonus round, players have the option to select from different rounds. The first, dubbed the “Big Sync,” presents enormous 2x2 symbols and synced reels, while the second, known as “Great Wilds,” showcases expanding symbols and random wilds. The excitement escalates if a player manages to reach maximum grid height in either mode through PopWins™; this unlocks all features from both Big Sync and Great Wilds. Additionally, players have the choice to purchase access to all features right from the start with our premium buy option.
Which of your releases do you consider the most successful so far, and what makes it so?
CherryPop™ has undeniably been our standout success for various reasons. The game embodies thrill and winning potential, thanks largely to the PopWins mechanic and the Gamble Wheel, which offers a chance for additional free spins – up to a maximum of 16 free spins – enhancing the likelihood of significant wins. Its straightforward design and classic theme make CherryPop™ accessible and appealing to a broad audience.
Do you have a personal favorite among your titles?
I am drawn to slot games that offer varied experiences across different play sessions as it keeps the excitement alive – many of our releases do exactly that. However, my absolute favorite is CritterPop™, as it brings this concept to life through its bonus reward reel that dispenses a unique set of rewards each session. The variability in gameplay has seen many players and streamers returning again and again.
How do you envision the future of the gambling industry in the coming years? Are there significant changes on the horizon that might influence your company's development strategies?
In the immediate future, I anticipate that the gambling market will not experience drastic changes. However, it's clear that crypto casinos are experiencing rapid growth, especially with increasing regulatory measures in various jurisdictions. Looking ahead 2-5 years in the slot game sector, I foresee a notable shift in market segments, with the crypto sector's influence potentially surging.
This evolution may lead game providers to reassess their product strategies based on their targeted player demographics.
Moreover, as different generations’ spending habits evolve, I predict a heightened demand for personalized gaming experiences, gamification elements, social gambling features, and NFT gaming.
What are your aspirations, goals, and priorities? How do you foresee AvatarUX progressing in the near future?
AvatarUX is committed to elevating itself, focusing on rolling out more captivating games and innovative mechanics while broadening our reach to additional operators and markets. My ambitions and priorities are firmly aligned with making this vision a reality.
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