Behind every stellar online slot is an equally stellar maths model. These are becoming more experimental as the industry flirts with an increasing array of innovative new mechanics. We spoke to Pablo Martinez, Math/Design Lead and Founder at maverick game studio Peter & Sons to find out more.

Do you have to be a maths genius to build a slot machine?

Nah, you don’t need to be a maths genius. It’s more about having the right mix of skills and loving what you do. You need to play a lot of games, see what’s working out there, and understand what makes them fun. Knowing maths helps, sure, but it’s more about creating something players want to keep coming back to.

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Peter & Sons is known for making games that dare to be different, visually and thematically. Is the underlying math equally experimental?

Definitely! We love pushing boundaries, both in how our games look and how they play. Sure, it’s a bit of a gamble to have a bunch of games with unique mechanics, but we’re all about trying new things. Games like Peter Hunter and our upcoming Muddy Waters are great examples — they bring fresh gameplay and new experiences to the table. Each year, we try to put out at least one or two experimental titles, keeping things interesting while mixing them with more familiar styles.

Do you come up with the maths model first and then build the game around that? Take us through the process of building the game from start to finish.

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We usually start with an idea for the mechanics first. We make a quick prototype to see if the concept can work with the maths. Then we bring in the art team to brainstorm themes that will fit well. Once we have a basic prototype, we go through a bunch of tweaks and changes until the art, mechanics, and maths all feel right together. It’s a back-and-forth process where we’re constantly finetuning everything to get the best balance.

Why do you think a mechanic like Megaways was so successful?

Megaways took off because it’s a fun, exciting mechanic that gave players something fresh, but smart brand marketing really helped it catch on.

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Is there pressure as a slots developer to come up with the ‘next’ Megaways?

Not really. Coming up with new mechanics is always fun, but it’s not the only way to make a hit. Plenty of top games are just clever twists on classic mechanics. It’s more about creating a great experience that keeps players coming back, whether it’s something brand new or just a fresh spin on something more familiar.

Which slots are more popular, high or low volatility, and why do you think that is?

It depends on the market, but in some unregulated markets — and especially with some operators — high-volatility slots are really popular. A big reason for this is streamers. High-volatility games make for exciting content, so they get a lot of attention and hype online. That thrill factor really draws players in.

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Which is your favorite Peter & Sons mechanic and why?

Right now, I’d say the fishing mechanic in our upcoming game Muddy Waters. It’s a new twist on the fishing genre that really brings something fresh to the gameplay. It’s exciting to take a familiar theme and make it feel totally different.

Tell us about the mechanics in your latest release, Barbarossa Revenge.

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Barbarossa Revenge is a pirate-themed, high-volatility game with 243 ways to win. It’s a DoubleMax game, meaning the multiplier doubles with each cascade. You’ve also got Multiplier Jumps and a Cashout feature that guarantees wins. During Free Spins, the multipliers don’t reset and can keep growing unlimited. With a max win potential of 30,000x the bet, this game is a real thrill!

PENN Entertainment and ESPN announced that account linking between ESPN BET and ESPN is now available for customers, creating an even more deeply integrated media and betting experience. By linking accounts, fans now have the ability to seamlessly track upcoming, live and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com.

With this product enhancement, ESPN BET will soon bring fans more personalized bets and timely promotions based on their favorite sports, teams, players, and fantasy rosters. Account linking can be accessed either via a prompt within the ESPN BET app or by visiting settings within the latest versions of the ESPN BET or ESPN apps or ESPN.com.

“Bringing this new feature to market is an important step as we work to create a fully interconnected media and betting ecosystem between ESPN and ESPN BET. Account linking allows us to better serve and engage our users by unlocking key personalization and promotional capabilities. This feature is just the beginning of deeper integrations that will further differentiate the ESPN BET experience,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment.

Mike Morrison, Vice President of ESPN BET and ESPN Fantasy, said: “Linking ESPN and ESPN BET accounts is part of the seamless, integrated betting experience we envisioned from the start. No other company in the betting space can offer the level of personalization or interconnected experience that ESPN BET provides.”

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Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has announced a new operator partnership with renowned gaming brand Hard Rock Digital for their top-rated Hard Rock Bet online casino platform in New Jersey. The Hard Rock brand is synonymous with entertainment worldwide, and this partnership will see Hard Rock Bet players in New Jersey gain access to hit Play’n GO titles such as Piggy Blitz, Book of Dead, and Rise of Olympus 100.

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, said: “We’re excited to expand our US portfolio with a new operator partnership, and teaming up with a renowned brand like Hard Rock Digital is a significant achievement for us.

“New Jersey is a key state for our US operations, and we’re delighted to offer Hard Rock Bet’s players access to our top-tier casino gaming content. We believe this partnership will be highly beneficial for both Hard Rock Digital and Play’n GO, and we anticipate many shared successes in the coming months and years.

“Play’n GO remains committed to being active in every regulated market globally and to ongoing growth in the US. Partnerships like this one with Hard Rock Digital are crucial to our long-term success in the region.”

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Grant Williams, SVP of casino at Hard Rock Digital, said: “We’re excited to roll with Play’n GO and add its entertaining titles to the over 2,000 games on our top-rated platform in New Jersey. We’re committed to making Hard Rock Bet the best place to play, and are proud of our recent online casino enhancements, including a more personalized experience, integrated rewards, and one of the largest selections of games in the market.”