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Movers and Shakers: Silverback Gaming: taking slot design beyond the traditional with character-led narratives
“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
In this first edition Katya Machuganova (Катя Мачуганова), Gaming Product & Partnership Manager at Silverback Gaming, discusses all things game design, as she highlights the role that character-led titles can have on player engagement.
Game design is an integral part of launching any new slot title. In fact, game design is responsible for creating that first impression that can determine whether someone is going to play your game or not.
But designing a new slot isn’t as simple as it sounds. There are so many factors that you must consider: do you stick with an already-popular theme? Do you design a wholly new concept? What music will engage players? These are just some of the many questions a game design team must answer before embarking on the development process.
Themes that have typically resonated with players have often drawn inspiration from popular culture, mythology, and history, but we’re also seeing a rise in themes that focus on personal empowerment and adventure.
For example, themes like ancient civilisations, fantasy worlds, and modern-day heists are particularly popular, as they offer a sense of both escapism and adventure – taking the slot experience beyond the boundaries of playing on your mobile phone.
You also have to keep the shifting trends of the industry in mind. What players might enjoy today might not be the case tomorrow. So, as you can imagine, this makes the ideation process quite difficult.
One of the most prominent trends that I’ve noticed over the last few months is the integration of narrative-driven content. Players are increasingly looking for immersive experiences that go beyond the typical spin-and-win mechanics; they want stories that captivate them, characters they can relate to, and worlds that they can explore.
Another growing trend is the incorporation of advanced graphics and sound design. High-quality visuals and engaging soundtracks significantly enhance the gaming experience, making it more appealing to players and emulating that sense of excitement that they may get from other forms of entertainment, such as cinema and video games.
Social interaction is also becoming a key element, with multiplayer options and community-driven features gaining popularity. Players enjoy competing with friends or collaborating in quests, adding a social dimension to what was traditionally a solitary activity.
And discussions taking part at industry events have shown that both customisation and personalisation are gaining traction, as players seek games that reflect their preferences and offer personalised rewards. This trend reflects a broader move towards making gaming experiences much more user centric.
Designed by women, for women
A combination of these trends and shifting industry dynamics have all been contributing factors towards the development of our Wild & Free series – a new series of titles from Silverback Gaming that promises to wow the industry in terms of features, mechanics and narratives.
Now, titles that are narrative-driven aren’t a particularly new concept for the iGaming industry, we know that. But what sets this series apart from the crowd is that it’s been designed by women, for women.
We understood that there is a growing number of women who are enjoying the occasional flutter. But what we also realised was that there were very few products that were specifically tailored towards the female demographic of players. That, in my view, needed to change.
When carrying out our research, we found that women tended to prefer solitary gambling activities – with the majority favouring mobile gaming over desktop. We learned that women have a particular preference for customisation and storytelling within the games they play, often having a fondness for games that allowed them to be immersed in the characters and narrative. Slots therefore seemed like the ideal choice.
Silverback’s extensive experience in designing new, innovative slot titles put us in the perfect position to cater to female players. We came up with the idea of introducing three characters to the series, otherwise known as the Moto Girls.
Creating a series of slots that centres around the development of both characters and narratives has allowed us to create something that reflects what women want from their gaming experience.
No pink-washing, please
Silverback Gaming has always prioritised experimentation, innovation and diversity within our company. These are three values that have also transcended the four walls of our office and are evident in the games that we create too.
The raison d’être for this series was to create a product that blended the world of video games with the excitement of slots. All the while, we wanted to make sure that we took a thoughtful approach to the design too; we didn’t want to go down the line of “pink washing” or inappropriate characterisations.
I truly believe that by taking a considered, holistic approach to the series’ design, combined with the features of slots that we all know and love, we can really create an experience that is not only engaging but memorable for all players – male and female.
Character-led titles: the future for slots?
Following our extensive research into player trends and how this differs across different demographics, we strongly believe that the Wild & Free series of games will absolutely change the game for bettors, particularly for those women who have previously felt disenfranchised by the products that have been available to them in the past.
I think a large part of that success will be due to the character-led narratives that we have run throughout the entire series.
When it comes to the wider industry, I do think that there is a significant opportunity to further explore character-led titles, and we may indeed be overlooking their potential.
Characters serve as the heart of a narrative-driven game, and when players can connect with these characters on a personal level, it transforms their gaming experience into something truly memorable.
Character-led titles offer an emotional depth that standard slot games often lack. By developing rich backstories, unique personalities, and compelling journeys, we can create games that resonate more deeply with players. This engagement leads to increased player retention and loyalty, as gamers become invested in the outcomes and adventures of the characters they grow to love.
Moreover, character-led games allow for a more immersive experience. When players step into a world where they can follow a character’s story, make decisions that impact the narrative, and explore various paths and outcomes, it elevates their involvement and creates a sense of ownership and agency.
The industry has seen success with character-driven stories in other gaming genres, such as role-playing games (RPGs) and adventure games, and there’s a clear appetite for similar experiences within the iGaming sector. By embracing character-led narratives, we can tap into new player demographics and offer something fresh and exciting that stands out in a crowded market.
However, it’s crucial to approach character creation thoughtfully and avoid falling into stereotypes or shallow representations. Characters should be multidimensional and reflect the diversity of our player base, offering authentic portrayals that players can relate to and care about.
The excitement is building for G2E Las Vegas 2025, and TCSJOHNHUXLEY is proud to announce its participation, showcasing a range of revolutionary products and solutions designed to elevate the gaming industry in the Americas. The team will be located at a new space on Booth #4439 in The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas from October 7-9, 2025.
G2E 2025 marks a pivotal moment as TCSJOHNHUXLEY presents a comprehensive portfolio of innovations. A major highlight will be the highly anticipated US debut of the A Plus Shuffler®, the company’s automated card shuffling machine designed to dramatically increase game speed and enhance security on the casino floor. Visitors will have the opportunity to see this advanced shuffler in action, demonstrating its ability to deliver a continuous, rapid supply of perfectly shuffled cards. The A Plus Shuffler®’s untraceable shuffling process strengthens game integrity and security, while its versatile design allows it to accommodate 1 to 8 decks with interchangeable shoes for both Poker and Blackjack.
Attendees can also see new developments across its wider portfolio. A particular highlight will be the groundbreaking Ora Blackjack Vue Display Controller, a revolutionary technology that is unlike anything else on the market. This display, which is the Blackjack equivalent of its popular Baccarat and Roulette displays, utilises advanced camera recognition for automatic card entry. It provides players with real-time data such as dealer hand history, live dealer odds, and historical statistics, making the game more accessible and enjoyable for everyone from novices to seasoned pros. The company will also be presenting the Supernova Progressive Jackpot System, TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s unique customisable platform that adds excitement to any live table game, and significant software updates to the popular digital game wheel Lumin8, which features an enhanced interface and new capabilities such as Promotion Mode and a bonus game sub-mode.
In addition to these new products and developments, TCSJOHNHUXLEY will be demonstrating its full range of market-leading solutions. This includes the Chipper Champ 3, the industry-standard for automated chip sorting known for its speed, accuracy, and reliability. For Roulette, the company will showcase its world-renowned solutions, including SaturnTM Velocity Auto Roulette wheel that delivers faster game speeds setting a new industry standard for speed and efficiency as well manual SaturnTM Roulette Wheels and the popular game Roulette Xtra. This game incorporates the company’s patented Blaze LED Surface Technology, which displays eye-catching animations and highlights winning numbers, adding a thrilling random multiplier bet of up to 500 to 1. The company will also present the next generation of its electronic gaming terminals, Qorex 2 with a suite of impressive new features.
The showcase of TCSJOHNHUXLEY’s world-class core product range will underscore the company’s renowned manufacturing expertise. From the precision of its globally recognised Roulette wheels and the superior craftsmanship of its Gaming Tables to the reliability of its Dice Shakers, visitors will witness firsthand the quality and dedication that define TCSJOHNHUXLEY products. This comprehensive portfolio demonstrates the company’s ability to create an end-to-end solution for all live game requirements.
Phil Lee, TCSJOHNHUXLEY Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director Americas comments, “This year’s G2E is a pivotal moment for us as we showcase our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. We are bringing some of our most significant innovations yet to the Americas market, underscoring our long-term commitment to our customers in the region. G2E provides the perfect platform to demonstrate how we are not just keeping pace with the industry but actively shaping its future. Our team are looking forward to discussing how our new solutions can directly address business challenges and drive growth.”
To secure your free pass and to learn more, please visit please visit tcsjohnhxuley.com and be sure to visit Booth #4439 where the TCSJOHNHUXLEY team look forward to welcoming you.
EveryMatrix has agreed its largest ever global casino aggregation deal supplying bet365 with both its own exclusive content and titles from more than 40 premium games providers.
SlotMatrix, part of the EveryMatrix Group, is the largest aggregation platform in the world with more than 37,000 games from 350+ global suppliers including the Group’s own, Armadillo and Fantasma Studios.
It will offer bet365 more than 40 vendors across multiple regulated markets including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Mexico with further territories slated for future release.
The business unit was further bolstered in 2024 by the acquisition of Fantasma Games and, earlier this year, by a new management team focused on accelerating aggregation and content services expansion across both existing and new regulated markets.
This includes Mark Hothersall, Head of Business Development and Carl Gatt Baldacchino, Head of Account Management, both previously from Evolution Gaming.
They are responsible for driving forward the commercial success of SlotMatrix by accelerating the unit’s in-house games development, continually strengthening its third-party content offering and ensuring SlotMatrix provides exceptional customer service.
Ebbe Groes, Group CEO & Co-Founder EveryMatrix, said: “Today is very significant for the Group highlighting both just how much of a ‘must-have’ product SlotMatrix is for tier-1 brands across multiple markets and how far ahead it is compared to its rivals.
“We’re thrilled such a world-renowned brand such as bet365 has put their faith in us to drive their content strategy. SlotMatrix has truly come of age and, with an increased focus on ramping up our own games development and attracting even more premium vendors to the platform there really is no ceiling as to how far it can go.”
A bet365 spokesperson, added: “We are thrilled to partner with EveryMatrix. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing exceptional products to our customers.”
Slot Games has unveiled its latest promotion, the Daily Wheel, a feature that gives players one daily free spin every 24 hours. Each spin provides the chance to win free spins on well-known slot titles, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the daily player experience.
The Daily Wheel is available to all registered users and resets every 24 hours. To participate, players simply log in, head to the promotions section, and take their single spin for the day. Outcomes from the wheel may award free spins on leading titles.
The management team at Slot Games explained:
“This launch demonstrates our ongoing commitment to building features that enhance everyday gameplay. A single free spin each day might sound simple, but it creates anticipation and gives players something consistent to enjoy. The Daily Wheel is a retention tool as well as a reward system, and we believe it will quickly become a favourite.”
All free spins awarded are credited as bonus funds. Wagering requirements of 65x apply, and winnings are capped at a conversion equal to a player’s lifetime deposits up to a maximum of £250. Full details are outlined within the terms and conditions.
Daily rewards like the Daily Wheel represent an important trend in digital gaming. Features that encourage regular logins are proven to improve engagement, creating a steady connection between players and platforms. Slot Games has recognised this and designed the Daily Wheel as a clear, easy-to-use feature that requires no deposit.
The platform itself remains focused on balancing player enjoyment with regulatory compliance. Operating under the UK Gambling Commission, Slot Games ensures that all bonuses, promotions, and mechanics align with industry standards. By combining compliance with innovation, the team aims to set Slot Games apart in a competitive market.
Alongside the Daily Wheel, Slot Games continues to expand its offering of slot titles and casino classics, partnering with top developers to deliver fresh content. The launch of this feature adds to the promotional mix, strengthening Slot Games’ appeal among both new sign-ups and long-time users.
The management team added:
“We see features like the Daily Wheel as part of a bigger picture. They contribute to retention, give players something enjoyable to return for, and showcase some of the slot titles we’re proud to offer. We’re excited to see how players respond.”
The Daily Wheel is now live at SlotGames.co.uk, with one free spin available per player each day.
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