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Movers and Shakers: The Power of Visual Storytelling in iGaming

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“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.

By Qianqian Liu, Head of Art and Animation at Gaming Corps

In iGaming, attention is fleeting. Players scroll through lobbies packed with hundreds of titles, and their decision to click on a game often happens in the space of a second or two. While mechanics and math models keep players engaged over time, it’s usually the artwork that determines whether they choose to play in the first place.

Over the course of my career in game art, I have seen how critical those first impressions are. High-quality visuals instantly communicate professionalism, entertainment value, and trustworthiness. They set the stage for the entire player experience. A game that looks polished and approachable has a far greater chance of being tried, while a title that looks confusing or underdeveloped risks being ignored entirely.

A clear example of this philosophy in action is Gaming Corps’ hugely popular title 3 Pigs of Olympus. The game takes familiar Greek mythology and reimagines it through the lens of humour and charm, with Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades brought to life as playful piggy banks. The reinterpretation not only provides an immediate hook in the lobby but also creates a warm, entertaining atmosphere that resonates once the reels begin to spin.

Artwork as the emotional bridge

Artwork does more than simply attract attention; it acts as the emotional bridge between mechanics and the player. Even the most innovative math model will fall flat if it is not supported by visuals that spark curiosity, delight, or connection. In 3 Pigs of Olympus, what could have been a straightforward “three pots” mechanic is transformed into something more memorable through character-driven design. The piggy gods inject humour and personality, transforming a familiar structure into an engaging journey.

When players feel amused, intrigued, or invested in the visual world, they are more likely to keep playing. That emotional response extends gameplay beyond outcomes, making the process enjoyable in itself.

Collaboration from concept to delivery

At Gaming Corps, this philosophy is embedded in the creative process. Artists, designers, and developers work together from the very beginning of a project to ensure that visuals are not only beautiful but functional and aligned with gameplay.

During concept development, sketches and ideas are exchanged with constant input from design and development teams. This ensures clarity in symbols, smooth performance across devices, and readability in fast-paced play. By working as one unit, the final product achieves balance: artwork that is aesthetically striking while seamlessly supporting the game loop.

In a space where milliseconds of attention matter, this alignment makes a huge difference.

The measurable impact of artwork

The impact of quality artwork can be seen in tangible performance metrics. Games with clear, polished, and charming visuals tend to perform better in lobbies, as players are naturally drawn to them. Over time, strong visuals also influence retention, as players enjoy not only the mechanics but the personality and atmosphere of the game.

Clarity plays an important role in this. When symbols are instantly understandable, players can grasp the rules quickly, without unnecessary cognitive effort. This lowers friction and allows them to focus on enjoyment.

In the case of 3 Pigs of Olympus, this combination of charm and clarity translated into strong lobby performance and improved long-term engagement. These results reaffirm what I have long believed: visuals are not just surface-level appeal, but an integral driver of success.

Elevating visual design

For studios and artists looking to elevate their visual design, several principles can make a significant impact. Clarity should always come first: every symbol and element must be instantly readable, no matter the screen size. Personality, however, is what makes clarity memorable. A symbol that is both clear and charming creates a lasting impression.

Drawing from familiar themes can also be powerful, but the key lies in reinterpreting them in unexpected ways. Myths, stories, and cultural motifs are instantly recognisable, but when paired with humour or novelty, they stand out from the crowd. Consistency across all elements, from background art to UI, reinforces trust and gives the game a polished identity.

Most importantly, artists should not work in isolation. Visuals must be part of the game loop, enhancing the mechanics rather than sitting apart from them. When art is integrated into the full development process, it becomes more than decoration; it becomes a core driver of readability, emotion, and excitement.

The post Movers and Shakers: The Power of Visual Storytelling in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Galaxsys Expands Leadership Team with New Head of Partner Management

Published

44 minutes ago

October 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Levan brings over 10 years of leadership experience, including a decade in the iGaming industry, covering both B2C and B2B markets. Throughout his career, he has held key executive roles in Commercial, Product, and Management, successfully building and scaling iGaming products, driving significant revenue growth, and establishing strong partnerships worldwide. His experience spans multiple regions and includes collaboration with leading operators and platforms.

At Galaxsys, Levan will lead the partner management strategy and development, strengthening collaborations with operators worldwide and supporting the company’s mission to deliver innovative, high-impact experiences.

Levan Kavtaradze, the newly appointed Head of Partner Management Department, commented: “I’m truly excited to join Galaxsys at such an important time in its growth journey. My focus will be on building strong, long-lasting relationships with our partners and helping them succeed through collaboration and innovation. I look forward to working closely with our broad network of partners worldwide, understanding their needs, and ensuring that our products and services deliver real value to them. Together with the talented team at Galaxsys, I’m confident we can create new opportunities and achieve new heights.”

Teni Grigoryan, Chief Sales and Partner Management Officer, added: “Welcoming Levan to Galaxsys has been one of the most confident decisions we’ve made. His expertise and human-centered approach, combined with a sharp business mindset and innovative ideas across both product and commercial areas, will be a powerful addition to our team. I’m confident he will foster seamless collaboration internally within our commercial department and externally with our valued partners. We’re excited to see the impact he will make as our new Head of Partner Management.”

With Levan’s appointment, Galaxsys aims to further strengthen its commercial and partner strategies, ensuring operators receive innovative products, seamless integration, and exceptional support.

The post Galaxsys Expands Leadership Team with New Head of Partner Management appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Martina Muscat joins Swintt as new Marketing Manager

Published

3 hours ago

October 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In-demand software provider appoints experienced iGaming marketing specialist to strengthen brand consistency and ensure all communications really resonate

Swintt, the sought-after software provider celebrated in the industry for its innovative approach to game design and player engagement, has announced it has appointed Martina Muscat as Marketing Manager.

Having previously spent six-and-a-half years at Play ‘n GO as Online Marketing Coordinator before enjoying a more recent spell as Marketing Specialist at IGT, Martina arrives in the role with bags of industry experience that will help Swintt improve its communications across all channels.

Among the primary responsibilities of the new position, Martina will be tasked with ensuring that every upcoming game launch from Swintt tells a story that truly resonates with global audiences and that a consistent approach is taken in regards to all future messaging surrounding the brand.

Of course, given Swintt already boasts a packed product portfolio that includes Premium, Select and Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles, Martina will have plenty of inspiration to work with and can use the studio’s previous successes as the blueprint to drive improvement going forward.

Martina Muscat, Marketing Manager at Swintt, said: “I’m really excited to be joining Swintt as the new Marketing Manager at what is an incredibly important time for the brand. With players these days wanting experiences, trust and something that feels tailored to them, I believe Swintt’s mix of in-house creativity and partnerships has put us in a great position to meet their demands.

“With a clear focus on regulated markets and a commitment to doing things the right way, Swintt’s huge portfolio of content means there’s so much variety and creativity to work with – and for someone like me, that’s marketing gold. Couple that with a great company culture that’s both ambitious and collaborative and it’s the exact type of environment where I can do my best work.”

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Martina to the Swintt team and believe her considerable experience in marketing will help us create an even more engaging and consistent brand persona as we continue to launch new games going forward.

“One of the things that really struck me about Martina was her passion and enthusiasm for the role. She recognises that with new markets opening, rising player expectations and ever-evolving regulations, the pace of change in our industry is relentless – but rather than being put off by the challenges, she’s sees the opportunities and is already thinking about how Swintt can capitalise.”

The post Martina Muscat joins Swintt as new Marketing Manager appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

IBIA launches Mission 2030, a new global strategy to safeguard sports betting

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has launched Mission 2030, a new five-year strategy to strengthen its role as the global standard for sports betting integrity. IBIA also unveiled a refreshed brand identity, reflecting its growing international reach and commitment to collaboration in an evolving regulatory and sporting landscape.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, commented: “As IBIA marks its 20th anniversary, we are not only reflecting on the past, we are also looking ahead to the future. Our new strategic roadmap charts how we will continue to deliver best in class integrity services to our members, deepen collaboration with our partners, and successfully confront the challenges and opportunities reshaping our industry. IBIA is evolving to ensure that whatever new trends emerge, we remain ready to safeguard sports, consumers and regulated betting markets.”

Mission 2030 focuses on three core objectives:

Strengthening IBIA’s Global Monitoring & Alert Platform (Global MAP) to detect suspicious betting and support investigations;
Expanding collaboration by deepening and broadening our partnerships across the global sports integrity ecosystem; and
Advancing prevention through better regulation, effective policy engagement and player education initiatives.

Mission 2030 serves as a strategic roadmap, setting direction and priorities while allowing flexibility to meet emerging trends, such as AI, crypto, esports and new market openings that are reshaping the betting and integrity landscape at an unprecedented pace. Detailed actions and tactical initiatives will be developed and delivered in partnership with IBIA’s members, ensuring the association remains flexible, innovative and proactive.

To mark this next chapter, IBIA has also unveiled a new brand identity. The redesigned logo, with six interwoven segments, represents the stakeholders vital to protecting betting integrity: operators, sports, regulators, law enforcement, athletes and institutions. Together, they form the foundation of IBIA’s work. The new strapline, “Safeguarding Sports Betting”, captures the essence of IBIA’s mission.

Khalid Ali added: “To achieve our ambitions, we need to evolve and that starts with the way we present ourselves. More than just a visual update, our new brand is a key building block of Mission 2030. It reflects not just who we are today, but where we are heading tomorrow.”

The post IBIA launches Mission 2030, a new global strategy to safeguard sports betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.