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Zitro: Combining science and art to achieve gaming synergy

Published

6 years ago

February 4, 2019

Reading Time: 5 minutes

As the varied sectors of the global gaming industry prepare to meet at this year’s ICE London, the world leading developer, Zitro Gaming highlights the importance of creative content experiences and teamwork regardless of whether its for land-based, online or social verticals. Talking ahead of the company’s showcase on Stand: N6-160 in London, Johnny Ortiz, founder of Zitro, explores the relationship between technology and ideas, the power of passion and why being one big family continues to drive Zitro’s success…

Zitro is a long term supporter of ICE London – how do you use the event to gain maximum benefit and what products are you bringing to the show?
Without a doubt ICE London is one of the most important events in our industry, and for us in particular, to show our current and future customers our full range of proven products as well as brand new releases. Visitors can see first-hand how well designed and executed our offering is and how it stands out compared to our competition, even to the most established suppliers. ICE also allows us to reiterate to the industry a compromise of delivering first-class service, adapted to our constant growing offering.

You have interests in both land-based and online – do you have separate creative teams for each sector or do they overlap and share ideas?
At Zitro we create gaming experiences. We then distribute the content through the various possible channels to reach the maximum amount of players, whether it’s land-based, online or social – the essence is the same, we just need to make the necessary adjustment required for each channel. For example, the gamification varies between social and land-based and we have people who create the experiences and then we have experts that adapt them to the channels. I don’t like to talk about different creative teams, as we are all one team. Zitro is one big family and we are all in the same boat rowing towards the same objective of becoming a global gaming leader.

How do you recruit the right talent to the various teams and where do you recruit from?
Despite the technical capacities of the personnel we recruit, we like to identify if a future employee shares our core values: Passion, Compromise, Team Spirit, Quality and Innovation. If a person has these values in their DNA, his or her adaptation to our organization will be much easier. In terms of how and where we recruit, it obviously depends on the country and the position we are trying to cover. Our experienced HR team figures out the best solution based on each vacancy we want to fill.

Can you describe a ‘normal’ day for the people working at Zitro?
The international growth means each and every one of us wakes up in the morning knowing about the progress that our colleagues have made on the other side of the oceans, allowing us to prioritize better and help each other. It provides true satisfaction to see how teamwork and compromise helped us to accomplish, in just a few years, what other companies took decades.

What’s more important technology or ideas?
This is a very interesting question, although not easy to respond to. A gaming experience is created based on science and art. Two components that can’t work without each other. Now, if you want to measure for every single game which one is more important, that is where it becomes very tricky. Experiences are based on emotional connections to human beings and this is where the limits between science and art become blurry. Now clearly, between ideas and technology one can’t work without the other, you first need an idea… without that, even the best technology can’t help. However, if you have a good idea and combine it with cutting edge technology, this is when you convert them into something great and this is where we put our focus at Zitro.

On a personal level where do you get your inspiration from – which personalities outside of the gaming sector would you describe as being inspirational and why?
During my career I had the privilege to get to know a lot of people that have inspired me along my journey, and who have motivated me in a way or another, but aren’t necessarily famous. To name a person that everybody can refer to due to his popularity worldwide and who has deeply affected me as a business person, I would name Steve Jobs. Two of our core values are also values that have marked his life: Passion and Innovation. His story is truly amazing, the way that he believed in and pushed innovation, even when others would call him crazy, has taken his companies to incredible levels of success. However, everything he has done, the things which went extremely well, as well as the ones that didn’t as much, he did with passion. He truly believed and felt the things he was doing and has fought for them, even when things were extremely complicated. I believe his passion acted as the engine of his success and is the real reason for it. I relate to him in this sense very much.

How has the industry changed over the years – are their fewer big personalities? Is it more or less entrepreneurial in its outlook?
The leading suppliers of this industry have changed during the last decades, however we can identify a pattern that repeats itself: a dynamic company with solid leadership can be very successful until it is absorbed by a big corporation, as this is when the company’s culture and leadership gets diluted. At Zitro our challenge is to maintain a firm and clearly defined path, with a solid leadership that allows us to keep growing without the distortion that a lot of companies, victims of a consolidation, are suffering.

The gaming industry is the second fastest adopter of new technology, how do you keep ahead of the curve in terms of the advances that are being made and that are available?
As a manufacturer it is part of our obligation to be always on top of the latest and identify the best to make our products stand out from the rest. That includes technology of course. Nothing however can replace the science or the art I mentioned earlier to create a great game. However, a great game can be an extraordinary experience thanks to the technology we have available nowadays.

Would you say that delivering choice and variety represent the cornerstones of your game development strategy and if so what are the key demographics that you design for?
Offering a variety of options provides our customers the certainty that his or her investment is secure. But more than the variety, what really matters is the quality and if the products and that the content is adapted to the end user, or player, if you will. For example, whether it’s a product for a local player or for casinos with a higher component of occasional visitors.

How difficult is it to engage with Generation Z?
The casinos face the challenge of being accepted by Generation Z as an attractive option for entertainment and not to be considered only a place for mature people. We as manufacturers have the obligation to help the casinos during this transformation by designing products that connect emotionally with the younger generations. At Zitro this is something that we always have in mind when creating products.

You put a lot of emphasis on customer service and attention – how does a growing international company deliver this on a consistent basis?
For an international company to be successful it needs to work as a local company in each country where it is present. This doesn’t mean necessarily that a physical office is needed in each country, but that you connect on a cultural level with your customers and speak their language. In addition, putting the necessary technical and human resource available to be able to attend the needs of the customers.

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Zitro: Combining science and art to achieve gaming synergy

Related Topics:gambling industry in Europe

George Miller

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Latest News

Week 27/2025 slot games releases

Published

26 minutes ago

July 4, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

PG Soft has served up a classic slot with its Diner Frenzy Spins. This is a 5-reel, 4-rows video slot featuring connecting ways and sticky symbol respins. Diner Frenzy Spins is set within a vibrant, retro-futuristic diner with a buzzy atmosphere thanks to a playful soundtrack. During any spin, the Mystery Respin may be randomly triggered while the reels are spinning.

ELA Games calls back to a classic yet luxurious gaming experience with its new title, Juicy Crystal. The game offers a unique and modern twist on the beloved and familiar fruit machine format, featuring timeless symbols and rich visuals. The studio’s trademark attention to detail and quality delivers a game that’s exciting, memorable and elegant.

Amusnet presents its newest Online Casino portfolio expansion – a royal-themed slot filled with exciting bonus features. The release adds to the fun of the player-favourite Extra Crown game series, this time with six reels and 100 paylines, top-notch graphics and a vibrant soundtrack. A total of 11 symbols are scattered across the now six reels and 40 fixed paylines, along with some special features that make the gameplay more engaging and fun.

Play’n GO illuminate their classic Moon Princess universe once more with Moon Princess Stargazing, a grid slot set among icy stars and rising multipliers. Set beyond Neptune in the icy reaches of the Kuiper Belt, Moon Princess Stargazing marks a radiant new chapter in one of Play’n GO’s most celebrated series. Players reunite with Star, Nova and Astra – the celestial trio whose powers help forge constellation connections and unlock sky-high wins.

Step into the golden sands of Ancient Egypt with Ra’s Relics Bonanza, a thrilling 6×5 cascading slot adventure from Booming Games! Land 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the reels to secure a win, as winning symbols vanish and new ones tumble down, unlocking endless chances for treasure. Keep an eye on the Divine Scarab, collecting scatter symbols throughout the base game and triggering Free Spins at any moment.

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Latest News

NODWIN Gaming partners with Esports World Cup Foundation to manage media rights sales across South Asia

Published

26 minutes ago

July 4, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem has officially partnered with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to manage media rights sales across South Asia including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other surrounding territories.

NODWIN Gaming will act as the strategic support for the EWCF in the region, supporting with media rights sales and distribution strategies for the EWC across South Asia. The partnership aims to bring the Esports World Cup to a broader audience of fans in one of the fastest-growing esports markets globally. Additionally, NODWIN Gaming will act as the EWCF’s marketing partner for the Indian market, to conceptualize and execute local campaigns and initiatives that support the Foundation’s mission of elevating esports and gaming culture worldwide.

The EWCF is the nonprofit organization behind the Esports World Cup (EWC), the world’s largest multi-title esports competition. The 2024 inaugural edition featured 1,500 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing across 21 titles for a record-breaking $60 million prize pool. With 500 million online viewers and 2.6 million in-person attendees, the EWC set a new benchmark for esports competitions worldwide.

With a proven legacy in managing media rights for the targeted distribution of world-class esports and entertainment content, NODWIN Gaming has successfully brought competitive gaming to mainstream audiences through multiple broadcast platforms, including television and OTT services. Its marquee IP, the Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS), is currently the only Indian esports tournament to air on national television, broadcasting on Star Sports for three consecutive years. The company has also delivered top-tier productions and media rights solutions for properties such as the eISL in collaboration with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the VALORANT Challengers South Asia with Riot Games, the Mountain Dew Arena with ESL India, and the Kingfisher India Premiership, among others.

Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said, “The Esports World Cup is a landmark moment for global esports, and we’re proud to partner with the EWCF to bring that experience to South Asia. This partnership is about more than just broadcasting a tournament – it’s about building a bridge between South Asia’s incredibly passionate gaming communities and the global stage that the EWCF represents. Whether it’s in India, Bangladesh,
Nepal or beyond, our goal is to make world-class esports content more accessible than ever. We’re excited to work closely with the EWCF to not only grow the tournament’s reach but to also support the larger ecosystem and community it helps foster.”

The EWCF is dedicated to supporting the long-term growth and financial sustainability of the global esports and gaming sectors. The foundation’s mission is to advocate for the entire ecosystem including players, fans, and businesses and to reinvest any proceeds back into initiatives that fuel the development of the industry.

“Our mission at the Esports World Cup Foundation is to create lasting impact for the global esports industry by setting new competitive benchmarks and forging partnerships that understand the nuances of each region. South Asia represents an incredibly dynamic and fast-growing gaming market, and NODWIN Gaming brings unparalleled knowledge, reach, and local trust to this ecosystem. By partnering with NODWIN, we are not only ensuring that the Esports World Cup reaches more fans, but we are also reinforcing our commitment to making esports more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.” stated Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.

Through this association, the EWCF strengthens its global presence while leveraging NODWIN Gaming’s deep-rooted experience in youth engagement, esports content, and regional distribution across emerging economies.

The post NODWIN Gaming partners with Esports World Cup Foundation to manage media rights sales across South Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Current Games Activates the Nitro on Neon-Soaked Arcade Combat Racer: Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights

Published

1 hour ago

July 4, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Current Games, a new name in indie publishing, based in the Netherlands, announced that it has assumed publishing rights for Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights, a heart-stopping, breakneck combat racing game, soaked in a neon lit future where speed and survival are the only routes to success!

A thrilling arcade style experience, Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights was first launched in Early Access on Steam in 2024, building a loyal community of dedicated fans passionate in seeing the game succeed. Current Games have heard the call and have spent a considerable amount of time diligently working under the hood, implementing a host of game-changing upgrades, delivering a fully revamped, nitro-powered experience, worthy of the Hot Import Nights (HIN) brand.

With the major update due to go live on July 24^th 2025, speed demons are in for the ride of their lives as Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights power-ups on Steam, as well as launching on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and Epic Games® Store!

Make no mistake, this is no mere tweak, from July 24^th, a whole host of surprises await fans of the game and newcomers alike. Some of the changes include:

An all-new sprawling racing track to discover and master
More cars mean more fun! Discover your favourite vehicles and race like your life depends on it!
Major balancing changes based on extensive community feedback
A new single player career mode with championship races
Overall improvements to the game’s experience and stability

In taking over publishing for Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights Current Games is keen to emphasise their commitment to engaging with and supporting the community. Planned initiatives arriving soon include the reactivation of the games’ Reddit account, a new Discord server and a planned playtest scheduled for pre-launch.

In Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights, street legends are built after dark, as gamers brave enough to face the neon-soaked streets of the future, race, fight, and ultimately conquer with up to eight players competing head-to-head in a fight to survive and pass the winning line alive.

Each chariot in Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is equipped with an arsenal of outlandish offensive and defensive weapons, enabling players to outmanoeuvre and outgun their opponents as they speed towards victory. Choose from a diverse range of customizable vehicles across three weight classes, each with distinct advantages. Lightweight vehicles boast speed but sacrifice defence, while heavyweight vehicles offer greater protection at the cost of agility. Weapons can be charged through pickups or by executing perfect drifts, adding a strategic layer to the high-speed action.

Accessible yet challenging, easy to play, impossible to put down, ruthlessly hard to master and never anything less than exhilarating, Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights is racing like you’ve never experienced before!

Roderick Roode, CEO of Current Games commented on the major upgrade and console release of Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights, “We are honoured to assume publishing rights for Cyber Clutch and determined to give this high-impact combat racing experience the love, attention and polish it deserves. Cyber Clutch has attracted a loyal audience in the year since launch, but we know the game is destined for even bigger things, and we’re thrilled to finally deliver a fully levelled-up experience, which we’re convinced will delight combat racing fans. In addition, we’re excited to bring the full Cyber Clutch experience to more gamers than ever, releasing on PlayStation, Xbox and the Epic Game Store, and cannot wait to see players assume their position on the starting grid later this month.”

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