In recent years, the iGaming industry has been evolving at an exceptional pace, driven by technological advancements, innovative mechanics, and a deeper understanding of player psychology. Behind every successful slot or casual title stands a team of specialists who transform concepts into polished, engaging experiences enjoyed by players worldwide.

To shed light on how this creative and highly technical process unfolds within DreamPlay, we spoke with Game Producer Ray and Game Designer Will. They shared their insights into modern game development, the principles that guide their decisions, and the factors that shape the creation of new titles in a rapidly changing market.

Q1. Core Elements of Player Perception

Which elements of game design — from mathematical logic to gameplay pace — most often have a decisive influence on a player’s perception of the game?

Will:

It’s all important. The rhythm and potential in the Math balance, the way mechanics are designed and interact with each other, symbols looking and animating in an appealing way, to both avoiding there being repetitive sounds that annoy Players and sounds that celebrate their highs. They all contribute to the overall Player experience.

As a Game Designer, the biggest priority I have is the Player experience, and to achieve that we make sure everyone who contributes to the game is working toward the same goal and supporting every element regardless of the department; for example, ensuring the sound design hypes up the big moments in the Math model or making sure the art and animation properly communicate how the mechanics function.

Q2. Differentiating Similar Slots

In your experience, what makes the difference in production dynamics between slots with similar mechanics? Which development parameters are most critical for the final result?

Ray:

Even when two slots share similar features or math models, the theme, the way the gameplay is presented, and the pacing make a huge difference in how the final product feels. Players can sense a well-balanced math model without needing to understand the technical details — they just feel rewarded for playing, and they understand what the game is trying to offer them.

For us, creating a great player experience is the real differentiator. It’s what separates our games from competitors, even when the mechanics look similar on paper.

Q3. Emotional Triggers in Game Design

In your experience, what design choices have the strongest impact on players’ emotional responses, and how do you approach creating them?

Will:

Some of the strongest emotional responses come from when the Player makes an assumption about the way a feature works, then gets that confirmed with a big win or progression towards something big — the whole potential of the game opens up to them. That’s when the imagination takes over with questions like “What if this mechanic works with that one? That could be huge.” It cements that desire to fully explore the game and everything it has to offer.

Q4. Late-Stage Adjustments in Development

When you have to tweak a game in the later stages of development, what factors usually cause the changes?

Will:

Usually, it’s a complex UI element for an equally complex mechanic; elements like that often need many iterations to make sure we’re communicating to the Player in a way that makes sense to them. One of the biggest barriers preventing Players from enjoying the game is their understanding of it, so effective communication is incredibly important.

It’s never a waste of time to break down that barrier as much as possible so the games can be experienced in their full form.

Q5. Underrated Stages of Slot Development

In your opinion, which stage of slot creation is most often underestimated, even though it affects the integrity of the final product?

Ray:

I think the most underestimated stage is actually the final stretch — the polish and QA phase. This is where we identify small improvements that make the game feel tight, consistent, and enjoyable, and it’s also where we make sure everything meets our quality standards and jurisdictional requirements.

It’s easy to overlook how important this stage is, but it’s often what determines whether the final product feels truly finished.

Q6. A Benchmark Project for the Team

Which project in your practice has become a benchmark for you in production, and what has it taught the team in terms of development efficiency and quality?

Ray:

DreamPlay is still a new company, and we’re all learning how to work together and build our own production rhythm. One project that really stands out for us is Moon Joker. It came together in a way that showed what we’re capable of when every department is aligned.

We had a strong concept; we kept things simple and classic, but we still found room to innovate. Art, design, math, audio, and engineering all pushed in the same direction, and you’ll be able to see that in the final product. It’s a great example of what our team can achieve when everything clicks.

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Introduction

DEGEN Studios has quickly carved out a reputation as one of the sector’s boldest emerging forces, delivering high-volatility content designed for players who want every spin to feel alive. As the studio prepares for its next phase of accelerated growth, European Gaming sat down with newly appointed Director of Games, Danny Gordon, to explore his journey through some of the industry’s most influential creative environments and understand why DEGEN’s vision resonates so strongly with him.

With close to ten years across Microgaming, Entain and Four Leaf Gaming, Danny brings a rare blend of analytical expertise, product design insight, and a creative instinct shaped by building successful in-house studios from the ground up. In this exclusive interview, he shares what drew him to DEGEN, how he defines player-first development in a crowded market, and why the biggest opportunities now lie in high-energy content that is unafraid to take risks.

First of all, can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?

Danny Gordon, and I’ve been working in iGaming for the best part of a decade now. I started my career at Microgaming, working as a publisher and moved onto a business analyst.

In 2020, I made the move to Entain, where I initially worked as a Games Designer. This really allowed me to explore the creative side to slot games. I then created the newest in-house studio Vertical Games in 2022 initially as a label to break the mould of in house content, which evolved to a fully funded in house studio.

There, I worked alongside an amazing team and created a range of innovative slot games that I’m really proud of. After two years in the role, I became Director of Games at Four Leaf Gaming, further mastering my craft before joining DEGEN.

What was it that attracted you to DEGEN Studios?

The energy. DEGEN is a brand with a clear mission: disruption. The company’s approach to gaming is bold and innovative, and I can’t wait to start bouncing ideas off with the team.

I believe the company want to do something totally different, and on a professional level, this presents an exciting challenge for me. Creative freedom is essential in my role, and DEGEN is a brand that will allow my creativity to flourish.

How would you describe your approach to game development?

Player-first.

My approach to game development has always been player-first and DEGEN’s for players, by players philosophy really resonated with me, it was created by gamers who live and breathe this world, and that perspective shapes every slot we make. We design from the inside out, asking: how does it feel, how does it hit, what makes it unforgettable?

I also believe collaboration is key. The best ideas can come from anywhere, and my job is to create a space where those ideas can grow and evolve into something special. There’s no hierarchy at DEGEN, we’re a team with a shared vision and a shared passion for making games that genuinely excite people.

What’s your take on the current state of iGaming, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for innovation?

There’s a lot of great work happening across iGaming, but I think there’s still a real gap when it comes to truly high-volatility, high-energy content. Many studios are focusing on what’s proven to work, which makes sense commercially, but it leaves room for innovation. Players today want experiences that feel different, games that take risks and deliver real adrenaline.

That’s where DEGEN stands out. We’re focused on exploring mechanics and themes that break routine. For us, innovation means making every spin feel alive – unpredictable, bold, and built around the player’s excitement. That’s the space I see as the biggest opportunity right now.

What can we expect from DEGEN in the coming months?

While I can’t reveal any specific details, let me just say that you can expect DEGEN to turn up the volume even louder with their next few releases. DEGEN’s original slate of titles has already been a huge hit, but these are only a taste of what the studio is capable of.

Our focus is on continuing to evolve and deliver experiences that truly engage players. The next wave of games builds on everything we’ve learned so far – deeper concepts, bolder ideas, and afresh energy running through each release. For DEGEN Studios, this is only the start.

I’m equally as excited about what we can deliver from a product roadmap POV as much as the content roadmap and all I can say is watch this space!

Looking further ahead, where do you see DEGEN Studios positioned in the market five years from now?

I want DEGEN to be a name people instantly associate with innovation, disruption, and quality. We have a clear roadmap to success, and we are not wasting any time in implementing it.  Whenever a new DEGEN game is released, it should feel like an event.

We are already building a loyal player base that will undoubtedly play its part in helping us build our future, and we cannot wait to see what the coming years bring.

The post DEGEN’s Creative Charge: Danny Gordon on Disruption, Player-First Design and the Future of High-Voltage iGaming Content appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ReferOn, a next-gen affiliate management system, announces the development of Model Context Protocol (MCP), a groundbreaking foundation designed to kickstart the era of AI in affiliate marketing.        

What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that enables AI assistants to connect directly with ReferOn’s APIs, databases, and platform actions. Instead of adding cosmetic AI “innovations” on top of legacy systems, ReferOn is engineering the infrastructure that allows AI to operate where it delivers the most value and impact for users daily.

How MCP Enhances AI Integration in Affiliate Marketing

The development of MCP opens the door to freeing up affiliate managers to focus on strategy, relationship-building, and growth, instead of dealing with mundane and repetitive tasks. Imagine AI agents that will be able to create tracking links in seconds, set up reward plans on the fly, and detect anomalies in traffic data instantly. This is what “AI-ready” means — real groundwork being set up, not just hype.

The first step in this direction is ReferOn’s Global Search (Beta), a feature that creates a single entry point for data, actions, and insights. While it may look like a simple search bar, it bridges ReferOn’s core layer, raw data, and intelligent AI agents.

Real Impact of AI-Powered Affiliate Management

Alex Bukin, ReferOn’s General Manager, commented, “Strategy and real impact come before hype. MCP isn’t about chasing a wave, it’s about creating a foundation that keeps affiliate managers and operators ahead of the curve. By focusing on building the groundwork to support structured data and open standards, we’re making sure AI has real use cases, not just cosmetic add-ons. Our goal is to set the benchmark for innovation and lead the affiliate management ecosystem by shaping its future.”

About ReferOn

ReferOn is the state-of-the-art affiliate management system, tailored specifically to the needs of the gaming affiliate industry. Launched in February 2023, ReferOn offers a comprehensive suite

of tools and services designed to streamline and enhance the affiliate marketing experience, featuring transparent data reports and a range of management and reporting functionalities.

The post ReferOn Unveils Model Context Protocol: The Next Step Toward True AI-Powered Affiliate Management appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.