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Movers and Shakers: Peter & Sons: we’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd

Published

1 year ago

August 13, 2024

Reading Time: 4 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.

Writing for European Gaming, Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder at Peter & Sons discusses the challenges of creating something truly unique for the iGaming industry.

Developing something ‘different’ for bettors is much easier said than done. Do you go down the game design route? Add new mechanics? How about completely reinventing the overall gameplay experience with the incorporation of new technologies?

Within the iGaming space, we’ve seen game developers and platform providers scramble to find new ways to differentiate themselves from the crowd. And I can see why.

The space has become much more saturated over the last few years, not to mention players demanding much more from their gaming experiences – those points of differentiation can mean the difference between engaging players or fading into the background.

At Peter & Sons, doing things ‘different’ has been our mantra since our inception back in 2019. Our founding team knew that the iGaming sector presented a lucrative opportunity, so in order to be successful, you really had to make a splash.

But let’s be clear, we weren’t looking to reinvent the wheel. From our collective experiences, we knew what worked and, more importantly, what did not. So instead, we wanted to keep the wheel as it was – but add our own fresh spin.

To achieve this, we chose to focus on the development of innovative products and combining that with our distinctive branding. We wanted to make sure that any player who was enjoying our games knew that this was a Peter & Sons product.

Innovation: simply a buzzword?

Now, we know what you’re probably thinking. Doesn’t everyone set out on a mission to innovate? And you’re not wrong. Innovation has become somewhat of a buzzword in our industry over the last few years.

Reskinning an existing game with a slightly tweaked design does not an innovator make.

True innovation, in our view, lies in reimagining existing concepts in ways that feel fresh and exciting, while also introducing entirely new elements that redefine the player experience.

For me, I guess you could say that the iGaming industry can be considered to be an innovative industry. We are seeing new products and technologies emerge which are paving the way for our industry to grow and evolve. However, what we have also seen is a handful of gaming companies recycle more established concepts and mechanics – something that can ultimately have a detrimental effect on player engagement.

Peter & Sons isn’t, and never will be, one of those gaming companies that relies on rehashing existing concepts. As a company, we strive to push the boundaries of game design by incorporating new technologies, creative mechanics and unique artistry to ensure that every single game we develop stands out both visually and experientially.

Our focus on differentiation means that we are able to deliver much higher quality, more immersive gaming experiences that not only captivate players, but help our operator partners to drive long-term engagement too.

It’s all about branding

As a company, we didn’t want our mantra of differentiation to be limited to the development of mechanics. In fact, it is also a value that has shaped our overall branding strategy – both in terms of game design, and how we portray our organisation to new and existing partners. Looking at game design, we ultimately wanted our branding strategy to complement our product innovation team.

To do this, our team follows three core principles: creative, fun and relevant to our audience. There is very little use in designing a game around a theme that has already proven to be unsuccessful with players; instead, look at either developing an entirely new design concept, or adding a new twist to a player favourite.

The synergy of unique game themes, stunning graphics, and top-tier audio design, alongside a brand that highlights creativity and player-centric values, truly sets us apart. This comprehensive approach ensures our games are not only played but also remembered and recommended by players.

Those three core principles have also shaped our brand identity. In fact, we underwent a brand refresh last year, as we wanted to align our visual identity and messaging with the innovative spirit of our game portfolio. For us, it shouldn’t just be our games portfolio that’s fun, creative and relevant. Our overall brand should be too.

Our brand refresh became much more important as we continued to expand our global reach and introduce new titles.

We wanted to be able to roll out new games across new markets, and for players and operators to be instantly familiar with Peter & Sons, and what we stand for. So, we chose to update our logo, website and market materials to better reflect the essence of who we are as a brand.

What lies ahead?

As we enter the next phase of our growth as a company, we will continue to remain firmly focused on changing the game for slot development and bringing new, exciting titles to players right across the industry.

By staying true to our core values of innovation and player-centric design, we aim to set new industry benchmarks and deliver unparalleled gaming experiences. We already have big plans in place to broaden our portfolio, with a pipeline of exciting slots as well as a range of instant and scratch games.

We’ll continue entering new regulated markets and strengthening our presence in existing ones. And rest assured, we will continue to maintain the highest possible standards of quality and creativity.

While I can’t give away much about our plans for the next 12 months, what I can tell you is that we plan to keep building on some of our most successful games, like Barbarossa. Following its success, we are releasing Barbarossa Revenge on the 1 October, which we believe will be a hit, captivating our loyal players and attracting new ones. So, keep your eye out for some new exciting products!

The post Movers and Shakers: Peter & Sons: we’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: