The Up-and-Coming Slot Developers Looking to Make Their Way to the Top | IXGAMES
Online slots form a highly competitive market, one that is in a constant state of expansion. The massive choice when it comes to selecting an online slot has drawn many players to this part of the casino industry, but that poses a significant challenge to newer iGaming companies trying to claim their share of the market.
NetEnt is one of the established names that dominate the online slot market, and the Swedish company recently accepted a €1.8bn offer for acquisition by Evolution Gaming. That reflects the size of the companies that dominate the online slot industry, but there are a few up-and-coming companies that could one day attract the same sort of bids as NetEnt.
Starring alongside the big names
One thing that works in favour of newer slot developers is that their titles often sit side-by-side by those from the heavyweight studios. The Pokies page at the SkyCity Online Casino is a fitting example of how a variety of developers enjoy the same exposure on one platform. SkyCity Online Casino features releases from the likes of Microgaming and NetEnt, two acclaimed developers that have been in business since the mid-1990s.
Their titles sit alongside slots from Quickspin, Yggdrasil, and ELK Studios, three companies seeking to emulate Microgaming and NetEnt in their longevity and popularity. Players choose their slot based on the appeal of its name and its theme, without necessarily knowing its studio of origin until they load the game. If the player enjoys their gaming experience, then they won’t be quick to forget the studio name and may even specifically seek out their releases in future.
The ones to watch
Here is a quick overview of why anyone who clicks on a slot from Quickspin, Yggdrasil, and ELK Studios should have an enjoyable gaming experience ahead of them.
Quickspin
Reason to watch: Great selection of video slots
Quickspin claims to be the creator of the world’s most awesome video slots, which is a claim that they can back up with their gaming portfolio. Founded in Stockholm in 2011, Quickspin has tailored its output to produce innovative releases that fill gaps in the market.
Given the crowded nature of the market, that isn’t easy. That task is made easier by the engaging titles of Quickspin’s releases, with the likes of Mighty Arthur and Sticky Bandits boasting bright colours that stand out in an online slot library. Once the game begins, Quickspin’s distinctive graphics ensure that the action feels fresh and exciting.
Yggdrasil
Reason to watch: Fantastical slot themes
Yggdrasil Gaming was born in 2013, the brainchild of former NetEnt CEO Fredrik Elmqvist. This means that Yggdrasil has plenty of experience in its ranks, and it shows despite the relative youth of the company. Yggdrasil’s use of iSENSE technology ensures that their slots always run smoothly and look great, no matter what device you use to access the games.
The slots themselves have themes that verge on the cinematic, with Yggdrasil introducing fascinating casts of characters and bold settings. Vikings Go To Hell is one of Yggdrasil’s most well-known releases, which probably has something to do with its memorable title, while the sinister design of Baron Samedi shows that this is an award-winning studio that is not afraid to take risks.
We won the IGA Innovator of the Year award in the Supplier category for the third year in a row! Thanks to IGA for the award and all of Team Yggdrasil for the hard work that brought us here.#yggdrasilgaming #gaming #casino #awards #ICE #IGA #innovation pic.twitter.com/4EsLzVpeEg
— Yggdrasil Gaming (@YggdrasilGaming) February 4, 2020
ELK Studios
Reason to watch: Specialist mobile skills
ELK Studios started life in 2013 and, like the other two in this list, has a Swedish heritage. However, ELK Studios stands out from its Swedish counterparts by gearing its work towards mobile gaming. ELK Studios also deploy complex mathematical skills in the development process.
This mathematical emphasis behind the scenes has the aim of providing a more intuitive gameplay experience. Notable slots include Kaiju, which builds a detailed world for an online slot in tribute to the Japanese film industry, and Poltava, a slot with gripping graphics that immerse players in an 18th-century battle.
It might take time for a newer iGaming company to be positioned at the forefront of the online slot industry, but this trio of studios are making all the right moves to get there. One thing is for sure: with so many companies producing quality slots, players aren’t going to run out of new titles anytime soon.
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