Interviews
Q&A – Quality control w/ Yordan Petkov, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming
Online slot developers make a lot of noise about the quality of their games and how crucial it is to the player experience they deliver. Given the sheer quantity of slots in the market, quality can be a real differentiator so it’s vital that developers get this right.
But quality assurance is no easy task and requires planning and a seamless process capable of detecting any issues within a game.
Once issues have been detected, the studio must have mechanisms in place to resolve them effectively and efficiently so that development remains on schedule while ensuring the game is actually ready for release.
To learn more about how studios approach quality assurance, we spoke to Yordan Petkov, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming.
How do studios ensure quality across game design, audio, play, etc?
The commitment to quality must cover all areas of game development, from design to build to delivery. The foundation of quality is the early detection of issues and ultimately this requires meticulous planning. By spotting issues early, they can be ironed out in the most efficient and cost-effective way and that’s why at Silverback we focus on anticipating potential problems from the outset. This proactive approach helps to mitigate risks and lays the groundwork for smooth and seamless game development and deployment.
Can you share more insight into how Silverback approaches quality assurance?
We have mapped out a step-by-step approach that encompasses everything from concept and design through to final execution. Each aspect of game creation, including graphics, audio, math, mechanics, game engine as well as front end, is done with careful consideration and planning. By establishing robust processes and incorporating thorough checks, our teams can concentrate on refining and enhancing the game experience instead of firefighting preventable issues and this is what allows us to take the player experience to the next level.
What does the testing phase actually look like at Silverback Gaming?
Our testing is structured and spans multiple stages.
Stage one is the pre-development phase. During this part of the process, the QA teams ensure all required information is provided and they also scrutinise game specifications. This is a super important point in the process as anticipating issues and addressing them at the concept stage is more effective than having them crop up later on.
Stage two is proof of concept. The first build of a game marks the second stage of testing and the QA team rigorously examines critical aspects of the slot, such as engine performance, functionality, stability and of course regulatory compliance. This phase ensures the core components of the game are sound before we move on to the next stage of development and testing.
The final testing stage focuses on the audio and visual elements. Here, we delve into the finer details and make sure the game aligns with best practices and upholds the standards of quality that we have built the Silverback Gaming name on.
How does quality carry over into the delivery of games, which can be an issue for both studios and their operator partners.
In terms of delivering games to operators, this comes down to having a cutting-edge remote game server that can handle integrations into the different platforms that operators are running on. There’s always the chance of encountering issues with integration and that’s why it’s important to have a dedicated team for this. In terms of the quality of the games that then land in the operator’s lobby, the studio must have put the necessary steps and processes in place to ensure these have been identified and address long before integration. Nobody likes to play a buggy game and a studio ultimately lives and dies on the experience its slots provide to players.
Are there any common issues that occur when developing slots?
Yes, but part of quality assurance is ensuring that issues are not recurring. When an issue occurs, it’s important to approach it in a way that addresses it there and then, but also prevents it from occurring again in the future. This is key to making quality assurance as effective and efficient as it can be – if not, you are simply wasting valuable resources on fixing problems that you are already aware of and have addressed in the past.
What sets apart your approach to QA and how do you ensure nothing slips through the net?
Our approach to QA is underpinned by our quality-focused culture which we apply to everything we do. Having top talent in every team ensures that each part of the game has unrivalled expertise working on it. Additionally, we have open communication across all design and development phases, which is pivotal to the overall quality of our slots. Collaborative discussions help iron out potential pitfalls and provide valuable insights that contribute to the highest quality end product.
What are the upsides to investing in quality assurance and making it a top priority?
QA teams not only identify bugs but also contribute to the overall quality of the game. Their valuable suggestions and insights lead to continued improvement. While having the right processes in place for testing is important, experience often reveals unforeseen issues and that’s why having a talented and experienced QA team is crucial. Our influence spans all stages of game production, minimising the risk of potential problems and ensuring that when issues do arise, they are quickly resolved.
QA-driven quality results in polished, engaging games that players love. In turn, operators appreciate the reliability and appeal of the games, allowing the studio to build a long and successful relationship with the casino. At Silverback, our product owners are fully committed to fostering collaboration and translating vision into reality while upholding a customer-centric approach. This shapes games that resonate deeply with players and operators alike.
By building a culture of quality, anticipating potential pitfalls and executing a well-structured testing process, we ensure that our games deliver exceptional player experiences. Quality is not just about finding defects; it’s about delivering excellence and making lasting connections with players and operators.
We’ve sat down with Irina Laivina, Head of Content at affiliate marketing company Media 24, to discuss how iGaming content could evolve, the key elements of a successful content strategy, the traits of top content managers, and more.
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the iGaming industry?
Since childhood, I have been attracted to philology and the study of foreign languages. After university, I realized that content creation was where I could combine my passion for languages with creativity. When I moved to Latvia and changed my social circle, I became more and more drawn into the world of iGaming. Over time, this industry fascinated me so much that I found my professional niche there.
I started at Media24 as a senior content manager, where I introduced new ideas to improve both content and design. These changes had a positive impact on our business goals, eventually leading to my promotion to head of the content department. Now, I continue to optimize and shape our content strategy.
How do you see the role of content evolving in the iGaming affiliate marketing industry over the next five years?
In affiliate marketing content will still play a key role, especially for the SEO-driven affiliate companies. But the way we will create and deliver it will change. The average reader today is more demanding than ever, expecting more value in the content he consumes daily, and willing to spend less time doing it.
The number of content sources has also increased now, too, and that has created many additional angles and opportunities. There’s live streaming, new social media formats, short form videos, and everything in between. So you have to think outside of the traditional strategies and experiment with new ways to connect with your audience to keep up.
Mobile traffic dominance will require adapting for the relevant formats. This trend is already happening globally and will only develop further. Internally, we are following along and are aligning our design and content strategies. Everything must be optimized for mobile-first consumption today.
What are the key elements that make up a successful content strategy in your opinion?
The best content strategy starts with clear goals. At Media 24, we believe that our content should educate and entertain, not take advantage of players. We aim to be a source of helpful information for the reader, not just a platform to promote iGaming brands. In a world of informational overload, your content should be focused on providing real value. Users love it, and search engines prioritize this kind of content too.
We are thinking about the long-term perspective. If content that we produce helps a reader to find what he’s looking for, and is engaging, search engines will naturally rank it higher. So for us it’s not a question of how we can exploit the algorithms, but what is the best way to help a reader make an educated decision.
What role does SEO play in shaping the content strategy at Media 24, and how do both teams collaborate for the best results?
At Media 24 content and SEO departments always work hand by hand. It’s hard to imagine our success without close communication between the two teams. We work closely together to develop content plans, conduct competitor analysis, and rely on the SEO team to guide us in the right direction with their data-driven insights. From there, we apply our editorial expertise to make sure our content is relevant, valuable and helpful. So the SEO team navigates us strategically, while the content department is responsible for creating valuable content that keeps readers coming for more.
When building your team, what traits do you value most in a content manager, and why?
For a content manager, first of all, the key thing is attention to details. In content creation, even small errors can affect credibility, user experience, and performance, so precision is key. I also highly appreciate the initiative and the desire for learning new things. The industry does not stand still, so a good content manager is constantly exploring new tools, trends and working methods, offering fresh ideas and solutions.
We work with 90+ geos and with such a reach it’s very important for the content to be relevant to every country niche specifics and language. That’s why we prioritize hiring native speakers and local experts in every given market. The ones that have a deep understanding of cultural nuances, player preferences and market regulations. This guarantees our content is authentic and resonates with readers in every region.
Are there any long-term goals you’re focusing on at Media 24?
I would really like to optimize all our processes as much as possible. This is something that we are working on actively, and we see that the development of technology can assist us in that. For example, we are currently exploring how we can use the possibilities of AI agents to save time for our team. The main goal is to create smarter work processes.
AI will not replace human content creators, as it lacks originality and niche-specific expertise. But this technology can enhance how we work in many ways. That’s why we’re already developing AI-driven solutions to speed-up our operations and assist us in different repetitive tasks. Once we are able to automate routine and time-consuming parts of our work, this will allow the content team to focus more on creativity and strategy. So by experimenting with AI, we’re not replacing creativity. We are giving it extra space.
The post Irina Laivina, Media 24: “Our content is meant to educate and entertain” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
A lot has changed since the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA (The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992) as being unconstitutional, effectively ending Nevada’s near-monopoly on sports betting in the country. With every US state now free to legalize and launch its own sports betting market, in-person, online, and mobile sports betting grew at a neck-breaking pace.
This explosive growth saw the emergence of ‘affiliate companies’ – marketing agencies specializing in performance marketing and promoting licensed sports betting operators. However, as the market entered a new phase and growth slowed, some affiliates have been seeing mixed results in the past year.
We sat down for a chat with Shmulik Segal, Founder and CEO of Media Troopers, an advertising agency specializing in sports betting and iGaming in North America, to hear his views on the gambling marketplace and what the future holds for affiliates. Segal takes a realistic approach and acknowledges the days of insatiable growth are gone, but he still sees great potential in the market.
Looking at the bigger picture, how bad were things for affiliates in the past year?
Segal: “I won’t tell you the past year hasn’t been challenging for marketing agencies like ourselves. Looking at 2024 earning reports of publicly traded marketing agencies in the gambling industry, the results are a mixed bag, Segal says. “While some of the largest players in the space saw their US revenues drop by over a third compared to 2023, the earnings of others just flatlined.”
What causes you to be optimistic then?
“But on the flip side of the coin, there were also companies that saw double-digit growth in earnings,” Segal compares. “So what does that mixed bag of results tell us? Although the days of explosive growth are over, the market is certainly not on a one-way street. I still see tons of opportunities for companies that are adjusting and doing the right things.”
So what are the main challenges the affiliate market is facing?
“I can divide the challenges into two main categories: objective and subjective. Objective categories would be anything that’s ‘man-made’, such as legislation (new states that open up), increased regulation (restrictions on advertising, increased taxation), the evolution of technology (Artificial Intelligence and further mobile personalization), competition (both operators and other marketing channels and companies), and all other factors that are created by governments, companies, and individuals,” he explains.
“The subjective factors are more geographical or permanent. Let’s take sports betting as an example. According to the American Gaming Association’s state tracker, Out of 51 potential jurisdictions across the country (50 states + Washington DC), 38 have legalized sports betting. However, only seven states have legalized iGaming.”
So, how do you treat these challenges differently?
“As an affiliate, you understand the fundamental difference between the two types of challenges: your level of control. While you can mitigate objective challenges, you must adapt to subjective ones.”
How do you stay relevant as an affiliate amidst these challenges?
“The first thing we must always keep in mind is that we make a living out of providing our customers with additional value, i.e. unique knowledge and expertise that the operator doesn’t have and fits perfectly into its marketing mix. We must provide our customers with a competitive, cutting edge.”
“Case in point: we constantly strive to be ahead of the curve in everything we do. Our technology platform constantly adapts and upgrades to include more powerful AI tools for segmentation, targeting, and personalization. A huge part of our media teams’ job is to look for the ‘next big thing’ be it a fresh marketing channel or a new source that will enable us to expand our reach and tap into new markets.
Our commercial teams work closely with existing and potential operators to find new ways to bring value to players, be it new games, news, or promotions. And it goes without saying that our compliance team takes great care of ensuring we adhere to the highest standards of safe advertising and responsible gaming.”
“But no less important,“ he concludes, “is the operations team that ties all the pieces together and executes everything. That’s one of the biggest challenges, given operations can be slow-moving, we constantly need to improve our execution to keep up with the changes the other parts of the team bring.”
What about other types of challenges? The ones you can’t mitigate?
“When it comes to subjective challenges, however, you have much less control, and this is where companies must brace themselves and adapt quickly. Case in point, there are 38 sports betting states, while a portion of the remaining ones, such as Hawai, Utah, Texas, and California, won’t introduce sports betting or iGaming in the foreseeable future.
With fewer states regulating gaming in the foreseeable future, is the market bound to shrink?
“I don’t see it that way. Long gone are the days when a new market opened every few months. What would you do? You can’t ‘magic up’ more states. But you can certainly adapt and brace yourself to improve and grow your share in existing markets, which is exactly what we are focusing on doing,” he explains. “Along with acquiring new players through new and existing markets, we are constantly looking for new channels that will bring our customers (operators) loyalty and higher lifetime value.”
You are talking about increasing share and value, does that mean there are no new opportunities?
“We see huge potential, with opportunities constantly coming to knock on our door. North Carolina and Vermont were the two new markets that launched in 2024, and we are already seeing a lot of growth there. For example, North Carolina, which only went live with sports betting in March 2024, but by the end of the year, already clinched ninth place in the Top 10 sports betting states, reporting revenues of over $583.
This is why we treat every state as a standalone ecosystem with its unique set of challenges, requirements, and potential. The next exciting challenge (and opportunity) we are preparing for is Missouri, which legalized sports betting at the end of 2024 but has yet to launch. We have already been hard at work since the ballot was approved in November, so we can hit the ground running and start sending our MO sportsbook partners newly depositing customers from day one.
What about organic growth in existing markets?
“There’s certainly that also. While every new state that launches sports betting can potentially bring a spike in growth, we are certainly seeing organic growth and improved results across the board year after year. Take as an example the Super Bowl. In 2025, legal US bets on the Super Bowl grew 10% year-on-year. Or March Madness, on which best are expected to grow 13% from last year.
So, is there still organic growth in existing markets? For us, it’s a big, fat yes.”
Are you planning on staying within the iGaming and sports betting markets in the near future?
“That’s a very good question I ask myself every day, Segal smiles and immediately corrects himself. “Actually, scratch that. I ask myself this question many times over the course of a day in the office.”
He elaborates: “iGaming is tangent to other gaming verticals, and sports betting has an overlap with a whole universe of sports and its related verticals. Every website in these verticals needs traffic, and we know how to provide it. So new opportunities knocking on our door. But how do we capitalize on these without losing our focus and commitment to our core business? We keep our ears and eyes open, but never lose focus.”
The post Affiliates in the US Sports Betting Market – Has The Game Gone Cold? appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
HIPTHER, organizer of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, is excited to welcome Cloudfresh as the Networking Break Sponsor, a company empowering businesses with top-tier cloud services. As a Zendesk Premier Partner, Cloudfresh specializes in integrating, optimizing, and scaling the best in-class cloud solutions, acting as a vital link between companies and cloud technologies. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Vita Usatyuk, Sales Executive at Cloudfresh, to explore how AI, omnichannel support, and personalized player interactions are reshaping customer service in gaming.
Player support is becoming a crucial factor in gaming retention. How can integrated customer service solutions enhance player satisfaction and engagement while keeping gamers in the game?
Integrated customer service solutions are essential for enhancing player satisfaction and engagement, ultimately driving player retention. By providing support across various channels like chat, messaging, phone, and email, gaming companies can meet players where they are, offering seamless and convenient assistance. This omnichannel approach ensures that players can easily reach out for help before, during, or after a game. Furthermore, AI-powered tools can provide instant help and personalized interactions, addressing player needs proactively and efficiently. A robust support system contributes significantly to a positive gaming experience, fostering loyalty and encouraging players to stay engaged with the game.
The gaming industry faces unique challenges in customer support, from omnichannel demands to peak traffic surges. How does Cloudfresh leverage Zendesk to help gaming companies streamline support operations and optimize agent workload?
The gaming industry presents unique customer support challenges, including omnichannel demands and peak traffic surges, especially during new release windows. We in Cloudfresh implement Zendesk solution for the customer support to help gaming companies streamline their support operations and optimize agent workload. Zendesk offers a unified platform that integrates various support channels, enabling agents to manage interactions from a single workspace. AI-powered automation can handle routine inquiries, allowing agents to focus on complex issues. Zendesk also provides tools for intelligent ticket routing, workforce management, and performance monitoring, which helps optimize agent efficiency and ensure timely issue resolution.
Personalization is key to delivering a top player experience. How can gaming brands use AI-driven customer support to provide more tailored interactions and proactively address player needs?
Personalization in gaming support is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. AI-driven solutions are empowering gaming companies to meet this demand in innovative ways. Here are some practical examples:
- AI Agents for 24/7 Support and Instant Answers: Players expect support around the clock. Zendesk’s AI Agents can provide instant, accurate answers to common questions, drawing from your knowledge base. This ensures players get the help they need immediately, any time of day.
- Intelligent Triage and Routing: AI can analyze incoming support tickets and route them to the right agent or team based on the player’s issue, game, or platform. This ensures that players are connected with specialists who can address their specific needs efficiently.
- Proactive Support and Personalized Recommendations: By analyzing player data and behavior, AI can help anticipate common issues and proactively offer solutions or tips. This could include in-game notifications, personalized FAQs, or tailored support articles. For example, Kaizen Gaming, a European eGaming company, delivers 95% resolution at first contact with live chat and 360° views of customers. This level of insight allows for highly personalized and proactive support.
- Automation for Scalability: Gaming companies often experience peak support volumes around game releases or updates. Zendesk’s automation capabilities, enhanced by AI, can handle surging ticket volumes and reduce wait times. Play Games24x7, an Indian online gaming company, reduced their resolution time by 68% by leveraging Zendesk automation and analytics. This demonstrates the power of AI in scaling support operations efficiently.
By leveraging Zendesk’s AI-driven features, gaming companies can provide more tailored, efficient, and proactive support experiences, ultimately driving player satisfaction and loyalty.
Cloudfresh has extensive expertise in implementing and optimizing Zendesk solutions for gaming businesses. Can you share a recent success story where your solutions significantly improved customer experience?
Yes, we have many success stories, and one recent example is our work with Bloober Team, a renowned game development studio specializing in psychological horror games. Bloober Team faced challenges in providing efficient player support, especially during peak times around game releases. They needed a solution that could scale, provide comprehensive data from players, and streamline their support workflow.
We implemented Zendesk’s Enterprise Suite for Bloober Team, including add-on apps and a custom ticket form to gather essential information from players. We also integrated DeepL for translation to assist with their diverse player base.
The results were transformative. Bloober Team now has a robust system to manage player support, allowing them to react quickly to issues and provide timely solutions. This has significantly improved their ability to maintain contact with players, address concerns, and ultimately enhance the player experience. This case demonstrates our ability to tailor Zendesk solutions to the specific needs of gaming companies, helping them to overcome support challenges and foster stronger player relationships.
At the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, AI and automation in gaming support will be major discussion points. How do you see AI-driven support evolving in the next few years, and what should gaming operators focus on to stay ahead?
It’s clear that AI is no longer a future possibility in gaming support – it’s the present and the driving force of its evolution. We’re seeing a distinct separation between companies that are embracing AI and those that aren’t. Those “CX Trendsetters” are pulling ahead, and gaming operators need to be in that category. It’s not just about replacing human agents either; it’s about ‘human-centric AI.’ We’re talking about augmenting agents, giving them superpowers to handle complex issues while AI handles the routine.
Looking ahead, expect AI to get even smarter – predictive, hyper-personalized, with more natural conversations. And it’s not just chatbots anymore; AI-powered automation will touch every support channel, creating those seamless omnichannel experiences players demand. Crucially, AI will provide a wealth of data and insights, allowing for data-driven optimization of support strategies.
So, for gaming operators who want to stay ahead, it boils down to this: invest strategically in AI, empower your agents to work alongside it, focus on leveraging those AI-driven insights, build systems that can scale and adapt, and, of course, prioritize data security. That’s from my point of view the roadmap for success in the AI-driven future of gaming support.
With Cloudfresh at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, this year’s event will showcase the latest innovations in AI-driven player support and customer service strategies. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain exclusive insights, and explore the future of gaming support technology!
The post Elevating Player Experience: Cloudfresh’s Vision for AI-Driven Gaming Support appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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