“The studios that last are those willing to experiment and try new things, while staying grounded in their core principles. It’s easy to follow trends, but what really matters is understanding players, trusting your instincts, and consistently delivering quality.”

As the iGaming industry continues to evolve, the pressure to innovate has never been greater. True success, however, goes beyond simply following the latest trends.

Ahead of the HIPTHER Prague Summit, where Tom Horn Gaming will take the stage as Grand Sponsor, our CEO, Ondrej Lapides, shares his perspective on what it really takes to build games that stand the test of time.

In this exclusive interview with Hipther, we explore how Tom Horn Gaming approaches product development, from balancing innovation with familiarity to designing games that resonate across diverse player segments and markets. The conversation also touches on the growing importance of player-centric design, long-term engagement, and the industry shifts shaping slot development in 2026 and beyond.

As Central and Eastern Europe gain increasing relevance in the global iGaming landscape, the Prague Summit provides a timely platform to exchange ideas, share insights, and look ahead at what’s next for the industry.

Tom Horn Gaming has been in the industry long enough to see trends come and go. From your perspective, what really separates studios that stand the test of time from those that simply chase what’s popular?

In my view, longevity in this industry comes down to balance and a genuine belief in what you do. The studios that last are those willing to experiment and try new things, while staying grounded in their core principles. It’s easy to follow trends, but what really matters is understanding players, trusting your instincts, and consistently delivering quality. When you combine creativity with discipline and a long-term mindset, you create products that resonate well beyond the latest industry buzz.

Your portfolio balances recognisable slot formats with proprietary mechanics like QuickX. How do you decide when to innovate and when to refine what already works?

It’s always a mix of data, experience, and intuition. Innovation is important, but it should never come at the expense of clarity or player enjoyment. Sometimes the right move is to take something that already works and refine it further. At other times, the market clearly shows that players are ready for something new. Finding that balance is partly analytical and partly instinctive, built over time through a deep understanding of how players engage with games.

Your games often combine modern mechanics with very recognisable slot DNA. Why do you think familiarity still plays such a strong role in player engagement today?

Player expectations vary a lot across markets and segments. Some players prefer classic slot gameplay that feels instantly familiar, while others are looking for something more experimental. Our role is to cater to both by offering a diverse portfolio. Familiarity makes games accessible and comfortable, while modern mechanics bring fresh excitement and new layers of engagement.

Player attention spans are getting shorter, yet expectations around engagement and excitement keep rising. How do you approach game design to make titles instantly accessible without sacrificing depth?

It really comes down to putting more thought and effort into the design process. We dedicate significant resources to balancing gameplay so the core experience is easy to understand from the first spin, while sustaining engagement over time.  Achieving that balance requires close collaboration among designers, mathematicians, and product teams to make sure the experience feels both intuitive and rewarding.

Looking at your recent releases, there’s a clear focus on replayability rather than one-off novelty. How important is long-term player value when developing new games?

Long-term engagement is very important, but again, it’s about balance. Not every game is built with the same objective in mind. Some are designed to deliver quick excitement, while others aim for longer sessions. A strong portfolio needs both. The key is making sure each game delivers real value and keeps players coming back.

From your perspective as a slot supplier, which innovations do you believe will genuinely shape slot development in 2026 and beyond, and which current trends are unlikely to last?

We’re already seeing a growing demand for more layered gameplay and richer feature sets, and I expect that to continue. Players are looking for more dynamic experiences rather than purely static mechanics. At the same time, fast-paced formats like crash games have gained strong traction and are influencing expectations around immediacy and interaction. That said, not every trend will last. In the end, the games that succeed will be those that combine innovation with strong fundamentals and a clear understanding of player preferences across different markets.

Your recent partnerships significantly extend distribution across Europe and Latin America while reinforcing compliance-focused delivery. How can aggregation partnerships contribute to sustainable scaling across different regulated markets?

Scaling across regulated markets requires the right partnerships and strong technical foundations. For this to work properly, the technical integration needs to be robust, seamless, and fully aligned with regulatory requirements. When that connection is well implemented and continuously optimised, it allows content to reach operators quickly while maintaining the reliability and compliance that these markets demand.

As Grand Stage Sponsor of the HIPTHER Prague Summit, what message or mindset would you like operators, partners, and industry leaders to take away from your presence at the event?

Events like the Prague Summit are particularly valuable because they put a spotlight on Central and Eastern Europe, a region that is playing an increasingly important role in the global iGaming landscape but doesn’t always get the same attention as larger markets.

For us, the real value lies in knowledge exchange. It’s an opportunity to discuss the latest developments, share insights from real operations, and compare experiences across different jurisdictions. Bringing these perspectives together helps the industry learn from one another and take away practical insights that can support future growth and innovation.

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