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Why studios need to promote their games
Elliott Resnick, Head of First Look Games, says that due to the highly competitive nature of the industry studios need to get their games in front of players if they are to succeed in the long term
Slot studios are fighting for operator attention in a highly competitive marketplace. There are literally hundreds of developers pushing thousands of games with endless new titles launching every month. So being heard above the noise made by rivals is a vital key to success.
Developers also face fierce competition when it comes to directing players to their games. Operator lobbies are stocked with thousands of titles, with game positioning often the difference between whether a title sinks or swims.
But what if affiliates could not only fulfil their traditional objective of new traffic to operators but also drive awareness of a studio’s content and have players specifically look for the game regardless of where they are positioned in casino lobbies?
To do this, studios must promote their games to players as well as operators, but that isn’t easy given developers take a small proportion of the revenues made on their slots. Above-the-line marketing is simply not an option for the majority of studios, so they have to look to other ways of gaining the attention of operators and players.
But due to the expensive nature of traditional game development, and the time it can take to bring a slot from concept to market (this can take anywhere from four to twelve months) studios must not leave game discovery to chance and instead proactively promote each of their most anticipated titles.
It is also important for studios to provide operators with easy access to information and assets about their games, not just for the purpose of selling their titles but also for other areas such as inclusion in the operator’s marketing and CRM. Without this, developers are missing the final but crucial step in launching their game – which is proactively letting players know about it.
This has led several studios to partner with slot streamers but while that now hangs in the balance pending Twitch’s upcoming announcement on 18 October, others are leveraging the incredible reach that traditional affiliates can provide. But striking partnerships with publishers can be labour intensive – something that already stretched teams have little time to dedicate to unless they hire someone dedicated to affiliate outreach pretty much full-time.
That is where First Look Games comes in, providing the world’s first platform that directly connects studios with all registered affiliates in the iGaming space who regularly craft detailed new game reviews designed to generate referrals to one or more online casino partner.
A publisher’s access to First Look Games is free, allowing all game studios to deploy finished/approved creative packs direct to an entire affiliate community within minutes. It puts the power in the developer’s hands, giving them control over the information and assets they share, and when they share them.
Affiliate marketing allows studios of all sizes to put their games in front of players and potentially build anticipation around future releases. For established studios that have highly sought-after content coming, affiliate marketing can drive large numbers of reviews along with significant awareness that a new game is set to land. For small studios starting out, it can make a difference between being prioritised for an operator integration or being left out. For those in the growth phase, game promotion can assist with realising greater ROI.
Studios can additionally use the feedback they receive from affiliate game reviews to guide future slot development by understanding what has and has not hit the mark with the player community. This feedback is incredibly valuable.
What’s more, affiliates are very cost-effective when compared to other forms of B2C marketing and can help studios to reverse engineer interest in their games where reviews are strong and the audience has a clear appetite for their content.
But right now, studios are not maximising the potential that affiliates provide. The studio-affiliate relationship is still relatively new which is why this marketing channel can be overlooked in terms of the value it can deliver.
First Look Games has been designed to do much of the heavy lifting on behalf of the studio, providing them with access to more than 800 approved publishers with their combined reach being more than 20 million players around the world.
Studios simply upload game information and assets to their dedicated library, and then our network of approved affiliates can access these files and use them to produce content such as game reviews or video content. The entire platform has been designed to be easy to use by any member of a studio’s team.
Despite this, we often find the studios do not know where to position us within their business – sometimes we are seen as a marketing resource, other times as a tool to support the commercial team. We can be both, but it shows just how new this area of game promotion is.
Over time this will change, especially when studios start to see the incredible success their rivals are having in the affiliate space by unlocking more of the potential in their games.
Getting any title in front of more of the right people is simply good business and in such a competitive market, that can be the difference between a studio succeeding or failing.
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Collaboration supports ELA’s growth while aligning with ComeOn’s focus on personalisation
ELA Games, a dynamic and innovative game development studio, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with ComeOn Group, a leading multi-brand iGaming operator. This collaboration marks a renewed commitment to creating immersive, personalised entertainment that delights and retains players.
ComeOn Group operates a proprietary in-house platform and a robust sportsbook function, enabling it to control and enhance every player touchpoint. The company has reinforced its strategy of data-driven personalisation, investing in technology and innovation to deliver tailored content and experiences to individual players.
Players across ComeOn Group’s brands will now have access to a selection of ELA Games’ most engaging titles, including Flame Fruits Frenzy, Cash of Gods, and Rabbit Winpot. Integrated into ComeOn’s proprietary in-house platform, these games form part of the company’s broader strategy to deliver personalised, dynamic experiences tailored to individual player preferences. By combining high-quality content with intelligent platform capabilities, ComeOn strengthens its ability to drive smarter content curation, targeted promotions, and enhanced engagement – ultimately maximising both player satisfaction and long-term retention.
Greg Kett, Director of Casino at ComeOn Group, said: “Personalising the player experience is at the heart of our product strategy. Through our in-house platform, sportsbook capabilities, and ongoing investment in personalisation tech, we empower ourselves to deliver tailored, secure, and deeply engaging entertainment. Partnering with ELA allows us to further enrich that journey with fresh and dynamic content.”
ELA Games’ Managing Director, Marharyta Yerina, adds: “We’re thrilled to join forces with a partner whose strategic vision resonates so closely with ours. ComeOn’s commitment to personalisation, proprietary technology, and product excellence makes them a natural fit. This collaboration lets us broaden our reach while contributing to a highly customised, next-gen entertainment experience.”
This partnership is a synergy of platform, product, and personalisation strategy. It underscores ELA Games’ mission to deliver best-in-class content and affirms ComeOn Group’s continued investment in personalisation, sportsbook development, and platform innovation.
The post ELA Games Joins Forces With ComeOn Group to Deliver Engaging Player Experiences appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) is pleased to welcome BETBY as its newest Tier 1 Anti-Corruption Partner. As a sportsbook solutions provider operating across global markets, BETBY’s collaboration with ESIC demonstrates a commitment to mitigating integrity risks within the esports ecosystem.
ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program brings together betting operators and key industry stakeholders who contribute directly to the detection, analysis, and investigation of suspicious betting activity. Supporters play a vital role in safeguarding esports from threats such as match manipulation, betting fraud, and related integrity breaches by providing data and operational cooperation in ESIC’s monitoring and enforcement framework.
As part of its Tier 1 Anti-Corruption Partner role, BETBY will share critical insights with ESIC, enhancing the Commission’s capacity to identify and address potential risks in real time. BETBY’s cooperation strengthens ESIC’s ability to protect the integrity of competitions and reinforces BETBY’s alignment with global standards of transparency and accountability in esports betting operations.
By joining ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program, BETBY becomes part of a global network of operators and stakeholders working with ESIC to uphold fairness, credibility, and trust within the esports ecosystem. This collaboration highlights the shared industry responsibility to establish sustainable standards of integrity and ensure long-term confidence in the growth of esports and esports betting.
Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC, commented: “BETBY’s recognition as a Tier 1 Anti-Corruption Partner reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the integrity framework of the global esports ecosystem. ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program relies on the proactive cooperation of stakeholders like BETBY, whose data and operational insights contribute directly to our ability to identify and mitigate integrity threats. This cooperation is another important step towards ensuring that esports competitions remain fair, credible, and sustainable for all participants and stakeholders.”
Leonid Pertsovskiy, CEO at BETBY added: “Integrity has always been at the heart of BETBY’s values and vision. Esports is one of the fastest-growing sectors in our industry, and with that growth comes a responsibility to ensure it develops on a foundation of fairness, trust, and transparency. By joining forces with ESIC, we are not only supporting higher standards of governance in esports, but also reaffirming our dedication to creating a sustainable and ethical competitive environment. At BETBY, we believe that innovation and excellence can only thrive when they are built on integrity, and this partnership reflects our long-term commitment to the future of esports.”
The post BETBY JOINS ESIC AS OFFICIAL TIER 1 ANTI-CORRUPTION PARTNER appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Million Games is expanding its portfolio with the launch of Million HiLo, a modern take on the classic higher-or-lower card game. Simple to learn and packed with decision-making moments, it’s built to deliver speed, engagement, and replay value.
In Million HiLo, players are presented with two face-up cards and must select one to bet on and predict whether the next card will be higher or lower than their chosen one. Correct predictions advance the round, with up to six successful steps possible. One wrong guess ends the round — unless the player cashes out beforehand to secure their winnings. Using a standard 52-card deck where Ace counts low, the goal is to complete up to six steps per round.
Key Features
- Six-Step Rounds – Advance through up to six successful guesses for the top prize.
- Cash Out – Secure winnings after any correct step once the minimum threshold is reached.
- Fast-Paced Play – Short rounds designed for instant action and high retention.
- 52-card deck — Million HiLo is played using one standard 52-card deck.
With its straightforward rules, short rounds, and clever twists, Million HiLo is designed to appeal to both casual players and seasoned card-game enthusiasts. For operators, it offers a high-frequency, decision-driven experience that encourages longer sessions and repeat play.
“Million HiLo is a perfect example of how small twists can turn a simple format into something far more engaging,” said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. “With six-step rounds and flexible cash-out, players face constant choices that keep the game exciting, while operators gain a high-frequency title with strong replay value.”
Million HiLo is now available across all Million Games partner platforms.
The post Million Games Launches Million HiLo – A Six-Step Higher or Lower Challenge appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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