Edward Byard: “Not taking risks is suicide for a game studio”

We caught up with Crucible Gaming Founder Edward Byard who walked us through the challenges of creating an iGaming studio that seeks to become a disruptor in the industry, leveraging out-of-the-box thinking and staying ahead of the curve. Yet, standing out from the crowd is a challenge no matter how long you have been around, Byard muses, and lightens up when we mention one of the company’s latest releases – Beaver Las Vegas. Read on to find out how Byard has helped Crucible Gaming pounce onto the iGaming scene, and what he intends to do and why he thinks that there is nothing worse than not taking risks as a game studio.

Q: Can you start by introducing our readers to Crucible Gaming, can you give us an overview of who you are and what you’re setting out to achieve?

Crucible Gaming is a brand-new studio founded by very experienced individuals who are well and truly passionate about slots, both as players and creatives. We have an eclectic team, some of which come from the world of land-based gaming, whilst others hail from the iGaming sector. Because of this, I feel we are well-placed to develop and deliver games that meet the needs of various players.

Our main aim will always be to produce fantastic new games filled to the brim with engaging features and mechanics. We want to be that studio that offers a fresh perspective on what a great new slot game looks and feels like.

One thing we are really looking forward to is receiving all-important player feedback from our new releases such as Beaver Las Vegas, we are keen to get a good measure of what they think so that we can continue to create forward-thinking and innovative content that meets expectations.

Q: What sort of challenges have Crucible Gaming had to overcome as a new studio since its formation in 2022?

Realistically, I think we share the same set of challenges that pretty much every slot studio is faced with nowadays, regardless of whether they’re established or new to the scene.

That main challenge, for us and everyone else, is to simply stand out from the rest of the crowd. There are hundreds of talented suppliers creating a whole host of brand-new games week-in-week-out, but the reality is not all of them will stick. In order to keep doing what we are doing, we must create games that are not only fun and engaging but differentiate themselves from everything else.

Q: Your latest release is Beaver Las Vegas, can you give us a brief overview of the game and what makes it stand out from other releases?

Beaver Las Vegas is a 5-reel, 20-payline slot that’s guaranteed to put a smile on the face of anyone that chooses to give it a spin. This Elvis-inspired slot revolves around a gold record symbols that reveal cash values and triggers the lucrative Beaver Las Vegas Bonus.

The Beaver Las Vegas bonus is a Hold n Spin feature that sees gold records and blanks spin their way onto the reels over the course of six spins. Whenever a record lands it is held in position and can be upgraded to award even bigger cash prizes should another land on top. What’s more, the game’s protagonist, the rockin’ beaver, can award between one and fifteen extra spins at any time.

Alongside the Hold n Spin bonus, Beaver Las Vegas also boasts free spins and BONU$PLAY, meaning that players in set jurisdictions can jump straight into the Beaver Las Vegas bonus for 65x their stake.

Q: Beaver Las Vegas is bright, vibrant and most importantly fun! Do you think developers are afraid to step outside their comfort zone and deliver something a little quirky?

Yes, being different is a risk, but from our perspective not taking risks is suicide for a game studio. You’re only as good as your list game! Even if you don’t have a smash hit on your hands, as long as you’re trying to do things differently then people will appreciate it. This is a fashion business, and setting that trend is what keeps things exciting!

Q: What’s next for Crucible Gaming after Beaver Las Vegas?

We have a great lineup of new games in the pipeline for 2024 and beyond that will be revealed in good time… But what I can tell you is that the Beaver will be making a comeback in another hilarious game. We don’t want to spoil the surprise, but you’d be better get your dancing shoes ready…

Image credit: Casino Guru News