Timur Todua: “Success in gaming is a blend of good product, timing, and marketing”

Today, we sit down with Timur Todua, Client Director at GameBeat, who provides an inside look at the development process within the studio. Todua discusses how, in today’s saturated gaming market, the key to standing out lies in creating a robust core product while also understanding market dynamics and timing a game's launch for optimal exposure and uptake.

Navigating this complex landscape can be challenging, but Todua and his team bring a wealth of experience from their deep involvement in slot gaming, which informs their approach to building successful titles. Read our full conversation with Todua below.

Q: Can you start by introducing GameBeat and what players need to know first about your products and games?

First of all, GameBeat is a relatively young and incredibly ambitious provider. We handle everything in-house: development and arts, marketing and sales, and other significant product development and delivery parts. This holistic approach ensures that every aspect of our games is crafted passionately and precisely. Many of our team members are slot players themselves, and this personal enthusiasm profoundly shapes our creations. We design games with the player in mind, striving to deliver an experience that resonates deeply with those who love slots as much as we do.

Q: What is your core philosophy in building a new game for the market today – does it come with specific considerations that are informed by current player trends and preferences?

As mentioned, our development philosophy centers on the player's perspective. To stay ahead, we keep a keen eye on industry trends, popular streaming content, and competitor analysis. Our process involves rigorous testing on focus groups, gathering invaluable feedback to fine-tune our games before they hit the market. Moreover, we are proud of innovating unique mechanics and features that set our games apart. You’ll soon see some of these innovations in our upcoming releases, designed to surprise and delight our players.

Q: Speaking of trends, is GameBeat to spot new developments in iGaming and adapt around them? What would you call a good example of achieving that already?

When we discuss trends, it’s important to notice the difference between following the trends and creating them. If we want to succeed, we must go both ways.

As for setting new trends, we’ve been experimenting a lot, and you’ve seen some of them. Stolbik 777 is an excellent example of combining dark and engaging settings and simple one-reel mechanics, reminding the players about real slot machines, which were omnipresent in CIS countries at the end of the 90s. As we expected, the idea of bringing back the players’ memories worked, and we received lots of positive feedback.

Q: What have been some of your most successful games and why do you think this was the case? Is it a matter of timing, theme, or overall marketing push?

I would highlight a few such games - Buffalo Trail, undoubtedly the classic Fortune Five Double, and the recent Wolf of Wild Street.
Success in gaming is never due to a single factor; it results from a harmonious blend of engaging mechanics, stunning art, strategic marketing, and timing. Without these elements working together, achieving significant success is challenging. For instance, a fantastic game without proper promotion might get lost in the sea of daily releases.

Conversely, a beautifully designed game with uninteresting mechanics will fail to hold players' attention. Our most successful games excel because they capture this balance, offering compelling gameplay, distinguished visual effects, and reaching the right audience at the right time.

Q: What do you reckon the biggest challenge for GameBeat is to this very day when deciding on what game to build next?

In my opinion, the biggest challenge lies not in what to build but when. Today, when we choose between many captivating mechanics and settings, launching the idea at the optimal moment is essential. Timing is everything in this industry. The market evolves cyclically, and we must catch the moment we can stand out.

Also, instead of following trends, we aim to be trendsetters. We strive to be the driving force that leads the way, ensuring that our games not only meet but exceed player expectations and set new standards in the industry.

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