Q&A: Head of Studio, Ihor Lozynskyi, speaks to Comparasino
Comparasino spoke to Push Gaming's Head of Studio, Ihor Lozynsky about some of our hit releases from the last few months and beyond, taking a look at what titles have driven our success and what's in store for the remainder of the year!
Jammin' Jars is the game that really catapulted Push Gaming into the spotlight. What was it about the game that resonated so well with players?
It’d be fair to say that the stars aligned with regards to Jammin' Jars! It wasn’t a game we were expecting to be as popular as it was, but from the moment it went live we knew we had a hit on our hands.
As to why it was so popular, firstly, it was one of the earlier cluster pays slots to hit the market, so there was a lot of intrigue there. Secondly, the overall design and theming hit the spot for so many players. Jammin Jars' is bright, vibrant and most importantly fun to look at as well as play! It’s just one of those games you can’t take your eyes off.
How has the studio managed to continue its successful momentum in the years that have followed?
We put a lot of stock into what our players think and say about our games, and we don’t churn out games for the sake of creating content. With every single release we listen to what players, influencers and operators are saying and we adjust our titles accordingly in order to ensure that we’re meeting their demands.
We’re also firmly of the belief that to be successful in this day and age you need to have a diverse portfolio of games that cater for all manner of players. Ultimately, I’d say keeping our games fresh is what has cemented us a leader in the industry.
What would you say your most successful games have been in the last year and beyond, and what is it about them that led to them being such big hits?
I think we can look towards a lot of our popular sequels with great pride. Wild Swarm 2, Razor Returns and Razor Ways are all top performers, as is Retro Sweets!
These games took what made their original releases so popular and added additional features and mechanics to make improvements where we felt they were needed. As a result, we have a whole host of games that are universally acclaimed by players around the world.
Candy Blast is one of the latest releases from Push, what can you tell us a little bit more about this release and what players can expect?
This slot utilises a pays-anywhere mechanic with cascading wins and total multipliers that can reach heights of x2048. The free spins bonus also boasts the Multiplier Strike-Out feature that sees players tasked with hitting three consecutive cascading wins to climb the multiplier ladder.
It’s a fast, punchy slot that’s perfect for players who love high volatility gameplay. It follows a format that works well for Push Gaming, so we always had confidence that it’d perform well.
This game is another addition to the hugely popular genre of sweet-themed slots! Why do you think this theme is so popular with players?
It’s no secret that familiarity reigns when it comes to online slots. If you look at some of the most popular slots both in land-based casinos and online, they are usually themed in a similar way. Sweet themed slots are up there with fruit-themed titles, and of course games that take inspiration from ancient Egypt and the luck of the Irish!
Are Free Spin features on their own enough to entice players to play a game in this day and age, or do they need to be enhanced with additional mechanics, such as the win multiplier in Candy Blast?
It can be beneficial to add depth to games by enhancing classic features such as free spins. With so many new releases on a near daily basis it’s important that games stand out from the crowd. What’s more, who doesn’t enjoy win multipliers?
On the other hand, I don’t think every single game needs to be filled to the brim with features and mechanics. There’s a market out there for simple slots, and quite often a game is strong enough to stand on its own, regardless of how complex it is.
Can you give us an insight into what new games are coming from Push Gaming throughout the rest of the year?
We’re particularly excited about 3 Magic Pots! This game has an alchemy-themed setup with multiple Bonus games that can be triggered in different combinations. This is a fresh direction for us, and we’re looking forward to seeing how players engage with it.
We also have Olympus Unleashed, a game packed with features that offer strong individual gameplay moments, with even more potential when combined. It’s a unique addition to our lineup.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning Henry the Ape, the most volatile of the three games mentioned. It’s a Ways game featuring the popular Nudging mechanic and a progressive bonus game, offering plenty of action and potential for big wins.
