Studio Spotlight: Neko Games on their mission to redefine bingo

With some seriously talented studios in its growing network of development partners, Games Global has set about powering a whole new movement in epic iGaming content creation.

Specialist video bingo creators Neko Games is just one of those teams helping drive the future of online gaming, which is dedicated to crafting innovative yet simple video bingo experiences exclusively for Games Global customers. With a keen understanding of the video bingo market thanks to their Latin American origins, Neko bring innovative new mechanics, bonus features, and intuitive user interface to traditional bingo.

As their latest title Mae Do Ouro: Golden Spirit™ went live this week, we caught up with managing director Sebastián Perrier to find out a little more about the studio's unique approach and success so far.

Q. Tell us about the studio and your team.

A. Neko Games was founded in Buenos Aires in 2019 by a small but passionate group of iGaming professionals with a background working for top-tier casino operators. So, although we’re still relative newcomers compared to some of the more established games studios out there, our collective industry experience gave us a solid foundation for what we wanted to build.

The initial focus was on creating instant bingos because we felt this category had fallen behind other casino products in terms of innovation, graphics, and gameplay, and we knew from personal experience that bingo is still an incredibly popular game, particularly in LatAm and other developing markets, but also in Spain and the UK.

Our research indicated that new players are often averse to complex, feature-overloaded games with complicated rules and sophisticated mechanics, but they’re still curious about online gaming and want to try it. That’s where our games come in. As a widely understood, socially accepted and affordable product, instant bingos are the perfect entry point to the world of online gaming.

By combining traditional bingo with thrilling, rewarding features more commonly found in slots, like jackpot prizes and bonus rounds, we’re able to provide players with a unique gaming experience that’s reassuringly familiar and unexpectedly exciting.

Since launching our first three games - Pachinko, FU88, and Super Showball - our team has grown significantly. We've recruited a diverse group of talented individuals who share our passion for innovative gaming experiences, allowing us to broaden our game offerings and stay at the top of our game when we’re busier than ever.

Q. What makes your studio different to others?

A. We are redefining bingo by combining the simple mechanics of the classic game with advanced slots features to provide a thrilling new casino experience. We’re the only dedicated video bingo studio providing content exclusively to Games Global customers, catering to that ever-growing bingo audience, especially in newly regulated markets.

What makes our studio unique is our dedication to enhancing the gaming experience for both newcomers and our loyal players. On one hand, we're passionate about injecting new energy into the instant bingo scene with sleek graphics, intriguing themes, and exciting features that aren't typically found in these kinds of games. We want to make sure first-timers are not just interested but genuinely impressed.

On the other hand, we're equally committed to our regular players. We aim to keep them engaged by providing bigger and better versions of the games they already love. We like to throw in surprises, too, like the groundbreaking free rounds bonus in Amazing Pharaoh, a world-first for instant bingos.

Alongside original titles, we’ve also set about pairing slot industry icons with our own innovative mechanics, delivering a range of instant bingo adaptations of existing popular titles including Immortal Romance™ Video Bingo and Thunderstruck II Video Bingo. This unique approach is not only resolving content gaps across the market, but it’s also extending the appeal of bingo to a wider audience.

What truly sets us apart is our ability to strike a balance that appeals to both newcomers and die-hard fans. Operators can confidently promote any of our games, knowing they'll resonate with instant bingo enthusiasts and slot lovers, new players and veterans alike. Neko Games specializes in creating games that transform simple game mechanics into thrilling, rewarding and fun adventures that people can trust.

Q. What are your standout titles and what made them successful?

One of our earliest and most popular titles, Pachinko, truly hit the mark when we introduced it in January 2020, and it's been a firm fan-favourite ever since. It’s hard to pinpoint its success to any one factor, but more a combination of factors that came together at the right time. When it first launched it featured our biggest jackpot of 5000x, a sophisticated 5-level bonus round, and, of course, the lucky Maneki-neko theme, which draws inspiration from Japan's famous beckoning cat and the fascinating legend of the Gōtoku-ji temple, adding a touch of good fortune to the experience.

But the real standout in our lineup has to be Don Bingote. This game marked a turning point for us. It offers story-driven gameplay inspired by the adventures of Don Quixote, two 5-level bonus rounds, a Pick bonus, a 5,000x jackpot, stunning graphics, and an animated character that celebrates every win alongside you, creating a truly immersive experience. In fact, we were so thrilled with its success that we had a 3D-printed Don Bingote character made for us! Since its release in 2021, it's consistently ranked in the top 15 games in Spain, according to SlotCatalog, not just in the video bingo category but across all game categories. Don Bingote was a real success story for us.

Q. What is your personal favourite title from your studio?

A. Undoubtedly, my personal favourite is Catrina™. It's one of our most recent releases and represents the culmination of a tremendous amount of creativity from our team.

It shares the same successful engine as Don Bingote, but we've made some major upgrades in the visual department so the game really stands out. Couple the gameplay and graphics with a captivating soundtrack and it’s our most complete game to date.

As a games studio with deep roots in Latin American culture, we were thrilled to create a game which celebrates our region's cultural traditions. The story is inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, but it’s a theme that holds obvious universal appeal. While is has resonated across the LatAm region, it really seems to be captivating players from all corners. I'm confident that players will keep returning to this one for years to come.

Q. What is your favourite part of the game development process?

My favourite part is reflecting on previous releases to understand why players not only choose our games but also continue to play them for an extended period. It's incredibly rewarding to witness the high retention rate our games enjoy, and that’s what informs our decision-making in the game development process, ensuring our games meet player expectations so they stay engaged in the long run.

While some games are initially tailored for a specific region or country, I enjoy seeing how they can be adapted for a global audience, drawing players from diverse backgrounds and locations. This cross-cultural consideration adds a unique layer of satisfaction to the game development journey, and challenges our team to tap into their creativity to craft experiences that resonate with players worldwide.

Q. What trends do you see for the future of our industry?

A. We’re in such a fast-moving industry that it’s hard to look too far ahead, but I think it’s safe to say today’s trends are poised to gain even more momentum.

The shift towards mobile gaming, for example, will continue to be a key consideration for game creators, and a mobile-first approach to game design will be the norm. Bingo games in particular are notorious for their challenging adaptation to mobile play due to their unique format, but that’s a problem we’ve already solved, even in portrait mode, so we’re already ahead of the curve on that one.

Studios are always looking to introduce the next big thing in gaming, so it’s only a matter of time before we see another game-changer. We’ll need to find creative ways to seamlessly integrate the latest features into instant bingo games to keep our players happy and engaged.

Another consideration is expansion into new jurisdictions, and capitalising on the regulatory trends in LatAm which are opening up new markets all the time. Game studios across the industry will need to adapt their offerings to align with local preferences as these markets evolve. We’ve already seen tastes adapt in a few short years, so it’s something we continue to keep a close eye on.

Industry-wide, we're aiming for bigger and better prizes. Expect even larger progressive jackpots, setting the stage for record-breaking wins in the near future. We’re really keen to get involved in the Games Global network jackpots so we have some truly life-changing bingo jackpots to shout about, it will be another huge milestone for us!

Q. What can we expect from the studio roadmap?

A. We’re always looking for captivating stories to tell. The latest in our 2023 roadmap, Mae Do Ouro: Golden Spirit™, brings a fascinating tale to life by combining a classic myth with the latest instant bingo mechanics.

Mae do Ouro or ‘Mother of Gold’ in English, is a legendary figure from Brazilian folklore, and while the Portuguese title and regional theme naturally cater to players in LatAm, we’re confident its exotic nature and the promise of golden riches will have worldwide appeal.

It’s available now exclusively via the Games Global platform. We hope you like it!

Stay up to date with all things Neko Games by following them on LinkedIn here.