An imminent entry into a fresh vertical, as well as bold expansion plans across jurisdictions that boast strong player demand and a mature regulatory framework, are the ultimate keys to success that are being eyed by Champion, states CEO Anton Chumel.
That was the viewpoint expressed on the showfloor of the greatest show in gaming, the Lisbon-based SBC Summit, which proved to be a popular hunting ground in being able to “open up many doors”.
Despite progressing to acknowledge an arrival within the realm of crash games before the close of the year, attention was first directed towards geographical issues in forming a solid foundation for future success.
Sights set on Eastern Europe
The riches on offer across numerous countries located in the eastern portion of the European continent forms a critical component of the gaming studio’s strategic action plan to secure a greater global market share.
A recent entry in Romania forms the foundation of this effort, however, as Chumel states that this merely forms one strand of the much larger internal ambitions possessed.
“Entering the Romanian market is a significant milestone for Champion as it solidifies our presence in Eastern Europe where the igaming industry is rapidly growing,” he says.
“Romania, being a regulated market with a large player base, offers us a platform to showcase our games to a wider audience. This move also provides us with valuable insights into player preferences in the region, enabling us to adapt our portfolio to meet local tastes”
Progress thus far has been witnessed in the shape of a Princess Casino partnership and a promise that further major Romanian players will soon follow suit. In addition, a collaboration with local streamer Stero Slots that is tasked with ramping up engagement with the country’s igaming community.
Despite these recent alignments offering a solid foothold that Champion is confident will “boost brand recognition”, Chumel assures that “future goals are to expand even further”.
A strong foundation for sustainable growth
Taking a more global outlook, Chumel highlighted one particular continent, which has proven to be a popular talking point on the industry’s agenda of late, in suggesting where Champion believes a further uplift in performance could be felt.
“We are continuously assessing new jurisdictions that provide a stable regulatory environment and a growing player base,” he states.
However, this comes alongside a certain set of parameters being identified and met. These primarily include emerging and regulated markets offering a strong foundation for sustainable growth, in addition to exhibiting player demand and a mature regulatory framework.
“Latin America stands out as an exciting region, with countries like Brazil and Argentina offering immense potential for growth,” Chumel comments.
“Additionally, we are keen to explore other regions with similar dynamics where our diverse portfolio of games can truly resonate with local audiences.
“By tailoring our offerings to fit player preferences in these regions, we believe we can establish a strong presence and make a lasting mark.”
An aggregation vs direct integration dilemma
A common conundrum encountered within the igaming space is with regards to the most optimal way for developers of all sizes to ensure that their content is placed in front of as many eyes as possible.
The rise of aggregation platforms, and the importance of the space they occupy within the wider ecosystem, has been clear for all to see. One question remains though; are we witnessing a demise of direct integrations?
For Chumel, partnerships with operators themselves, as well as via larger platforms, each remain as viable options, however, market conditions are the ultimate determining factor on which would reign supreme.
“Aggregators allow us to reach new markets quickly and with less complexity, as they provide access to multiple operators through a single integration,” he comments. “This is particularly effective in emerging or highly fragmented markets.
“However, in more mature or strategically important markets, direct integration offers more control over the user experience and ensures closer relationships with operators, allowing us to better align our offerings with player expectations.”
Reiterating his earlier point, Chumel highlights that a hybrid approach is most likely to be the path that is followed by Champion in aiming to reach and ultimately surpass its worldwide ambitions.
Consistent evolution = positive results
A consistent focus on player and partner feedback is stipulated by Chumel as being integral in ensuring that Champion’s roadmap continues to adapt to meeting the varying desires of its user base.
Whether this comprises a colour scheme, theme, overall design or one of a number of other factors, the studio’s CEO is confident of staying ahead amid a growing demand for more immersive and appealing gameplay.
“At Champion, we focus on developing games that offer unique mechanics, such as bonus buys, free spins, and engaging bonus games,” he says.
“Our development strategy includes the use of cutting-edge technologies like 3D symbols and animations, ensuring an exciting and fresh experience.
“We are also exploring crash games, such as our upcoming release, to cater to the rise of non-traditional game formats. Our goal is to maintain a balance between classic themes, like fruit and lucky sevens, and newer, trendier themes such as adventure and mythology.”
A key part of this action plan will see Champion spread its wings as the company sets a collision course with a number of developers that have been looking at one niche in particular for future growth.
An entry into the crash game vertical is intended to be made before the close of the year, when it is also hoped the Champion roadmap ramps up from one launch per month to two.
Elsewhere, Anubis Spell and Safari Ways Deluxe are a pair of titles labelled as standing out, with interested parties urged to look out for a “commitment to offering engaging, high-quality experiences”.
