As the much-anticipated conference gets into full swing, we caught up with FunFair Games CEO Mark McGinley to delve into the group’s vision, competition for a coveted award and what we can expect through the remainder of the year and beyond.
CasinoBeats: Given FunFair Games’ next-gen vision – would you argue that player demand has evolved far beyond what we’ve seen from the last 10 years? What direction do you see the industry taking when it comes to gameplay?
Mark McGinley: I like the challenge that lies ahead of us which in my opinion, is to create a new wave of games for a new generation of players whilst not forgetting about our existing player base. We often talk about the next generation of gamblers, but I think it’s important not to forget the large audience of players today.
When comparing the expectations of this new demographic to the previous generation, you’ll see that they’re quite contrasting. Therefore, we need to keep an open mind and not be afraid to step outside the norm and free ourselves to try new things.
The challenge ahead excites me and this was a big reason as to why I moved away from the more traditional side of the industry and entered into this new fast emerging space.
CB: Given your appointment as CEO and your vision for the company – what makes this year special for FunFair Games to attend? Can we expect any exciting announcements?
MM: I’m thrilled to say that we’ve covered a huge amount of ground in a very short period of time, during which we’ve learnt a lot. Now it’s time for us to apply those learnings accordingly into the next leg of the journey.
We’re currently in the process of evolving and expanding our business, so this is a hugely exciting time for everyone at the company. We’re a very ambitious group and we have big plans to take our business to the next level. There’s a huge opportunity ahead of us and it’s one we plan to grab with both hands. I’m confident that the industry will see a very different FunFair Games in 2023.
CB: Looking at the shortlist for this year’s SBC Awards – there’s plenty of talent competing for this year’s Rising Star in Casino Innovation. What makes FunFair Games stand out as a true differentiator in the casino space?
MM: True innovation in the real money casino space is hard to come by. At FunFair Games we seek to establish ourselves as a pioneer with our unique and diverse portfolio, consisting of non-traditional and arcade-style content such as our suite of multiplayer crash games.
This is still a new and emerging gaming vertical in the real money casino space, and one we’re constantly learning more about. Our target audience has a different set of requirements and expectations; therefore, we try our best to fulfil their preferences and plan to continue doing so, with a growing portfolio of diverse features, mechanics and game types.
What makes us stand out is our games’ appeal, due to the high level of craftsmanship that goes into all of our products, which build on strong technical foundations. Real-time multiplayer crash games aren’t easy to produce, and often the simplicity of the game can undermine the technical challenges involved in developing such games.
I like to think that we’ve taken the crash-game mechanic and added our own twist to it, giving our titles a strong identity. Like any good studio we listen, learn and adapt. I’m excited to see the studio grow and evolve further in 2023.
CB: Are there any exciting releases we can expect in 2022 and beyond?
MM: We have just released the aforementioned Dig It, which is another creative take on the thrilling crash mechanic we’ve explored previously, but this time it will be presented in a very different visual format. To continue this successful output, we’ll be releasing Hugo: Up & Away on the w/c 26th of September as part of our recently announced partnership with 5th Planet Games.
Building on the successful mechanics seen in our hit title, AstroBoomers: To The Moon! players can rest assured that we’ve taken what we know and have looked to enhance the player experience accordingly.
The star of the show this time is the iconic Scandinavian cartoon character, Hugo from Danish 5th Planet Games’ hit interactive live TV game show from the 90s which was aired in more than 40 countries. Delivering a fantastic communal experience, bringing players together as the adorable troll navigates the stormy sky and avoids the fatal lightning which can put a stop to his journey. This captivating title promises a high-octane, yet simple-to-play gaming experience.
The team are now busy cooking up the next wave of new and exciting games which will see us expand our portfolio even further, with a unique assortment of features, mechanics and a diverse suite of game types that we firmly believe will be a big hit with players in 2023.
It’s definitely an exciting time for FunFair Games, with a lot going on and plenty more to come in the weeks and months ahead.
