What Do Players Want Next? Q&A With Janine (PearFiction Studios)

25th November 2024 - 13:00pm

PearFiction Studios has made its mark in the iGaming industry with its quirky themes, cutting-edge mechanics, and captivating visuals. From iconic titles like Blazing Piranhas and Granny vs Zombies to its groundbreaking collaborations with industry giants, the studio continues to deliver games that players love.

In this exclusive Q&A, Janine Copperstone, Senior Marketing Manager at PearFiction, gives us an inside look at the studio’s creative process, the secret to their success, and what’s next for this trailblazing game developer.

Welcome, Janine! Thank you for taking the time for chatting with us. Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing your role at PearFiction Studios??

"My name is Janine Copperstone, and I’m the Senior Marketing Manager at PearFiction Studios. I like to think of myself as the storyteller behind the studio’s success, crafting narratives that not only showcase our games but also reflect the quirky, innovative, and fun personality of PearFiction. From dynamic game release campaigns to award submissions, and even the odd Granny vs Zombies-inspired dinner party, I get to ensure our games and our studio get the spotlight they deserve!"

PearFiction is known for developing all aspects of games in-house. Can you walk us through your typical game development process, from concept to launch?

"At PearFiction, every game begins with a simple question: "What do our players want next?" From there, our creative wheels start turning. We brainstorm themes, mechanics, and visuals that will resonate with our players, and then pass those ideas to our talented art and development teams to breathe life into them.

Each game starts with concept sketches, storytelling elements, and feature designs. Once the direction is solidified, our art team creates the stunning visuals we’re renowned for while the development team works on the underlying mechanics. Throughout this process, we stay closely aligned with our QA team to ensure smooth functionality.

When the game is nearly complete, we enter what we lovingly call the "Pearfection Phase," polishing every pixel and feature until it sparkles. Then, it’s off to the operators, press, and the players—complete with marketing campaigns, teaser videos, and the occasional launch parties (we’re suckers for a good party!). Every PearFiction release feels like a mini-event."

Your games are praised for their graphics, production quality, and engaging features. How do you balance creativity with the technical aspects of game development?

"We’re a studio that thrives on collaboration and imagination. On one hand, we have our dreamers—the artists, animators, and designers—who work tirelessly to create captivating characters, imaginative storylines, and jaw-dropping visuals. On the other hand, we have our tech geniuses who turn those dreams into reality.

Balancing the two comes down to one thing: communication. From day one, our creative and technical teams work together, so there’s a constant exchange of ideas, whether it’s tweaking a feature to enhance gameplay or pushing the boundaries of what our tech can do. At PearFiction, creativity fuels the technical process, and vice versa. It’s how we turn wild ideas like "Granny fighting zombies under disco lights" into groundbreaking games."

The company's mission statement mentions developing "state-of-the-art casino games that will stand the test of time." What elements do you believe make a casino game timeless?

"A timeless casino game has to check three key boxes: fun, familiarity, and innovation. Players should feel instantly connected to the theme or characters, but there also has to be something fresh and unexpected that makes the game stand out. Features that keep players engaged, like our LockNWin mechanics or quirky storylines, play a big role in this.

Take Blazing Piranhas™ as an example. Its tongue-in-cheek, B-movie-inspired vibe gives it a charm that feels nostalgic, while its dynamic mechanics keep it exciting for modern players. It’s about delivering something players will want to come back to again and again—and that’s what we aim for with every game."

Can you elaborate on the significance of the 2022 transition to the Games Global platform? How has this partnership impacted your game distribution and reach?

"Joining the Games Global platform was a game-changer for PearFiction. It allowed us to expand our reach in ways we never thought possible. Suddenly, our games were available to operators and players across the globe, and we’ve been able to work with some of the industry’s top-tier brands, like PokerStars and William Hill.

The partnership also encouraged us to push the boundaries of our creativity. With more eyes on our games than ever before, we knew we had to level up in terms of quality, innovation, and production. It’s safe to say that the transition to Games Global propelled us into the big leagues, and we’re so proud of the strides we’ve made since then."

Looking at your game portfolio, titles like Blazing Mammoth XL, Treasures of Kilauea, and Granny Vs Zombies stand out. How do you come up with these diverse themes, and what's the process for deciding which concepts to develop?

"The key is to think like a player and not be afraid to get a little weird. Blazing Piranhas was born from our love of over-the-top B-movies, Treasures of Kilauea was inspired by epic volcanoes and their fiery power, and Granny vs Zombies—well, that one’s just us having a lot of fun with the unexpected.

When brainstorming concepts, we throw all ideas on the table—no matter how outlandish—and then narrow them down based on what’s fresh, fun, and feasible. From there, we create prototypes and test to see which mechanics and themes feel the most engaging. Diversity is key because players have such varied tastes, and we want to offer something for as many segments as possible."

Your first bespoke game with William Hill, Granny Disco Frenzy LockNWin, was recently launched. Can you tell us more about this collaboration and what makes this game unique?

"Collaborating with William Hill was an absolute blast. After the success of Granny Vs Zombies™, they wanted a bespoke game that would take the Granny character to the next level. Enter Granny Disco Frenzy!

This game takes all the charm of the original Granny but amps it up with a groovy, high-energy disco twist. It’s got our signature LockNWin 3 pot mechanics, neon visuals, and hilarious animations of Granny battling zombies under the glitterball. What makes it special is how closely we worked with William Hill’s team to tailor the game to their audience and taste. It’s bespoke, it’s bold, and it’s already breaking records for engagement."

We understand that Bunny Loot is set to be released at the end of November as a platinum release. Can you give us a sneak peek into what players can expect from this game?

"Oh, Bunny Loot is going to be an absolute riot! Imagine a seemingly cute bunny that turns into a psycho unicorn-wearing maniac chasing golden carrots. It’s packed with quirky features like Boost Collect, Nudge Collect, and a hilarious cast of sidekicks like Bert and Elma.

The LockNWin Topgraderz mechanic is a game-changer, offering huge win potential with multipliers and evolving zones. Plus, the visuals are next-level, starting in a cozy rabbit hole and expanding into a wild fantasyland. It’s got humor, charm, and dynamic gameplay—we think players are going to absolutely eat it up."

One of your newest releases, 3 Stellar Bonanza, boasts up to 7,776 ways to win on a 5x5 grid. Can you elaborate on how the Expanding Ways feature works in this cosmic-themed slot and how it enhances the player's chances of winning?

"Absolutely! In 3 Stellar Bonanza, the Expanding Ways feature is powered by Split Symbols, which allow individual symbols to divide and occupy multiple positions on the reels, creating more rows within the existing grid. This means that even though the reels don’t physically grow, the number of possible winning combinations can skyrocket as Split Symbols come into play. With up to 7,776 ways to win, players are in for an interstellar ride filled with exciting payouts and dazzling visuals that truly capture the vastness of space. It's all about delivering maximum potential while keeping gameplay dynamic and engaging!"

The online casino industry is rapidly evolving. What trends do you see shaping the future of slot game development, and how is PearFiction preparing for these changes?

"The industry is leaning heavily into personalization, gamification, and social elements. Players want games that feel tailored to their preferences, with features that encourage competition and community. At PearFiction, we’re exploring ways to integrate these trends while staying true to our quirky, high-quality style."

Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming game releases?

"Well, I can’t spill all the beans, but I can say that our next batch of games will take players on some wild adventures. Let’s just say things are going to get a little snappy down in the swamp, and the ice is about to break with some over-the-top, action-packed chaos and even perhaps a sequel to one of our most beloved titles EVER. Stay tuned—2025 is going to be a pear-fectly exciting year!"