Zeusplay - Interview with Antonio Zlatanos
Zeusplay CEO Antonio Zlatanos discusses the game developer’s past and future, its growing presence in the industry and the wider online gaming business. Here, we ask him 10 questions.
Q1.: It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your work has helped take the business from Sparkle to Zeusplay; what achievement at Zeus Play are you most proud of?
Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well. I’m glad you know about our journey through the gambling business, from 1995 to today.
I’m especially proud that Zeusplay has spent years creating successful slot and lottery games. We continue to grow our client base and expand the brand internationally.
Q2.: Can you tell us more about Zeusplay’s background?
My first business was Sparkle Computers & Games. We started in an uncertain environment, when Greek legislation had completely prohibited gaming activity. By 2012, we had built up broader experience in local and international markets and attended many exhibitions in Athens, London, Bucharest and elsewhere. We then founded Zeusplay, dedicated exclusively to developing online gambling games.
Our venture is built around a capable, highly educated team that develops its work from the ground up. I’m proud of my colleagues and the part they’ve played in bringing the company this far. Our progress has also attracted new investment. In the past few days, an investment group has started supporting us and will help us move our business objectives forward.
Q3.: How would you describe growth and competition in Europe’s gaming sector, and what has changed over the last year?
Pandemic lockdowns led to a steep decline in land-based gambling, including casinos and gaming halls. The suspension of sports matches and events also had a negative impact on the global gaming industry.
Online gaming, including online casinos, did grow. But with the worldwide disruption caused by Coronavirus, I don’t think it reached the level we had expected.
We made real progress in technology and in developing new game models. We found that working from home had a positive effect on the development of our games.
I hope we don’t face Coronavirus again and that life can go on without further setbacks of this kind.
Q4.: Live casinos are becoming more popular. Are you considering moving into that area?
We’ve noticed the growing popularity of live casinos as well.
I can say that our future plans include entering this game category too.
You’ll have to wait until next year to see what we have in store.
Q5.: What about mobile gaming? Do you expect it to reach more players, and how?
The smartphone revolution of recent years means we need to serve players on their phones, too. All our games are mobile friendly, and we work to support a wide range of devices. They need to load quickly and be easy to access on mobile. The interface must also work well in landscape or portrait mode, so players can enjoy a consistent experience.
Q6.: Zeusplay’s experience has helped it create engaging games. You already accept many crypto payment options, and new languages beyond English are coming soon. What’s next?
I’m glad you brought this up. As I mentioned, our main goal is to keep creating distinctive, innovative games while putting the player experience first.
We’re working on five new games for release by the end of this year, with launches planned during 2021. Our new title “FAIRY’S GOLDEN PATH” is due in September, probably by the time you read this interview. Another game, “EMPEROR’S CURSE”, is scheduled to launch by the end of September. We also expect to introduce a new lottery game for retail use at land-based agencies, broadening our lottery portfolio. The games are set to be shown at ICE London Expo, which we hope will finally take place in February.
Q7.: Zeusplay and UOM developed an advanced tool that provides useful statistics. Innovation is part of your offer to partners. What else makes Zeus Play’s package stand out?
I’d add that Zeusplay’s Math tool was developed by our Mathematics Department in collaboration with the Department of Applied informatics at the University of Macedonia. It’s designed to refine our game models and improve the end-user experience.
Several things set Zeusplay’s package apart: our highly educated, experienced staff; products that are regularly updated with new features and capabilities; and tools that help customers manage those products. Our server network is also designed to maintain maximum uninterrupted functionality under varying loads.
Q8.: The years 2020-2021 brought major challenges. How did Zeusplay respond to the Pandemic?
As I mentioned earlier, the pandemic made these years difficult around the world. Businesses of all kinds have had to find their own ways to deal with the challenges it brought.
We used that period to experiment with new technologies. You’ll soon see how we plan to put them to work in our products.
Q9.: You have more than 30 titles. Which Zeusplay game is your favourite right now, and why?
My favourite game is always the next one, and every title we create after that.
I’m fond of all the games we’ve made, each for a different reason. When we test a title before release and add it to our game list, it becomes one of my favourite casino games—until the next one comes along.
Q10.: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
In 2022, Zeusplay will celebrate 10 years of continuous activity in the gambling industry. We’ll mark the 10th anniversary by releasing distinctive games.
Stay tuned for updates—and game on!
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
