Interview with Yann Bautista Wiberg, founder of Peter and Sons game provider
**Introduction**
*Mike Collins*: Welcome, everyone, to today's interview. I'm Mike Collins, and I have the pleasure of speaking with Yann Bautista Wiberg, one of the founders of Peter & Sons, a rising star in the iGaming industry. Yann has been instrumental in shaping the company's success and vision, and today, we're going to dive into some intriguing aspects of his work, the games they create, and his thoughts on the industry. Yann, thank you for joining us today.
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: Thank you, Mike. I'm excited to be here and to share more about what we do at Peter & Sons.
**Interview Questions**
1. **RTP Transparency**
*Mike Collins*: First off, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to check the RTP of your games. For example, to check the percentage of return to a player from Play'n GO, you need to go into the page code, which seems to me not very player-friendly. How does Peter & Sons handle RTP transparency, particularly in markets like Ontario where RTP is limited to 80%?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: We're excited to be part of the Ontario market and prioritise transparency in our games. Players can easily find the RTP information in the game rules, so they always know what to expect. I'm surprised to hear about the 80% RTP limit in Ontario. Typically, we offer games with RTPs ranging from 91-94% and up to 96%, depending on the market, regulations, and taxes. Ultimately, it's up to the operators to decide which RTP they want to provide to their players. An 80% RTP does seem quite low, and we don't develop games at that level. We aim to create a more engaging and rewarding experience, which higher RTPs help achieve.
2. **RTP Consistency in Bonus Buys**
*Mike Collins*: I also want to ask about RTP in your games when buying bonuses. If I buy a bonus in your game, is the RTP the same as when playing your slot normally?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: We keep the RTP consistent whether you trigger the bonus game naturally or buy it. This consistency is required by certification standards in many markets, ensuring the RTP remains the same regardless of how you play the game.
3. **Player Deception with Low RTP**
*Mike Collins*: Don't you think that offering an RTP as low as 80% could be considered deceptive to players? People play casino games to win, but with an RTP of 80%, this seems almost impossible.
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: As mentioned, it's up to the operator to decide what RTP they want to offer their players, often based on regulatory requirements and applied taxes. For example, in Germany, many operators serve RTPs of 86-91% due to the way taxes are applied. Experienced players, I'm sure, avoid playing in a casino with 80% RTP versions if they know the games are available with higher RTPs elsewhere.
4. **Personal Background**
*Mike Collins*: Let's talk a bit about you. How long have you been working at Peter & Sons, and what are your responsibilities?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: I'm one of the founders of Peter & Sons and have been with the company from the start. My role has changed over time but has always focused on commercial activities, marketing, administration, and managing investor relations. Right now, as the Business Director, I oversee our commercial and marketing teams and handle a lot of administrative tasks. We maintain a startup mindset, so we're deeply involved in every aspect of the business, balancing multiple roles to drive our success.
5. **Motivation for Creating Casino Games**
*Mike Collins*: Why did you decide to create casino games, and what did you do before entering the gambling industry?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: I've been involved in gaming for many years, starting with my own companies where development times were much longer. When I transitioned into iGaming, I was captivated from the beginning. The industry is incredibly dynamic, and we often release more than one game a month, which keeps things exciting and prevents any chance of boredom. The commercial side of iGaming is also fascinating, with numerous actors and players in the field, providing endless opportunities for growth.
6. **Game Design Process**
*Mike Collins*: Your games have a cool and unusual design. Who is responsible for the visuals? Is it one person or a team of artists?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: It's a team of artists, each with their own unique style. This diversity in artistic expression is one of our pillars at Peter & Sons. We respect and celebrate individual creativity, and it's something we specifically look for when recruiting artists. This approach ensures that each game has a distinct and captivating visual identity.
7. **Game Development Process**
*Mike Collins*: I've always wondered, what's the process from idea to game creation at Peter & Sons? Could you walk us through it?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: We work in a very collaborative environment, involving everyone in the company in different aspects of game development. Typically, our design and math team generate various models, creating a pool of ideas, including concepts for similar games. These ideas are then allocated to our artists, who start by proposing initial ideas and preparing a few concepts. Each project has one dedicated artist and one programmer, who also acts as the project manager, overseen by our product manager. We have shared resources such as music, sound effects, and animations across projects. Every Friday, we hold a review session where the entire team plays the game and provides feedback. This collaborative and integrated approach ensures that each game has a unique idea and design, maintaining our standard of creativity while involving the entire team in the development process.
8. **Inspiration and Innovation**
*Mike Collins*: Where does your team get inspiration to create new games? You don't seem to follow the reskin strategy like some other providers.
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: We don't do reskins; every game is unique. While we sometimes get inspired by or take existing mechanics, we always add a twist to provide something new and original. This commitment to innovation ensures that our games offer fresh and engaging experiences for players.
9. **Personal Favourite Slots**
*Mike Collins*: What is your personal favourite slot from Peter & Sons and from another provider?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: My personal favourite slot from our company is Barbarossa. It's one of the best double max slots, starting with small payouts but capable of reaching crazy multipliers. Due to its popularity, we're excited to release its sequel, Barbarossa Revenge, on October 1st. This new title features the Cannon Cashout, which almost guarantees a win – something we know players will love! From another provider, I think Fire Portals from Pragmatic Play is fantastic, with its merging Wilds and multipliers adding a great twist to the Jamming Jars-like mechanic.
10. **MegaWays Technology**
*Mike Collins*: Do you plan to create a game with MegaWays technology? What are your thoughts on MegaWays slots?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: Sure, why not. However, if we're going to use the MegaWays trademark, we need to feel that we can create and provide some unique value. Just making another clone doesn't feel right to us. We want to ensure that any MegaWays game we develop stands out with distinctive features and a fresh approach.
11. **Maximum Win Potential**
*Mike Collins*: I've noticed that your games generally have a maximum possible win of X10000. Do you have any plans to create games with larger possible wins?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: While it's true that our sweet spot is around 10,000x, we do have games with higher win potential. For example, Barbarossa offers a maximum win of 20,000x, and Robin Nottingham Riders and Hammer of Gods have even higher potentials. Our upcoming release, Barbarossa Revenge, will feature a max win potential of 30,000x the bet. Higher max wins usually mean higher volatility, which isn't for everyone. We strive to cater to a broad market and balance our portfolio for different types of players. However, it's important to note that max exposure can be limited by factors such as maximum bet amounts and operator policies, which can influence our design decisions.
12. **Future Game Releases**
*Mike Collins*: How many games from Peter & Sons should we expect this year?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: We still have some great games to come out this year. One of them is Evil Devil, set to be released around the 10th of September, featuring innovative mechanics such as sticky respins, power splits, and increasing multipliers, all set in a dark, hellish theme. Another highly anticipated release is Barbarossa Revenge, coming on the 1st of October, which we are really looking forward to. Additionally, we have some exciting fishing games and some Peter & Sons classics lined up, which are looking really cool!
13. **Company's Near-Future Plans**
*Mike Collins*: What are your company's plans for the near future?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: Our plans for the near future include developing more and better slot games while also experimenting with other types of games such as instant games, scratch cards, and crash games. We aim to keep expanding and opening more regulated markets, with a particular focus on the US market.
14. **Ontario Market**
*Mike Collins*: Are there any plans to start working in the Ontario market?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: Yes, we are already active in
the Ontario market. We received our Ontario licence and went live in January this year with SkillonNet. Ontario is a very important market for us, and we are excited about the opportunities it offers. You can find more details about our debut in Ontario here.
15. **Progressive Jackpot Slot**
*Mike Collins*: Are there any plans to create a progressive jackpot slot? What is your attitude toward jackpot games?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: Yes, we are looking into creating a progressive jackpot slot, though we don't have an ETA yet. We see jackpot games as an exciting way to enhance the player experience, offering both thrilling gameplay and the potential for substantial wins. Different types of jackpots, including progressive ones, add significant appeal and are something we want to explore further.
16. **Generosity of New Slots**
*Mike Collins*: When a new slot comes out, I and many players get the impression that the new game is more generous when it is first released, but then the slot becomes more greedy. Is there any truth in this?
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: When a new game is released, it often has higher exposure and attracts a larger number of players, which can lead to more frequent big wins being reported. As the game's exposure decreases over time and the player base diminishes, the number of reported big wins also tends to drop. This can create the impression that the game becomes less generous, but it's more about changes in player volume and visibility rather than any alteration in the game's RTP or mechanics.
17. **Future of iGaming**
*Mike Collins*: Where do you see iGaming in five years? It seems that the industry is facing serious challenges, given all the changes in regulation.
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: The iGaming industry will keep evolving and we need to "adapt or die". As long as there's strong player demand, the industry will adjust to regulatory changes and new technologies. It's important to recognise that gambling is an adult activity with risks, including addiction. Regulations are in place to protect players and ensure responsible gaming.
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**Conclusion**
*Mike Collins*: Yann, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today. It's been incredibly insightful to learn more about Peter & Sons, your approach to game development, and your thoughts on the industry's future. I really appreciate the opportunity to discuss these topics, especially the transparency around RTP and your plans for the future.
*Yann Bautista Wiberg*: Thank you, Mike. It's been a pleasure to share our journey with you and your audience. We're excited about what the future holds and are committed to continuing to deliver innovative and engaging gaming experiences.
*Mike Collins*: We'll be keeping an eye on Peter & Sons for those upcoming releases. Thanks again, Yann, and best of luck with all your projects!
Top 5 Slots from Peter & Sons
Here are the top 5 slots from Peter & Sons, showcasing their unique design and innovative gameplay:
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Mutagenes
Mutagenes is a visually striking slot with a futuristic, sci-fi theme. The game features a unique mechanic where players collect "Mutagene" symbols that can lead to big wins. The slot's innovative gameplay and immersive atmosphere make it a standout title in Peter & Sons' portfolio. -
Dungeon Tower MultiMax
Dungeon Tower MultiMax offers an adventurous experience, set in a medieval dungeon. The game uses the MultiMax mechanic, where multipliers stack on top of each other across the reels, increasing the potential for massive wins. The engaging theme and dynamic gameplay have made this slot a favourite among players. -
Peter Hunter
Peter Hunter brings players into the world of a skilled bounty hunter. The slot is packed with exciting features like free spins, wilds, and bonus rounds that keep the gameplay thrilling. Its engaging storyline and high-quality graphics make Peter Hunter a must-play for fans of action-packed slots. -
Thunder Hawk
Thunder Hawk is a slot inspired by Native American culture, with stunning visuals and a powerful soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience. The game features expanding wilds, free spins, and a high volatility level, making it a great choice for players who enjoy chasing big wins. -
Dragonblox Gigablox
Dragonblox Gigablox combines epic fantasy with the innovative Gigablox mechanic, where giant symbols can appear on the reels, leading to massive payouts. The game's rich graphics and engaging features, including free spins and bonus rounds, make it a standout title in the Peter & Sons collection.
Mark Patterson is the news writer at CasinosInCanada who covers the latest developments in the iGaming industry, including casino launches, regulations, and market updates.
