HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER: WHERE TECHNOLOGY CAN BRING YOU
HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER: WHERE TECHNOLOGY CAN BRING YOU
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the iGaming industry is witnessing transformative changes driven by product innovations and advancements in technology.
At the forefront of this evolution is Playson, a leading content provider that has made significant strides since its inception in 2012. After a technology upscale under the guidance of Oleksii Mylotskyi, who joined Playson in 2019 as Chief Technology Officer, the company has emerged as a major player in the gaming sector.
Mylotskyi brought a wealth of experience in software engineering and technical leadership from his previous roles and now oversees a team of talented PO's and IT specialists that ensure Playson's technological leadership. His insights into the challenges faced by the industry, alongside a vision for the future of technology in iGaming, have been instrumental in shaping Playson’s technological trajectory.
In a conversation with Business Enquirer, Mylotskyi shared his thoughts on the
DIRECTED BY: JESS COLLINS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY:
LAURA WATLING
company's journey, the current state of the industry, and where technologаy can take it.
Playson’s Evolution
Playson has transformed from a small startup into a prominent iGaming content provider, known for its innovative slot games and commitment to quality. The company began its journey with a vision to deliver a superior gaming experience through engaging content and robust technology.
What sets Playson apart is its unwavering commitment to delivering MORE: a philosophy that emphasizes enhancing both entertainment value and technological capabilities.
"We believe that our players deserve the best, and that’s why we are committed to providing not just great games, but a seamless experience across all touchpoints,which is only achievable with scalable and reliable technology behind it" Mylotskyi explained.
The introduction of solutions like xPlatform exemplifies this commitment, showcasing Playson’s operational excellence, scalability, as well as ensuring compliance with industry regulations and seamless integration of gaming features for its global partners.
All of this is possible with a fostered culture of ownership among engineering teams, where each unit is willing and able to take control over their product, make informed decisions and take
responsibility. The fruit of this effort is a group of strong technology leaders with a key focus on product perfection, who drive innovations across various technological platforms.
"Being at the helm of technology at Playson means constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible," said Mylotskyi.
CTO’srole involves high-level oversight of technical product delivery and exploring innovative solutions that align with the evolving demands of the gaming market. This vision extends to various aspects of the company, from cloud infrastructure to agile development practices, all designed to scale technology and delivery structures in line with the industry’s evolving demands.
Bridging the Technology Gap in iGaming
Despite the progress made in iGaming technology, significant gaps remain in delivering an immersive player experience at scale.
"Many providers focus on rapid transaction processing and scalability, but few prioritize creating an experience that feels as immersive and exciting as traditional landbase gaming machines," he explained.
Mylotskyi envisions an ideal state where games offer a consistent rhythm and responsiveness akin to physical machines, enabling full immersion in gameplay. The challenge lies in integrating the best features of physical
gaming with the versatility of online platforms.
"Imagine a world where online gaming captures the essence of being in a casino, where every spin and every interaction feels intuitive and engaging. That should be our target as an industry".
A Collaborative Approach to Player Experience
At Playson, enhancing player experience is a company-wide endeavour that involves collaboration across different domains. Mylotskyi explains that Playson product delivery operates within three main domains: the platform, promotional features, and game production.
Each domain addresses unique challenges while contributing to the overall goal of improving player experience.
Platform Domain: This domain is responsible for managing player sessions and integration with partners. Rather than focusing solely on improving the average player session, the Platform team aims to enhance even the worst 1% percentile of player experiences. "We strive to ensure that even in the worst-case scenarios, the impact on gameplay is minimal. Every player deserves a top-notch experience," Mylotskyi emphasized.
Game Production Domain: Seeking to eliminate "losses in translation" between the artists’ vision and the final product, the team is developing tools that enable art to integrate seamlessly with technology. "Our goal is to empower our artists with the tools they need to create without constant engineering support," Mylotskyi added. This way the artist’s vision is fully realized without compromise, enhancing the gaming experience and providing players with the utmost joy.
Promo Features Domain: This unique domain combines technical solutions with artistic elements, offering networked features and engaging mini-games to the core rounds that enhance the
multiplayer experience. "We focus on scaling our promotional features rapidly and effectively. Real-time streaming of player progress and achievements makes the gaming experience more engaging and competitive."
Challenges of Scalability in iGaming
The iGaming industry faces significant challenges when it comes to scalability. Mylotskyi explained that many operators manage scalability semi-manually, preparing for expected traffic spikes but often struggling to handle sudden increases in demand.
"This can lead to performance issues during peak times, ultimately impacting the player experience. We need to be proactive,"
To address these challenges, Playson is focused on designing scalable SaaS solutions like xPlatform that can effortlessly process thousands of transactions per second.
"Our architecture supports multi-region setups and handles traffic fluctuations without breaking a sweat, as we are talking about such a number as 200 million transactions daily," Mylotskyi added.
Adopting a micro-service architecture allows to provide operators and players with the seamless scaling they expect, and top-notch availability.
The Impact of Scalability on Growth
Improvements in scalability, faster load times, and higher reliability are essential for driving growth in the iGaming market. Mylotskyi draws a parallel to streaming services, where slow load times or service interruptions can lead to user attrition.
"In iGaming, if your platform can’t handle traffic efficiently, players will simply leave and never return. Because the competition is very high, we can’t afford to be slow or unavailable."
Faster spin time contributes to a smoother player experience, increasing engagement and session times. Mylotskyi emphasises that even a few milliseconds of delay can make a difference in player retention.
"If we can maintain average spin times of 150 milliseconds, we can keep players engaged longer, which ultimately boosts revenue for operators," Reliability is another crucial factor. Downtime or server issues can lead to frustration and a loss of trust among players. "A platform that offers near-perfect reliability creates a secure environment for players, enhancing satisfaction and driving growth in a competitive landscape," said Mylotskyi.
Reducing Latency and Load Times
In the pursuit of real-time gaming experiences, reducing latency and load times is paramount. Mylotskyi highlights that players expect instant outcomes, whether they are engaged in a live casino game or a fast-paced slot session.
"We must optimise our infrastructure to handle high volumes of data with minimal delay. Players shouldn’t have to wait at all," he shared.
Geographically distributed infrastructures and faster data processing pipelines are critical to minimising latency.
"Bringing games closer to players, combined with persistent connections such as WebSockets, is key to delivering a real-time gaming experience," Mylotskyi explained.
Additionally, optimising game assets and utilising distributed Content Delivery Networks (CDN) can significantly improve load times, ensuring that players can quickly access their favourite games.
Overcoming Obstacles to Reliability
Achieving near-perfect reliability in iGaming is a complex challenge. Mylotskyi identifies several key obstacles, including infrastructure vulnerabilities like server failures, network outages, and unexpected traffic spikes.
"We need to invest in redundant systems and failover protocols to ensure continuous uptime, even during peak usage periods. It is a complex endeavour of handling petabytes of analytical data in storage that are processed on dozens of servers," he stated.
Playson, for example, addresses these challenges by utilising a crossregional SaaS platform that is carefully tuned to scale efficiently during traffic spikes.
"By employing regional canary deployment strategies, we can minimise downtime and maintain service continuity for tens of thousands of users simultaneously playing on the platform around the world," Mylotskyi added.
The company also implements a comprehensive monitoring system that includes anomaly detection, allowing for proactive identification and resolution of potential issues before they impact the player experience.
Setting Higher Standards for Performance
To elevate performance standards in the iGaming industry, companies must prioritise understanding players' experiences and behaviours. Mylotskyi believes that technical leaders should not only compare themselves to other online game providers but also benchmark against industries where every millisecond matters, such as high-frequency trading and live streaming.
"We must strive for excellence not just in our industry but in comparison to the best out there. By embracing innovation and pushing for continual improvement, we can raise the bar in the iGaming sector," explained Mylotskyi.
This commitment to excellence is reflected in the company’s DNA, where the philosophy of delivering MORE drives every aspect of its operations.
The Role of Emerging Technologies
As the iGaming industry evolves, emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, and edge computing are poised to revolutionise scalability, latency, and reliability. Mylotskyi acknowledges that while AI is still in the early stages of adoption within iGaming gameplay, it has significant potential in areas like concept development, localisation, and business intelligence. "We are excited about the possibilities that AI brings to the table," he stated.
5G mobile networks are set to enhance connectivity, enabling more players to engage in real-time gaming without sacrificing performance. "With 5G, the potential for seamless gaming experiences will skyrocket, creating exciting opportunities for the industry, but the main challenge is to make this technology available to the broader audience" Mylotskyi remarked. Additionally, edge computing can facilitate faster data processing by bringing computation closer to the user, further reducing latency and improving reliability.
Future-Proofing Technology Stacks
As the iGaming landscape continues to shift, businesses must adopt measures to future-proof their technology stacks. Companies should invest in flexible, modular architectures capable of adapting to changing market demands. "Having embraced a microservices approach, with more than a 100 in use, we can ensure our technology can evolve alongside the industry," Mylotskyi added.
Additionally, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within engineering teams is crucial.
"Empowering our engineers to explore new solutions and innovate will help us stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional experiences," Mylotskyi explained.
This collaborative approach, combined
with investment in cutting-edge technologies, will ensure that Playson and the iGaming industry remain agile and responsive to emerging trends.
Security and Compliance
With the increasing scrutiny on data protection and compliance, security measures must be integrated into the technology stack from the outset.
Mylotskyi underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity protocols and continuous monitoring to protect both players and operators. "As the industry grows, so do the threats. We must stay one step ahead and prioritise security at every level of our operations,".
Investing in advanced encryption technologies and secure access controls is vital for safeguarding sensitive player
data. CTO and the entire engineering team at Playson work closely with the compliance team, fostering a collaborative approach that anticipates regulatory changes and responds proactively. By conducting retrospectives on industry cases, this partnership has established a comprehensive set of procedures that include regular security audits and strict adherence to industry standards to ensure ongoing compliance.
"We are committed to upholding the highest security standards to build trust with our players and partners," he stated.
A Vision for the Future
As the iGaming industry faces unprecedented changes driven by technology, companies like Playson are leading the charge toward a future defined by innovation and excellence.
With well-designed operational structure and strong teams under Oleksii Mylotskyi's technical leadership, Playson is not merely adapting to these changes but actively shaping the technological landscape of the iGaming sector.
Through a commitment to delivering enhanced player experiences, embracing emerging technologies, and setting higher standards for performance, Playson strives to be a role-model for the iGaming industry. Company's vision of providing MORE—more entertainment, more innovation, and more value—sets a powerful precedent in an industry poised for remarkable growth.
"Our aim is to not only meet but exceed player expectations," Mylotskyi concluded.
As players’ expectations continue to evolve, Playson stands ready to meet the challenge, transforming the iGaming experience for the better. The synergy of technology, creativity, and strategic foresight will be paramount, ensuring that Playson and the iGaming industry continue to thrive in the face of change.
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