Just For the Win requires no introduction. By now, most of our readers have become very well acquainted with this industry-leading studio, but in case you still need a reminder, we are more than happy to provide one.
Two years after our first chat, Johan Persson, the CEO of Just For the Win Studios, was kind enough to sit down and chat with CasinosOnline team about 2022, 2023 plans, and the hottest topic for today – Divine Riches Diana slot. And for one of the main stars in the Games Global constellation, this year is already looking quite busy!
See what he shared with us right below.
- Hello, welcome to CasinosOnline! Let’s start with some introductions – can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your role in the team?
Greetings, it is an honor to be here. My name is Johan Persson, and I am the CEO and founder of Just For The Win Studios. I am highly passionate about this company and consider it my pride and joy. As CEO, I am committed to putting in the necessary time and effort to ensure that Just For The Win Studios is a great company and exemplary in terms of internal operations and external interactions.
- How would you introduce Just For The Win to those not familiar with your work? What makes your games stand out from the crowd?
Just For The Win is an industry-leading slot studio founded in 2016 with a commitment to creating exceptional video slots. Our mission is to deliver entertaining and engaging games that captivate our players while fostering a creative and enjoyable work environment for our teams.
With studios in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Kyiv, Ukraine, our portfolio boasts over 50 high-quality video slot games, solidifying our position as a top player in the industry.
- Before we dive into the topic at hand, let's take a quick look at the year behind us. How was 2022 for Just For The Win? Can you highlight any new releases, impressions, or lessons learned?
In 2022, we faced significant challenges as a company due to the invasion of Ukraine. The people there are more than our colleagues; they are our friends.
Naturally, our primary concern was ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees both in and outside Ukraine. However, despite the challenges we faced, we released several high-quality games. A few of my favorites are Western Gold 2, the exciting sequel to our famous Western Gold game.
Diamond Sands, where players collect diamonds in Sunset Free Spins to increase win multipliers and earn additional free spins. Bonus tokens can also trigger the Diamond Wheel for a chance to win cash prizes.
Lastly, Trojan Kingdom. This game immerses players in a majestic kingdom filled with untold riches and allows them to experience the beauty of classic architecture as they uncover the myth of riches.
Despite the challenges we faced, we are incredibly proud of the accomplishments we made during the year. We were thrilled to take home the Game Of The Year award at the prestigious International Gaming Awards and to win Company Of The Year at the WiG Diversity awards. These achievements are a testament to our team's hard work and dedication.
Through difficult times, we have learned that we can overcome obstacles with determination and perseverance. We are truly grateful for the lessons we have learned and the growth from challenges.
- Now, Just For The Win is starting 2023 with a new slot game called Divine Riches Diana. Let’s start with a quick rundown – what would you say is the ‘gist’ of this exciting new release?
Divine Riches Diana, a fitting follow-up to the success of Divine Riches Helios, would be the Greek Goddess of the Moon, Diana. The Diana symbol pays both ways, and when the moonlight falls on the Earth, she invites the bravest heroes to join her in the godly hunt.
- Do you wish to point out any specific parts of the game? Basically, what’s the game’s main attraction – the features and mechanics, the graphics, or something else entirely?
The game's main attraction is to gather three or more sun symbols in the base game. Then our Goddess will guide you straight to Free Spins, where immortals compete to win godlike prizes. Land Diana symbols to unleash her powerful upgrade blessings for your symbols.
- Divine Riches Diana is closely related to, a sequel even, of Divine Riches Helios, which hit the casinos in May 2022. What would you say is the reason you decided to follow up with Diana? Was it the original game’s success, or is there another reason?
You are correct in calling Divine Riches Diana a sequel. The success of Helios provided valuable insights into player preferences, and we wanted to continue to build on the established brand and Greek mythology theme.
- Since it’s our closest point of reference, what are the differences between the two games? Have you learned any lessons from Helios’ release, and did they impact the development of Divine Riches Diana?
Divine Riches Helios and Divine Riches Diana draw inspiration from Greek mythology and offer immersive gameplay experiences. Helios focuses on the Greek god of the sun and includes a sun symbol wild card and a bonus round with free spins. Diana centers around the Greek Goddess of the moon and introduces a moon symbol that can trigger bonus rounds. We learned from Helios that players enjoyed using Greek mythology figures and bonus rounds with free spins, which we incorporated into Diana's development.
- Speaking of which, will we see more Divine Riches games in the future? Perhaps with further exploration of ancient Greek mythology?
I can only reveal a little about our plans, but Divine Riches has proven a successful and well-received game series. We're always looking for new and exciting ways to engage players, and ancient Greek mythology offers many possibilities. So, let's say that we're always exploring new opportunities, and you never know what the future holds.
- Since we’re talking about the future, are there any other plans or Just For The Win releases you would like to mention? What can we expect from the team in 2023?
This year, our players can look forward to a variety of high-quality games from our studio. To mention a few: In February, we released Divine Riches Diana, as previously discussed. In March, we have two games: Paddy's Pot Mega Moolah, which features the Mega Moolah jackpot known for its record-breaking payouts, and Wildfire Wins Extreme. Finally, in April, we will release Chilli Pepé™ Hot Stacks, an exciting game that will surely be a hit with players.
- Well, we’re fresh out of questions for now. Thank you for the opportunity to talk – if there’s anything else you would like to mention before we wrap up, now’s the chance!
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I appreciate the opportunity to share information about our company and upcoming releases. Thank you again.
Follow us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with our latest game releases and studio updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/justforthewin/