In this edition of Expert Talks, we’re joined by the true rebels of the iGaming market. Together with Vitalii Zalievskiy, CEO of Ebaka Games, we talk about why everyone is tired of clones and reskins, how bold ideas are born, and what to expect from the industry’s most fearless studio.
A Revolution Against Templates
You mentioned several times when we first met: “Players are bored.” What led to this — repetitive mechanics, lack of creativity, too much commercial focus?
There isn’t one single reason. For years, the industry has been chasing the “perfect formula.” Operators and studios watched which formats performed well and simply replicated them. The catalog grew, but only the backgrounds changed; the mechanics and models remained the same. This illusion of choice spoiled players.
However, a new generation is entering iGaming with different habits and expectations. To keep their attention, you need fresh content. That’s exactly why we created Ebaka Games. Even the name reflects the studio’s mindset and culture, but we’ll share that story later.
Your studio’s philosophy is “chaos and soul.” How do you avoid real anarchy while growing within this concept?
It’s all about balance — discipline and creativity. We take a mature approach to processes. We keep our word, deliver on our commitments, and understand that a business is built on responsibility. Without that foundation, no bold idea can survive in the real world. Creativity drives us to launch new cross-genre formats and experiment with things that shouldn’t logically work together. It’s all for the sake of player emotion.
You started by rethinking well-known formats — Mines, Plinko, Tower. How do your versions differ from standard reskins flooding the market?
Our unique feature is the Ebaka Mode. With higher volatility, larger multipliers, new levels of difficulty, and additional features within familiar mechanics, players face a higher risk, have the potential to win larger amounts, and experience a stronger adrenaline rush. Players have embraced our games and are asking for more. If you’re interested in trying them out firsthand, you’re welcome to do so exclusively on Menace.
The Development Mindset
What helps your team build new games — previous gamedev experience, analytics, player insights?
It’s a systematic approach based on a mix of data, experience, and intuition. Without a leap of faith, you’ll end up with another lifeless clone pretending to be original. The process begins by shaping the idea and the core mechanic. Then, we discuss meta-features to make the math work. Next, we add the Ebaka Mode for hardcore players and choose the visuals and Easter eggs. The full path looks like this: market, competitor and trend analysis — hypothesis — concept — prototype — product refinement — soft launch — final improvements before global release.
What technologies and trends shape the unique Ebaka style?
Ebaka is all about bright, acid colors, hand-drawn graphics, and carefully crafted effects and sound. In UX, we focus on emerging “original” formats and the growing crypto audience. Everything must feel instant, exciting, and frictionless.
How does personalization impact the player experience?
Players are diverse. However, data allows us to segment them and identify recurring behavior patterns. Personalization is the future of iGaming because it enables studios to provide the appropriate experience for each group. When executed effectively, players feel as if the game was designed specifically for them.
Which metrics determine success for you?
There are three things to consider: money, player feedback (preferably positive), and how quickly the market tries to copy us. Emotions are harder to measure because business operates using only numbers. A key indicator is repeat engagement. If players keep coming back, then we did everything right. The GGR will confirm that.
Who Let Ebaka Games Out
Who’s behind Ebaka Games today, and how quickly is the team growing?
Dmitry Belianin is the studio’s investor and co-founder. He’s also a co-founder of Blask, Strategic Advisor and Partner at Traffic Squad, and Managing Partner at Already Media. I am the CEO of EBAKA Games. Previously, I worked as CPO at gaming and gambling companies. I’ve spent around 15 years in the industry, working with mobile games, AAA games, AR/VR, and iGaming for the last six years.
We are growing the team carefully and strategically. In six months, we assembled an incredible group of 25 people and built a powerhouse production team. Now, we’re developing new functions to support our global expansion, including accounting, sales, marketing, and integration.
Your team includes experienced iGaming experts and young creators. How do you reach a consensus among them?
Ebaka Games brings together different generations — industry veterans and creative misfits. This chaotic mix is precisely how Ebaka Mode was born. Combining proven mechanics with a fresh vision is what pushes the industry forward. For that, we need people who see the world differently. Conflicts are inevitable, but they’re essential to the process.
The important thing is to maintain a healthy dialogue where people listen to each other and remember the main goal of delivering a new experience to players. A team isn’t defined by egos or years in the industry. We build cool things together and are always ready to try something new, learn from each other, and perfect the result.
What skills and personal qualities does someone need to fit in with the Ebaka Games team?
First — don’t be an asshole, even if you’re a brilliant pro. Love games and be prepared to remake them as many times as necessary to elicit the desired emotional response. We value the ability to receive feedback, flexible thinking, and a results-driven mindset. And, of course, a sense of humor. Dark humor works, too. After all, we’re Ebaka!
The Future of Ebaka
Which operators do you see as ideal partners? How will you choose who to work with?
We’re looking for those who value high-quality, innovative content, have a sense of humor, and are ready to shake up iGaming with us. We’re in the 18+ business — it’s time to be bolder! All operators will be selected carefully: if the desire to become our partner is present, better hurry. Ebaka is here for the long game — and business ethics aren’t just words for us.
Are you concerned that other studios might copy your concept?
Heathy competition is cool. It drives progress and gives players more choices. Clones are an inevitable part of the industry, but they are also its biggest flaw. The temptation to copy and cash in is always strong. However, anyone who comes after us will only ever be an almost-Ebaka. We’ll be watching them. Maybe even consulting them — probably for a fee.
What do you want EBAKA Games to become in a year?
Our goal is to set new quality standards in the industry and be remembered for our bold and striking games. We never want to become a bland corporation that releases identical, uninspired clones. Ebaka is Ebaka, and we will always stay that way.
You can copy successful mechanics endlessly, but the industry will only advance thanks to teams that aren’t afraid to experiment, break patterns, and design with emotion in mind. The market is finally ready for a shake-up, and Ebaka Games has what it takes to make it happen.
