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Why providers release joint projects
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Entry: cooperation as a growth engine
The iGaming market has become so competitive that single market "hits" are giving way to synchronous work. Co-productions between providers are a way to combine strengths: some bring recognizable mechanics, others - distribution and certification, others - visual style and brand licenses. As a result, the player gets a "star composition" in one product, and the business gets a more predictable economy and quick access to new regions.
Why do providers need co-development: key logic
1) Time-to-Market
Ready infrastructure: using someone else's RGS platform, RNG certified and build pipelines saves months.
Parallel development: one partner conducts mathematics and game design, the other closes art/animation, the third - integration and QA.
Access to already approved frameworks: Reusing engines that have been audited by multiple regulators dramatically reduces certification time.
2) Expansion of distribution
Aggregator networks and exclusives: partners have different pools of operators, marketplaces and aggregators - together the coverage is wider.
Localization and jurisdictions: one provider is strong in the EU, the other in LatAM or Asia; joint release immediately "closes" several markets.
Cross-promo: two (or more) CRM ecosystems for mailings, tournaments, missions and battle events.
3) Risk mitigation and CAPEX
Splitting budgets: development, marketing, IP licenses, UA activities - everything is divided.
Portfolio effect: providers share the risk of "non-shooting" mechanics and compensate for it through multi-channel monetization.
4) Access to partner's unique assets
Branded mechanics: Megaways-like, Cluster, Hold & Win-variations, hybrid jackpots.
Licensed IP: famous films/TV series/sports - the road to high recognition and premium conversion.
Technological modules: orchestration of bonuses, mystery triggers, multiplayer add-ons, progressive pools.
5) Improving product metrics
Showcase: The co-brand often gets lobby "top shelves."
CR&ARPDAU: synergy of well-known IP + favorite mechanics increases the first session, D1/D7 retention and depth of feature engagements.
Tournament-friendly: Collaborative games are often designed for events, which raises the average check and payoff.
How the joint release economy works
Revenue models
Rev-share between studios: fixed shares from GGR/Net Gaming Revenue after aggregator commissions.
MG + Rev-share: minimum guarantees for exclusive windows or IP, then revenue sharing.
Fee for mechanics/engine: royalties for using a proprietary system (multipliers, "jackpot network," bonus constructor).
Marketing commitments
Split of the industrial budget: agreement on shares for tournament prizes, freespins, buy-in in lively events.
SLA for promotion: banner campaigns in the lobby, inclusion in collections, cross-newsletters, demo links for streamers.
Exclusive windows: early access for key operators (1-4 weeks), which increases bargaining power.
KPI and control
Target metrics: install-rate/launch-rate, FTUE conversion, average session length, feature uptake, jackpot participation.
Cohort analysis: hold by geo/providers/operators, ARPU by kags, uplift from events (events, RTP boosts within acceptable configurations).
A/B on the showcase: comparison with genre benchmarks and benchmarks within the portfolio.
Technology: how "work and responsibility" are divided
Architecture and pipeline
RGS integration: a common server for game sessions, a single logging, anti-fraud, limit control and responsible play.
Compatible stack: HTML5/WebGL, Spine/DragonBones animations, unified assets, 60 FPS optimization on mobile.
Mathematics and simulations: collaborative toolkits for RTP/volatility modeling, event frequency map, variance stress tests.
Quality and Compliance
RNG/Math Certification: Independent Labs, General Artifact Package (game rules, paytable, feature logic).
Logging: unified log formats, export to data-lake operators, reports for regulators.
Responsible play: support for limits, reality checks, self-exclusions and local jurisdictional requirements.
Performance and UX
Build weight: targets <10-15 MB for initial loading, lazy-loading features and assets.
Mobile adaptability: responsive layouts, one-hand UI, touch zone optimization.
Localization: multilingualism, cultural symbols, appropriate age rating and sensitivity to local contexts.
Law and licenses: where bottlenecks are most often
IP and Brands
Scope licenses: regions, terms, promo formats, bans on "sensitive" topics.
Creative control: style-guide of the copyright holder, building inspections, limits on the effect of "brand exploitation."
Royalties and reporting: accuracy of revenue tracking, transparency of data by operators.
Mechanics and patents
Proprietary systems: licensing of proprietary mechanics (including proprietary) with clear boundaries of use.
Anti-clone policy: protection against "too similar" releases, moratorium period, white-label restrictions.
Jurisdictions and Responsibilities
Separation of roles: who holds the "master release," who is responsible to regulators and operators.
Security SLA: incident management, reaction time, hot fixes, pack versions and notifications.
Product strategy: how to make a co-brand "winning"
Design principles
1. One "star" + one "killer mechanic": Combine a recognizable look with a branded gaming loop.
2. Feature with multi-layer depth: the first level is simple - the second/third opens up "professional" control (save bonus, gamble multipliers, collections).
3. Promo readiness: Lay missions, leaderboards, accumulative events and "seasons."
Balancing the economy
RTP Pools and Configurability - Choices within a valid range for different markets/operators.
Content wave volatility: start - softer variance for streamers and mass onboarding; later - high-volatility events.
Jackpots: local/network, fixed/progressive; transparent participation and display rules.
Go-to-Market
Stage 1: closed alpha with selected operators - KPI of the base funnel and feedback.
Stage 2: exclusive window and tournament series - activation of streamers and content creators.
Stage 3: global release through aggregators - wave launches by region, A/B showcases, promotional package.
Stage 4: Live-ops - regular micro-events, skin updates, seasonal unique features without changing certified mathematics.
Standard Collaboration Formats
1. Mechanic-for-IP
One partner provides hit mechanics, the second provides a licensed brand and marketing. The game gets instant recognition and familiar behavior.
2. Engine-for-Distribution
A studio with a powerful engine but a weak network is teaming up with a publisher-distributor to get dozens of integrations out of the box.
3. Co-Dev Full Stack
Full joint development: shared backlog, unified sprints, joint product committees and a single P&L for the project.
4. Regional Swap
Exchange of "entrances" to local markets: one partner opens the door to regulated Europe, the second to LatAM/Asia, while build and content adapt to cultural expectations.
Possible risks and how to minimize them
Brand-tone conflict: solve through a single creative brief and "veto-right" of the copyright holder in narrow zones.
Different product tastes: formalize Product Requirements Document (PRD), Definition of Fun, clear metrics of success.
Difficulties QA/Cert: centralized test-plan, unified checklists, automation of regression on "gold" devices.
Data fees and reporting: general data-shearing agreement, standardized uploads, access to dashboards in real-time.
Cannibalization of the portfolio: release calendar plan, distinguishable positioning and features, "anti-cannibal" windows.
What the operator and player get
For operators
More content reasons: tournaments, missions, exclusive windows.
Stronger marketing message: "two legends of the industry in one game."
Flexible configurations: customizable RTP pools, limits, local promos.
For the players
Low entry threshold: Familiar mechanics + favorite theme/brand.
High density of events: features, collections, jackpots, social elements.
Long-term support: seasonality, new skins, events without breaking the balance.
Successful Collaborative Project Checklist
1. Strategic fit: Partners' strengths complement, not overlap.
2. Legal framework: transparent rights to IP/mechanics/data, understandable rev-share.
3. Tech compatibility: RGS, builds, QA, telemetry - everything is agreed at the start.
4. Product clarity: one or two bright differentiators + promotional readiness.
5. Marketing plan in waves: alpha → exclusive → global → live-ops.
6. Dashboards and SLAs: general KPIs, scheduled incident and update procedures.
7. Localization and compliance: taking into account the requirements of regions and cultural norms.
Joint projects are a mature form of competition through cooperation. They help studios release products faster, enter new jurisdictions, share risks and open access to unique assets - from branded mechanics to high-profile IPs. For operators, this is more content reasons and higher quality promo, for players - richer experience. With a competent legal, technological and product architecture, co-development is turning from a "fashion for collaboration" into a sustainable source of portfolio growth.