At BiS SiGMA Americas, Neko Games once again reinforced the importance of its proximity to partners and the exclusive games created for the Brazilian market. In an exclusive interview with GMB, Juan Pablo Córdoba, Product Director, revealed that new releases will be presented soon, including an updated version of one of the most iconic video bingo titles in Brazil, ShowBall, with renewed mechanics.
GMB – What were the main goals behind Neko Games’ entire leadership team attending BiS SiGMA Americas?
Juan Pablo Córdoba – As with every trade show, especially in Brazil, which is one of our most important markets, the primary goal is to stay in touch with our clients. That’s always essential, talking to them face-to-face, understanding their concerns, learning how our games are performing, and hearing their feedback. Additionally, we aim to meet new clients and operators in the market. Basically, it’s about staying connected with the industry.
As someone working in product development, how is Neko Games handling localization for the Brazilian market, especially since many of your games feature local themes like Carnival and Mãe do Ouro?
For us, localization is key in every market. Brazil, being our main market, is a top priority when we develop our game portfolio. We’re constantly looking for new stories, characters, and ways to connect with Brazilian culture and its unique identity. It’s part of our DNA—to create games that resonate with local culture, as well as with other markets.
What has been the response from players to Neko Games titles in Brazil?
It’s been excellent. The response has been very positive, both in terms of themes and game mechanics. That’s reflected in our KPIs around retention, acquisition, and value maximization. We’re really happy with the performance and are learning a lot, especially since the market only opened a few months ago and is still evolving. We need to keep learning and improving our portfolio.
You mentioned game mechanics. How is artificial intelligence driving the iGaming sector and product development in Neko?
In two main ways. First, in design: from the early sketches to initial game concepts, AI helps guide the process and saves us a lot of time. Our designers then interpret that guidance to create the final games. Second, in performance: our data is analyzed by both our team and AI, which makes the process more efficient and faster. That way, our games are aligned with those insights.
How do you see the Brazilian market in terms of partnerships between game providers, platforms, operators, and payment service providers? Does this ensure a brighter future for the sector?
Absolutely. We’re seeing more and more international operators and providers, as well as widely recognized payment methods from other markets, turning their attention to Brazil. This shows not only the importance of the market but also its increasing level of professionalism, which is essential for growth.
What new releases does Neko Games have coming up?
We recently launched Hot Fireballs Link&Win™, a title we had been developing for some time. Soon, we’ll be releasing a new version of ShowBall, a brand with deep roots in Brazil, with updated mechanics based on previous data analysis. And further ahead, we’ll be rolling out many new stories and local characters. We’re very excited about what’s coming.
Besides games, what other plans does Neko Games have for the Brazilian and Latin American markets?
For now, we remain focused especially on video bingos, but we do have plans to explore new game mechanics soon. We can’t reveal too much yet, but new developments are on the way.
Source: GMB