Stop doing this in slots: the most overrated game mechanics — a case study with Amigo Gaming
We talked to Rodrigo Pereira, Head of Marketing at Amigo Gaming, a famous slot developer with a worldwide reach, about slot mechanics and the most common mistakes in slot design. This article is a case study, written with Pereira’s participation. Keep reading to find out what concepts Amigo Gaming suggests are due for a rethink.
Barcelona-based Amigo Gaming has five years of experience developing some of the iGaming industry’s best-designed slots. The studio’s content keeps gaining popularity as the expert creative team tweaks their titles according to audience feedback.
Since our launch in 2020, Amigo Gaming has developed over 100 online slot titles. As the iGaming market has matured, so have our games, which we’re constantly adapting based on player behavior, operator feedback, and changing expectations. Some mechanics have proven consistently effective, while others have shown diminishing returns,” says Rodrigo Pereira from Amigo Gaming.
The fastest path to success is analysis. Our experience demonstrates that the more we listen to our audience, the better solutions we can provide. Working in the same industry for years gives you the time you need to collect feedback and adjust technologies to what the market demands.
Sometimes adding a new feature is the best course of action, but other times, the opposite is the case. And if something needs to be gotten rid of — what else can you do?
In this article, we reflect on lessons learned, and invite the industry to rethink some of the most overrated practices in slot design.
We’re excited to share these insights with Slotegrator’s readers, as we believe open dialogue and shared learning benefit the entire ecosystem, from providers and platforms to operators and players,” adds Rodrigo Pereira.
What should we avoid in slots?
By analyzing both successes and failures, Amigo Gaming uncovered the most common mistakes in slot design.
Too much of everything
There’s a temptation in game development to add as many features as possible in order to boost retention, from bonus rounds and animations to multipliers and surprise mechanics. But quantity doesn’t always equal quality. When too many mechanics are stacked together, the player’s experience can become chaotic or disjointed. Visual overload, constant pop-ups, or disruptive animations can break the immersion and even lead to session abandonment.
We at Slotegrator can only agree with this sentiment. There are also regional preferences to consider. For example, while Asian players appreciate bright graphics, intense animation, and loud sounds, people in the Western world prefer minimalism. However there is one thing that they have in common — good navigation and sophisticated UX.
Retaining existing players is 6-7 times cheaper than getting new ones, so it makes sense that you’d provide the players you have with quality service to keep them coming back. But instead of overloading your content with surface-level features, consider deeper analytics. The most efficient solutions are those based on players’ preferences and market demand. If you know what your players want, you can offer them the games, promo campaigns, and payment options that are right for them, instead of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Too little, too safe
On the flip side, playing it too safe also carries risk. Relying solely on classic mechanics (like Free Games or Wild symbols) without fresh presentation or surprising twists can lead to boring, repetitive gameplay. Innovation isn’t about reinvention at all costs, it’s about evolving the familiar in ways that feel fresh, rewarding, and engaging.
Overused “win boosters” with poor execution
Certain mechanics, like gamble features or fixed bonus buy-ins, have become standard in many releases. But when poorly balanced or disconnected from the core game experience, they feel gimmicky rather than exciting. Features must enhance, not distract.
What actually works in 2025
A/B testing is a must, but let’s save ourselves time and get right to what actually works.
Immersion through theme
Players respond more to games that make them feel something.
Whether the game is inspired by mythology, pop culture, cinema, or simple everyday moments, strong themes grounded in consistent visuals, sound design, and relatable storylines increase memorability and emotional connection. It’s not just about the reels, it’s about the world around them.
One thing that will never change is the importance of localization. Localization is more than just changing a language and adding payment methods. It also includes carrying out thorough research on players’ preferences and integrating the games they would love to play — their favorite slot themes or even the types of games they expect.
Evolving reward systems
In our experience, players engage more with mechanics that evolve over time. Systems that build anticipation, such as layered rewards or unlockable milestones, keep sessions dynamic and encourage repeat visits. These features create natural storytelling and momentum without needing constant visual fireworks.
Innovation in slots isn’t a matter of throwing in more features, it’s about designing with intention. Every mechanic, symbol, and animation should serve the overall experience. At Amigo Gaming, we strive to create games that are not just functional, but memorable, balancing creativity with performance and always keeping the player’s journey in mind.
We thank Slotegrator for the opportunity to share our perspective and look forward to more conversations that drive better games, better partnerships, and better results for the industry”, says Rodrigo Pereira.
What Slotegrator can do
Our game aggregation solution APIgrator offers more than 35,000 games from over 180 providers across the globe. The list includes all types of games: slots, live dealers, lotteries, scratch cards, provably fair games, bingo, table games — everything that operators need to pack their casinos for their specific markets of operation.
The games in our portfolio are often updated and new releases appear immediately. That means that all the newest mechanics, themes, and features are available at the moment of their release under the same API integration.
