Yann Bautista from Founder at Peter & Sons: From signature style to global iGaming icon

Peter & Sons game studio has distinguished itself in a unique niche, thanks to its distinctive style and bold visual solutions. Their games are instantly recognizable, but what factors have contributed to their success? In an exclusive interview with Slotegrator, Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder at Peter & Sons discussed the evolution of their business, starting from the idea to create unusual games to a full-fledged creative ecosystem. They also touched on their design process, the inspiration behind their work, the enigmatic figure of Peter, and their vision for the future of the industry.

Slotegrator: What was the initial vision when Peter & Sons was founded, and how has it evolved since the early days?

Yann Bautista: From the very beginning, the idea with Peter & Sons was to create something different — something unique, so that players could recognize instantly our titles. High-quality games, rich in art, with advanced and engaging mechanics. That vision hasn’t changed; we’ve just moved further along in the journey. Today, we’re producing more games and exploring a wider range of mechanics and features, as well as different types of games like instant games, crash games, and scratch cards.

We’re also adding extra value through our gamification tools — tournaments, jackpots, cash drops, and more. At the same time, we’re building a creative ecosystem with our own platform, integrating directly with partners to provide the best solutions, expanding into new regulated markets thanks to our licenses, and opening this ecosystem for other studios to join.

S: Your studio is known for its distinct artistic style. What inspired the design philosophy behind your games, and how do you maintain such originality in a competitive market?

YB: This has been one of our USPs since the very beginning. We wanted to create something different — to move away from the traditional visual style of slot games. From day one, art has been one of our core strengths, and we’ve worked hard to keep that standard high. It’s the art, the themes, the style as a whole — the richness in the games, the animations — all working together with the mechanics. We bring in artists with unique, personal styles, sometimes even people new to the slot world, because they bring a fresh perspective. We’re proud of our artists, and we choose them carefully so their work truly stands out. And it’s not just about the visuals — it’s about the mindset, the teamwork, and a well-thought process from the very start, making sure we keep that consistency across everything we do.

S: Can you share the real story behind the name Peter & Sons? Who is Peter, and how did this unique brand identity come to life?

YB: Peter? Well… Peter is our guru, our mentor, the one who set us on this journey. We all see ourselves as sons — and daughters — of Peter, driving his vision forward. Can we tell you who he is? Not exactly. Let’s just say he’s not working in the company right now… or maybe he’s just very good at hiding. :) What matters is that Peter is always there in spirit, and we’re all here to keep his project alive and growing.

S: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in establishing the company, and how did you overcome them?

YB: There are always challenges — they just change at different stages of the business. In the beginning, it was tough because we didn’t yet have a portfolio to showcase, and funding a company is never easy. You’re covering your own expenses, paying salaries, and pushing to get those first games out. Without our own platform at the time, finding the right distribution partner was key. We were lucky to work with great partners like Yggdrasil through their YG Masters program, which gave us global recognition and fantastic exposure.

Now the challenges are different — growing with our own platform and licenses, integrating with more partners, meeting compliance requirements, scaling teams — all while staying true to our original philosophy. It’s a constant process, but it’s what keeps us moving forward.

S: Innovation is often a buzzword in the industry. How does Peter & Sons truly innovate in terms of game mechanics and player engagement?

YB: We’re not obsessed with innovating just for the sake of it. For us, it’s about constantly improving our products — the games, the overall player and operator experience, the platform, and the promotional tools, anything that adds value. When it comes to the games, we look at the market, see what works, and ultimately focus on what players enjoy and what delivers results for operators. We do aim to innovate, but innovation always carries risk, so we balance the portfolio — a smaller portion is more experimental and risky, while the rest follows proven lines that we know perform well.

S: Your portfolio features a mix of creativity and technical excellence. What’s your approach to balancing unique visual storytelling with cutting-edge technology?

YB: It’s a fully integrated process where creativity and technology go hand in hand. We start with the mechanics and design, then the artists develop visual concepts to fit those foundations. From there, it’s close collaboration between designers, artists, and developers — teamwork is the key. All the tech behind it — our frameworks, platform, and promotional tools — is also part of the process, making sure each game delivers the richest experience possible.

S: The iGaming industry is seeing rapid growth across emerging markets. What regions or markets have shown the greatest response to your games, and how do you tailor content to different player preferences?

YB: It’s hard to please everyone, so we stay true to what we do. At Peter & Sons, we release around 20 games a year and balance the portfolio so it works across different regions, operators, and player preferences — whether that’s volatility, features, or themes. We aim for variety, but we don’t usually create games aimed at a single market unless it’s part of a close collaboration with an operator in that region. In general, our portfolio is recognizably Peter & Sons, and that’s what players know us for.

S: Responsible gaming is a major topic today. How does Peter & Sons integrate responsible gaming practices into its products and operations?

YB: Responsible gaming is at the core of what we do, especially as a company so focused on regulated markets. We hold licenses across the world — from European markets to Latin American markets like Brazil, to North America, including Ontario and New Jersey. We certify our games for more than 15 jurisdictions, and compliance is built into the entire development process, from the first design stage through to certification. This ensures every game meets the requirements of each market and is fully aligned with responsible gaming standards.

S: What are your thoughts on emerging technologies like blockchain, VR, and AI in gaming — do they have a role in your roadmap?

YB: Working in tech means you need to be aware of the trends. AI is the present, not the future, and for us it’s part of everyday work across all departments — not only in game development. With new technologies and trends, the market often tells you where to focus. If there’s strong demand, you adapt.

S: What advice would you give to new game developers entering the iGaming industry today?

YB: It’s not an easy journey, but it’s possible. You need a very solid team from the start, a clear vision, and a strong focus on quality. Try to be distinctive, stay focused, and stay loyal to that vision. It’s hard to please everyone, but over time you can carve out your place.

S: How do you see the future of iGaming evolving in the next 3–5 years, and what's next for Peter & Sons? Can you give us a glimpse of any exciting projects or innovations on the horizon?

YB: I think we’ll see even more focus on regulated markets, personalization, and player engagement tools over the next few years. The gap between social gaming and real-money gaming will keep shrinking, and technology will play a bigger role in tailoring the experience. For us, the next step is growing our multi-studio ecosystem, expanding into more markets, and continuing to explore new mechanics and game types. We have several upcoming titles and collaborations in the works that we believe will surprise and excite our players.

S: Finally, would you share some company plans for the upcoming expos this year?

YB: We’re really looking forward to this year’s expos, starting with SBC in September. Our stand will be the go-to spot for something truly unforgettable — we’re bringing our creativity to life with live tattoo sessions right there at the event. Applications are still open, but slots are filling up quickly. Alongside that, we’ll have a mix of interactive experiences, fresh merch, and plenty of opportunities to connect with our team in person.

The next big stop will be ICE in Barcelona — our own turf — where we’ll use our home-field advantage to create an even bolder presence. We can’t wait to surprise and inspire our partners at every step.