Tal Yogev's View on Virtual Sports Development

[Arou]

This post is an interview of sorts, I think it will be interesting to learn about new technologies from the world of virtual gaming and virtual sports betting.

"Leap is an established company that is in the process of disrupting the massive market for high-end gaming applications. Our games are offered by a multitude of prestigious online and retail game operators around the world. Why are we successful? Because of our people. We share a passion, we're happy to come to work, we're a great team, we work hard, we laugh a lot, we brainstorm nonstop, and we share a strong vision for the future and a commitment to staying at the forefront of making realistic 3D games. Most importantly, there are jobs and there are careers, and we're in the business of career development. So if the prospect of being surrounded by smart and ambitious people with superpowers in development, QA, design and 3D animation seems like the perfect fit for you, check out our jobs and contact us!"  Says the company's website.

"This week's focus of our interview series is Leap Gaming CEO and Israeli entrepreneur Tal Yogev, who talks to us about the latest developments in virtual sports and gaming technology."

"Hello, and thank you for joining us for this interview."

"What inspired you to create Leap Gaming, and what were the company's goals at the time? Did you deviate from them in any way? If so, how?"

"Looking at the gaming industry and the way technology and sports are evolving, we wanted to provide players with a better and more advanced experience, to bring the level of experience to a level that blurs the lines between virtual and live sports, and to constantly innovate and give players exposure to new ideas and concepts. If you look at what we've accomplished and how Leap works, there's been virtually no deviation from those goals."

"Has the last 2 years had a significant impact on your product offering? What differences have you noticed as a company before and after the pandemic in the sector?"

"After the pandemic began, virtual sports experienced a big surge in demand as more and more sports fans were first introduced to virtual sports products. The impact on Leap's offering was very positive, and we decided to step up the promotion of branded content and live/in-play betting. Both of these areas allow players to have an even more similar experience with sports betting compared to traditional virtual sports offerings."

"How big do you think the virtual sports market can grow? What global markets do you see the most potential in?"

"Virtual sports started as a niche product or filler when there was no real sports content. It has since become a must-have product for most sportsbook operators."

"I believe that as technology advances, along with the new concepts that Leap brings to the industry, virtual sports will continue to grow at a rapid pace."

"The virtual sports markets are very broad and appealing to both real sports bettors and casino players. We spend a lot of effort optimizing our go-to-market strategy on an ongoing basis based on the following key metrics: regulations, localization, the popularity of sports games and the emergence of virtual sports."

"How has Leap Gaming differentiated itself from the competition, and what do you think are Leap's distinctive qualities?"

"We always look at the players and try to give them the best experience possible. We believe that every little thing matters, and we invest heavily in every aspect of the products."

"One of the ways we show this approach is our focus on innovation: we were the first to introduce in-play, on-demand, cashouts and dynamic odds to the market. Now we also offer gamification features in our games, allowing players to become even more attached to our games."

"Another focus of our work is branded content - through our close collaboration with sports federations and special relationship with IMG Arena, we add branding layers to our games that further differentiate them from the competition and increase end-user attachment."

"In addition, the marketing products we have developed, such as the MIYO (Make It Your Own) tool, the Tournament Tool and Free Rounds, which also apply to our virtual sports, allow operators to apply their operational expertise and increase monetization across our suite of products."

"Last but not least, our technology standards are very high, ensuring that our games are delivered and maintained to the highest level, providing a seamless experience for end users and VIP service for the operators who work with us."

 

"How do you see the software niche changing in the online gambling industry over the next few years? What changes have you implemented to be on top of your game?"

"Software is evolving in all aspects, from the 3D capabilities and tools to streaming and devices that need to be supported."

"We, at Leap, make sure that we are always on top of the new options and technologies. Our R&D department is always on its feet, keeping an eye on recent tech developments and trends. Some of the techs we use are on the bleeding edge of tech innovations, which allows our product and design teams' unmatched flexibility to pour in their creative juices and build engaging games."

"Congratulations on your recent partnership with Playtech! How do you see this cooperation playing out, and what major benefits will this bring both of your companies?"

"Thank you, yes, we have several major partnerships that we have recently introduced, one of them with Playtech. We are grateful for these integrations, which not only massively enhance our distribution capabilities but are also a strong vote of faith in the quality of our products, and we look forward to more integrations and releases in key markets as the rest of 2022 unfolds."

 

"You've also finished 2021 with a major partnership deal with ComeOn Group in regards to your casino content. Are these partnerships a reflection of what's to come in 2022, or do you have bigger plans?"

"Indeed, as mentioned, we have several major partnerships that have recently been announced. ComeОn is one of them (and a great one). Our integration team is tasked with a bunch of additional exciting projects, and our pipeline looks strong for the remainder of 2022. We are also working on several additional licenses, which will further expand our footprint and hopefully grow our estate."

"Who do you look up to in this industry, and has that influenced your management style and outlook on the industry itself?"

"Well, there are a lot of professionals in this industry. I try to look at many key executives in the industry, from companies we work with, compete with, and also ones we do not have relationships with, and try to openly learn and absorb. There is also a lot I learn from my colleagues here at Leap, who come from diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and schools of thought. I feel grateful for the opportunity to work in such an open, international, fast-growing, and communicative environment."

And there we have it - an in-depth insight into the latest developments in virtual sport from industry right on the cusp of innovation.