A Spotlight on Yggdrasil and Its Impact on the Online Gaming Industry

It’s very rare that a new iGaming software developer arrives into the marketplace and makes such an impact as Yggdrasil. Since 2013, this development studio has become a household name in the world of iGaming, creating a string of award-winning video slots with hugely immersive audio and visual elements. Located in the heartbeat of European iGaming, Malta, it’s unsurprising that some of the most creative minds in iGaming software development have gravitated to this fast-emerging studio. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why Yggdrasil is so often heralded by iGaming’s insiders.

Yggdrasil might seem like a bizarre name to call a software company, but in Norse mythology it is considered to be a tree of life. It’s a place where the Norse gods would go to gather their power and goods to share with the world. Given that Yggdrasil is sharing some mighty fine video slot titles with the iGaming world, it’s safe to say that this analogy makes a lot of sense. Furthermore, Yggdrasil was founded by Swede Fredrik Elmqvist, who was formerly an integral figure at NetEntertainment, so the Scandinavian roots of the studio’s name are even more understandable.

An iGaming software studio that’s about more than just slots

If you are completely unfamiliar with the name of the Yggdrasil studio, let’s take a look at what they specialize in. Although much of its success has been in the video slot sector, with crisp, high-definition action in titles such as Vikings Go Wild and Fruitoids that suit casual gamers. However, few people are aware of Yggdrasil’s involvement in technological improvements to online lotteries, keno and scratchcards. Many industry insiders have previously noted that the majority of Yggdrasil’s slot titles are designed to offer exceptionally high variance, meaning that wins are few and far between but significant when they do arrive.

Although Yggdrasil is a slot developer first and foremost, it has also worked hard to provide a suite of live dealer casino games, with exceptional designs and intuitive real-time gameplay. It also recently developed an exciting 3D live dealer casino experience in-house. Using motion capture technology, Yggdrasil’s REDUX platform has created a lifelike virtual dealer called Sonya Blackjack, who will manage your live table games with an equal measure of charisma and personality as a human dealer or croupier on a live studio stream.

One of the biggest reasons why Yggdrasil has made such a mark on the iGaming industry in such a short space of time is the development of its own software platform, underpinned by HTML5 technology. iSENSE 2.0 has been a major boon for iGaming operators, making it easier for operators to integrate Yggdrasil’s latest slot releases, whilst accelerating game load times and encouraging innovation. It has also developed a string of tools designed to make it easier for iGaming operators to promote their latest slot titles. BOOST incorporates everything from cash races and operator-exclusive slot tournaments through to player-specific missions and the ability to share player successes on social media. All of which is designed to foster ground-breaking levels of engagement.

On the face of it, some iGamers will look at Yggdrasil’s suite of 40+ video slots and wonder what all the fuss is about. That’s because the likes of Microgaming, NetEnt and Playtech offer a portfolio of 500+ slot titles. Nevertheless, Yggdrasil adopts a quality over quantity approach to its iGaming titles and this decision has worked hugely in the studio’s favour. Some of its titles play like genuine video games, capable of making the most of high-end desktop gaming audio setups.

Understanding Yggdrasil’s industry reputation

At the time of writing, Yggdrasil’s iGaming software is operational in a host of licensed European iGaming jurisdictions, namely the UK, Belgium, Sweden and Estonia. The studio is also regulated by the Maltese Gaming Authority (MGA). Although the likes of Microgaming and NetEnt remain market leaders and household names, Yggdrasil’s commitment to innovation has not gone unnoticed by both operators and players alike. It has scooped Slots Provider of the Year 2017 and Innovator of the Year 2017, with industry panels acknowledging Yggdrasil’s bold moves. Those moves include becoming one of the first studios to design for mobile first, after recognising the shift towards mobile gaming on the move. It is now said that almost two-thirds (61%) of revenue generated by Yggdrasil-powered iGaming titles occur on mobile devices.

The 2019 International Gaming Awards once again helped to cement Yggdrasil’s position as the iGaming industry’s most forward-thinking software provider. It was named Innovator of the Year for a third successive year. iGamers that play on laptop or mobile devices value games that are intuitive and immersive. According to Yggdrasil’s proud CEO, Fredrik Elmqvist, innovation is “in [their] DNA” and the studio works hard to “make [its] products cutting-edge and unique”. In an age where casual games are churned out almost in a conveyor belt-style process, Yggdrasil’s approach is hugely refreshing.