Creating the Japanese Slot Series: A Talk with Olga Bogdanova

Every slot game begins with an idea. At 1spin4win, Art Director Olga Bogdanova turns those ideas into complete visual experiences. Since the studio’s early days, she has shaped the atmosphere, style, and emotional tone of the games — with a strong focus on detail and storytelling. In this interview, Olga shares how her path from airbrush art to slot design led to the creation of a full Japanese-themed series. She also explains how game visuals are built to engage players, how her team approaches authenticity, and where the future of slot art is heading.

Q: How long have you been working at 1spin4win, and how long have you held the position of Art Director?

A: I joined 1spin4win shortly after its founding, so it’s been over three years now. We’ll be marking our fourth anniversary on May 14. Since then, I’ve been leading the art studio for the project, and I’ve had the opportunity to influence the quality of the games we produce, their concepts, and the overall atmosphere.

Q: What is your professional background in game development and specifically in the iGaming industry?

A: Before joining 1spin4win, I had the opportunity to work at four different product companies focused on creating online slots. My professional specialization is quite focused, which allows me to dive deep into the casino industry, building on the experience I’ve gained over the years.

Q: How did you enter the slots industry, and what do you find most exciting about it?

A: It’s quite a funny story. Before entering the casino industry, I was a professional airbrush artist, painting motorcycles, cars, doing some design work, and body art. I even won some competitions!

One day, a client approached me for a small car painting project. Later, a friend of this client saw my work and asked me to create themed illustrations on paper. I completed the request, of course, using airbrush techniques on large paper. At the time, I never imagined those illustrations would later become symbols in a slot game! Eventually, I received an offer to join a slot provider as an artist, and that’s how my journey in the industry began.

What I find most exciting about the slots industry is that no two games are ever the same. There’s such a wide variety of styles, ideas, and approaches. The casino industry is dynamic, highly competitive, and fast-growing, with an annual growth rate of 8%. Since we create games for players, there are a lot of factors to consider before releasing a slot, which makes every project interesting and challenging.

Q: How did the idea of creating a Japanese-themed slot series come about, and why was this particular theme chosen for the visual concept?

A: The idea came from the unique charm of traditional Japanese culture, which has a particular mystery and refinement. It combines strong traditions, Eastern philosophy, aesthetics, and a pursuit of perfection. That’s why we chose a Japanese theme for our slot, Tiger’s Steps Hold and Win, inspired by ninja culture.

We created characters, a clan, and a Master not just for storytelling, but also to give the artists a deeper base for creativity and to make it easier to dive into the atmosphere. As often happens, once we started, we got even more inspired and decided to continue exploring the theme with a second game, Gentle Fox Hold and Win. This slot introduced a new, intriguing female character, with a different mood, color palette, and story.

That’s when a new idea came up, something we hadn’t seen done before: to build a series of games connected by a shared storyline, like a mini-series, so players could look forward to each new release. It also gave us a great angle for promoting the games. The team supported the idea, and we started working even more closely on the project. This led to the development of the third and fourth slots in the Japanese series. When you play one, you naturally discover the others too.

Q: What was the process of working on the style and characters in the first game of the series?

A: The process is always fascinating because sometimes, when you start with an idea, you think it will work one way, but as you dive deeper into the theme and begin developing the initial concept, you realize some elements don’t quite fit together as expected. This leads to a creative rethink, where new stylistic elements are added to shape the final look of the slot. This approach makes it easier for the artist, because they can build and develop a clear visual direction based on the evolving concept. 

We’re lucky to have very talented people in our art team, which allows us to bring any creative idea to life. We create sketches, select the strongest ones, and make sure that the chosen style and the characters we offer to players are the best fit for the project.

Q: How do you adapt authentic Japanese aesthetics for a broad international audience?

A: We create a commercial version of the Japanese theme for 1spin4win’s slots. Our details aren’t meant to be as historically accurate as a museum exhibit, but our main goal is to build a world that any player can easily understand and connect with.

At the same time, traditional Japanese themes don’t leave much room for big changes or distortions. That’s why we chose a realistic style that shows respect for Japanese traditions. It’s not only the right approach, but it also makes the games look more beautiful and authentic.

Q: How is the overarching storyline of the series structured, and how is it embedded in each game?

A: The series’ overarching storyline follows a continuous narrative set in a medieval Japanese village near Mount Fuji. Each game introduces a new chapter with unique characters and evolving conflicts, seamlessly tying into the broader saga.

In Tiger’s Steps Hold and Win, players are immersed in the lives of two ninja apprentices, Murasaki and Koniro, who defend ancient scrolls from the shogun’s forces. The story evolves in Gentle Fox, where players encounter Tomoko-hama, a mysterious and manipulative woman who entices players into her dangerous games.

Way of Honor shifts focus to noble samurai, Mizuiro and Midoriiro, defending the shogun’s peace, emphasizing loyalty and bravery. The fourth game connects the dots, offering players a choice between key characters — ninja, samurai, or the Gentle Fox — allowing them to shape the outcome of the story. Each game builds upon the last, creating a narrative-driven experience across the series.

Q: Does the art style evolve with each new release? How do you maintain visual consistency across the series?

A: It’s very important for us to keep a consistent style across the entire Japanese slot series so that all the games feel like part of one harmonious world. To make sure of that, we made a conscious decision to assign the entire series to one artist. This way, we avoid any stylistic or color mismatches and keep a strong, unified look throughout the games.

Q:  Did you use AI in the creation of visual content for this series, and if so, at which stages?

A: By today’s standards, 1spin4win uses AI very little, no more than 20–25%. It’s hard for us to rely fully on AI because it doesn’t give us exactly what we need, especially regarding specific angles, character poses, and the level of detail we want.

Our artist did a lot of detailed work by hand, carefully drawing and selecting materials for the games, especially when it came to samurai armor and background locations. We often use real photos of traditional elements and people as a base, combining parts and creating new designs from scratch.

Because of this mixed approach, it’s difficult to say which scenes in the series were fully generated by AI. Everything was heavily reworked and customized to fit our vision.

Q: What’s your perspective on integrating AI into the creative process in iGaming — is it an opportunity, a threat, or simply a new tool?

A: We’ve already crossed the line when it comes to using AI in iGaming, so it’s just a matter of time before studios worldwide start using this tool more widely and quickly. We live in an era of fast-paced change and intense competition, and trying to slow down or reverse progress isn’t an option anymore.

For me, AI is not so much a threat, but more of an opportunity — a new tool that can help enhance creativity and efficiency in the process, as long as it’s used in a balanced way alongside the expertise and vision of the artists and designers.

Q: What role does deep visual design play in player engagement and retention?

A: Well-crafted visuals help draw players in and hold their attention. The emotions we build through design directly shape how players experience the game. Speaking not just as an Art Director, but also as a specialist in visual design, this is a very focused area where understanding how visuals influence human perception helps to create a stronger product.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that the success of a slot doesn’t depend on graphics, sound, or animation alone. The math behind the slot is just as important. When all these elements are in good balance, players enjoy a smooth and satisfying experience.

At 1spin4win, we put much effort into creating a well-crafted game balance. Thanks to carefully tuned RTP, maximum multipliers, and volatility settings, our games offer fairness, extended play sessions, player retention, and exciting mechanics that drive better results for operators.

Q: How does this series fit into the broader art strategy of 1spin4win?

A: Right now, it’s a bit early to say, since we haven’t yet seen the final results from releasing all the games in the series. However, the idea of creating a series of several connected slots seems very interesting and promising to 1spin4win.

We already have some ideas for other themes where this approach could work well. There’s some excitement around it, and now it’s all about bringing those ideas to life.

Q: What visual trends do you foresee in the iGaming industry in 2025?

A: Innovation will be the key trend in 2025 — finding ways to make a product stand out from the competition, even if only for a short period of time. Right now, many games already have great graphics, AI assistance, 3D visuals, stylized designs, and high-quality sound and animation. These elements are becoming standard at a high level across the industry.

So, for me, the real trend will be the ability to surprise players with something new: unique game mechanics, original slot themes, or creative stylistic and design choices. This is what will truly capture attention and set a game apart.

Focusing on classic slots presents challenges for 1spin4win when it comes to innovation, especially in contrast to non-classic developers. This motivates us to think outside the box, evaluate more thoroughly, and consider a broader spectrum of ideas. And that’s an opportunity 1spin4win is excited to take on.

Q: What moment or detail in Tiger’s Steps stands out most to you personally as the Art Director?

A: The first thing that stands out to me is the development of the creative concept — seeing how the idea evolved from the beginning. Secondly, it’s the passion and love for the creative process that really stood out during the development. And third, it’s the dedication to historical accuracy that the artist put into certain details.

There were moments when we had to stop the artist because they became so immersed in the project, feeling that every detail was crucial for the art. This really showed their commitment. That’s why it’s so important to establish the right level of historical accuracy from the start for a commercial product. Otherwise, there’s no end to how much you could perfect it, and you could spend a year just working on one game.

Q: What do you hope the player feels when they launch this game?

A: When players launch Tiger’s Steps Hold and Win, I hope they feel immediately drawn into an atmospheric world set in a small medieval Japanese community near the dark slopes of Mount Fuji. The game’s story immerses them in the adventure of two elite ninja warriors from the Tiger Clan, who leave the sacred temple walls at night to protect ancient scrolls.

The game is designed to appeal to all types of players, both experienced and novice, with intuitive mechanics that make it easy to enjoy. However, I believe it will particularly resonate with the male audience, given its martial arts theme and strong visual effects.

Beyond the beautiful visuals, Tiger’s Steps Hold and Win offers players great opportunities for winning. With two jackpots to aim for, including the elusive x100 Minipot prize and the x1,000 Megapot, players can dive into the Hold and Win Bonus game, where sticky Coins and 3 starting respins provide even more chances to win big. The game’s exciting features and the unique ninjutsu theme will keep players engaged and entertained as they explore the reels and the rewards they can unlock.

Q: Do you personally play casino games — and if so, do you ever play the games you’ve helped create?

A: The last time I played casino games was European roulette at a local casino in my city. Luckily, I have strong self-control and always know when to stop. Personally, I see casino games more as a source of entertainment and a professional interest than a way to make money. However, I do enjoy observing players, seeing what choices they make and how they react to the experience.

I believe that great slot art doesn’t always equal a great product. Game graphics are just the cover; what matters is the balance of all the elements working together. As I mentioned earlier, that balance keeps players engaged in the long run.

It’s not always easy for me to play games I’ve worked on, as I tend to notice areas where I could’ve done something differently or improved the design. I don’t know how other Art Directors feel, but it can be a bit frustrating for me. Still, all these observations go into my personal experience, and with every new game I create, I become more skilled and professional. Analyzing my work is a big part of what helps me grow in my role.

Conclusion

Game visuals influence how players connect with a slot — from the first impression to long-term engagement. Olga Bogdanova’s work at 1spin4win highlights how creative direction, consistency, and attention to cultural context can turn a concept into a compelling game series.

Her insights reflect a broader shift in the industry: visual design is playing a central role in player experience. At our CasinoRIX B2B Hub, we explore these perspectives to better understand what drives quality in game development. As 1spin4win expands its creative strategy, stories like Olga’s help define the standard for what thoughtful, well-executed game design looks like in 2025 and beyond.