Following the official launch of new game studio Ebaka Games earlier this week, NEXT.io catches up with CEO Vitalii Zalievskyi to find out more.
NEXT: You describe Ebaka Games as bringing “chaos and soul” to iGaming. How does that philosophy show up in the games themselves?
Vitalii Zalievskyi: We’re talking about a type of chaos that delivers incredible emotion via design, visuals, and of course, the Ebaka dog mascot. Our soul lies in honesty and the way we treat our players. After all, our games are created by players, for players. We’re saying: “We’re here, we get you, we know what you want, and we’re going to deliver something that will exceed your expectations.”
NEXT: How are Ebaka games developed and what makes them distinct from others in the same genre?
VT: We have started with instant game formats, but we’re not planning to limit ourselves to this genre alone.
Our signature features include the Ebaka Mode, big wins, volatility, drive, and extra thrill. We don’t set any boundaries for ourselves. And above all, there’s our bold brand and the unforgettable Ebaka dog mascot.
When it comes to game creation, everything starts with an idea and the core mechanics. Then we discuss meta features to ensure the math aligns seamlessly with the concept. The process begins with an idea that’s supported by market, competitor and trend analysis. That’s developed into a concept, then a prototype. We then polish the product and soft launch it, ahead of potential refinement and a global release.
NEXT: How important is player feedback in your design and iteration process?
VT: Of course it is important. It’s an essential part of the Ebaka philosophy. We create games players genuinely enjoy, rather than imposing our own vision. That’s why feedback is one of the first things we pay attention to. We love playing slots ourselves, so we understand why it is so important to listen to the players.
NEXT: How do you balance originality and experimentation with the commercial realities of what players (and operators) expect to perform well?
VT: That’s what makes being a provider truly exciting, finding the right balance everywhere while staying honest to yourself. That, to me, is the secret to real success. We won’t reveal all our cards just yet, as we’re only just introducing ourselves to the market. But striking that balance is something we think a lot about, and we’ve come up with some quite innovative approaches to it.
NEXT: You mention your “memorable mascot” and “hardcore Ebaka modes” with ultra-high volatility. Can you expand on those and how central they are to your brand identity and gameplay experience?
VT: Our Plinko game is a great way to showcase it. It’s made for those who love the classics and aren’t ready to try something completely new, yet still crave the thrill of taking a risk and chasing high multipliers. That kind of excitement is pure adrenaline, give it a go!
As for our mascot, he encapsulates everything we’re about at Ebaka. Wild, passionate and full of emotion.
NEXT: At launch, Ebaka Games titles are available exclusively through Menace.com. What’s the reasoning behind that exclusivity, and how long do you plan to keep it in place?
VT: We launched with an operator from our own holding, with whom we have a strong, trust-based partnership. This allows us to test and refine our games freely, without pressure, and with access to excellent analytics.
We agreed on a three-month exclusivity period, after which we’re open to new collaborations, though we remain selective about our partners. We aim for long-term, meaningful relationships, and finding the right match is key to our business.
NEXT: Have you seen interest from other operators yet? If so, what kinds of partnerships or markets are you prioritising next?
VT: There’s definitely interest. But since we’ve only recently entered the market, we’re taking our time to build relationships, step by step. Our first trip as the Ebaka team was to SiGMA, and we came back incredibly inspired and full of energy. The most important thing is that Ebaka resonated with people, and we’re already seeing that in action.
NEXT: Your co-founder Dmitry Belianin is a well-known name in iGaming marketing. How does his experience influence your growth and positioning strategy?
VT: When you have a strong network, business-building experience, and deep engagement in the project, the chances of a successful launch are much higher. It also helps avoid costly mistakes in both time and money. Dima’s experience and involvement have given Ebaka an incredible boost from day one, and we’re truly grateful for his belief in the product and the studio’s mission.
NEXT: Looking ahead, where do you see Ebaka fitting into the broader instant games market; are you focusing on particular regions, demographics, or types of operators?
VT: Our focus is worldwide. We have no limits, no boundaries, no restrictions.
NEXT: Ebaka sits alongside Menace and Menace Media as part of a broader ecosystem. How do the three companies complement each other, and what’s the long-term vision behind connecting game development, operations, and media under one umbrella?
VT: We’re building synergy within a single ecosystem. We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to test our hypotheses with a close operator, while also enjoying the influence and support of media partners. For us, that’s a huge advantage as a startup. At the same time, Ebaka is an independent provider with its own strategy, ambitions, and goals. We’re open to partners who share our spirit and business vision.
With over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry spanning mobile, AAA, AR, and VR, Vitalii has spent more than 6 years in iGaming. Before joining Ebaka Games as CEO, he served as CPO at Aviatrix and previously worked with Embracer Holding (DECA Games) and Snapchat, where he led the AR Gaming Studio.
He played a key role in shaping the GaaS (Game as a Service) model within the iGaming sector. Passionate about building strong, creative teams, Vitalii thrives on turning bold ideas into reality and embracing the many challenges of the gaming world.