The iGaming industry has seen rapid growth during the 2020s, with numerous new studios emerging and trying to impress players with their creativity when designing slot machines. Competition gets fiercer by the day, and it's constantly getting more challenging to shine in the sea of attractive games that are continually hitting online casino lobbies. It's that much more thrilling to see a new game provider enter the race with a unique first product to showcase its abilities. Today, we talk to Marla at Shady Lady, a mysterious studio that's rolling out its debut title, Devil's Finger, in the first quarter of 2025.
Q: Hello, and thank you for taking the time to talk with AboutSlots. Could you share some background about the Shady Lady team? From your first upcoming release, it's clear that there's a massive amount of experience behind it.
A: Oh, you noticed? How flattering. Yes, Shady Lady is new, but the people behind it are anything but. We’ve been around the iGaming block—crafting hits, pushing boundaries, and watching the industry evolve. Now, we’re in the shadows, doing things our way. Bold ideas, fresh mechanics, and just the right amount of mischief.
Q: The studio's name is very unique. What's the story behind it?
A: A lady never reveals all her secrets. But let’s just say we embrace the art of mystery. Shady Lady is everything we stand for—games with hidden depths, unexpected twists, and a rebellious streak. We don’t do the obvious. If people are asking, “Who is Shady Lady?”—we’re doing something right.
Q: Devil's Finger comes with an original and entertaining backstory. Where did you draw the inspiration for it? And is the protagonist, Cosmo, by any chance based on someone real, perhaps from your own ranks?
A: Cosmo is the kind of guy who spends his weekends casting spells and battling mythical creatures in the woods—a die-hard cosplay nerd living his best life.
We’ve spent hours watching LARP and cosplay videos, and if that doesn’t spark inspiration, nothing will. The world of Devil’s Finger is built on that energy—the commitment, the passion, and the belief that with the right skills, you can take on anything. Add the thrill of the gamble, and you’ve got something truly special.
Q: Many studios take a safer path with their first games, sticking to something tested both in terms of mechanics and visuals. Do you have complete faith in your original approach, or were there considerations for creating a more universal product?
A: Safe? Never heard of her. When we started Shady Lady, we knew one thing—if we were going to do this, we had to be anything but mainstream. It only took a few days to realize we wouldn’t just blend in. Devil’s Finger is Shady Lady in a package—unique mechanics, a narrative that’s weirdly humorous (or so we think), and a game built around a fresh take on risk and reward. Could we have played it safe? Sure. Would that have been any fun? Absolutely not.
Q: Are you inspired by other studios' creations? If so, which ones speak to you the loudest and why?
A: Inspiration is everywhere. We admire the daring innovation of Nolimit City, the artistic craftsmanship of Print Studios, and the high-energy chaos of Hacksaw Gaming. But we’re not here to imitate—we’re here to create something that makes people sit up and take notice.
Q: The online slots domain is chock full of various ingenious mechanics. Are there any specific ones that you feel work best and you'd like to try out in your future games, perhaps with some slight modifications?
A: We love mechanics that keep players engaged and weave seamlessly into the game’s narrative. Features like persistent state, evolving symbols, and dynamic volatility all intrigue us. But we don’t just tweak—we redefine. That’s how we ended up with Highlight Reels, a fresh take on fast spins, and Loot Boxes, which bring that extra thrill of unpredictability on demand.
And let’s not forget streamers—high-energy moments keep their audiences hooked, and our mechanics are built to deliver exactly that.
Q: Do you plan to come up with some totally new, possibly also trademarked, features that the industry has not seen yet?
A: Shady Lady isn’t here to recycle ideas. We’re here to create experiences players haven’t had before. Expect the unexpected.
Q: What distribution channels are you planning to use for your games? Will you partner up with one of the larger platforms out there or go direct with the operators?
A: A lady picks her partners carefully. We’re looking at some top-tier platforms and operators that align with our vision. But at the end of the day, we go where the players are. That’s the only thing that matters.
Q: Looking at the thumbnails of the upcoming games on the website, it seems like you will continue your innovative approach. Are there some details about them that you could reveal at this point?
A: Mechanics and theme go hand in hand for us. We want to entertain, keep you on the edge of your seat, and—if we can make you crack a smile while pulling you into our world—then we’ve done our job. That thread runs through all our games, and our next title, Brainwashed, is no exception. We’ll have more to say about it soon—but let’s just say, if you thought Devil’s Finger played with perception, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Q: Is sticking to unexplored subjects and themes the core of your approach, or will you consider creating something for the more traditional audience in the future?
A: We respect tradition, but we’re not here to repeat it. Looking forward means asking, what hasn’t been done yet? — and then doing it our way. If we ever touch on something “classic,” it won’t be what you expect.
Q: Will you produce predominantly slots, or are there ideas for other games, maybe crash, table, skill, or some unique fusions?
A: Slots are our main game—but we’re exploring a whole new category that, if all goes well, we’ll be able to show you more of later this year. Stay tuned.
Q: Are you intimidated by the galloping pace of the iGaming industry? Many big suppliers have massively packed roadmaps, covering a lot of visibility in casino lobbies. Do you believe that originality has a good chance in the battle for a player's attention?
A: Intimidated? Not in the slightest. The industry moves fast, but originality cuts through the noise. We’re not here to flood the market with forgettable games—we’re here to make every release count. And when you do that? Players pay attention.
Thank you so much for all the details. We're genuinely intrigued by Shady Lady and we'll definitely track your progress. We wish you an excellent performance for your debut game and a lot of fun working with all the following ones.
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