Behind the Reels: An Interview with a Slot Game Designer

We sat down (virtually) with Elena Park, lead designer at Aurora Games, to explore how developers balance theme, maths and player experience when building a modern pokie.

Q: Where does inspiration come from?

Elena: "Inspiration comes from everywhere — films, folklore, music and even architecture. We try to capture a mood first, then find mechanics that support it. If the mechanics enhance the theme, players feel more immersed."

Q: How do you balance RTP and fun?

Elena: "RTP is a technical constraint but also a player promise. We design features that promise excitement without artificially inflating variance. The trick is to create moments of tension and reward that feel fair and frequent enough to keep players engaged."

Q: How important are visuals and sound?

Elena: "They’re crucial. Sound cues communicate wins; animations make value clear. But we’re careful not to overdo it — clarity always beats spectacle when it comes to UX."

Q: Any advice for aspiring designers?

Elena: "Learn math and psychology. The best designers understand probability and how players perceive risk. Also play a lot of games and study what works emotionally and mechanically."

Q: Thoughts on responsible gaming?

Elena: "It’s fundamental. Designers must include clear rules, accessible help and consider features that prevent problematic patterns. Player wellbeing is not just regulatory duty — it’s part of long-term sustainability for our industry."

Final Words

Elena’s approach shows the interplay of creativity and math in modern slot design. Behind every flashy title is a deep process of prototyping, balancing and testing to ensure the product is fun, fair and responsible.