Exco Game Studio Aims to Reignite Creativity in Online Slots

 _{Fredrik Elmqvist returns with a new studio built to shake up the slots scene. (Image: Exco Game Studio)}

The online slots market just gained a new player with the debut of Exco Game Studio, an independent developer founded by industry veteran Fredrik Elmqvist.

Best known for co-founding and leading Yggdrasil Gaming from 2012 to 2021, Elmqvist said his new venture is designed to “cut through the noise” of a crowded market by producing games shaped around “player interests and emerging industry trends.”

“I’m going to be honest, the industry has become a bit tired and lazy, stuck in a cycle of uninspiring product rollouts, sequels, and re-skins, which is why we’ve launched Exco Game Studio,” Elmqvist told Casinos.com.

A Smaller, Sharper Team

After nearly a decade steering Yggdrasil into a top-tier supplier, Elmqvist said Exco Game Studio will focus on a more intimate and creative approach.

The new developer is built around what he described as “a small and expert-led team of creatives” who will use “artistic flair and distinct mechanics” to craft games they’d personally want to play.

A Name with Attitude

Elmqvist said the studio’s name was inspired by “excommunicado,” a term popularised by the John Wick films that represents those who challenge convention.

“We’re a bunch of rebels and unicorns whose ways of working didn’t get to fully bloom in previous contexts but we are all now gathered under one roof to create true original slot experiences,” he said.

Redefining Slot Design

Exco Game Studio aims to break from classic slot tropes, think buffalo or Egyptian themes, and move toward titles with immersive gameplay and new mechanics.

Elmqvist said future releases will feature “fresh experiences and instantly watchable clip-worthy moments” powered by the studio’s proprietary GAMEX suite, which includes Wrapper Stacks, Power Field, Boss Fights, Power Bar, and Doubling Dial mechanics.

“Our approach to development is that we won’t ship what we won’t play,” Elmqvist said. 

“We’re looking to stand out with our artistic flair and superb mechanics and we’ve been working for some time to create an exciting roadmap of games that will genuinely shake things up.”

A Measured Rollout

The studio’s first title, Vegascaline, premiered in September at the SBC Summit in Lisbon. The five-reel slot marks the beginning of an ambitious plan to release up to 30 games, though Elmqvist insists there’s “no hard cadence.”

“Exco Game Studio is an independent studio built for players who demand more and a game will drop when it’s ready but not before,” he said. 

“We will build every game from scratch with the intention of launching a bold new wave of high-quality slots tailored for mobile. Our titles are made to be streamed, shared, and loved.”

Reinvigorating the iGaming Space

The online slots market is one of the most competitive segments of the iGaming industry, dominated by major suppliers such as Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and NetEnt. With player fatigue setting in over repetitive themes, new studios like Exco Game Studio could help reinvigorate the space with innovative mechanics and a stronger focus on entertainment value.

Elmqvist’s track record at Yggdrasil, known for titles such as Valley of the Gods and Vikings Go Berzerk, gives weight to his latest ambitions. If Exco Game Studio can deliver on its promise of originality, it may push the wider market toward more creativity and quality-driven design.