Ex-Gaming Realms chiefs team up to launch startup RGS platform
Industry figures behind slots studio Rogue reveal plans to bolster distribution strategy with new server Octopus Gaming
A startup slots studio launched by two former Gaming Realms execs has moved to develop its own remote gaming server (RGS) as it continues its growth roadmap.
Rogue, which was established by former Slingo creative director Daniel Lamond and ex-director of gaming Phil Halston, along with former Felt Limited CEO John Parsonage, is based out of Colchester and has continued to grow exponentially since its launch in February 2021.
Lamond serves as Rogue chief product officer (CPO) while Halston is the firm’s as chief technology officer (CTO). Parsonage is the chief commercial officer (CCO).
The trio will reprise these roles at the new RGS, dubbed Octopus Global, along with onboarding former Gaming Realms software lead Vedat Coskun who developed the platform from scratch.
Speaking to EGR, Lamond and Parsonage revealed their thinking behind going alone with an RGS, with hurdles around distribution a key bugbear for the duo.
Parsonage said: “I think one of our first frustrations was distribution. There’s a lot of people interested in taking our games but then it is a case of how do we get to everyone quickly, and having our own RGS helps solve that.
“We want to build multiple versions of games on multiple platforms so having our own RGS effectively solves this. Vedat has been developing this over the last 12 to 18 months and he has built a sort of dream RGS,” he added.
The pair add that they will look to secure RGS certification from various jurisdictions such as Malta and the UK.
Parsonage added that the plan to develop an RGS had “always been on the horizon” as Rogue looked to establish itself in the industry, and with the presence of Coskun, allowed this to be realised.
Touching on Coskun’s involvement with the project, Lamond sang the former Push Gaming head’s praises.
Lamond said: “We originally worked with him at Gaming Realms. He built the RGS there. He’s a good mate and he is top quality. He is heading up the whole of that side for us.
“There’s not many people who can build an RGS this quickly and as to such a high quality. When he became available it pushed our hand a little bit as it probably wasn’t the exact time we would have done it,” he added.
Lamond and Parsonage noted they eventually plan to use Octopus as an industry-wide RGS, and that discussions have already begun with potential supplier partners.
Looking ahead to the future, the pair said Rogue remained in discussions with several operator partners regarding supplier partnerships and that the future remained “very exciting” for the firm.