If there was a prize for the weirdest game developer name, then Banana Whale Studios would surely be a front runner. This Singapore-based company clearly has a sense of humour and their logo of a bright yellow cartoon whale with a ‘Phht!’ noise coming from its blowhole adds to the fun approach that they like to take. But be in no doubt that this is a serious business, with a range of slots games and a supporting platform that brings their range to desktop and mobile casinos across Asia.

The business was incorporated in March 2017 and shortly afterwards released their first games. So far, their small range consists of slots and lottery games, each with their own distinctive theme and style. Many of these have been designed to appeal to the local markets and Banana Whale Studios slot machines with an Asian influence include Shanghai Night, Singles Day and Lucky Gods. It’s not all about Asia though, as they have a slot based on a zoo keeper, the futuristic Robot Dice and the comical Glorious Leaders, which features some familiar faces across the reels.

Their website encourages readers to think of them as a hybrid company, which provides games plus a stable platform to play them on. The founders of Banana Whale Studios come from both the design and development sides of the business, along with the casino operators side. It means that they have an ideal perspective on what’s needed to bring successful slots that work for everyone, especially the players. It’s certainly attracted attention within the local gaming industry, as in May 2018 they were scooped up by the larger One Horizon Group Inc (OHGI). This company owns a wide range of businesses, covering artist management, digital media and secure messaging services. The acquisition of Banana Whale Studios will give them further access to the massive gambling markets in the region.