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Sounds and Music in Slots – Interview with Daria Danchuk (Gamzix)
The sounds and music are important elements in slot games. In this exclusive interview with Daria Danchuk from Gamzix we do a deep-dive into the audio world of slots. Continue reading to find out the secret behind good slot music!
Interview Participants
- Interviewer: Markus Björk, Head Writer at Slotsoo
- Interviewee: Daria Danchuk, Key Account Manager at Gamzix
Thank you for doing this interview about music and slots. First, could you walk us through the different sound components that a slot game consists of?
Thanks for inviting us! Sound plays an important role in crafting the overall gaming atmosphere. Slot games generally rely on four key audio components: the background score, which establishes the mood and setting; ambient sounds that enhance the theme; sound effects for in-game actions like reel spins or feature activations; and celebratory win sounds that make victories more enjoyable. These elements work harmoniously to immerse players and elevate their gaming experience.
Gamzix creates the slot sounds in-house. Could you tell us about the team of music professionals you have in place? What skills or degree is required?
Our sound design team is composed of passionate, highly skilled individuals who bring both creativity and technical expertise to the table. They typically have backgrounds in music composition, audio engineering, or sound production, along with hands-on experience in sound design. We emphasize authenticity in our process—for instance, recording real-life sounds to enhance the unique identity of each game. This approach allows us to consistently deliver captivating and high-quality audio for players.
Your sound team source audio material from real life. For example, you visited the Dubai Zoo to record elephants to be used as background sounds in Book of Zulu. Could you tell us more about the locations you have been to so far?
Certainly! Our team takes great pride in exploring extraordinary locations to capture unique audio for our games. For Book of Zulu, we recorded elephant sounds at the Dubai Zoo to bring the game’s theme to life. Similarly, for Spooky Coin:Hold the Spin, we visited an old rural house to collect eerie noises like creaking floors and ghostly whispers. For our newest release, Billie Wild, we even captured live gunshot sounds at a shooting range to make the audio feel as authentic as possible. These real-world recordings add depth and realism, enhancing the player’s experience.
From elephant trumpets to the finalized slot music. Could you explain the typical workflow? What different stages and processes do you have in place?
The process starts with identifying the required audio components. We then gather or record the raw audio, compose the music, and craft sound effects using digital tools. Once integrated into the gameplay, the audio is synchronized with specific actions such as spins or bonus triggers. Finally, everything is meticulously refined to ensure seamless transitions and a fully immersive sound experience.
Let’s talk about the ”secret sauce” to good slots music. What instruments, tempo, and tone have you found work the best to give players an enjoyable and immersive gaming experience?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s about tailoring the music to match the game’s narrative. For The Book of Zulu, we took inspiration from iconic scores like Hans Zimmer’s The Lion King and Phil Collins’ Tarzan, blending them with authentic recordings for a rich, thematic sound. In Egypt Sphere: Hold the Spin, we reimagined traditional Egyptian melodies, while Spooky Coin:Hold the Spin offered a fresh twist on Halloween-inspired tunes. The key is experimenting with instruments, tones, and rhythms to ensure each game has a distinctive and memorable soundtrack.
A scientific study from 2014 found that both high-tempo and low-tempo musical soundtracks can increase risky gambling behaviour. How do you encourage good gambling habits with the help of audio?
We design our soundtracks with responsible gaming in mind, focusing on enhancing entertainment without promoting risky behavior. We create engaging audio that complements the gameplay without overwhelming players. For instance, win sounds are celebratory but not overly stimulating, while background tracks maintain a balanced rhythm to support the experience without encouraging impulsive decisions. Our aim is to deliver fun and immersive audio while fostering mindful play.
Does the Malta Gaming Authority or other license jurisdictions have any regulations about the sounds and music in casino games that you need to keep in mind?
Although regulatory bodies like the MGA don’t impose specific rules for audio, they emphasize fairness and responsible gaming. To comply, we ensure our sound design doesn’t manipulate player behavior or encourage excessive gambling. Instead, we focus on creating soundscapes that enrich the experience while adhering to these principles.
Slot music has evolved a lot since the early days, but still many choose to spin the wheels in silent mode. Do you have any statistics on how big a percentage prefer to play with mute sounds? Are the numbers similar across different demographics and devices?
While we don’t have precise data, we know preferences differ widely. Some players appreciate the audio, while others prefer muting sounds based on their environment, device, or mood. Mobile users in public spaces are more likely to play in silent mode, whereas desktop users or those gaming at home are more inclined to keep the sound on. Offering customizable audio settings ensures players can enjoy the game their way.
Travelling around the world to get good sounds goes quite against the current trend with AI-generated content. The Swedish audio streaming platform Spotify has been both praised and criticized for its use of artificial intelligence. What’s your take on AI, and is it something the team uses?
AI offers valuable tools for certain tasks, but we believe it can’t replace the authenticity and creativity of human-driven sound design. While AI might assist with repetitive processes or generate ideas, it lacks the emotional nuance and originality that come from recording real-world sounds. At Gamzix, we prioritize human artistry and field recordings to deliver immersive, one-of-a-kind soundscapes. Though we monitor AI advancements, it’s not central to our current workflow.
Other game providers are offering music slots featuring famous bands such as KISS and Guns N’ Roses. Do you think the cooperation between popular bands and slot studios will increase in 2025? Is this something you at Gamzix want to explore as well, or what are your plans for the future?
Collaborations with renowned bands undoubtedly have appeal, attracting fans and creating unique gaming experiences. At Gamzix, however, we focus on crafting original soundscapes tailored to our game themes. While such partnerships may grow in popularity, our priority remains on delivering fresh, unique audio experiences through our in-house expertise. That said, we’re open to exploring collaborations that align with our vision in the future, provided they enhance the player experience.
