ELK Studios Details
WOW Studio Score:
The History of ELK Studios
Whilst ELK Studios may not be as universally recognisable as industry leaders Microgaming, they have certainly left an imprint on the industry. Their superb creations speak for this smaller studio more than instant brand recognition.
ELK Studios was established in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2013. Their goal was to deliver high-quality online casino games for mobile platforms.
The game provider has offices in Seattle, London, and Singapore and currently has a staff of 82 working on developing their innovative product line at their headquarters in Stockholm.
They utilise mathematical models that ensure a fair gaming experience, use effective software, and create beautiful artwork across their games range. This provider released the first slot game, The Lab, in 2014 and their first 3D slot, Valkyrie, in 2018.
The UK Gambling Commission awarded the studio a gambling software licence in 2015, and the Malta Gaming Authority issued the company a B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licence in 2019. All ELK Studios games pass rigorous tests that confirm their fairness.
ELK Studios have managed to garner some important iGaming industry awards, such as the Game of the Year Award in 2017 for Wild Toro at the EGR Operators Awards. They also won the 2021 Game Innovator of the Year Award at the 5-Star Starlet Awards.
Why we rated ELK Studios with WOW StudioScore (WSS) 81/100
ELK Studios has managed to secure a spot with loyal players in an industry that's filled with fierce competition. However, there's room for improvement, as its performance scored them an 81 WSS rating. We explain what's behind it below:
- Game Quality Score - 85/100 - ELK Studios has a broad library with games of different themes and narratives. This has earned them a great score of 85, which is broken down below:
- Graphics (Excellent): Graphics are vivid, colourful and follow ELK's distinct style.
- Sound (Good Rating) - Sound and audio effects match the game theme, but not always the dynamic of the gameplay.
- Feature Depth (Good) - Games come with rich features that include the common ones and some of ELK's creations, like the Betting Strategies.
- Big Win Feel (Good) - ELK Studios has both games that have an average max win potential (between 1,000x and 5,000x) and titles that go well beyond that (10,000x, 25,000x, and 50,000x and more).
- Smooth Play - 83/100 - A smooth score for smooth gameplay that includes quick loading times, stable performance and optimised games.
- Load Time (2-4s) - Games are quick to load in only 2 to 4 seconds.
- Stability (1-2%) - There are just a few overall complaints about the game's stability. Our tests showed that only a standard 1-2% crash rate is expected.
- Mobile Optimisation (Excellent) - The provider creates its games with mobile in mind first, which is reflected in the score.
- Fairness & Transparency - 83/100 – There is still more to be done when it comes to fairness and transparency, especially in sharing more information about regulatory and licensing processes.
- Certification (Multi-lab/multi-market) - ELK Studios holds licenses by UKGC, MGA, AGCO, and many other regulated markets.
- RTP Transparency (Fixed & on-site) - Full information about games' RTPs can be found on the provider's website.
- Jackpot/RNG Disclosure (Audited) - RNG fairness is audited according to regulations, but there is no public recollection of the documents. Plus, we came across negative Trustpilot reviews that doubted the games' integrity, which was also taken into consideration in our rating process.
- Licensing & Compliance - 87/100 - ELK possesses licenses from some of the Tier-1 regulators as well as additional certifications. This is reflected in its high but not perfect score.
- License Breadth (UKGC/MGA) - The provider is licensed by some of the best regulators in the world.
- Sanctions History (Clean) - Legal history is clean with no issues on record.
- Game Library - 59/100 - The developer scored a slightly higher than average 59 score mainly due to the fact that it covers only one category in its game library.
- Total Titles (100+) - A jack of one trade, the provider has the opportunity to show off its expertise and skills in its collection of slots. Currently, it includes almost 150 games. If you want to try your luck, you can do so at LuckyTrunk Casino.
- Category Coverage (Narrow) - ELK Studios produces slot games exclusively, so when it comes to category coverage, theirs is definitely narrow.
- Innovation - 84/100 - Although relatively new, ELK Studios has been performing well, including when it comes to innovations. However, if you want even more titles that feel out of the box, try a game from Thunderkick's library.
- New Mechanics (Occasional) - The studio takes pride in its original features, especially the X-iter, which allows players to pick a favourite scenario from a selection of predefined modes.
- Distinctiveness (Noticeable) - Games have original gameplay and visuals, so they can be easily distinguished.
- Casino Presence - 78/100 - Currently, the provider's library can be found in many different casinos worldwide, although there are many more markets yet to be conquered.
- Market Fit & RG - 81/100 - Localisation and RG measures are also an important component of our rating system. Here's the score broken down below:
- Localisation (Good) - Multiple languages and currency options are supported. ELK has also been known to release market-specific variants every so often.
- RG Compliance (Partial) - Measures taken by the company meet regulations, but tools in games could be better presented and more accessible.
ELK Studios' industry reputation
ELK Studios has built a solid industry reputation since its inception in 2013, providing millions of players with a brilliant gaming experience through innovative designs and groundbreaking mathematical models.
The provider continues to surprise the iGaming industry and enhance its reputation with its fascinating video slot creations, supplying mobile-first products to well-established licenced operators and partners worldwide.
The studio has 100+ top-quality games in its portfolio. A decade after getting its start in the industry, it is known for its quality-over-quantity approach, combining innovative maths models with stunning visuals and immersive soundtracks.
In creating video slots, many similar game providers use the same recurring themes. ELK Studios stands out in the software providers' crowd because they continuously create completely new themes, courtesy of their excellent design teams' world-class imagination and creativity.
Nothing is left to chance in the development process except the chance of winning during the game session.
ELK Studios software
With a relatively small library, ELK Studios has dedicated itself to capturing the mobile niche, providing video slots featuring vivid designs and beautiful animations that are aesthetically pleasing and unrivalled on all mobile devices and desktops. Games are browser-based, so you can play without downloading or installing apps.
A unique aspect of ELK Studios' video slots is the Betting Strategies feature. There are 4 optimal predefined betting strategies - Jumper, Optimizer, Booster, and Leveller, which can be set to adjust wager levels according to the strategy you wish to follow. This feature can be used in conjunction with the Autoplay feature, where the player retains control.
Latest technology
ELK Studios is about pushing innovation boundaries to bring you cutting-edge real-money casino gaming experiences.
The latest technology creation is X-iter, which allows you to choose from 5 different game modes. These additional game modes enable access to in-game features such as free spins, win multipliers, bonus rounds, and many more. The X-iter feature allows the player more gameplay control, resulting in a more immersive gaming experience.
X-iter games all have a Bonus Buy option, but the cost of triggering modes varies depending on how lucrative it can be. Get the most feature-rich option, and winnings are all but guaranteed, but it's not certain if they'll cover the cost of the round.
ELK Studios games
ELK Studios has been pursuing excellence in the 3D slots arena since its inception. Since their first release in 2014, they have continuously raised the bar. They have produced 100+ high-quality video slot games, supplying over 700 top-rated online casinos worldwide. Fans of the studio or those who simply explore games also have access to free demo slots. Try now some of the best in their collection, starting with:
ELK Studios develops video slots with charming characters, captivating storylines, and attractive features, and their games are loved all over the world.
Among other extremely popular games by ELK Studios are Katmandu X, Poltava, Ecuador Gold, and Pirots.
Wild Toro is, however, still one of the best. It's a 4 row, 5 reel slot that offers 178 connecting paylines and an exciting mix of wilds, walking wilds, respins and free spins. The storyline features the heroic bull El Toro and his rivalry with the cunning, sneaky matador Diaz Jr in an old Spanish town.
Game types
Since its inception in 2012, ELK Studios has gradually built up its immersive, highly entertaining, and high-quality games portfolio.
Video slots are, however, the only type of online casino games they have in their library. They still come with amazing offers and ELK Studios bonuses.
Video Slot Games
Due to their popularity, the development and release of video slots remain a high priority for online casino game providers. This particular game type takes centre stage at the top online casinos due to its popularity, and where the video slots created by ELK Studios are always prominently featured.
While many other game providers have expanded their portfolios to include other iGaming options such as table games, live dealer games, and Bingo, ELK Studios has opted to focus entirely on developing the best video slots and 3D titles possible.
Of the video slot titles this provider has in its portfolio, you can expect to see many of them featured at top-rated online casinos. This is because they offer intriguing gameplay and plenty of exciting and unique features.
3D Slot Games
ELK Studios began developing 3D slots as early as 2017. Their first release of a 3D game came in 2018 with the release of Valkyrie.
ELK Studios bonus types
Any ELK Studios casino you decide to join will have a selection of bonuses for you to take full advantage of. CasinoWow will keep you updated on all the best ELK Studio bonuses available.
Below we look at some of the exciting bonus offers both existing players and those new to the entertaining casino games portfolio of ELK Studios can expect.
Deposit match bonuses
Deposit Match Bonuses are one of the most popular forms of reward at online casinos. This form of bonus follows a relatively simple procedure where the casino matches the deposit of the player by 100% of the deposit amount. If the player makes an initial deposit of $100, the casino matches the amount adding $100, resulting in a playing balance of $200.
First deposit bonuses
A First Deposit Bonus is the specific bonus amount a player receives upon making the initial deposit into the casino account. This bonus offer is available on signing up and is usually depicted as a percentage based on the amount of the first deposit.
Welcome bonuses
The best Welcome Bonuses are a great way to get started at an online casino. A welcome bonus is sure to boost your chances of becoming a winner. Typically, you’ll have to wager the bonus you have claimed a fixed number of times. If the wagering requirements are 20x the bonus and you claim $200, then you would need to wager $4,000 before being able to withdraw.