Founded in 2019, Peter & Sons has carved out a distinct place in the iGaming landscape with its hand-drawn visuals, original soundtracks, and cinematic storytelling. In an industry often driven by speed and volume, the studio has taken a different route: slower, craft-focused, and unapologetically distinctive.
We sat down with Yann Bautista, Commercial Director and Founder of Peter & Sons, to talk about the studio’s journey from a six-person startup to a 60+ team across multiple countries, the philosophy behind avoiding AI in game creation, and what the future holds for the Barbarossa and Ghostfather universes.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Peter & Sons was founded in 2019 and is now celebrating seven years in the industry. How has the studio evolved since those early days, particularly in terms of team size and structure?
Yann Bautista: Peter & Sons was founded in 2019, and we officially celebrate our birthday in April, that’s when the idea truly became a studio rather than just a vision. We began as a small, passionate team of six people, each wearing multiple hats and building everything from the ground up.
Today, we are more than 60 people strong across Barcelona, Armenia, Malta, and beyond. The team has grown significantly, but our mindset remains the same – craft-driven, hands-on, and focused on quality over shortcuts.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): For players who are new to Peter & Sons, which three titles would you recommend as an introduction to the studio and what makes them representative of your identity?
Yann Bautista: I won’t say Barbarossa, players will find it on their own. It’s impossible not to notice. To truly understand Peter & Sons, I would start with Ghostfather. It captures our cinematic side perfectly: dark humor, dramatic atmosphere, layered storytelling, and mechanics that create tension.
Second, Bubblegum Robo. It’s loud, colorful, and slightly chaotic, in the best way. Neon energy, bold character design, and playful volatility. It shows that we can shift from gothic mafia aesthetics to explosive arcade-style madness without losing our identity.
Third, Peter Hunter. This represents our roots: adventure-driven, character-focused, full of charm and classic slot spirit, elevated through hand-drawn art and carefully designed mechanics. It’s where craftsmanship meets nostalgia.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): From what I’ve heard, Peter & Sons does not rely on AI in its game creation process. Is that a deliberate strategic choice, and how important is that decision in maintaining the studio’s creative identity?
Yann Bautista: It’s absolutely a conscious decision. We believe craftsmanship cannot be automated if your goal is to create something with soul. Every brushstroke, animation frame, and soundtrack we release is created by real artists and musicians. AI may increase speed, but we prioritize identity, and identity is built by humans.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Peter & Sons has certainly developed a highly distinctive visual identity. Do you see that style as a competitive advantage in the broader market, or does it risk limiting mainstream appeal?
Yann Bautista: If it were niche, we wouldn’t be live in more than 19 regulated jurisdictions with tier-one operators. Our style is distinctive, but it’s not limiting. Players are exposed to thousands of generic games every year. Recognition becomes an advantage. Being recognizable is scalable. Being generic is not.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): The Barbarossa series now spans three installments, most recently with Barbarossa Dragon Empire, while Ghostfather has also evolved into a multi-part franchise. What criteria determine whether a title earns a sequel and can you share any insight into what may come next?
Yann Bautista: We never create sequels simply because a game performs well. A series continues only if we feel the world still has something meaningful to say – creatively, mechanically, and emotionally.
The Barbarossa universe became a trilogy because players connected deeply with its world, characters, and evolving mechanics. Each installment raised the stakes, with Barbarossa Dragon Empire representing the peak of that arc.
When there is both strong player demand and genuine creative headroom, that’s when we move forward. And let’s just say, the Barbarossa universe still holds unexplored territories.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Peter & Sons maintains an active presence on Spotify with original soundtracks from your games. What role does that initiative play within the broader brand strategy, and what does it bring to the studio creatively or commercially?
Yann Bautista: If you’re asking about revenue – nothing. It’s not a monetization channel. Spotify is an extension of our commitment to craftsmanship and talent. We want to exist beyond the reels, in players’ living rooms during a house party, in their kitchens while cooking with family, or in their headphones during a run. When your music stands on its own outside the game, it proves it was never background noise, it was art.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Responsible gaming is an increasingly important topic across the industry. How does Peter & Sons approach player protection and sustainable game design?
Yann Bautista: We design games as entertainment first. Our philosophy is that games should create experiences, atmosphere, and emotion, not just repetitive extraction loops. When players are immersed in crafted worlds rather than purely mechanical systems, the relationship with the game changes.
At the same time, we focus heavily on regulated markets and strict compliance. Sustainability and regulation are not obstacles for us, they are foundations.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Looking back over the past seven years, what would you consider the biggest strategic risk Peter & Sons has taken and how did that decision shape the studio’s trajectory?
Yann Bautista: Building a brand around craftsmanship in an industry optimized for speed. Hand-drawn art, original soundtracks, thoughtful marketing, and a strong focus on regulated markets, none of that is the fastest path. But it is the most sustainable one. Betting on identity over volume has been our biggest risk and our greatest strength.
Bigwinboard (Daniel): Finally, where do you see Peter & Sons in five years?
Yann Bautista: In five years, I see Peter & Sons continuing the path we’re already on, just louder and stronger. We aim to become a true content powerhouse within the industry, expanding globally while remaining uncompromisingly true to our DNA.
If, in five years, players can still recognize a Peter & Sons game within seconds, and operators continue to view us as a benchmark for quality and originality, then we will know we did it right.
