So, just to reiterate, i work in land-based so my answers are around that:
- Do you guys run Linux (Custom or a known distro), Windows or some custom OS to run the physical slot machines? I don't actually know, but it will be some form of Linux i would guess - i know it's not windows
- How rigorous is the workflow when it comes to code reviews, pull requests etc
- What takes the longest to do during the cycle of production of a slot machine (Developping the math model? Actual UI/Back-end coding? QA?) Maths is by far the most time consuming part of game development - sometimes it can be quick if you're lucky, but it is normally the most iterative, and it's the most important part of the game. Plus we have to have secret meetings with all competitors to make sure all the central compensation works correctly and the "rig button" works as it should...
- Any specific tools you use to help you during development that are specific to slot machine developpement?
Nope. Some exist (Slot Contructor for example) but those tend to be used by smaller companies. We do have some in-house tools of course, but nothing external other than Unity (which is used in Land-based btw)
- Does working in the industry kills the “excitement and magic” for you of slotting?
No - the opposite in fact.
- Can any dev open up the math model and look at it or is it some sort of crazy secret hidden from everyone in the company/team?
In the past, devs were the ones implementing the maths models, but this was prone to too much human error, so now we have some clever tools so maths is done my the mathematicians, and the developers have very little to do other than add some hooks in the game. They CAN look at the maths, but they couldn't change it as then the simulations and game would not match.