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Building anticipation with every spin
Katya Machuganova, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming, talks about how studios are taking their games beyond spinning and winning to deliver the thrilling entertainment experiences players now expect.
There was a time when players were happy to hit spin and then sit back to see if they would win or not. That alone was enough to generate the anticipation and thrills that make playing online slots such as buzz.
But now it’s different with players demanding more from the slots they play. They want to be engrossed in themes and narratives, interact with characters, have greater control over the outcome of the spin and ultimately be entertained to the same degree as when watching a movie.
Studios are also competing with other entertainment options such as mobile and video games, and these offer rich experiences that keep players engaged and coming back for more. Slot developers must compete with this and simply being able to win money is no longer a strong enough draw.
One of the key reasons for playing online slots is the anticipation of the win – this can sometimes be more exciting than the win itself. As the symbols drop and align, players find themselves on the edge of their seats waiting to see if they can land the right combo.
Studios have been upping the ante here with many now using cluster wins and cascades instead of standard win lines. This not only builds the win anticipation to a much higher level with each cascade bringing new win opportunities, but it also delivers more value from a single spin.
Cascades on their own are not enough to provide the action-packed experience that players are seeking so the pay system needs to be combined with the right combination of features and bonuses, with the whole game packaged up in a striking theme.
This is something we have done with our latest game, Banana Blitz Deluxe. It takes a zany theme – monkeys and bananas – and wraps it around the cascade mechanic. The team has then built a flow of bonuses that enhance the anticipation built through the cluster pays.
This includes the ever-popular free spins – triggered when at least three Scatters land in the base game – and expanding wilds. This is triggered when the monkey throws a banana peel onto the reel and sees the palm tree wild symbol cover the entire reel.
It’s important to ensure bonuses tie in with the theme of the game, so Banana Blitz Deluxe also includes the Banana Bonus. This comes to life when scatter symbols land on reels one and five. The player must then pick banana symbols to reveal multiplier prizes.
Once the collect symbol is revealed, all of the picked multipliers (they range from 2x to 100x) are combined and applied to the win.
This is a great example of how to give players some control over the outcome of the game – the picking of the banana symbols is done by them which means they have some say in the multipliers that are revealed before the collect symbol is hit.
The challenge for studios is ensuring that bonuses click together and allow the overall gameplay to flow. Developers also need to be mindful of the market or markets the game is destined for as this will impact the complexity of the features included in the game.
We have been heavily focused on the US for some time now, and the themes, mechanics and bonus combos that hit the mark with players in the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania are very different to Norway and Portugal, for example.
In the US, players are still finding their feet with online slots so while it’s important to create games that excite and entertain, the gameplay needs to be easy to understand – players are often unwilling to spend their balances on learning new slot mechanics and features.
This is why we look to use tried and tested mechanics but combine them in a way that builds the anticipation and energy that players love to experience, even if they are relatively new to playing slots online.
One of the most effective bonus features is the progressive jackpot. Players instantly understand what it is and, most importantly, how they win. It also provides the big win potential that attracts players to certain games over others – the great thing about jackpots is that they appeal to casual players just as much as seasoned spinners.
The Banana Bonanza Progressive Jackpot can be won at random from any base game spin. The prize pot is made up of a 4% contribution from every wager with the jackpot amount always displayed on screen – it increases in real-time with every bet.
This itself is really powerful when it comes to building anticipation as players can see the size of the prize increasing second by second. Of course, as with most progressives, increasing the bet per spin value increases the player’s chance of triggering the jackpot.
Getting the right balance with theme, mechanics and bonus features is easier said than done – especially in new and emerging markets where player preferences are not quite as advanced as those in more established regions like Europe.
But all players want to be entertained and one thing’s for sure – just hitting spin and waiting to see if a win lands no longer cuts it.
The Venom Mystery Bounty and PLO tourneys will guarantee a total of $10 million
The summer is heating up for No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha players at ACR Poker. The popular online poker site will debut its biggest Mystery Bounty and PLO tournaments ever this August, with a total of $10 million in guarantees.
Running in parallel, the Venom Mystery Bounty and PLO tournaments will each have five Day 1 flights starting from Sunday, August 4, with Day 2 starting on Monday, August 19.
ACR Poker’s first-ever Venom Mystery Bounty tournament boasts a staggering $8 million guaranteed prize pool. Players can play multiple Day 1 flights to accumulate their chip stack and can win big on Day 2 by running deep or by collecting a bounty prize up to $500,000 every time they knock out a player.
Every knockout guarantees a bounty of at least $5,000.
As ACR Poker’s first Venom Omaha event, the $2 million guaranteed Venom PLO will see the winner take home an estimated top prize of $400,000, cementing their place in poker history. Like the Venom Mystery Bounty tournament, the Venom PLO will be multi-entry, giving players multiple opportunities to build a bigger stack through multiple Day 1 flights.
“We’re excited to be running our largest Mystery Bounty and PLO tournaments ever,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “Whether you’re a fan of Mystery Bounty or PLO, we’ve got you covered! With $10 million in combined guarantees and the opportunity to win big through knockout bounties, now is the time to take your shot at these massive events.”
Moneymaker also noted that players can win their $2,650 seat to these big tournaments for a fraction of the cost during ACR Poker’s Venom Fever satellite extravaganza. With 900 Venom Mystery Bounty tourney seats guaranteed through a variety of satellites, including The Beast, Venom Madness, and Mega satellites, and 100 Venom PLO seats guaranteed through Direct satellites, there are plenty of chances for players to join the action.
For more information on the $8 Million guaranteed Mystery Bounty Venom and the $2 Million guaranteed PLO Venom, visit ACRPoker.eu.
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SCCG Management Announces Joint Venture with KSN Gaming to Launch “BooRay!”, The Biggest Gambling Card Game in Sports and Entertainment
SCCG Management is excited to announce a first-of-its-kind strategic joint venture with KSN Gaming to bring “BooRay!” to a global audience. This card game, with its deep-rooted history, has evolved into a cultural sensation embraced by athletes, celebrities, and elite circles. With SCCG’s extensive expertise in the gaming and entertainment sectors, they will work closely with KSN Gaming, guiding BooRay! through regulatory processes and developing comprehensive market entry strategies for global expansion. SCCG will also support BooRay! with global distribution, business development, and brand exposure in the gaming, sports, and entertainment industries. Their joint efforts include distributing BooRay! across retail, social, and online casinos, launching exclusive merchandise, and building a luxury lifestyle brand around BooRay!.
Led by Kahari Nash, known as “The BooRay! King,” and supported by former NBA stars Kendrick Perkins and Mario Chalmers, who actively serve as board members, BooRay is set to transcend its status as a game to become a lifestyle movement.
Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management, said: “We are incredibly excited about our joint venture to support BooRay! on its journey to becoming a major player in the global gaming industry. With its unique blend of strategy and social engagement, BooRay! has the potential to revolutionize how people play and experience card games. Our extensive network and expertise will help bring BooRay! to digital platforms, brick-and-mortar casinos, and beyond, ensuring its global exposure and success.”
Kahari Nash, “The BooRay! King” and Founder and CEO, KSN Gaming, added: “BooRay’s immense potential became evident during high-stakes matches with icons like Rajon Rondo, John Wall, and Draymond Green. The idea began after we had run up the tab to $9.2 million between them, and I knew we had a great problem on our hands. The excitement from industry legends like Phil Ivey confirmed our vision, as the world will now see the biggest names in pop culture playing BooRay!. We’re turning BooRay! from a locker room favorite into a household name. With SCCG Management’s support, we are ready to take BooRay! to a global audience.”
Kendrick “Big Perk” Perkins, NBA Champion & ESPN Analyst, commented: “For 14 seasons, I was one of the biggest “BooRay!” players in the NBA. Kahari was always a towering figure among players and entertainers. When he told me he was going to commercialize “BooRay!” with the first regulated gaming app and casino table game, I knew he was about to change the game. I’m proud to be Team BooRay!”
Mario Chalmers, NCAA & 2X NBA Champion, shared: “When I got the call from Kahari ‘The BooRay! King’ to join Team BooRay!, it was a no-brainer. It took me back to my time at Kansas, hitting the ‘Big Shot’ against Memphis and going on to win the NCAA Championship, and in Miami, winning back-to-back championships with ‘The Big 3’—Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron ‘King’ James. During that time, we played some of the highest stakes BooRay! games in the NBA. I knew I had to be a part of the future of BooRay!”
BooRay! has become a nationwide sensation, captivating both casual players and high-stakes enthusiasts. Its unique blend of strategy, chance, and social interaction is loved by celebrities like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, and James Harden. This engaging game offers a dynamic experience that appeals to a wide and diverse audience.
BooRay, also known as Bourré, is a trick-taking gambling card game that originated in the Acadiana region of Louisiana and is also popular on the Greek island of Psara, where it is known as Boureki. The game aims to win the most tricks (rounds) in each hand to claim the pot. Players who can’t win the most tricks must avoid getting “Boo’ed,” which means taking no tricks at all and incurring a severe penalty, typically matching the total money in the pot.
SCCG Management, the leading advisory firm in the gambling industry, will provide global support to bring BooRay! to the masses. This includes integrating the game into both digital platforms and brick-and-mortar casinos, raising investment, and establishing partnerships with globally recognized brands and influencers. By integrating SCCG’s ecosystem of best-in-class gaming partners and brands, the aim is to maximize revenue streams and solidify BooRay’s place within gaming and entertainment.
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), a national gaming operator and developer, and the Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA), a local nonprofit association, announced their intent to jointly apply for a gaming license with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) after the state moratorium on new licenses expires on June 30, 2024.
“The time is now for Cedar Crossing. Linn County residents have overwhelmingly passed two gaming referendums and they have been patient. With the moratorium expiring soon, we look forward to bringing an unprecedented casino gaming and entertainment destination to Cedar Rapids,” said P2E Board Member Jonathan Swain.
If granted a license, Cedar Crossing plans to support local nonprofits with contributions of 8% of its annual gaming revenue – the highest in the state. While Iowa mandates that licensed casinos donate at least 3% to nonprofit organizations, Cedar Crossing aims to significantly exceed this requirement to make a meaningful impact in the community.
“People like to count us out, though we are part of a resilient community. Linn County has come back stronger than before – and we’re going to do it again with Cedar Crossing. A local casino will help our communities be even more vibrant: We estimate that Cedar Crossing will be able to commit $5 million to $7 million to nonprofits annually. This will be a major boost to local organizations, and just one of the many ways this project will make Linn County an even better place to live, work and visit,” said LCGA President Anne Parmley.
In 2013 and 2021, Linn County residents passed public referendums authorizing gaming in the county. The 2021 vote, Public Measure G, permanently authorizes gaming in the county, enabling P2E to develop plans to bring an entertainment and gaming facility to the county. Residents will not have to vote for a third measure.
Cedar Crossing is proposed to be located along the west side of the Cedar River between Kingston Village and Time Check Park. The structure will provide important flood protection infrastructure along the west side of the river, helping to further revitalize the area.
“Our commitment to building a world-class destination has never wavered. We are in the final stages of finalizing our vision for Cedar Crossing and look forward to setting a new standard for gaming and entertainment in Iowa,” said Swain.
In addition to county residents, the project has long been supported by several local government officials and trade unions.
“From the resounding support of Linn County voters to recent legislative developments and today’s announcement, our commitment to the Linn County Gaming Association has remained steadfast. The development team continues to demonstrate their dedication to Cedar Rapids with a vision for a casino that highlights our community’s potential as a modern entertainment and gaming destination. I am confident their next proposal will bring significant benefits to Cedar Rapids and Linn County as a whole, offering unmatched opportunities for our residents and visitors while providing vital support for community organizations to advance and thrive,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell.
In addition to Mayor O’Donnell, Linn County Board of Supervisors Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt supports Cedar Crossing.
“Linn County residents support casino gambling in Linn County. This investment in our community would increase opportunity for our local economy in several ways, including job creation, tourism and providing unmatched entertainment options. Like other Iowa counties, we are looking for a fair chance for the people of Linn County to receive these benefits for our community,” Running-Marquardt said.
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