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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.
CT Gaming has announced its debut installations in Guatemala, marking a significant milestone in the expansion across Latin America. Following this year’s successful installations in Mexico and Perú, CT Gaming’s presence in the region continues to grow at full speed.
“We are proud of the established partnerships and see these installations as the foundation for a long-term collaboration. We believe this is just the beginning of our journey toward becoming a leading provider in Guatemala,” said Georgi Koprinarov, General Manager LatAm at CT Gaming.
Leading gaming venues in Guatemala, among which Fantastic – Majadas, Fantastic – Las Americas, Magic Bingo – Metro Norte and Magic Bingo – Capitol, are now equipped with EZ Modulo 32/32/32 slot cabinet and the newest addition to the Diamond King family – Diamond King 4. Among the 40 games in the pack, players will experience a unique blend of classic titles and brand-new games such as Zet Fruits,Clovers on Fire and others. Additionally, half of the games are linked to the progressive jackpot Diamond Tree Deluxe, which concept is offering exciting rewards and enhanced gameplay. Another new feature that premiers within Diamond King 4, is the “Buy Bonus” game which brings additional excitement and better chances of winning.
“We are thrilled to partner with CT Gaming and introduce their cutting-edge products to Guatemala. The installation of the EZ Modulo cabinets in combination with the latest multigame – Diamond King 4 has already sparked interest among our players. We look forward to a long and successful collaboration with CT Gaming, bringing top-tier entertainment to our customers,” said Edgar Paz Ravines, director of Desarrollos Providencia.
Spintec returns to IGA with its exclusive US distributor, Dynamic Gaming, and a shared booth with Gaming Arts.
Spintec’s return to the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Conference & Tradeshow this year is marked by the significant success the company has achieved since the last show. Their partnership with their exclusive distributor, Dynamic Gaming, has expanded their presence across the US by leaps and bounds.
They are currently licensed and approved for their latest product and games, in California, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Washington, with approvals in Arkansas, Wyoming, Idaho, and Florida waiting in the wings. This highlights their ongoing commitment to the US market and their growing footprint across North America, emphasized further by their imminent entry into Ontario, Canada.
To celebrate their unwavering success in North America, Spintec will be showcasing the best parts of their latest Charisma product line at this year’s IGA. Charisma is a brand-new line of products, which has already won awards and has become an instant global bestseller. In an exclusive introduction, the visitors at IGA will be shown its brand-new Craps solution. It comes with super innovative elements such as the shooter button, 7-out function, and a rotating dealer feature. Additionally, they will also be unveiling their virtual/video Charisma Blackjack machine. Both of these exceptional new solutions are designed to elevate the gaming experience and include a variety of side bets on both games.
But that’s not all – visitors will also have the chance to try out their proprietary new Galactic Spin Roulette game. It offers an enhanced roulette experience with integrated Mega, Major, and Minor Jackpots, bet multipliers of up to 300, and the exciting possibility of winning free spins. This game revolutionizes the roulette experience by eliminating breaks, making the wait for the ball to drop the most thrilling part of the game.
Their booth will also include a variety of compact, multi-station solutions, giving the visitors the opportunity to explore and experience the breadth of their latest product portfolio.
TheLotter US has expanded its trusted lottery courier service to Arizona, following successful launches in New Jersey and New York just last year. With this latest addition, TheLotter US now operates in five states, including Oregon, and Minnesota.
Yael Hertz, CEO of TheLotter Group, said: “We’re thrilled to expand our service to yet another state. Now, Arizona residents can enjoy the convenience of entering their favorite lottery draws without having to go out and buy a ticket.”
TheLotter US fulfills lottery ticket orders on customers’ behalf at licensed retailers, scans them, and uploads them to their personal accounts before the draw. From there, they can view their ticket and track their numbers with ease.
With years of experience in the industry, TheLotter US is making lottery play more convenient than ever. Their dedicated 24/7 customer support ensures players always receive prompt and reliable assistance whenever they need it.
Over time, TheLotter US has built a loyal customer base by consistently proving itself as a trusted and reliable service.
Creating an account takes just minutes. After verifying their info, users can choose their favorite lottery game, pick their lucky numbers or use Quick Pick, select the number of lines to be added, and confirm their order. TheLotter US will take it from there.
With years of experience and a solid reputation, TheLotter US uses top-tier security measures like GeoTrust 128-bit SSL encryption to protect all transactions. Plus, ticket scans will be viewable in customers’ accounts before the draw for total transparency, and their 24/7 customer support is always there to assist with any and all queries.
Arizona has seen some incredible jackpot wins, including a $108 million Mega Millions prize in Lake Havasu City just four years ago. More recently, in January 2025, a lucky player in Tempe became the sole winner of a $112 million jackpot.
This win has special significance, as the winner purchased their ticket through an online lottery courier service. This incredible win highlights how ticket courier services make it easier than ever for players to enter their favorite draws—and seize life-changing opportunities.
Now that TheLotter US is live in Arizona, Arizona residents have the same opportunity to play for the biggest prizes and create their own “jackpot moment”.
Whether it is a big or small win, customers will be notified by email right away by TheLotter US. Smaller prizes (under $600) are deposited directly into a players’ account. Should a player win a larger prize, TheLotter US will assist them in claiming their prize in person at the official lottery office.
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