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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.
Bragg Gaming Group has announced the launch of its newest games and Remote Gaming Server (RGS) technology with Fanatics Casino across New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Fanatics Casino is America’s fastest growing online casino and is available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia on iOS, Android, and desktop. Players are invited to dive into a world of thrills as Fanatics Casino brings the casino floor directly to a customer’s fingertips, whether on-the-go or in front of a computer. Players can explore a wide array of classic and modern casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots and video poker. Each game is crafted to deliver authentic casino action, ensuring endless entertainment.
Players in these states will benefit from access to Bragg’s full catalog, including titles from Bragg’s in-house proprietary content development studios, a roster which includes Atomic Slot Lab and Indigo Magic and Wild Streak Gaming, all through Bragg Gaming’s Remote Games Server (RGS) technology, delivered via the Bragg HUB platform.
In addition, titles from Bragg’s multiple studio partners, including Incredible Technologies, Bluberi, King Show Games, and Sega Sammy Creation will also be available to players in all three regulated markets along with top-performing titles like “Cai Fu Emperor Ways” and “Queenie” and a host of other elevated content from Bragg’s Atomic Slot Lab studio.
This roster of studio partners, which is constantly being updated, now also includes Boomerang Studios, Four Leaf Gaming and Reflex Gaming, who will all launch titles on the Bragg RGS later this year.
This expansion is the latest step in Bragg’s drive to deliver engaging and game-changing content to players across the North American market.
The launch supports Bragg Gaming’s strategic goals by accelerating the growth of utilization of Bragg’s exclusive and proprietary content, and the diversification of revenue through expansion into North American markets.
Matevz Mazij, CEO Bragg Gaming Group commented: “With its history of connecting sports fans with merchandise they love and with sports betting and the strong cross sell between sports betting and iGaming, this launch represents a great opportunity to showcase Bragg’s amazing titles across the three biggest iGaming markets in the US.”
“We look forward to developing our relationship as a key partner of Fanatics Betting and Gaming in the North American market as we continue the roll-out with regular new game releases planned.”
Kieron Shaw, Manager of Fanatics Casino Games Content, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Bragg Gaming Group to bring their diverse and engaging iGaming content to our players in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.”
“This collaboration is a significant step in our strategy to expand our iGaming offerings and capitalize on the substantial growth projected for these key markets. Bragg’s impressive catalogue, including titles from Wild Streak Gaming and their third-party studio partners, along with their innovative promotional tools, will undoubtedly enhance the gaming experience for our users and help us springboard our presence across these important states.”
Gambling in the USA
Abbiati Casino Equipment and Hawkins Holdings Form Strategic Alliance to Expand Presence Across the Americas
Abbiati Casino Equipment, a globally recognised leader in premium casino equipment and technologies, announced a strategic partnership with Hawkins Holdings to strengthen its presence across North and South America. As part of this initiative, seasoned gaming executive Roger Hawkins has been appointed Brand Ambassador and Strategic Consultant for the Americas.
With more than 20 years of executive leadership in the global casino and gaming industry, Hawkins will spearhead the company’s efforts to expand its footprint throughout the Western Hemisphere. His role will include market development, strategic partnerships, regulatory positioning, and the promotion of Abbiati’s legacy of Italian innovation, craftsmanship, and integrity.
“This partnership is about more than market entry – it’s about building deeper awareness, driving product adoption, and reinforcing Abbiati’s commitment to quality across every pit and poker room in the hemisphere,” said Hawkins.
Giorgio Abbiati, CEO of Abbiati Casino Equipment, said: “We have proudly served clients in the Americas for many years, but the time is right to deepen our focus. Roger’s knowledge of our products and his insight into the market make him the ideal partner to lead this next phase.”
Evolution announced a new partnership agreement with Bally’s Corporation. The agreement strengthens Bally Casino’s offering in Rhode Island, with a wide-ranging portfolio of Evolution’s slot titles, and establishes Evolution’s footprint in Rhode Island, a key milestone in its US growth strategy.
In a historic first, Evolution is now live in Rhode Island with its online slot games from its renowned slot brands NetEnt, Red Tiger and Big Time Gaming. This milestone marks Evolution’s entry into the state and establishes a presence in all seven US states which currently offer online casino gaming.
Also, under the terms of the agreement, Evolution has also introduced exclusive Bally’s branded live dealer Blackjack tables in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. These dedicated tables offer a seamless user interface integration with the Bally Bet Casino app, and will provide a premium, personalised player experience which showcases the distinctive Bally brand. In addition to these live dealer games, Bally players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will enjoy an expanded collection of the newest and most exciting cutting-edge slot titles.
Jacob Claesson, Chief Executive Officer Evolution North America, commented: “This agreement represents a significant step forward for both Evolution and Bally’s Corporation. We’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Bally’s by delivering world-class gaming experiences and extend our reach into Rhode Island, a first for Evolution. This partnership showcases our shared commitment to driving innovation and providing exceptional entertainment for players.”
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