Pulse
Slot Mechanics PLAY’N GO
types of mechanics, but we always had confidence these games would appeal to players. We’ve wanted to explore the very corners of what a casino game can be, rather than just repeat what has worked in the past.
Could you tell us more about Play'n GO's first Grid Slot?
Tat would be Energoonz, which was our first grid game with cluster pays mechanics. It also marked the inception of our hugely popular Toonz series. Energoonz didn’t have any cascading mechanics, but instead increasing win multipliers where 3 OAK formed a win, which in turn left behind a wild. By clearing symbols, the player could reveal letters; reveal the entire word B.O.N.U.S to enter the free spins round.
How was the new concept received by players and operators? Was it an immediate success?
I’d say the concept was appreciated, particularly among slots fans, but it took a little while for the genre to really gain widespread popularity. Te release of Reactoonz was probably the tipping point. Tis was a title where the game mechanics had been reworked and refined to make them even more engaging, and it very quickly became a classic.
What has been Play'n GO's most successful grid slot to date?
Tat’s a tough one. Reactoonz, Moon Princess, Rise of Olympus and Tome of Madness have all been extremely successful. Moon Princess and Rise of Olympus both received follow-up games in the 100 series, underlining just how popular they are. But if you made me pick a single title? I’d probably go with Tome of Madness.
Why do you think this game captured players' attention more than the rest?
I think what the game captures is that completely original brand of storytelling, where our fearless adventurer Rich Wilde seeks to unlock the secrets of the cult of Cthulhu. It’s inspired by the writings of H.P Lovecraft and the world-building is just amazing combined with fantastic gameplay. It’s a masterclass in slot design.
Are Grid Slots more popular than traditional slots across the board, in certain markets, or not at all?
Tey are more popular, but it varies a lot from market to market. Some markets are a close 50/50 split, others see Grid Slots dominate 70/30 or even 85/15.
Has the Grid Slots concept been mercilessly imitated like other mechanics and game themes? Have pale imitations been to the detriment or betterment of Play'n GO?
P104 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
We essentially took the most important mechanics and
re-worked them to make them even more engaging and
entertaining. A great example is how well all the parts of Honey Rush 100 work
together, with wins feeding the charge metre, wilds increasing win multipliers and
transforming symbols to reach the next level. If we’re going to make a sequel to a game, we know it can’t just live up to expectations.
It’s nice to see others building around these concepts and generating even more excitement. Play’n GO has certainly been a leader in this space, but we understand we need to keep innovating to stay ahead of the field, and to that end we have some surprises in the pipeline already that we can’t wait to share.
What license do you take in terms of iterating upon the Grid Slots formula? How far can you go in terms of evolving Grid Slot's fundamental elements, such as math?
Grid Slots owe their very existence to left field thinking, and things are evolving. We don’t want to stand still here, so we’re always pushing for the next breakthrough. It’s in Play’n GO’s DNA to try new things in search of great games.
Several Grid Slots have received sequels including Honey Rush and Sweet Alchemy. How did you build upon the original titles?
We essentially took the most important mechanics and re-worked them to make them even more engaging and entertaining. A great example is how well all the parts of Honey Rush 100 work together, with wins feeding the charge metre, wilds increasing win multipliers and transforming symbols to reach the next level. If we’re going to make a sequel to a game, we know it can’t just live up to expectations, it needs to exceed them.
Has the Grid Slots mechanic proven strong and distinct enough to be the launchpad for other ideas?
Absolutely, and Temple of Prosperity is just one good example of this. It’s a grid title where we’re creating a completely new mechanic of scatter pays, combining them with instant prizes and then increasing multipliers. Maybe I’m biased, but it’s a blast, and just the start of the type of innovation that can grow out of Grid Slots.
What is the future for Grid Slots?
We can’t give away our secrets quite yet! But rest assured, we have a full pipeline of games that are once again going to redefine how people look at - and play - Grid Slots. Stay tuned!
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