Visual Storytelling MERKUR


BENJAMIN STEGEMAN GlobalGameDesign, MERKUR Games


AI is reshaping the creative process behind slots, offering designers new ways to prototype, adapt visuals, and explore themes at speed. Benjamin Stegeman explains how AI is already helping Merkur push creativity without replacing the artist’s hand.


What's your take on the relationship between symbolic elements and background art?


In most cases, there are only a few minutes – sometimes just seconds – to convince a guest to engage with a game. Within this very short timeframe, the game must immediately capture the player’s attention – often through striking visuals – and then keep them engaged with an exciting storyline enriched by stunning symbols, compelling animations, attractive bonuses, and rewarding features. Background graphics around the reels and at the top of the monitors have traditionally shown static graphics like the game title and the paytable.


Based on more powerful technical platforms, background graphics are increasingly being integrated into the gaming experience. For example, human characters or fantasy creatures are shown and animated in a lifelike manner. When the game situation changes, e.g., when features are won, cinematic transition effects are used and thus become part of the story the game tells.


Each element plays a crucial role, but only in combination do they create a truly complete and immersive player experience. Modern slot games use every inch of the available screen space to capture and retain the attention of the player.


In what ways do animated effects such as cascading reels, win particles and symbol transformations help narrate progress or plot without traditional cutscenes?


Traditional cutscenes are, of course, a very fast and efficient way to integrate a great deal of story into a game, as they showcase sequences that make the narrative engaging for the


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player. Without them, and by relying solely on in-game elements, the process becomes significantly more complex. Our approach is to use pure game effects primarily to highlight winning moments, accentuating them and making them even more meaningful for the player.


When it comes to storytelling, we deliberately minimise the use of such effects, focusing instead on appealing design and captivating animations. Because one principle is especially important: storytelling should never distract the player from the game itself.


In transforming a slot-game narrative into visual style, what balance do you strike between decorative flair and clarity of gameplay UX?


Striking the right balance between decorative flair and clear gameplay UX is of fundamental importance because, as mentioned, the player must never be distracted from the core game by its storyline. Ideally, the narrative enhances the overall experience, ensuring the guest feels thoroughly entertained. However, slot-game communication must always take precedence. Tis means that values must remain visible at all times, and the interfaces most relevant to the player should never be obscured by animation sequences.


Only in this way the guest can maintain full control over the game. If the storyline distracts too much from the actual gameplay, causing the player to lose control, their interest in the game can quickly diminish. Te ultimate goal therefore is to achieve the perfect balance: keeping the guest in control of the gameplay while simultaneously delivering a


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