Big Time Gaming
Q&A w/ Katya Machuganova, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming: Are trademarks really worth it
More and more studios are trademarking mechanics. What has led to this situation?
Momentum has been building behind studios trademarking mechanics for some time but undoubtedly the success of Big Time Gaming’s Megaways has been a catalyst for more developers getting in on the action. Megaways introduced a unique, highly engaging mechanic that has become a slot format in its own right and has now been licensed by hundreds of studios, taking its success to the next level. Other developers want to replicate this success by creating and trademarking unique mechanics of their own. This in turn has seen more focus put on mechanics and the impact they can have on the game in terms of ensuring a slot stands out from others stocked in the operator’s lobby. Another driver is the desire to monetize IP within the slot provision space and to prevent rivals from copying mechanics and features that developers believe give them the edge.
What are the upsides to a studio trademarking a mechanic?
By trademarking a mechanic, the studio can legally protect its intellectual property and prevent others from creating slots that use a similar mechanic without their permission. This can prevent the dilution of their brand and the potential loss of revenue that could result from competitors using their IP. This has become surprisingly common in recent years due to the highly competitive nature of the market and the need for developers to come up with engaging gameplay that appeals to players and drives them to their slots over those of their rivals. Those who opt to licence their trademarked mechanics can open up new, lucrative revenue streams. Beyond that, a trademark can establish a studio as an innovator which can help secure operator partnerships and premium lobby positioning.
What challenges do studios face when it comes to trademarking a mechanic?
Trademarking is not a straightforward process and the legalities around it are often complex. In some cases, it might not even be possible for a studio to secure a trademark if the mechanic features components that are already being widely used by other developers or if it is deemed to be too generic. Trademarking is often costly and draws resources away from the studio’s primary focus, which is to develop slots that players want to play. This can make it tough for a studio to determine if trademarking is right or not – if the studio has invested heavily in developing a unique mechanic, then it might be worth protecting its IP through trademarking. But this still doesn’t guarantee success – if the game doesn’t hit the mark with players, it will flop regardless of whether it uses a trademarked mechanic or not.
What does a mechanic need to include in order to be trademarked?
For a game mechanic to be eligible for trademark protection, it must meet certain legal requirements. It must be distinctive, so the game mechanic needs to be unique or different from other mechanics used in the industry. It must be non-functional, which means it can’t be essential to the functioning of the game or necessary for gameplay. It must be used as a trademark or a source identifier for the studio, such that consumers associate the mechanic with that studio or its products.
In addition to meeting these legal requirements, a game mechanic should also provide value to the gameplay experience in order to be worthwhile for the studio to trademark. A successful game mechanic should enhance the gameplay experience, provide a unique and engaging challenge for players, or otherwise contribute to the game’s overall enjoyment.
The decision to trademark a game mechanic should be based on a variety of factors, including legal considerations, the unique value of the mechanic to the game, and the studio’s overall business strategy. By carefully considering these factors, studios can make informed decisions about which game mechanics to trademark and how to use them to enhance their products and protect their intellectual property.
Is this push for trademarked mechanics ultimately benefitting players?
Yes and no. In some respects, the push for developing mechanics that can be trademarked has forced studios to invest more heavily in this area of the game and this has resulted in new player experiences hitting the market that have proved to be popular. In particular, NetEnt’s Cluster Pays, Reel Play’s Infinity Reels, Yggdrasil’s GIGABLOX and Nolimit City’s xWays and xNudge. But in some cases, studios have developed mechanics solely for the purpose of trademarking without giving much consideration to whether players will actually enjoy the experience they provide or not. Another consequence is a potential rise in legal disputes and ultimately the hindering of the sharing of ideas and innovations across the industry. If studios become super protective over their IP and are less willing to collaborate with others, innovation and progress become stifled.
What is Silverback Gaming’s approach to trademarking?
We do have a trademarked mechanic, ClockWaysTM, that will debut on our soon-to-launch title, Mega Fishing Deluxe. During one of our brainstorming sessions, we came up with the idea of a unique game mechanic that would completely change how a traditional slot works. After some further discussion, we came up with a game-changing concept that is super simple and easy to understand – we want players to be pleasantly surprised rather than startled. With ClockWays, the player always wins. On every few regular spins, paylines are evaluated and wins are paid. All the external symbols that have landed on the reels and form a kind of frame will rotate i.e. will change their relative positions with a number of places clockwise or counter-clockwise in search of new winning combinations. After the first rotation, paylines are evaluated again with the new symbol positions and new pays are awarded. Reels will rotate as many times as needed to form a guaranteed winning combination.
This is a good example of being innovative for the players’ benefit. Our feature guarantees wins which adds anticipation, fun and value to the player’s play. However, it also protects players from potential large balance losses and keeps the balance reasonably stable while still eligible to win big. Everything we do at Silverback is about delivering experiences that players actually want to enjoy, and we have taken the exact same approach with ClockWays.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming
Let the fearless Princess of Thieves guide you on a series of daring, deep forest heists in Hood and Loot – the new, action-packed cluster pays slot in Swintt’s Elysium Studios line-up where finding your mark can result in huge wins of up to 7476x your stake. Set in a bandit camp where Robin and her band of merry outlaws plot their audacious schemes, Hood and Loot is a 5×6 slot that pays for any group of five or more matching symbols.
Spinomenal is marching to the beat with 3 Majestic Drums, the latest addition to its renowned Wildlife series. Taking place on a sweeping African savannah at sunset, the 5×3 reel frame is bathed in the warm glow of an amber horizon, towering acacia trees and the colours of the wild. The instrumental soundtrack beats to the pulse of the continent and players are tossed into an atmospheric adventure from the first spin.
PG Soft, a world-class digital mobile games company, has loaded up its latest release, Zombie Blasters, a slot that draws its inspiration from the golden age of arcade machines. Zombie Blasters is a 5 reel, 6 row video slot that is brought to life with bright pixelised graphics and animated arcade style symbols.
Pragmatic Play has launched Mecca Big Bass Double Dab, a bespoke slot created exclusively for Rank Group’s Mecca Bingo brand. The new title is based on Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass series and has been developed specifically for Mecca Bingo’s player base, with a neon-themed visual style tailored for Rank customers.
Games Global has launched Climb Time Mummy Cash Uncovered
in partnership with exclusive studio partner High Limit Studio. The new Egyptian-themed 5×3 slot adds feature progression, hidden prize reveals and a bonus wheel, with the company stating maximum rewards of up to 6,250x. At the core is the Cash Uncovered mechanic, triggered by landing a Mummy or Wild symbol on every reel.
BGaming has released a new slot, Frenzy Clusters, adding another #Entertainment title to its portfolio. The game uses a cluster-pay mechanic and an expanding grid, with BGaming stating a maximum win of ×10,000 and an RTP of 97.11%. Frenzy Clusters is built around five selectable character companions—Golub, Hugo, Bloke, Aussie, and Olaf—each positioned as culturally inspired.
Play’n GO unveils Shark Feast, a neon-soaked underwater release starring Jawsome Joe, a theatrical shark who crashes the Neon Jellyfish Festival in a string of absurd disguises. Shark Feast drops players into a world of self-aware humour, bright aquatic visuals and festival mayhem, where Jawsome Joe turns a seabed celebration into his own outrageous spectacle.
Greentube has launched Piggy Prizes Wish of Riches 2 on 23rd June 2026 from Vienna, expanding its Piggy Prizes game family with a new high-volatility “Xtreme Bet” mode. The title runs on a 5×3 grid and continues the series’ core mechanics around Genie and Super Genie symbols on the centre reel.
Big Time Gaming has released Monster Quest, a medieval-themed slot built on the supplier’s Megaways engine. Monster Quest uses variable reel heights of two to seven symbols and offers up to 117,649 ways to win. The game is positioned as a high-volatility title, with an RTP of up to 96.58% and a maximum exposure of 99,900x the player’s bet, according to the supplier.
Blueprint Gaming has released Red Hot Catch, a new Money Collect slot title featuring a Wicked Wheel bonus and a Red Hot Spins feature with up to five stackable enhancements. Set in a “neon-lit underworld” theme, Red Hot Catch is a 5×4, 20-payline slot. Cash symbols can land across all five reels and are awarded when a collect symbol appears on reel 1 or 5, according to the supplier. Blueprint said the game has a one-in-five win hit rate and high volatility.
Booming Games has launched Fortune Paw, a new slot title featuring a 3×3 grid with five fixed paylines and a stated maximum win of 2,500x. The game includes an all-payline multiplier mechanic. According to the supplier, landing winning symbols on all five paylines awards a 10x multiplier.
BetGames has launched Bad Rhinos, a new high-volatility slot for its RNG portfolio, the supplier said on 25th June 2026. The 5×3 title combines expanding wilds in free spins with the studio’s Hold & Win mechanic, and includes an advertised top prize of 10,000x via an Ultra Jackpot.
Belatra has launched a new online slot, Slime Bonanza, adding another release to its portfolio with a space-themed setting and a 5×4 reel layout with 20 paylines. The game’s core mechanic is an “Instant Win Table” made up of 15 cells containing random cash multipliers.
Pragmatic Play has launched a new slot, Fury of Anubis, featuring tumbling wins and a maximum win potential of 10,000x, the supplier said on 25 June 2026. The game runs on a 6×5 grid, with 8–12+ matching symbols paying “from anywhere on the reels” as instant cash prizes.
Kendoo has launched 4 Fire Rockets, a new slot added to its 4 Pots portfolio. The title is now available for demo and real-money play across Kendoo partner platforms. According to the company, 4 Fire Rockets builds on Hold & Win gameplay with an “upgraded 4 Pots system” and adds a Collect feature, random multipliers, a Life feature and a Double Reels mechanic.
Games Global has launched Gold Blitz Fortune Tower Fusion in collaboration with its exclusive partner Fortune Factory Studios. The new title expands the Gold Blitz franchise and introduces the Wild Fusion multiplier tower. In the base game, the slot features bi-directional Pays.
3 Oaks Gaming has expanded its slots catalogue with the launch of Joker Glitz x1000, a new 6×5 title built around multiplier mechanics. The game centres on Magic Star Symbols, which can land naturally or be distributed by the “Lady Joker” character to award multipliers up to x1000.
Relax Gaming has released its latest slot game Midnight Marauder – ClusterBreaker, the newest chapter in the popular Midnight Marauder series. This latest release introduces fresh gameplay centred around a dynamic cluster-based mechanic, combined with high-impact bonus potential.
Playson has released its latest slot game, 3 Thunder Coins: Hold and Win. Set at the eruption of a storm, powerful Sticky, Boost and Multi Features unlock exciting ways to win, while Extra and Charge Features add further anticipation.
The post Weekend Reels | Week 26: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Big Time Gaming has released Monster Quest, a medieval-themed slot built on the supplier’s Megaways engine.
Monster Quest uses variable reel heights of two to seven symbols and offers up to 117,649 ways to win. The game is positioned as a high-volatility title, with an RTP of up to 96.58% and a maximum exposure of 99,900x the player’s bet, according to the supplier.
The core feature set includes a Hold and Spin mechanic triggered by landing six or more Bonus symbols. During the feature, each position becomes an individual reel, with Monsters appearing behind them. The Knight “slays” any Monster with a lesser or equal value, adding that value to its own, with the final accumulated value paid as the prize.
A Free Spins mode triggers with three or more Scatters, awarding 12 Free Spins plus two for each additional Scatter. Big Time Gaming said the Knight starts with a value between 8x and 15x, while a Megaways Win Multiplier increases by one for every Monster eliminated. If five or more Monsters appear at once, Hold and Spin can trigger during Free Spins.
Players can also access features via Bonus Buy, which unlocks Hold and Spin for 35x the original stake or 12 Free Spins for 90x the original stake. An optional Power Play mode guarantees a minimum of 10,000 Megaways on each spin for 8x the original stake.
Nik Robinson, CEO of Big Time Gaming, said: “Monster Quest takes the thrill of Megaways and gives it a hero. The Knight is the heart of the game, growing stronger with each Monster he defeats and bringing players deeper into the quest with him.” “From the first Hold and Spin clash to a face-off with the mighty Dragon, every feature is designed to fuel the adventure. We can’t wait for players to take up the sword and carve out some truly monstrous wins.”
The post Big Time Gaming launches Megaways slot Monster Quest appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming
Hölle Games has released its latest video slot By Royal Decree (known as Im Namen der Krone in German). This 5×3, 10 payline slot transport players back to the 1700s and the breathtaking Sanssouci Palace. For readers who aren’t history nerds, this palatial park was where Frederick the Great, the mighty Prussian King, rested his weary bones whenever governing an empire all became a bit too much.
Games Global has released Boomstick Bill 3 in collaboration with exclusive studio partner High Limit Studio. The new title is the third instalment in the Boomstick Bill slot series and introduces Lucky Levels progression alongside expanded free spin features. Set in a mining theme, Boomstick Bill 3 is a 5×3 slot with 25 paylines.
Pragmatic Play has released Big Bass Football Bonanza, a new entry in its Big Bass slot series that switches the franchise’s fisherman theme to a football stadium setting. The 5×3 title uses trophy scatters to trigger a bonus game. According to the supplier, landing 3-5 trophy scatters awards 15-25 free spins, with wilds split into red and blue “teams” that collect money symbols worth up to 5,000x.
Big Time Gaming has released Fruit Merge Megapots, a new slot that reworks classic fruit symbols around a Hold and Spin feature, merging mechanics and a three-tier Megapots prize structure. The Hold and Spin feature triggers when six or more Fruit or Coin symbols land anywhere on the reels.
Habanero has launched Nuwa Deluxe, a 5×3 slot themed around Chinese mythology. The game introduces a variable payline system and a progression-style Free Games feature that can unlock a second-tier bonus, according to the supplier.
Swintt has released Wild Chicken, a new Premium slot that introduces roaming wilds and a free spins feature, with the supplier stating a maximum win of up to 10,000x the bet. The game runs on a 5×3 reel layout with 10 fixed paylines.
Pragmatic Play has unveiled its newest confectionery paradise in Candy Rush, where a multiplier underlay feature can unwrap 15,000x win potential. A 7×7 grid bursts with colour in this tumbling-reels slot, where clusters of 5-15+ matching sweet symbols award base game wins of up to 150x.
Playson has released Sugar Piggy: Hold and Win, a new online slot combining a scatter pays mechanic with two Hold and Win-style bonus games. The supplier said the title features a 6×5 reel layout and a maximum win of 10,000x.
Stakelogic has launched Throne of Flame, a dragon-themed 243-ways slot built around frame-based progression and multiple bonus features. The supplier said the game is high volatility and offers a maximum multiplier of 5,000x.
BGaming, has unveiled its latest online slot, Shark & Spark Hold & Win, showcasing an engaging character-driven design alongside an innovative twist on the popular Hold and Win mechanics. This new release introduces a playful bonus mode and aims to deliver a fresh gaming experience.
Kendoo has launched Diamond and Jokers, a new 5×3 slot that combines classic fruit-style visuals with a Hold and Win bonus mechanic. The game is now available for demo and real play across Kendoo partner platforms.
Evoplay has expanded its Penalty Shoot-Out franchise into slots with the launch of Penalty Shoot-Out: Super Spin, the first slot title in the series ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The five-reel game includes Free Spins, a Bonus game, Random Events and three fixed jackpots.
Games Global has launched Fishin’ Pots of Gold: Gold Blitz Ultimate Fever Boost, developed with exclusive partner Gameburger Studios, extending its Fishin’ Pots of Gold and Gold Blitz slot series. The new title combines mechanics from both franchises and introduces Fever Boost, which the companies said doubles the chance of activating features during gameplay
Relax Gaming has released Guitar Quest, its latest slot title, featuring what the supplier describes as progression-driven gameplay. The company said Guitar Quest is a key release for its 2025 pipeline and the first Relax-developed game of its kind, introducing new features it has not previously used.
Belatra Games has released Foxy Eggs, a farm-themed online slot built on a 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines. The game centres on Egg symbols and a Fox feature that can alter outcomes at the end of a spin.
Booming Games has launched Way of the Wolf: Hold and Win Extreme 10,000, a new slot title built on a 5×3 grid with 25 fixed paylines. The supplier said the game has a maximum win potential of 12,000x.
ENJOY Gaming has launched Grand Lightning Boost, an updated version of its Grand Lightning slot that increases the impact of the Boost feature and changes bonus-round progression. The title keeps a 5×3 reel layout with five pay lines.
Play’n GO has released Granny’s Wild, a 5-reel video slot where a quiet habit becomes a full-scale spectacle when Granny’s long-hoarded coin jar finally splits open. Nobody really clocked how serious Granny was about her spare change. The jar sat there for years, always a little heavier, always a little louder, always one clink away from giving the game away.
Blueprint Gaming has announced The Goonies Quest for Treasure 3, the latest slot in its licensed The Goonies series. The game introduces new modifiers, a reworked One-Eyed Willy trail and a layered bonus structure.
Fans of the original Thunder Ball are in for an electrifying treat as ELA Games unveils Thunder Ball Max—a high-energy 5×3 slot designed to revolutionize the classic fruit machine concept. Infused with pulsating energy and glowing graphics, this release invites players to harness raw electrical power for a chance at an astonishing 10,000x maximum win.
MGA Games has launched a new video slot, Explosive Diamond Mine, in the .com market on May 28. The title uses a miner theme and is positioned as a medium-volatility release. Explosive Diamond Mine runs on a 5×3 reel layout with 10 paylines. Bets range from €0.10 to €25, according to the supplier.
The post Weekend Reels | Week 22: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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