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Can any of the upcoming slots dethrone Starburst in 2021
Starburst is the video slot created by NetEnt back in 2012. Despite its age, it is still one of the most popular slots currently, and probably the most played video slot game of all time! What makes this classic 5×3 slot so special that is still played by millions today, and can anyone find the secret behind its success, and create the slot which can dethrone Starburst in 2021? We will analyze the facts of what makes Starburst that popular, and take a look at some of the upcoming slot releases from the first quarter of 2021 and try to give an answer to that question. Also, if some of you, by any chance, still haven’t tried this amazing slot, Starburst free play is available. Try it now and see why it is so popular.
The Building Blocks behind Starburst Popularity
At first glance, we can see that Starburst’s graphics and design are impeccable. It is still modern, although it is more than eight years old! Although this is just makeup, it is very important for slot longevity.
With the fast evolution of technology and the fact that graphics are becoming more sophisticated, even slots that are only two or three years old can look outdated. After that, their player counts go to the abyss. With Starburst this didn’t happen, and we even believe that it won’t, because graphics are that sophisticated, and yet so simple, that we won’t see a huge dip in their popularity anytime soon.
The second reason behind Starburst slot popularity is its simplicity. Some of the slot game providers experiment with a huge number of reels and rows, many different features, and various cosmetic additions to keep the players entertained and happy. Starburst makes all the things simple, with its classic 5×3 design. Some players argue that Starburst is boring, but it is not a coincidence that the 5×3 design is the most popular slot design ever. It is not too plain and boring, and not too complicated as well, because slot game players want to win some cash, and not feel overwhelmed by design and gameplay.
Starburst has a huge betting range, from €0.01 to €100. That allows both casual players and high-rollers to play this slot. Although high-rollers don’t like this slot very much, because it is not volatile, casuals adore it. There are many more casual players than high-rollers, so they again targeted a broad audience.
We mentioned that Starburst has low volatility and therefore is not that popular with the players who want to win big. However, casuals love to see many small wins, because they have a feeling that they are generally winning, although they actually don’t – the wins you will get will often be smaller than the bet you made, but some of the players somehow don’t notice it. The sessions are usually long if you play for the smallest amounts, so you can have fun, even if you lose money.
For all these reasons, Starburst retained its popularity over the last eight years. Although it is not the best slot in terms of the chances of winning big, all the reasons we mentioned make it appealing for most players, which happen to be casuals.
We will now take a look at some of the upcoming slot releases and try to guess whether or not they have a chance for dethroning Starburst.
The Most Anticipated Slot Releases 2021
January is not over yet, and we already got some exciting slots this year. For example, we got an exciting video slot from Gamomat, an independent slot game provider, called Crystal Strike. It is a highly volatile slot, beautifully designed, with classic features such as respins and wilds.
Nolimit City released San Quentin xWays. This slot is based on the infamous US jail, which is a theme that wasn’t widely used, so it can be hit or miss, but we expect to be popular, especially among the younger audience.
iSoftBet, another award-winning games supplier, released Mighty Stallion Hold & Win, the Wild West theme-based video slot. It is another slot that uses their Hold & Win mechanic, but the theme is not inventive, nor the slot itself is offering something new – it is basically the type of slot we get from them all the time, only with a slightly altered theme.
Play’n GO released Miner Donkey Trouble, while Pragmatic released Mysterious Egypt. These slots feel like they were already seen before, and there is no chance that slots that use the same, boring theme, such as the Ancient Egypt flourish and dethrone Starburst.
Pragmatic Gaming has a more interesting release scheduled for February – Dragon Kingdom: Eyes of Fire. This slot should be way better and way more popular than Mysterious Egypt because it has a flawless design and many features attached. Dragons are still a popular topic, and they aren’t overused in video slots such as Ancient Egypt, so we can see this release gaining popularity right off the bat.
Another highly anticipated release should be the Playtech Age of the Gods series’s next release – Book of Oracle. This slot should be the first to come from Playtech in 2021, and they decided to go big right away. Age of the Gods series gained a significant amount of players which is getting bigger with every new slot release. We expect that this slot will be masterfully done in terms of the graphics and interface (since we still didn’t have an opportunity to see it), and the features should be similar to the ones from the previous slots. This is a volatile, progressive jackpot slot, so it will draw attention from the high-rollers.
What Features Should a Slot Have to Beat Starburst
Since we know what is behind Starburst’s popularity, and we saw what the first slot releases are in January 2021, the question arises – does any slot from this list have the features and traits required to dethrone Starburst? We can never know for sure, but the answer is probably – no.
To be as popular as Starburst, the audience must be predominantly casual players. There are some amazing, volatile slots you can make a fortune on, but there are not enough people who would risk big money to try it out. Long, interesting sessions, with lots of small wins, which give you the false impression that you are an overall winner, are the key to the slot popularity.
After that, the slot must have an impeccable design that will age well, so it can stay relevant with time, and must have simple, but yet unique and interesting features. You should overcomplicate, but the slot can’t have a dull theme or average graphics.
Summary
We eagerly expect more great slot releases in 2021. In January and February, we should get several amazing slots from the biggest slot games providers, but in terms of popularity, we don’t think that any slot will be able to dethrone Starburst anytime soon.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try out new slot additions, especially if you are a high-roller. There is a trend of more progressive jackpots, mega ways, and other great features incorporated in new slot releases, and in general, it seems that the average volatility is getting higher, which is excellent news for the ones chasing big wins.
Atlaslive, a leading provider of scalable iGaming platform infrastructure, will participate in SBC Summit Rio 2026, taking place March 4–5, 2026, at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The summit is set to welcome thousands of professionals from the iGaming and sports betting sectors.
In Rio, Atlaslive representatives will meet with operator teams, partners, and other stakeholders involved in shaping the regional market.
Attendees can engage with the team to explore the Atlaslive platform ecosystem, covering Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management, CRM, and Payments. The discussions will highlight how these elements operate as a unified infrastructure in daily business environments, alongside practical considerations such as handling traffic surges, meeting regulatory requirements, and optimizing player lifecycle processes.
“SBC Summit Rio brings together teams who are actively building and scaling in the region. For us, it’s an opportunity to exchange practical insights and discuss how infrastructure decisions impact performance in fast-moving markets.”
—Bruno Almeida, Head of Sales LATAM, Atlaslive
The team also invites participants to stop by the Business Lounge to connect, recharge between sessions, and continue conversations that define this year’s summit agenda.
Atlaslive is an iGaming platform provider delivering a dynamic platform for live operations and regulated growth. The all-in-one solution is available via White Label, Turnkey, and Sportsbook API Integration, giving operators full control over their operations, markets, and growth strategy.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, and Payment Systems. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
Creedroomz is expanding its “Golden City” global tour, announcing its participation in two of the year’s most significant industry events: SBC Summit Rio and SiGMA Africa 2026. Following a landmark showing at ICE Barcelona, the live casino provider is set to showcase its powerhouse lineup of six brand-new game shows to the Latin American and African markets.
Creedroomz will be physically present at both summits, offering operators a firsthand look at localized gaming solutions:
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SBC Summit Rio: 3–5 March 2026 | Stand A210 | Riocentro, Rio de Janeiro
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SiGMA Africa: 3–5 March 2026 | Stand 061 | Cape Town, South Africa
The crown jewel of the showcase is the official release of Road to Eldorado. This isn’t just a game, it’s an epic journey. Players are transported to a legendary city of gold, where high-definition visuals and immersive storytelling meet massive win potential.
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Epic Multipliers: Players navigate a visually stunning jungle to uncover hidden treasures with multipliers that skyrocket as they approach the golden city.
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Four Legendary Bonus Rounds: The game features unique interactive rounds—Eldorado, Marble Race, Dice Fight, and Boom Blast—designed to bridge the gap between casual wheel-game players and slot enthusiasts.
Alongside its flagship, Creedroomz is pulling back the curtain on five additional high-velocity titles:
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The Choice: A sleek “battle of destiny” where players rely on pure intuition to predict Red or Blue draws.
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Avi Crash: A live-dealer take on the popular crash gaming genre, featuring real-time commentary and high-speed action.
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Lucky Colors: A vibrant, fast-paced spectacle centered on instant results and color selection.
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Bac Dice: A fusion of baccarat and dice mechanics featuring “Aurum” multipliers.
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Crypto Market: A rapid-fire trading simulation that lets players predict market movements in real time.
The Eldorado Raffle at SBC Summit Rio
Visitors to the Creedroomz stands will have the exclusive chance to enter the Eldorado Raffle. Premium tech prizes include the brand-new iPhone 17 Pro and 5 Apple AirTags.
Why Visit Creedroomz?
“Brazil and Africa are core focuses for us, and there is no better stage than SBC Rio and SiGMA Africa to debut our most ambitious project yet,” says Hayk Tovmasyan, Head of Live Casino at Creedroomz.
“Our team will be on hand at both events to demonstrate how our localized solutions—including native-speaking dealers for the Brazilian market—can elevate brand performance and player retention. Join us at SBC Summit Rio (Stand A210) or SiGMA Africa (Stand 061) to experience the future of live gaming!”
The post From Rio to Cape Town: Creedroomz Brings the “Golden City” to Two Major Global Summits appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Andrew Foster CEO at AvatarUX
Relax Gaming boosts collaboration with AvatarUX as Powered By Relax platform goes live
Relax Gaming, the aggregator and provider of unique iGaming content, has enhanced its collaboration with AvatarUX, launching the entire slot portfolio of the studio on the Powered By Relax (P2P) platform.
The recent agreement expands on the companies’ ongoing partnership, which initially began with AvatarUX entering Relax Gaming’s Silver Bullet program in 2023.
The P2P integration increases the accessibility of AvatarUX content throughout Relax Gaming’s aggregation network. AvatarUX will keep distributing its Silver Bullet titles via Relax, guaranteeing ongoing access to its existing content while expanding distribution of its larger collection.
Renowned for its mechanics centered around features and visually unique games, AvatarUX has established a solid reputation for providing transparent player experiences and impactful gameplay aimed at enhancing engagement and promoting sustained retention. Featuring mechanic-driven hits like LooneyPop
and the iconic PopWins series, the studio merges creativity with reliability, guaranteeing smooth functionality on various devices, constant localization efforts, and ongoing growth of its game collection.
Alongside the entire range of popular PopWins titles, Relax partners receive access to a comprehensive and varied portfolio of 90 games. Notable releases feature Hold&Win successes 3 Power Genies and Fruitillionaire, cluster-pops Spinfection, along with highly localized games like Carioca Vibes, providing options for every market and player type.
The collaboration enriches Relax Gaming’s Powered By Relax initiative by incorporating an additional innovative studio, providing operators with a wider selection of high-quality slot content while bolstering the aggregator’s role as a vital distribution ally for progressive developers.
Andrew Foster, CEO at AvatarUX, said: “We are excited to expand our collaboration with Relax and bring AvatarUX content to the P2P platform.
“This partnership allows us to reach more operators with our full portfolio of games while delivering the clear, high-performance gameplay our titles are known for.”
Jennifer Buttigieg, Head of Commercial & Partnerships at Relax Gaming, said: “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with AvatarUX and welcome its full portfolio to the Powered By Relax platform.
“The studio’s focus on clear, feature-led gameplay and strong performance aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging content to our operator partners. This integration reflects the strength of our platform and the strategic value of working closely with innovative studios to expand their reach across global markets.”
The post Relax Gaming boosts collaboration with AvatarUX as Powered By Relax platform goes live appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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