Latest News
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and the fact that graphics are becoming more sophisticated, even slots that are only two or three years old can look outdated.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.
Balkans
EGT’s latest innovations to shine at the 15th edition of BEGE Expo
EGT is ready to make another memorable show during this year’s 15th edition of BEGE Expo. The company’s impressive product display will await the guests at booth 4.0. on November 27 and 28.
Several new developments in EGT’s portfolio will be presented to the local gaming audience for the first time. Among them will be the Bell Link 2 multigame, the latest addition to the absolute bestseller Bell Link, as well as the Bell Link Boost jackpot. The mix will introduce visitors to the exciting worlds of 10 titles, 5 of which are brand new, offering them numerous opportunities for winning and entertainment.
Bell Link Boost will also captivate players’ attention with its six exciting games, as well as the Boost feature, which will amplify the amount of the Major and Grand jackpots. The highest levels of Bell Link Boost will be combined with the corresponding levels of Bell Link and Gods & Kings Link, adding even more thrill to the gaming experience.
Two new Asian-themed jackpot solutions will be on display as well. Sheng Sheng Bu Xi will offer players a jackpot combo, giving an extra layer of adventure to their gameplay, and the 4-level Zhao Cai Shuang Yu will further enhance the chances of winning with its Keep & Spin bonus and Free Spins & Wheel feature.
EGT will present its newest multigame series, Supreme Selection, which currently features Supreme Green Selection and Mega Supreme Fruits Selection mixes. Powered by the latest Exciter IV platforms, they will make their local debut during the expo, demonstrating a perfect blend of some of EGT’s most popular titles and brand-new games with enormous potential.
The selection of slot products for the show will be complemented by the General Series cabinets and multigames, as well as the well-known Premium Link, Coin Jackpot and Supreme Combo Link jackpots.
The company will also showcase its ETG solutions. The main highlight will be the new RK6C roulette, which will be presented in Bulgaria for the first time. Including sleek design and advanced features, it will provide guests with comfortable play stations, dynamic LED lighting, and engaging sound effects. The players will also be able to explore the numerous variants for keyboard configurations, American roulette, as well as the option for connectivity to other EGT Automated Roulette units, enhancing the overall experience.
The well-established GS 32 T, G 32 T, and G 27 T terminals will also show their eye-catching design, numerous ergonomic features, and great flexibility, allowing many possible configurations with other devices. They will be equipped with multigame mixes of Supreme and Power Series, as well as top-performer Jackpot Cards.
Numerous AWP and VLT products, designed specifically for different markets, will be at the disposal of the stand’s visitors. They will also be able to get acquainted with the latest modules of EGT’s casino management system Spider, thanks to which the organization of the daily activities in gaming facilities is easier than ever.
EGT Digital will demonstrate its vast array of more than 120 popular slot games, as well as the in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave with its 4 main modules, each of which can function as part of the complete solution or operate independently, as they allow integration with products of third-party developers.
“Taking part in BEGE Expo is always a great experience for us, especially since this year is even more special as the event celebrates its 15th birthday,” shared Nadia Popova, Chief Revenue Officer and VP of Sales & Marketing at EGT. “We will be happy to meet again with our clients and partners from the region and discuss with them all new exciting opportunities for collaboration. We are also anticipating BEGE Awards, in which we are finalists in several categories.”
The post EGT’s latest innovations to shine at the 15th edition of BEGE Expo appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform
In a move towards modernising India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
The post Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Catena Media Announces Board Changes
Catena Media’s board of directors announced the appointment of Stephen Taylor-Matthews as non-executive director and the departure of Øystein Engebretsen from the board of directors.
Based in London, Stephen Taylor-Matthews is a tech entrepreneur, executive advisor and investor with over two decades of experience in online gaming, sports betting and data analytics.
He is the founder of Polynate, an AI-first company delivering next-generation sports engagement solutions, and has worked at Underdog Fantasy, GoatGaming and Betgenius in previous roles.
Stephen Taylor-Matthews commented: “Catena Media is in a transformation phase and I’m excited to be joining the board at this juncture and to contributing my industry expertise and insight.”
The appointment coincides with the departure from the board of Øystein Engebretsen, who has served as non-executive director since September 2018.
Erik Flinck, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “Øystein has made a valuable and important contribution to Catena Media for more than six years. I warmly thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his current and future ventures. At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Stephen Taylor-Matthews to the board. His experience and expertise will be a valuable asset for Catena Media as we move forward.”
Stephen Taylor-Matthews’ appointment will become effective once all necessary filings are made with the Malta Business Registry, and his term will run up until the end of the next annual general meeting, in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act and Catena Media’s articles of association.
The post Catena Media Announces Board Changes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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