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How NetEnt built an empire based on familiarity

Published

4 years ago

December 7, 2021

Initially founded as Net Entertainment in 1996, NetEnt is one of iGaming’s greatest and most recognisable online slot developers, a company that’s universally known for having a truly unbeatable catalogue of online slots.

But how did this gargantuan Swedish development studio grow in prominence over the years, casting an imposing shadow over the rest of the industry? The short answer, brand power!

That being said, we’re not exactly talking about NetEnt’s brand power here… We’re talking about the fact that NetEnt has traditionally utilised other recognised brands to boost their reputation within the world of iGaming.

In the beginning – NetEnt signs collaborative deal with Universal

NetEnt kick-started this incredibly smart strategy in 2010 when they entered into a landmark multi-year licensing agreement with Universal, the film studio behind some of Hollywood’s greatest movies and television shows.

The first big-name IP that NetEnt developed into an online slot was none other than Mr. Tony Montana himself, the notorious drug lord Scarface. Looking back it’s quite understandable why NetEnt decided to go with an R-rated character.

Not only is Tony Montana all about big money, but it’s much easier to pair a classic bad boy with a form of entertainment such as online slots that have long been looked upon as risqué.

Once it was quite apparent that NetEnt had discovered a winning strategy they continued to sign deals with other major film and television studios such as Colombia Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Sony Entertainment to get access to some of the world’s biggest brands.

These brand partnerships gave NetEnt a competitive edge over other studios who were themselves releasing run-of-the-mill online slots themed around ancient Egypt, Las Vegas and Ireland… Nothing particularly exciting when compared to NetEnt’s slots that are based on hit movies and television shows.

Aggressive expansion – NetEnt’s television and movie-themed slots arrive at casinos across the internet

After the success of Scarface, NetEnt decided to stick with creating branded online slots that feature characters and IP that wouldn’t be ‘tarnished’ by being made into an online slot game. Whether this was a decision made by movie and television executives, or NetEnt themselves remains to be seen… Either way, it worked!

Their next hit games were South Park and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Naturally, South Park featured all of the same rude and crude humour the famous animated show is known for, and as a result, it pulled in a whole host of players (old and new) that were interested in this new and unique crossover.

The same can be said for Creature from the Black Lagoon, a slot based on the unsettling 1954 horror movie of the same name. Despite the fact that not too many players will vividly remember the black and white film, players still flocked to this highly volatile slot.

In the months and subsequent years that followed NetEnt released a huge number of branded TV/movie-themed slots that pulled in huge audiences, these include: South Park: Reel Chaos, The Invisible Man, Frankenstein, Dracula, Universal Monsters: The Phantom’s Curse, Emojiplanet, Planet of the Apes and Conan.

NetEnt also used their successful partnership with Universal to muscle in on the world of music as part of the developers 20th-anniversary celebrations, they got their hands on the IP for some of the world’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll stars Guns N’ Roses, Motörhead and Jimi Hendrix.

Having seriously upped their game utilising big-name brands, NetEnt continued to pull out all the stops to wow audiences with new online slots based on iconic people, tv shows and movies.

First came Jumanji Video Slot, then Narcos (based on the hit Netflix series), followed by Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Slot and most recently Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Video Slot.

Building for the future – NetEnt supplement their success by creating their own brand icons

Despite having seen unprecedented success due to their branded slots, credit still must be given to their army of creatives as they’re also responsible for inventing some iconic brands of their own that have gone on to spawn multiple games and feature heavily in casino lobbies.

If you ask anyone today to name a handful of the most recognisable online slot games, odds are they’ll mention NetEnt classics such as Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Mega Fortune and Twin Spin. All of these games have spawned popular sequels and are often used as part of casino welcome bonuses due to how popular they are with players around the world.

NetEnt seems to be one of the very few successful online slot developers that have found the perfect balance between creating timeless classics of their own and utilising big-name brands from outside the world of iGaming to help grow their reputation.

Blueprint Gaming and Play’n GO are the only two studios that can hold a candle to NetEnt, and it’s hard to say whether any other developers will get remotely close to any of them at this point. Ultimately, the costs and intricacies involved in licensing are just far too great for up and coming developers to front.

Looking back, it’s clear to see that NetEnt took a serious risk in signing expensive deals with Hollywood studios, but it’s one that paid off tenfold. NetEnt is without a doubt the biggest name in online slots, and has been for the last decade.

We believe that their success is entirely down to the fact they’ve played host to the biggest names and therefore gained the attention of the biggest casinos, seeing their games front and centre of slot lobbies all over the world.

Related Topics:iGaming NetEnt Online Slots Universal

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ICONIC21 Reimagines Myth: Medusa vs. Perseus — The Stone Duel

Published

45 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-reimagines-myth:-medusa-vs.-perseus-—-the-stone-duel

Intense volatility collides with player-led decisions in a quest for epic 10,000x rewards.

History is shaped by those who win, but in Medusa vs Perseus: Stone Duel, the new slot from sought-after iGaming creator ICONIC21, the result lies with the player.

Transforming one of history’s most renowned rivalries into a 5×5 grid format, ICONIC21 offers a game characterized by intensity, impressive visuals, and clear mechanics.

Central to the conflict are the Full Reel Wilds. When these giants collide, they showcase a potent Multiplier that affects each winning line it connects with. As more Wilds appear and line up, the effect becomes even greater.

The experience genuinely deepens when players select their champion during the Free Spins round:

Perseus’ Momentum: Each Wild fuels an increasing Global Multiplier, culminating in a peak of victories.

Medusa’s Control: Expanding Wilds secure their position, transforming the reels into a pathway of ongoing winning opportunities.

With a maximum win of 10,000 times the stake, the bets align with the magnitude of the legend. The title is crafted to attract a wide audience.

Edvardas Sadovskis, CPO at ICONIC21, said: “With Medusa vs Perseus: Stone Duel, we wanted to move beyond the standard ‘Ancient Greece’ tropes. By giving players the choice between Perseus’ scaling power or Medusa’s sticky persistence, we’re adding a layer of strategy to the volatility.

“This game is about the drama of the duel. For operators, this translates into deeper engagement and great performance, as players try to master both paths to the 10,000x treasure.

“This is a milestone addition to our portfolio. By delivering a diverse mix of math profiles and mechanics, we have firmly established ICONIC21 as a must-have supplier for any forward-thinking operator.”

The post ICONIC21 Reimagines Myth: Medusa vs. Perseus — The Stone Duel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gran Madrid | Casino Online

TaDa Strikes Partnership Deal with Spain’s Top Casino Operator Gran Madrid

Published

45 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

tada-strikes-partnership-deal-with-spain’s-top-casino-operator-gran-madrid

TaDa Gaming, a top content provider for the iGaming sector, and Gran Madrid | Casino Online, Spain’s inaugural DGOJ licensed casino, have entered into an agreement that enables Spanish players to access TaDa’s distinctive slot and crash games. Distribution occurs via Light & Wonder Inc.

This new partnership marks TaDa’s initial foray into Spain and strengthens the provider’s successful expansion in regulated European markets. Gran Madrid | Casino Online participants will have the opportunity to enjoy TaDa’s certified collection featuring the Fortune Gems, TriLuck’, and Hit the Cash’ branded games.

The Hit the Cash hallmark of Multipliers, Lock & Respin, and fixed Jackpots has generated considerable interest, with Joker Coins and Fortune Coins now leading releases in Europe.

TaDa’s engaging crash titles include ice hockey, football, and space adventures, along with comical versions featuring a chicken crossing the road and a frog jumping over a lily pond. Go Rush, the dual betting rocket game will be the initial launch in Spain.

Established in 1981, Gran Madrid | Casino Online received its official online gaming license in 2011, becoming the first licensed and recognized online casino in Spain. The groundbreaking operator has since thrived, acquiring tier one content from international suppliers and now provides more than 4,000 titles to its clientele.

Sean Liu, Director of Product Development, TaDa Gaming, said: ‘Our successful growth strategy is based on working with leading operators in each new market. Gran Madrid | Casino Online’s deep heritage in Spanish gaming and reputation for innovative and quality experiences provide the optimum framework for our entry to the Spanish market.’

José Félix Herreros, Country Manager, Gran Madrid | Casino Online, followed: ‘Having built our brand for innovation, working with a provider of TaDa Gaming’s calibre reinforces our position as the leading online casino platform in Spain. We are looking forward to working together on some exciting new experiences for our players.’

The post TaDa Strikes Partnership Deal with Spain’s Top Casino Operator Gran Madrid appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Africa

State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report

Published

12 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

state-of-the-african-video-game-industry-2026:-xsolla-backs-spielfabrique’s-definitive-market-report

Xsolla today announced its support for State of the African Video Game Industry 2026, a comprehensive new report from SpielFabrique and researcher PhD Prince Oguguo that maps the size, structure, and growth dynamics of Africa’s fast-evolving games ecosystem. The study delivers data-driven insight into developer realities, market infrastructure, monetization trends and strategic recommendations for partners and investors.

Key findings at a glance

Market size: Africa’s video games industry generated approximately $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024, driven predominantly by mobile gaming (≈90% of the market).
Growth drivers: A young, mobile-first population, rising smartphone adoption and broader digital services are fueling above-average expansion across the continent.
Structural challenges: Persistent pain points include payment friction, limited funding, uneven internet and platform infrastructure, and the lack of a unified continental market.
Diverse ecosystems: The report stresses regional variation — with deep dives into Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco — showing how local payment systems, regulation and culture shape monetization and discoverability.

Why this report matters

“Supporting research like this helps ground industry conversations in real data and lived developer experience,” said Ilayda Bayari, VP of Business Development, MEA + Southern Europe at Xsolla. The report equips publishers, platforms, investors and policy-makers with actionable intelligence to build more sustainable partnerships with African developers.

Focus areas and recommendations

SpielFabrique’s study examines three critical levers for growth:

Payments & distribution: Local payment methods and mobile money are essential to improve conversion and lifetime value for African titles.
Funding & infrastructure: Targeted investment and improved developer tools/platforms are needed to scale studios beyond domestic markets.
Talent & esports: Clearer talent pathways, education programmes and esports ecosystems will strengthen local production and audience engagement.

Regional snapshots

The research highlights how national differences influence outcomes: strong indie scenes in Nigeria and Kenya, established studios and distribution channels in South Africa, and growing developer communities in North African markets such as Egypt and Morocco.

Launch and supporting activity

The State of the African Video Game Industry 2026 report became available on January 29, 2026, and was launched with a coordinated website feature, social media rollout and a post-launch community webinar to share insights and facilitate industry discussion.

Voices from the field

“After more than seven years working alongside African game makers and ecosystem builders, I’m proud to share this comprehensive overview of where the market stands today,” said Pr. Odile Limpach, Co-founder of SpielFabrique. The report aims to catalyze cooperation and make markets more visible — enabling partners to act on opportunities while appreciating local challenges.

The post State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.