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How NetEnt built an empire based on familiarity
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.
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THE MONEYMAKER TOUR RETURNS TO HARD ROCK CINCINNATI WITH MORE THAN $1 MILLION UP FOR GRABS
Following a hugely successful first event in Cincinnati, Ohio in September 2023, the Moneymaker Tour is returning to the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati on September 17 – 30, 2024 with a packed schedule that will guarantee more than $1 million across 15 trophy events.
In September 2023’s inaugural stop at Hard Rock Cincinnati, the $1,500 Main Event was contested by 788 players and won by Joseph Bakun for $208,034. He was joined at the final table by Chris Moneymaker himself and WSOP Champion Joseph McKeehen and as well as the top cash prize, he also took home a crystal Moneymaker Tour trophy and a guitar trophy.
The Moneymaker Tour was created in 2023 by 2003 WSOP Champion and ACR Team Pro, Chris Moneymaker and Moneymaker Tour Executive Manager, Tony Burns. The Tour was conceived as a way for Moneymaker to give poker players opportunities to have their own ordinary to extraordinary moments as he did.
Despite its relative newcomer status, the Moneymaker Tour has made a name for itself, recently being voted the third most popular live poker tournament series behind only the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour, in a State of Poker survey. Since its inception, there have been eight events throughout Florida, Cincinnati and Houston.
The Tour has also recently announced new venues including a first visit to the birthplace of the Moneymaker boom with an event in Las Vegas from June 28 – July 6 at MGM Grand and its first international Main Event at Casino Aruba in October.
“Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati will team up with the Moneymaker Tour for a return in 2024” said Christopher Herbert, Hard Rock Cincinnati Manger of Poker & Sportsbook. “Hard Rock Cincinnati is grateful to be a part of the fastest growing poker tour in 2023. Chris Moneymaker, Tony Burns and their staff delivered an incredible experience for our guests during the 2023 Moneymaker Tour stop. There’s no better place to be in September 2024 than Cincinnati Ohio!”
“After an amazing series last September, we are excited to return to Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati”, said Tony Burns, Executive Manager of the Moneymaker Tour. “Continuing to partner with one of the most recognisable brands in the world amplifies our reach, resonates with our audience, and rocks our business to a whole other level.”
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Week 20/2024 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
ELA Games is thrilled to announce the release of its latest slot machine game, Big Wave Delight. This new game features an advanced design, original mechanics, and a unique “Bonus Purchase” feature, setting a new standard in the gaming industry. Players can also hit the waves with Free Spins, scoring 10 thrilling spins with random multipliers (up to 10x) on each whirl. With up to 3 Wild Surfboards on every spin, players can expect epic wins!
Habanero, invites players for an icy adventure in its new title Arctic Hunt, offering expanding wilds with multipliers of up to 50x. Set against a snowy forest, this 5×3 game hosts a variety of wildlife such as fish, rabbits, deer and beavers as its symbols. Arctic foxes can also appear as wilds and substitute other icons to help form wins. Regular symbols can land with crystal gems attached which are accumulated in a counter at the top of the board.
Yggdrasil has released Boomerang Games’ (under license to ReelPlay) newest game Goblin’s Bargain MultiMax™, a vault packed with features ready to tempt those looking for the biggest of wins. The glittering gold belonging to the nefarious mythical creatures is under lock and key unless players can make the most of MultiMax. The popular Game Engagement Mechanic (GEM) sees a multiplier build up on each reel which can be multiplied together, leading to exponentially large wins.
R. Franco Digital is inviting players to double their winnings in its latest mythical-themed release, Game of Chronos Unicorn. Immersing players in a fantasy universe, a 5×3 grid is filled with a host of mythical symbols which create matching combinations across the slot’s 40 paylines. Helping to form wins are Witch wilds, which substitute other symbols on the board, while three or more unicorn Scatters pay out an instant reward.
Play’n GO pits Woodrow and Jačova against one another in a race against bolts in Spark of Genius. In this dynamic 6×6 grid slot, players are transported to the dawn of the 20th century, where the clash between industry pioneers Maynard Woodrow and Tess Jačova ignites. Players will harness the power of Resonant Energy and Manifest Energy as these characters vie for dominance over the grid.
Spinomenal has unveiled its hotly anticipated game, Quest to the Underworld. This game is part of the popular Spinomenal Adventure series. Quest to the Underworld lures players in with its macabre setting that’s underscored with a chilling soundtrack. Medium symbols are made up of a vial, crossbow, goblet, and scroll. Two Wild symbols, a glamorous lady and black gear, will substitute for any symbol except the Free Spins and Bonus symbols, hitting five Wild symbols on a winning line gives players a x1000 multiplier.
Yggdrasil and YGG Masters partner Bang Bang Games have combined to deliver thrilling gameplay in toxic new release Mutant Trawlers. Players must navigate a contaminated nuclear lake to fish up wins worth a maximum of 3,000x by way of Trawler Respins, Mutant Cash and Meltdown Free Spins. Trawler respins can be triggered whenever a boat lands on the same reel as a Mutant Cash symbol, automatically igniting a chain of respins where multipliers increase after every successful spin.
Wizard Games is ready to deliver magic and mystery in its enchanted new release, Wynmor’s Tales – The Rise. Players are faced with a 5×4 matrix, situated within an eerie mansion, looking to land mystic items across the slots 40 paylines. If a spellbook lands on the fifth reel, then all Cash Symbols are collected, paying out magical rewards.
Games Global’s exclusive studio OROS Gaming, has unveiled Magnificent Power Wolf Fire Spirit™, its latest slot utilising the popular Magnificent Power mechanic that promises captivating gameplay and 4,096 ways to win on a 5×4 grid. Adorned with bear, eagle and dreamcatcher symbols, this Native American-inspired slot immerses players with every spin of the expanding reels, providing ample opportunity to discover the hidden riches with two or more adjacent high-paying symbols awarding a win.
The post Week 20/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Casino Guru Launches “Safer Gambling Talks” Webinar Series with Šimon Vincze
Casino Guru, the world’s premier independent online casino resource, proudly announces the launch of its new webinar series, “Safer Gambling Talks.” This innovative series aims to delve into the critical aspects of safer gambling within the industry, addressing jurisdictional nuances and universal consumer protection standards.
“Safer Gambling Talks” is dedicated to fostering a highly responsible gambling environment by engaging with experts and industry leaders. The series will explore various topics, focusing on creating a more sustainable and commercially viable gambling industry that prioritizes player protection.
In the premiere episode, Šimon Vincze, Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling, engages in an insightful discussion with Dr. Margaret Carran, Associate Professor in Law and Associate Dean (Education) at The City Law School of City, University of London. The conversation centers on improving self-exclusion practices within the gambling industry, aiming to enhance player protection across different markets. The episode is available on Casino Guru News YouTube channel.
Šimon Vincze, a staunch advocate for responsible gambling, leads Casino Guru’s efforts in sustainable and safer gambling. He spearheads the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative, driving forward best practices in player protection and operator responsibility. Recognizing gaps in existing tools, Šimon is committed to ensuring a safer gambling environment for all.
The post Casino Guru Launches “Safer Gambling Talks” Webinar Series with Šimon Vincze appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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