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The rise of narrative driven slots

Published

4 years ago

February 2, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Fredrik Johansson, CCO and Founder at Fantasma Games, says it’s time for studios to open a new chapter on slot development by creating games based on narratives and characters

The power of storytelling has long been used to immerse consumers in new and exciting worlds, and to deliver experiences that take them away from their everyday life.

Video games are now like blockbuster movies, with complex narratives and a cast of characters that put players at the heart of the action whether that be entering a warzone or competing in the F1 World Championship.

These stories are all consuming, and due to the availability of smartphone technology and internet connectivity, can be accessed at any time and from anywhere.

But to date, the online casino industry has yet to truly explore the power of storytelling and especially when it comes to developing slots that are narrative driven. This is missing a trick as narrative driven slots deliver unprecedented levels of player engagement.

Building stories and characters into slots is something that we have been doing for several years now and the stats these games generate are impressive to say the least.

Take Heroes Hunt – the game starts with an opening sequence similar to what you would get from a video game. Players find themselves in a cave which they move through until they are met by the game’s four characters. They then pick the character they wish to play with.

As they play through the game, they unlock more characters until they reach the final sequence where they must defeat a dragon. The session times on Heroes Hunt are off the charts – we are talking about double that of a standard slot.

But how do developers set about creating story driven slots? And what comes first, the story or the mechanics and features of the game?

The creative process:

When developing story driven slots, we often consider the math and mechanics first. The gameplay is super important and is ultimately what keeps players on the edge of their seats.

Once we have the game’s features mapped out – it could be the ability to climb through levels and unlock additional features, for example – we then consider the different stories, characters and themes that would tie in with that type of gameplay.

We actually have a shelf of ideas that we come back to when brainstorming a new slot. These are concepts that our team have come up with but that we have not been able to build a game around up to that point.

This is true for our recent release, Wins of Nautilus Megaways. We had an idea for a game based on Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea but had yet to come up with the right math and mechanics to do it justice.

Having developed increasingly complex games over recent months, the time was right to combine this incredible theme with a math model and mechanics that could bring the story and characters to life. And that is exactly what we did.

Providing players with more value:

Consumer preferences are changing, and now more than ever players are seeking out interactive and social experiences. Simply hitting “Spin” and waiting to see if the game outcome is a win or is not enough to pull players away from other entertainment options.

But games that are narrative driven and provide the ability to progress through different levels and features gives players another reason to head to an online casino rather than a streaming service or mobile game. There is another purpose other than just winning money.

Of course, narrative driven games give players a reason to keep retuning to that title. While they may not progress all the way through the game in one playing session, they can come back to it time and again to see if they can reach the next level.

In a such a highly competitive market, this is exactly what operators want their players to do. What’s more, with game lobbies saturated with hundreds – sometimes thousands – of standard games, story-based slots can be a huge differentiator.

Operators can also use them as part of their marking activity by using game characters and events to reach out to players with different bonuses and promotions. They are also great for running tournaments based on in-game missions and tasks.

The online casino industry is aware that it is under threat from other entertainment options, but operators and suppliers must realise that in order to give players a compelling reason to engage with slots instead of Snapchat, they need to push the boundaries.

It is my belief that narrative driven slots do just this. They take elements from the video and mobile game industry and combine it with the immersive stories found in quality streaming content to deliver next level engagement with the ability to gamble on the outcome of games and win money.

This is a powerful combination and one that will allow the online casino industry to emerge as a favoured entertainment option for a wide range of consumers in markets and countries around the world.

Compliance Updates

Merkur Group Strengthens Global Compliance Strategy

Published

31 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

merkur-group-strengthens-global-compliance-strategy

Under the theme “Perspectives,” a total of 43 compliance staff members from the Merkur Group across various countries gathered from 30 June to 1 July to further develop compliance processes in a sustainable manner. Colleagues from Germany, Spain, England, Malta, Australia and the US traveled to the two-day meeting at Benkhausen Castle, the in-house training centre of the Merkur Group. The workshop set the stage with expert presentations on global and digital topics such as cybersecurity, risk management and artificial intelligence. A panel discussion featuring representatives from various international companies within the Merkur Group, as well as a digital quiz, rounded out the programme.

In keeping with its guiding principle, the workshop focused on sharing experiences, fostering global networking and providing impetus for the further development of compliance processes. Because informal exchanges are also key to close cooperation, the evening programme created a relaxed atmosphere and gave participants the opportunity to continue their conversations, make new connections, and further strengthen team spirit across company and national boundaries.

“The ideas and diverse perspectives gained during the workshop will now be incorporated into our day-to-day work and help us to continuously improve collaboration and existing processes,” said Ludwig Beckmann, Chief Compliance Officer of the Merkur Group.

The concluding feedback session also highlighted just how valuable the international exchange is. The term “collaboration” came up particularly often, a clear indication of how highly the participants value working closely together within the international compliance network.

The post Merkur Group Strengthens Global Compliance Strategy appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Anne Marie Caulfield

GRAI Launches New Campaign Helping Parents to Spot the Signs of Underage Gambling

Published

31 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

grai-launches-new-campaign-helping-parents-to-spot-the-signs-of-underage-gambling

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is encouraging parents and guardians to be alert to the signs of gambling among young people and to intervene early to prevent gambling harm.

The signs of gambling aren’t always visible, the GRAI in partnership with the Health Service Executive Addiction Services have developed dedicated advice on www.grai.ie to equip families with the knowledge to recognise the signs, advice on how to start the conversation with their children about gambling, and where to seek help if required.

To support the guidance, the GRAI has launched a national public awareness campaign across video on demand, radio, digital audio, and social media platforms, bringing this message directly to families across Ireland.

With the lines between entertainment and gambling increasingly blurred, especially online, what may look like harmless fun can still involve risk, money and chance in ways that affect young developing brains. Research commissioned by the GRAI and conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that children who gamble are twice as likely to develop a gambling problem as adults.

Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI said: “We have launched this campaign to help parents start an important conversation about the risks of underage gambling. Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm. Children’s brains are still developing the judgement and impulse-control systems used to weigh up risk, which makes gambling appealing to them.

“With online gambling available at any time of the day, it is easy for the warning signs to be hidden. The guidance the GRAI developed with the HSE Addiction Services sets out some of the key behavioural signs to look out for in your child.”

The post GRAI Launches New Campaign Helping Parents to Spot the Signs of Underage Gambling appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Amusnet

Amusnet Launches VIP LIVE Roulette, Bringing a Refined Experience to Live Casino Players

Published

31 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

amusnet-launches-vip-live-roulette,-bringing-a-refined-experience-to-live-casino-players

Amusnet has launched VIP LIVE Roulette, a new addition to its Live Casino portfolio, offering a premium European roulette experience designed for players who prefer higher stakes, greater comfort and a sophisticated gaming environment.

Created for those who appreciate a more considered approach to live roulette, VIP LIVE Roulette combines elegant studio production with elevated table limits and an extended betting window. The additional betting time allows players to place larger, more strategic wagers at a comfortable pace, creating a smoother and more engaging experience without changing the familiar flow of the game.

Built on the classic European roulette format, the game enhances traditional gameplay with a range of intuitive features that support both convenience and strategic play. Players can personalise their sessions using Favourite & Special Bets, quickly repeat previous wagers with Auto-Rebet and follow live Statistics to inform their decisions throughout the game.

Set in a dedicated VIP studio, the game delivers a polished live presentation with professional dealers, high-definition streaming and a clean, modern environment that recreates the atmosphere of an exclusive casino floor. Every element has been designed to combine the authenticity of live roulette with the expectations of today’s premium player segment.

VIP LIVE Roulette joins Amusnet’s growing Live Casino portfolio, further strengthening the company’s offering with a title that balances timeless gameplay with contemporary player preferences. As operators continue to expand their live casino proposition, the game provides an opportunity to appeal to high-value audiences looking for an elevated roulette experience that combines premium presentation, seamless gameplay and greater flexibility at the table.

History Re-bet feature

Pick again the lucky numbers for the last spins.

Favourite Bets

This function allows players to save their personally tailored bets or bet combinations for quick access during gameplay.

Game Statistics

Make the strategy with statistics for the last spins.

Jackpot Cards

Once the Jackpot Cards Bonus game is triggered, impressive Jackpots are revealed.

The post Amusnet Launches VIP LIVE Roulette, Bringing a Refined Experience to Live Casino Players appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.