2015 Online Gambling Games in Review
2015 ONLINE GAME REPORT:
This review again showcases how innovative the online gaming industry continues to be as operators look for differentiating products from numerous software providers rather than committing to just one development house. The multi-game provider approach not only fosters deeper B2B relationships but encourages collaborative thinking between platform providers and suppliers who think outside of the box ultimately delivering new, exciting and unique services.
Our review kicks off with the launch of the specifically designed Jingle Bingo website for the festive season from 888 Holdings exclusively carrying Christmas-themed games content.
1X2 Gaming launched the zombie-themed Dead World slot, a game based on the original series from Caliber Comics. InfoPowa readers will recall the licensing and development deal for four Caliber Comic-themed games inked back in July 2015. Dead World was followed by a Christmas-themed slot title Santa3x3. The company also entered into a content supply deal during the review period with online gaming platform provider TAIN who integrated its full portfolio of games.
American Gaming Systems Interactive (AGSi) partnered the Twinkies Hostess brand with the launch of Twinkle 7’s on its Lucky Play social casino app and Asia Gaming boosted its inventory of 47 titles with the addition of Aerial Warfare and Jurassic. Both games are available in HTML5 and Flash. AGSi was formed in June 2015 following the company’s acquisition of US mobile gaming studio RocketPlay.
BetSoft Gaming delivered numerous game releases during the period including the vacation-themed The Tipsy Tourist, a 3D fantasy video slot featuring a mystical wizard in Alkemore’s Tower and a classic literary offer based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel A Christmas Carol. The company clinched a number of content supply deals with : GAMING1 who integrated BetSoft titles on the provision of its entire suite of gaming products across both desktop and mobile channels to bitcoin casino coingaming.io and another full suite of games to SlotsMillion, operated by alea.com.
Big Time Gaming pumped up its new title Dragon Born MEGAWAYS, featuring the company’s patented MegaWatts engine which they say allows up to 117,649 ways to win. The Australian development studio chose NYX as their debut platform partner for the title which is expected to launch later this month. Big Time Gaming also launched Temple Quest across the Quickfire Network in November
Sky Vegas exclusively launched Jungle Jackpots from the Gauselmann Group’s UK-based studio Blueprint Gaming themed on the much-loved Jungle Book with characters Mowgli and Baloo.
Isle of Man-based Booming Games launched Merry Spinning, Ice World and Fort Knox to its portfolio of 21 mobile and desktop compatible titles and entered into a game supply agreement with bitcoin casino Bitcasino. A further two titles launched on Bitcasino, Web of Darkness and Global offensive.
Bucharest-headquartered CasinoWebScripts boosted its inventory to 165 with the launch of Royal Flush Party, Jacks or Better and Poker Dice Wild West saying its focus for 2016 lies in a greater emphasis on mobile compatibility.
A host of new games were released by CORE Gaming which included the launch of the seventh and eighth new game titles Beehive Bedlam Reactors and Pan for Gold for Sky Vegas in line with its exclusive 20-game development deal with the operator. Beehive Bedlam Reactors is based on the company’s interactive TV platform game Beehive Bedlam, one of its most popular offers for over a decade. Both games will be exclusive to Sky Vegas for a finite term. CORE Gaming also launched an air travel-themed title The Sky’s The Limit following a content provision agreement with land-based slot developer Live 5; and Word Candy, its newest instant win scratch card. During the review period, the company inked a software supply deal with Storm Games for the adaptation of its online portfolio to the bricks and mortar sector.
Manchester-based mobile app development studio Degree 53 ventured into the wearable technology arena in collaboration with UK bookmaker Betfred with the release of Apple watch apps.
A new social slot themed on the popular US prison TV drama series Orange is the New Black was launched on IGT’s DoubleDown social casino along with a magical adventure The Great WINaldo. DoubleDown also launched Treasures of the Pyramid adapted from IGT Legacy’s game portfolio.
Easter Island Studios Ltd (Pure Nuts N.V.) is a new outfit operating out of Amsterdam. The studio reportedly develops interactive casino games for online gaming but InfoPowa has yet to find a corporate website or any information on their games despite repeated online searches. It will be interesting to finally see their portfolio as they make their debut at ICE early-February.
Swedish developer ELK Studios launched an amusing Mexico-themed title Tacos Bros, whose main characters comprise brothers Paso, Pepe and Pico, followed by DJ Wild, a slot it claims is the first game to present symbols that cover 100 percent of the mobile screen.
Prague games developer Endorphina boosted its presence with the launch of a number of titles and a raft of content supply deals during the review period. New titles include The Vikings and Jetsetter. Endorphina games are now available through the SoftSwiss-powered BitStarz and Chance Hill casinos, Betsson’s Europe-Bet, in Scandinavia with Finnplay, with BetConstruct and Singular Gaming.
Enterra Poker and Enterra Casino software and platform developer parent company Enterra Inc. rebranded as EvenBet Gaming and live dealer solution provider EntwineTech delivered a new baccarat variant to the market in October titled Points Baccarat.
EveryMatrix entered into a platform and content supply deal with Irish bookmaker BoyleSports, a software supply deal with Habanero and launched Betit’s Kaboo brand.
Live casino provider Evolution Gaming busied itself with the launch of an exclusive online version of Carribbean Stud Poker in partnership with Games Marketing, the debut of Dual Play Roulette on Malta-based Dragonara Casino’s live offer, the signing of live casino content deals with GameSys and Casumo and a three-and-a-half year exclusive contact with Scientific Games for a live casino version of SG’s Ultimate Texas Hold’em. This respected provider was also named preferred live casino provider by Microgaming.
Unibet debuted a full suite of proprietary table games from UK-headquartered studio Felt Ltd. The content brings a range of popular games from the North American and European land-based sectors to the online arena and includes seven Blackjack sidebet games, such as Perfect Pairs and 21+3, three Poker games and Felt’s unique Double Ball Roulette.
FlowPlay launched Vegas World Slots, a six-slot multiplayer mobile social casino including the Space Girls, Mystic Millions and Cat Party titles.
Gala Coral’s in-house development studio launched Jokers Gold. All titles by the in-house studio are now developed as omnichannel releases across retail and interactive channels.
Gamblit Gaming entered into a partnership with Playboy Enterprises for the development of real-money wagering games targeting the UK and US mobile markets. The company scored a coup with the signing of a development agreement with Wicked Witch Software for its massively successful Catapult King game for the real-money mobile wagering market in the UK followed by the launch of a land-based casino version later this year.
White label multi-channel casino provider Viral Interactive signed up for a range of flash and HTML5 content from software developer GameART. The studio launched a new high roller game titled More Ca$h.
Start-up development studio Gamevy clinched its first content supply deal with online lottery betting firm Lottoland. Gamevy’s portfolio comprises TV Game Show style games for prizes.
GAN (formerly GameAccount Network) launched simulated gaming for The Cordish Company’s Maryland Live Casino and live casino social sites. Capri Casinos took on a simulated gaming solution system from the company for its Lady Luck Interactive subsidiary.
GECO Gaming will deliver a suite of gaming content to Daub Alderney’s Kitty Bingo, Lucky Pants Bingo and Spin-and-Win operations.
Genesis Gaming stormed into the New Year following a jam-packed three months prior that saw the launch of a new line of video slots tailored for the American social casino market under its The Vegas Line portfolio, a content deal with Big Stack Technologies for mobile and desktop platforms and the launch of numerous titles including its first HTML5-only title BierFest optimised for mobile and launched via Quickfire, Escape Artist – an exclusive release to Unibet Casino based on unsung magician Larry Linguini and the exclusive launch of Star Crystals to Sky Vegas via the OpenBet platform. Other releases comprised The Final Rose based on the US Hit TV Show ‘The Bachelorette’, Temple of Luxor and Mirror Magic – exclusive to Unibet on Flash and HTML5 for a limited time as well as Deep Sea Diver which debuted on Quickfire this month (January).
Gaming technology supplier Genii basked in the spotlight again with the signing of its seventh partnership agreement in eight weeks with Malta-based platform and services provider Omega Gaming and an eighth with B3W Group. These followed similar deals with LeoVegas, TAIN, Iforium, Altenar, Gaming Innovation Group and Starfish Media.
Novomatic-backed developer GreenTube signed content supply deals with Circus Group for the Belgian market via the GAMING1 platform, Unibet and a social platform supply agreement with Foxwoods Resorts Casino.
UK software developer GW Games released its amusing Wok Star title along with the simultaneous launch across all channels of Birdz with Ladbrokes.
Rising star Habanero Systems B.V. was active with the addition of Gold Rush and Bombs Away to its 50-slot stable and content supply deals with Everymatrix, Asian operator FUN88 through live dealer casino provider Gold Deluxe, and Media Tech for integration on the IRIS platform.
Carnival Corporation & PLC partnered High 5 Games for the provision of content across 100 of its cruise liners. High 5 Games also entered into content supply deal with The Bede Platform.
Independent game developer Inchinn Games launched Cashtrovaders on the Odobo Platform.
Inspired expanded its virtual sports and mobile portfolio with Rush Boxing after entering into a brand development partnership with boxer Mike Tyson through Pavillion Worldwide LLC for the creation of a suite of gaming products for sportsbetting, casino, slots and social sectors. Betfair also signed up for Inspired’s full suite of games from the Rush Series during the review period.
iSoftbet delivered “24” for fans of the television series featuring Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, went live with a range of its Flash and mobile content on VideoSlots and ended the year with the launch of Astro Magic.
1X2 Gaming and TAIN took on a portfolio of virtual sports from Leap Gaming following the signing of content supply deals.
Manchester United football club launched a free-to-play social slots app for iOS and Android devices, developed by Kama Games. The company also launched Texas Poker on Apple TV and a new title Blackjack 21.
Niche designer Lightning Box Games launched Pixie Gold release with the quirky features and entertainment game play the company is known for.
LuckyFish Games integrated its first branded slot title “Beverly Hills 90210” into its social casino app OMG Fortune.
Danish developer Magnet Gaming expanded its 10-title HTML5 portfolio with the addition of Space Gems to existing titles Diamond Express, Golden Pyramid, Bank Walt and Auction Day. A content supply deal with major Danish operator Danske Spil will enable their portfolio to reach a wider audience.
Prolific software provider Microgaming forged ahead at its usual blistering pace with the release of a multitude of titles over the past few months. The company kicks off with the debut of the visually stunning “Titans of the Sun Theia” and “Titans of the Sun Hyperion” on the Quickfire platform in October. Sterling Silver and Party Island for mobile closely followed by Lucky Twins and Basketball Star along with mobile titles Many Monsters, So Much Candy and So Much Sushi. December ushered in the launch of Serenity, Happy Holidays and Bullseye while January’s offers included Peek-A-Boo, Untamed Giant Panda and Multiplayer Mermaid’s Millions. In terms of partnerships, virtual sports game developer Kiron Interactive’s remote gaming server BetMan was made available on the Quickfire platform along with a range of titles from Ainsworth following the signing of a platform agreement.
Provider NetEnt had a fruitful period beginning with the launch of two exclusive, bespoke branded slots for Mr Green online casino with the launch of The Marvellous Mr Green and Mr Green: Moonlight. In September Hook’s Heroes debuted and its most feature-rich offer to date Koi Princess, displaying exquisite graphics. Other releases within the review period comprised Pyramid: Quest for Immortality displaying a departure from the usual reel layout with each game reel formed in the shape of a pyramid, King of Slots, Fantasini: Master of Mystery (which was previously exclusive to Sportingbet), and a revamped, refreshed version of its Flowers title for the Christmas season. Multiplier Mayhem, a fast-paced, action-adventure themed car racing game was well received and NetEnt fans are looking forward to the debut of the much-anticipated Guns ’n Roses branded slot set for launch at the ICE industry expo next week. In addition the company entered into content supply and licensing agreements with GAN for simulated gaming in the U.S., New Jersey-regulated Resorts Casino and Mohegan Sun, GameSys US LLC for Tropicana Casino and Virgin Casino New Jersey, Nektan PLC, Spanish operator Codere and a B2B and B2C reseller deal with platform provider SoftSwiss.
Fangtastic, a vampire-themed season offer was released in October by NuWorks along with the iconic branded Three Stooges – Disorder in the Court. The company also delivered the Christmas-themed Santa 7s.
NYX Gaming Group and subsidiary’s NextGen Gaming and Game360 delivered and then delivered some more with the launch of Merlin’s Magic Respins – an exclusive omnichannel release through the Coral Group, James Dean a branded video slot based on the iconic 50’s movie star and Spin Sorceress offering NextGen’s Superbet feature. The group entered into content provision deals with William Hill, Royal Panda, BoyleSports, SNAI, mybet, Paddy Power, 888 Holdings and Italian operator Betpoint. The group additionally entered into a development and distribution deal with Spanish terrestrial games originators R.Franco to take its land-based games online.
Mr Green went live with a portfolio of six Odobo marketplace game titles Extinction, Gourmet Ranch Riches, Epic City, Lucky Pirates, The Adventurers and Big Time Journey. Another 14 titles are scheduled for integration in this first wave with access to Odobo’s full content library comprising over 60 titles, all designed for omni-channel distribution.
OMI Gaming released the first, Gold Bars and Rounds, in a series of new omni-channel video scratch cards targeted it says at the younger demographic of digital players.
Oryx Games clinched a supply deal with Energy Casino for their full range of 39 online slots and table games, while Platypus Gaming developed Mermaid’s Treasure which Plumbee launched on its Mirrorball social platform.
Numerous simultaneous launches across desktop and mobile channels from Play’n GO delivered even more choice for punters with titles including Eye of the Kraken, Happy Halloween, Xmas Joker, Wizard of Gems, Book of the Dead and Rage to Riches which was originally a bespoke game developed for Unibet.
Playson released its classic Lucky Pirates on the Odobo marketplace and integrated 32 titles for Circus Group punters through the GAMING1 platform.
Industry veteran Playtech launched Ace Venture: Pet Detective, a premium branded online slot inspired by the movie of the same name featuring comedian Jim Carey. Another premium branded, feature-rich, online slot Top Gun debuted in December along with Playtech’s new Live Prestige Roulette which allows players to follow game play from any angle they wish.
In terms of industry news, Playtech’s PlaytechONE launched across Mecca Bingo’s complete product range and the company clinched a 20-year extension to its existing agreement with NetBet covering exclusive casino, poker and poker side game content.
Swedish developer Quickspin debuted Crystal Queen and Titan Thunder on Plumbee’s Mirrorball platform, launched Razortooth – a new 243-ways-to-win offer in October followed by Second Strike an old-school design inspired fruit machine. Mr Green online casino signed up for a range of Quickspin titles.
Realistic Games partnered LeoVegas and Rank Interactive via The Bede Platform in terms of content supply deals while launching the successor or sister-game to its popular “Super Graphics Upside Down” title. The new 3-reel title “Super Graphics Super Lucky” carries an unusual Japanese capsule vending machine theme. Other releases included Fireworks – the developers first full-screen slot title, Blackjack side bet games Perfect Pairs and 21+3 and Chelsea FC – the result of a collaborative agreement between Realistic, BetVictor and Chelsea Football Club.
RealTime Gaming’s first slot release of 2016 was a 5-reel, 25-payline Asian inspired title God of Wealth. God of Wealth was preceded by the launch of Lucky 6 and Bubble Bubble – a Halloween-themed release.
Rival Gaming offered new releases Cirque du Slots, Diamond Dazzle and Cherry Diamonds while Rush Street Gaming debuted a free-to-play offer for SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, Royal Wins launched an android and iOS version of the popular Facebook game Kash Carnival and Ruby Seven developed a free-to-play social casino for Delaware North scheduled for launch early 2016.
Saucify (formerly BetonSoft) entered into a mobile content supply deal with Vegas Crest Casino and launched a range of titles including Once Upon a Time, Slots Angels: Born to Spin, Mamma Mia!, Legends of Olympia, Tomahawk, At the Movies and Mega Glam Life.
Spin Games and Konami partnered for the distribution of online interactive Konami Gaming social and for-wager video slot games delivered through the build and launch of a new HTML5 technology-based remote gaming server.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Four Winds Casinos and the Swinish Casino Lodge in Washington will launch Scientific Games’ SG Universe Play4Fun Network and espacejeux.com will carry a range of Scientific Games titles following the signing of a content supply agreement.
Slotland fired off its latest hunting-themed proprietary slot Open Season while SoftSwiss intro-ed its HTML5-built Fantasy Park offer and TransGaming Inc. integrated its GameTree Casino product line of five slot games with Slots XL
Wishing you Fortune and Enchanted Fairy are the latest titles from Williams Interactive and a popular land-based title Zeus 1000 was adapted for and released online by WMS Gaming.
Malta-based World Match in collaboration with Baldazzi Styl Art translated Night Vampire from the terrestrial environment to online along with its Angeli e Demoni25, Il Pollaio and Golden Game titles.
Yggdrasil ended the year with a strong push and a range of innovative titles that included Doubles, feature-rich Nirvana, the fantasy space-themed Incinerator, and last but not least Holmes and the Stolen Stones offering five progressive jackpots. Content supply deals were sealed with Betclic, Expiekt, Monte Carlo, Kaboo, Casino Heroes, Gunmaker and Hero Gaming.
Zeus Services showcased a pirate-themed 5-reel, 10-payline slot titled Legend of the Sea and Le Mystère du Prince – loosely based on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Zynga closes the review with the launch of The Princess Bride, a free-to-play social title from the same team who developed the Wizard of Oz slot product.
