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Creating memorable moments

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2025

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Nik Robinson, CEO, at Big Time Gaming, says the most successful slots combine masterful storytelling and innovative mechanics to deliver gameplay that is meaningful and memorable.

Just how difficult is it for a studio to constantly innovate and bring new player experiences to the market?

For us at Big Time Gaming, it’s second nature. Innovation is in our DNA – it’s what we do and what we’re known for. For years, we’ve set the industry benchmark, not only through iconic game mechanics like Megaways™, Megapays™, and Win Exchange™, but also by pairing them with immersive storytelling to deliver truly memorable gameplay. Our passion for pushing boundaries has allowed us to craft experiences that resonate with players worldwide. We don’t just create slots; we create games that hit differently – combining bold ideas, pioneering mechanics, and engaging narratives. This focus has led to some of the most beloved and successful slots in the market today like Bonanza, Lil Devil, Danger High Voltage, Who wants to be a Millionaire^TM.

Looking ahead, we’re not slowing down. With a pipeline packed full of groundbreaking mechanics and fresh takes on interactivity and engagement, we’ll continue to raise the bar for what players can expect from their gaming experiences from Big Time Gaming, as innovation isn’t just part of the process – it’s the heart of who we are.

Are mechanics alone enough to ensure the success of a game? Or do mechanics and theme/design need to work together in harmony?

Mechanics and theme are the beating heart of any truly successful slot, and when they work together seamlessly, magic happens.

Players don’t just want games, they crave experiences, and this means games need to have innovative mechanics that serve a purpose, driving the narrative forward and pulling players deeper into a world they want to explore. It’s about creating a world where every spin contributes to an unfolding narrative that players want to be a part of. The combination of the right theme and mechanics makes the gameplay more meaningful and memorable – certainly more so than hitting “spin” on a standard 4 x 4 slot. A truly successful slot is the complete package, and this means a thrilling, immersive experience that players don’t just play but feel. This is what makes them hit spin again and again, not just to win but to see what happens next.

Its why our games from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Megapays^TM , Golden Goose Megaways^TMtoo Bonanza Falls and Danger High Voltage 2 that features Megadozer^TM mechanics, stand out! We craft worlds where gameplay, mechanics, narratives and music merge to deliver excitement, anticipation, that turns a slot into a hit – not just a game but an experience players come back to, time after time.

Can you talk us through some of the new mechanics you’ll be debuting in 2025?

Our first big releases in 2025 are Max Megaways 3, Big Bucks Deluxe, Crystal Towers and Castle of Terror 2, , with each showcasing new features and mechanics. Big Bucks Deluxe has been designed to evoke the opulence of high-stakes gaming and debuts our Megapots^TM mechanic to deliver colossal wins. In this game, Megapots^TM is combined with the Hold & Spin mechanic to reveal massive prizes, multipliers or Megapots^TM icons. Crystal Towers is powered by a first-of-its-kind real-time 3D engine technology that will set the benchmark for immersive gameplay. It also features a unique mechanic where winning clusters on the tower connect seamlessly around multiple sides of the gameboard to provide constantly transforming gameplay – imagine the thrill of a Rubik’s Cube fused with the sparkle of a crystal-matching symbol game brought to life in vivid 3D.

How will you combine these mechanics with the game theme, design and sound?

For me, the personalisation and potential for storytelling are two of the most exciting areas of slot development to further explore. By blending gripping narratives with cutting-edge mechanics and technology, we can create truly memorable games. Take our Max Megaways series, for example – the third instalment of the franchise, Max Megaways 3, sees players join Max on his most daring mission yet – deep in the icy mountains with Northen lights. The theme, design, and sound pull you into this world, making every spin feel like part of a high-stakes spy thriller. The game builds on proven mechanics like Megadozer™, the epic coin-dropping feature that unlocks spectacular rewards, and takes it to the next level! In Free Spins, Megadozer™ coins become the vehicle for Max’s arsenal of bonuses, creating thrilling new opportunities as different bonuses interact on the dozer. Every round of Free Spins feels fresh, unpredictable, and packed with excitement!

As well as mastering game mechanics, you set the standard for franchise and sequel slots. The second album is always the hardest, so how have you cracked the code with these games?

Launching a follow-up slot, as we have recently done with Danger High Voltage II, is no easy feat. You need to build on the original experience offered by the game, keeping true to the theme and gameplay, while also bringing in new elements. If you mimic the original too much, it won’t excite players but stray too far away from the core experience and there will be a significant disconnect. With Danger High Voltage II, we reimagined the visuals and mechanics, using Megaways^TM as the engine to bring massive win potential with up to 117,649 ways to win. We also took risks, adding in our new Megadozer^TM mechanic as well as two entirely new free spins features – Fire in the Disco! and Danger Danger!! which were meticulously tested to ensure they brought the right blend of fun and volatility. The result is a very different game from the original but that still has a strong connection to the first game through the theme and of course the iconic song from Electric Six.

How will Big Time Gaming be providing more memorable player moments in 2025?

In 2025, our focus is to continue to lead in innovation. By staying true to our mission of pushing boundaries, we’ll create compelling player experiences with fun themes, captivating stories, and smart mechanics that deliver unforgettable gameplay, spin after spin. Our pioneering work on real-time 3D engine technology will signal a new era of immersive gameplay. The new game mechanics we’ll be rolling out that will redefine interactive experiences, across the entire gaming industry. We have some incredible games lined up for 2025, so watch this space.

The post Creating memorable moments appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

2025 VALORANT UK Circuit launches: dates, competitive formats and prize pool

Published

7 hours ago

January 29, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Official grassroots VALORANT competition for the UK confirmed to be returning in 2025.
New divisional structure announced, and registrations now open for the first season.
Winning team will claim a spot in the VALORANT Challengers NORTH//EAST Northern Qualifier.

After its successful launch season in 2024, VALORANT UK Circuit (VUKC), the official grassroots VALORANT competition in the UK, is returning in 2025 with a new season and enhanced competitive formats. The company running the tournament is NUEL, a UK esports event and community organiser owned by GGTech Entertainment.
VUKC is a place for up and coming teams to start their journey through the VALORANT esports ecosystem, and also for the VALORANT community to get together and play in an open and fun environment. In its inaugural season last year, VUKC had 68 teams and over 600 players participating.

For 2025, VUKC is launching a new divisional structure which will create continuity between seasons and give teams more opportunity for progression and development. The first season (details below) will run to a shorter format and act as a qualifying round, with divisions 1 and 2 being established in the second season later in the year.

Competition details

The first season of the new year is VUKC Winter 2025. It is 5 weeks long and teams must be majority composed of players from the United Kingdom. VUKC is open to players of all ranks. Registrations are now open, and will close on 4th February 23:59 GMT.

The competition will be mostly played on Wednesday evenings (19:00 GMT), and run from 5th February to 5th March.

The full tournament schedule is as follows:

Wednesday 5th February, 19:00 – Swiss League
Wednesday 12th February, 19:00 – Swiss League
Wednesday 19th February, 19:00 – Swiss League
Wednesday 26th February, 19:00 GMT, Playoffs
Saturday 1st March, 12:00 GMT, Playoffs
Wednesday 5th March, 19:00 GMT, Grand Final

The top team will not only take the lion’s share of a £1000 prize pool, but also be entered into the North Qualifier for VALORANT Challengers NORTH//EAST. The top 12 teams from this season will also be invited directly to Division 1 of the next season VUKC in 2025.

Players can sign up and find out more on the tournament page.

For questions and more information, join the VUKC Tournament Discord and ask in #vukc-support or message a member of the team.

The post 2025 VALORANT UK Circuit launches: dates, competitive formats and prize pool appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

iGP’s iGaming Deck now live with Upgaming

Published

9 hours ago

January 29, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Solutions provider enhances offering with iGP’s aggregator

iGP, the platform and aggregator provider, has significantly boosted the reach of its iGaming Deck aggregator product after launching with Upgaming.

The strategic collaboration will see Upgaming incorporate iGP’s full content portfolio of more than 10,000 titles including slots, table games, and live casino options into its offering.

In addition, iGaming Deck’s enhanced promotional tools and its detailed reporting functionality means operators have more control of how they deliver promotions and bring the action to life for their players.

Upgaming’s popular range of mini games including Dino and Aero will also be added to iGaming Deck’s content library and will now be available to iGP’s partner operators across its entire network.

Since its launch in September 2023, iGaming Deck has become a key product within iGP’s offering and cemented its status as the fastest aggregation product in the industry, delivering its range of content in four weeks.

After a successful 2024, iGP has continued to gain momentum as a premier supplier in iGaming. Adding to its impressive portfolio with its crypto solution which is now live with three operators and the launch of its brand new retail solution to deliver true omnichannel experiences to its partners, the provider is well-placed to deliver engagement for its partners.

Jovana Popovic Canaki, CEO at iGP, said: “Our aggregator continues to gather momentum as we enhance our partnerships thanks to its high performance, rapid speed to market and wide array of content. “Adding Upgaming’s popular range of mini games into our offering further diversifies our content portfolio which I am sure will resonate with our partners and their players.”

George Davlianidze, Commercial Director at Upgaming, commented: “Partnering with iGP opens exciting new opportunities. By integrating our award-winning mini games into iGP’s iGaming Deck, we are reaching a broader audience and delivering unmatched entertainment to players worldwide. “At the same time, incorporating iGP’s extensive library into our portfolio allows us to offer operators a more diverse and dynamic gaming experience.”

The post iGP’s iGaming Deck now live with Upgaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

CS2 ANALYST ‘PIMP’ JOINS TEAM VITALITY AS AMBASSADOR

Published

9 hours ago

January 29, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Team Vitality is delighted to announce the arrival of Jacob “Pimp” Winneche, renowned Counter-Strike analyst and former professional player, as an official Ambassador for the club. The announcement comes ahead of the prestigious Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice tournament, which begins later this month.

Alongside Pimp, famed casting duo Thomas “Laink” Iturralde and Damien “Terracid” Laguionie, will also become part of the organisation for IEM Katowice 2025. The pair will co-cast all Team Vitality matches on their Twitch channel, WankilStudio, offering French fans exclusive insights and coverage throughout the tournament.

PIMP, THE NEW FACE OF TEAM VITALITY

Danish esports royalty Jacob “Pimp” Winneche has officially joined the Hive as an Ambassador. A former professional Counter-Strike player and now renowned analyst and content creator, Pimp has established himself as one of the most respected figures on the international esports scene.

With years of experience underneath his belt, alongside his ability to share his in-game expertise, Pimp has become a key personality in the CS2 space. His strategic expertise will strengthen the club’s international profile while inspiring the next generation of players and fans alike.

As an Ambassador, he will have three main responsibilities:

Increasing Team Vitality’s international visibility
Creating exclusive content for social media and the club’s partners
Providing strategic insights and expert commentary during tournaments

With an impressive following of over 500,000 on Twitch and 332,000 on TikTok, Pimp is a key figure who will amplify Team Vitality’s presence on the world stage.

“I’m extremely excited to join the Team Vitality family as a Brand Ambassador. I keep esports, sports and health close to my heart, and I’ll fight for them for years to come. Doing so under the Team Vitality umbrella is a perfect fit for me.” commented Jacob “Pimp” Winneche.

LAINK & TERRACID, THE DUO WITH A PASSION FOR COUNTER-STRIKE

Alongside Pimp, Team Vitality is also thrilled to welcome the iconic French duo Laink & Terracid to co-cast IEM Katowice 2025. With over 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.3 million followers on Twitch, the pair are key figures in the French gaming scene. Their offbeat humour and unique style have attracted a large community in France.

For the prestigious tournament, Laink & Terracid will co-cast Team Vitality matches on their Twitch channel, WankilStudio. With this being their first collaboration with an esports club, they aim to make CS2 more accessible to French fans through their fresh approach to co-casting.

With their passion for CS2 and their ability to bring communities together, Laink & Terracid promise to transform IEM Katowice into an unforgettable viewing experience.

“We first met on Counter-Strike: Source, and we’ve been playing together for over 20 years – it’s by far the game we’ve played the most throughout our careers. For years we’ve dreamed of commentating on professional matches, and it’s an honour to finally achieve this dream with an organisation as prestigious as Team Vitality.” said Damien ‘Terracid’ Laguionie.

“I’ve been closely following Team Vitality’s CS matches for several years, and now I hope to spread the word about the club to as many people as possible!” added Thomas ‘Laink’ Iturralde.

More information: More from Team Vitality on vitality.gg/en/news/

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