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How Age of the Gods unintentionally became the biggest slot franchise of all time
If you know anything about online slots then you’ll be aware of the Age of the Gods, a legendary collection of fantasy-themed games created by veteran Estonian slot studio Playtech.
Despite having only existed for five years, the Age of the Gods slot series is widely considered to be the most successful and recognizable slot franchise of all time, with over 20 games available to play at online casinos around the world.
Each individual Age of the Gods slot has totally different bonus features and mechanics and is themed around famous mythical Gods, demigods, and heroes from a variety of time periods and cultures such as Roman, ancient Greece, and Norse mythology.
How Disney’s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment led to the creation of Age of the Gods
Interestingly, the Age of the Gods series was never intended to become as big as it did, in fact, it’s debatable as to whether the Age of the Gods series would even exist at all, if not for Disney’s acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in 2009.
Why does Disney’s acquisition of Marvel have any bearing on an unrelated Playtech slot series developed seven years later? Well, before Age of the Gods existed Playtech’s most popular series of games was actually Marvel slots, these featured some of the brand’s most iconic superheroes and villains.
Throughout the mid-2010s Playtech’s game selection featured a who’s-who of Marvel Entertainment, offering the following slots: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Attack of the Green Goblin, The Incredible Hulk, Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Blade, Captain America: The First Avenger, Daredevil, Elektra, Fantastic Four, Wolverine, X-Men and Ghost Rider.
In 2013, when Disney gained full control of all of Marvel Entertainment and their subsidiaries, they announced that they were cleaning up the brand image of Marvel, ultimately, this marked the end of Marvel slots upon the expiration of their licensing agreement with Playtech in 2017.
Years and years of hard work from dedicated teams of online slot developers had gone into creating this huge collection of Marvel slots, so it seemed almost unimaginable that these games would be released into the ether, never to be seen again.
In addition to the wasted time and effort, there was also an issue regarding players. The Marvel slots were much-loved progressive jackpot games, if their favorite slots were deleted would they go and play another provider’s games instead?
Thankfully, someone at Playtech had the grand idea of rebranding all of the Marvel slots, so rather than get rid of them entirely, they developed a new brand (Age of the Gods) and created new artwork, essentially placing it on top of the old slots in a like for like swap.
Players would still be able to play their favorite Marvel slots with the same bonus features, mechanics, jackpots, and mathematical models, just with different branding.
What makes the Age of the Gods series so popular?
Just like their predecessors, the Age of the Gods slots proved immensely popular mostly down to the fact that there were so many games for players to sink their teeth into, each Age of the Gods slot offering unique mechanics and bonus features.
In addition to this, the Age of the Gods slots series played host to the Age of the Gods Progressive Jackpot, a truly legendary four-tiered jackpot made up of the Power Jackpot, Extra Power Jackpot, Super Power Jackpot, and the Ultimate Power Jackpot.
These jackpots could drop at any time and can see players win in excess of £1,000,000, the most lucrative of these four jackpots payout every 40 days (on average) whilst the other three payouts on a daily and hourly basis, so it’s not hard to see why players were drawn to them.
What’s more, fans of the original Marvel slots immediately recognized these progressive jackpots, as they’re exactly the same jackpots that existed prior to the Age of the Gods release.
How has Playtech kept the Age of the Gods series fresh?
With so many Age of the Gods games out there the series was bound to go stale after some time, however, in a bid to freshen things up Playtech has enlisted the help of smaller studios that fall under their management to create several brand new games.
Playtech Vikings, Playtech Origins, and Ash Gaming have all stepped up to the plate in recent years to create their own titles. This has also led to an entirely new Age of the Gods series known as Age of the Gods Norse.
This brand new series of Age of the God slots features a clean new design that looks significantly more attractive than the original slots, however, despite being a lot of fun, it’s fair to suggest that they don’t really have the same charm as the original games.
What does the future of the Age of the Gods series look like?
Despite it only being a few months since their last release, it feels like a long time since we’ve heard anything about a new Age of the Gods game.
There’s nothing on Playtech’s roadmap to suggest we’ll be getting a new mythical-themed slot any time soon, which is quite disappointing. That being said, with so many fingers in so many pies, it’s hard to tell what Playtech is doing at any given moment.
There was some debate as to whether Age of the Gods was on the way out following the landmark release of Kingdoms Rise. The groundbreaking Playtech slot series features many similarities to Age of the Gods, and many thought it was a like-for-like replacement.
However, like Age of the Gods, the Kingdoms Rise series seems to have gone on the back burner in recent months. We’re genuinely not sure what to expect from the series going forward, perhaps Playtech will pass the franchise onto some of their smaller studios to work on?
However, if Playtech is to continue their trend of releasing exciting new live casino game shows then we might well see the Age of the Gods characters appear in more of these games in the future, rather than online slots, but who knows? Only time will tell.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
PG Soft has released Three Crazy Piggies slot, a modern twist on the classic fable that sees the tables turned on the cunning grey wolf. Three Crazy Piggies is a 5-reel (3 rows in reel 3, 4 rows in reels 1, 2, 4 and 5) video slot starring symbol transformations and x10 multiplier. A rocking soundtrack builds the atmosphere in Everloom Forest, as the youngest brother’s stone house is challenged to stand against the wolf’s might.
Get set for a party in the USA as Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content unveils its latest release, Quackin’ Reels. This 3×3 slot is populated by birds who are enjoying life at a backyard party in true American style! Quackin’ Reels’ cast ofcolourful characters enhances the feature-filled gameplay which can potentially see players win a maximum of 8,850x their stake.
Stakelogic invites players to enjoy the thrill of the Super Wheel™ once again with the launch of the Big Cash Super Wheel™ slot. From the moment Big Cash Super Wheel™ loads up, it is clear this isn’t your typical online slot. The title puts a unique spin on the standard game grid, using a 2x3x4x5x6 reel shape with a connected ways win system to captivate audiences, while also offering wins of up to 5,000x their stake.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. in partnership with William Hill announces the launch of William Hill Vegas Gold Cash Freespins™. This bespoke game combines renowned William Hill Vegas imagery with the engaging mechanics of Inspired’s popular Gold Cash Freespins theme.
Nolimit City is back behind bars with San Quentin 2: Death Row. It’s been nearly 4 years since the OG San Quentin xWays® escaped into the world, and the fans have been hungry for more ever since. Well, the wait is over. It’s time to do hard time… again.
Thunderkick has launched The Gunman of Goldwood, the latest addition to its distinctive product portfolio that places players at the heart of a duel on the American frontier. The titular Gunman is the game’s highest-paying symbol, surrounded by revolvers, knives, and whiskey bottles.
Players can expect ghosts, ghouls and big wins in Boo, the frightening new slot from Big Time Gaming set to hit operator game lobbies in time for Halloween. Only the bravest of players will dare to gather around as the reels spin amidst the haunting air, conjuring excitement with every ghostly apparition. Spines will tingle as each winning symbol triggers a hair-raising reaction that promises to put players on the edge of their seats.
Everygame Casino‘s new Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion is a high-stakes whodunit with a Reel Copy feature and a choice of up to four modes for its Free Games bonus round. In the new Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion, players enter the world of candlesticks, daggers, and clues to solve the mystery of Mirror Mansion and spin their way to stacks of cash.
Play’n GO dares players to brave the inferno and uncover untold treasures in the newest slot adventure, Kingdom Below. Set in the blistering heart of Hell, Kingdom Below challenges players to join Ignis, the fearsome ruler of the underworld, in a quest for mystery prizes and hidden treasures. In this treacherous 5×4 grid slot, the line between danger and reward blurs, offering thrill-seekers a chance to face the flames and emerge victorious with the spoils of the inferno.
Spinomenal has enhanced its Wildlife Slot Series with the release of Buffalo Rampage Hold & Hit. This latest title from Spinomenal is set across a vast landscape that stretches along a rugged tapestry of towering mountains and sweeping plains. The medium symbols include an Eagle, Black Bear, Wolf, and Big Cat. A powerful Buffalo represents the Wild and three or more pay when followed by a free spin or a bonus symbol. The Wild substitutes for any symbol except free spins and bonus symbols.
Evoplay is taking players to the Colosseum in its new slot Chained Fighters, where wilds unlock the key to big wins. With a backdrop of Ancient Rome, the 5×4 slot sees wilds land in stacks of up to four per reel to boost reward potential in the base game whilst multi-coloured gladiators make up the high-paying symbols.
Booming Games’ latest slot title sets the gold standard with its gilded gameplay and shimmering big win potential. Gold Gold Gold 5000 is the follow-up to the hugely popular Gold Gold Gold, but with an even bigger max win potential. Gold Gold Gold 5000 is set across five reels and three rows with 20 paylines active in the base game.
Playson marks the eagerly anticipated return of its iconic jester in Pink Joker: Hold and Win, offering a host of in-game jackpots, a special Pile of Gold feature and a lavish Bonus Game offering Stacked Multipliers. Donning a deep pink outfit in Playson’s refreshing take on its player-favourite Hold and Win series, the joker unleashes a thrilling adventure on the 3×3 matrix, accompanied by a feast of classic fruit, electric and jackpot-style coin symbols.
Blueprint Gaming’s player-favourite gorilla marks his comeback in style through the company’s latest release King Kong Cash™: Even Bigger Bananas 2, offering slot enthusiasts a host of new features to explore. The 4,096 ways to win slot sees the notorious Kong take centre stage on the 6×4 grid, accompanied by fellow jungle inhabitants and a series of specially themed-bonus icons.
CryptoSlots proudly announces the launch of its latest title, Spartan Conquest, inspired by the heroic Spartan warriors of Ancient Greece. This cutting-edge Mega Matrix 5×4 video slot with 28 paylines is the first on CryptoSlots to introduce Colossal Symbols. Players can take advantage of enticing deposit bonuses until October 4. In Spartan Conquest, players can embark on a journey through ancient battlefields, where epic symbols such as war elephants, Spartan helmets, shields and crossed swords populate the reels.
The new release from MGA Games will take players to the top of Mount Olympus to accompany the mighty Zeus, king of the gods. This new 5×3 game with 25 prize lines also features an epic soundtrack that will immerse the player in a divine atmosphere as the reels spin and fortune is unleashed. The themed symbols on the reels are inspired by the myths of classical Greece.
TaDa Gaming is dishing out the treats with new release Lucky Doggy. Wilds, Scatters, Multipliers and generous Free Spins are further enhanced with a superb bonus game in this six rows, five reels, 50 fixed paylines slot. There are two Scatters in Lucky Doggy. The Bonus Scatter can only appear on reels two and three and the Gamble Scatter on reel four.
Would you dare to summon the most terrifying of Egyptian plagues? That is exactly what’s being asked of players in Fantasma Games’ latest blockbuster slot, Shadow Summoner Egypt, already showing outstanding player engagement KPIs from its initial limited market release. Shadow Summoner Egypt is scheduled for general market release in the very near future.
The post Week 39/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Paul Gauselmann steps down from the group’s executive management / Michael Gauselmann assumes the roles of Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation / Lars Felderhoff is appointed new Chairman of the Management Board
A new chapter is dawning for the Merkur Group as company founder Paul Gauselmann is set to retire as Management Board Chairman on 1 October, stepping back from the company’s executive leadership. For 67 years, he has shaped the destiny of the group, transforming a part-time one-man business into an internationally acclaimed group of companies with total sales revenues of around 4 billion euros and external sales revenues of over 2.7 billion euros. “I have consistently devoted my energy to the company’s welfare, and at the same time to the benefit of our approximately 15,000 employees,” he stated. “Now the time has come to entrust my life’s work to the younger generation,” explains Paul Gauselmann. Lars Felderhoff, 48, CFO of the Merkur Group, will assume the role of Chairman. He will be supported by Jürgen Stühmeyer (64), Management Board member with responsibility for sales, and Manfred Stoffers (70), Management Board member with responsibility for marketing, communications and political affairs, as vice-chairs. “I am delighted that this trio is taking over the helm. They are outstanding leaders with a deep understanding of the company,” adds Paul Gauselmann, who will continue his association with the company as a member of the Gauselmann Family Foundation.
A generational shift is also taking place on another level: Michael Gauselmann (68) is set to assume the role of Chairman of the Supervisory Board from Manfred Grünewald (89) on 1 October. He will also succeed Paul Gauselmann as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation. As the sole shareholder of the group, the Foundation is the hub for all fundamental strategic decisions. “I am thrilled that my son Michael is embracing this important responsibility and will contribute his international experience to our company,” states Paul Gauselmann. Michael Gauselmann, a business administration graduate, joined the group in 1982 and worked across all business segments. He advanced internationalisation by establishing the subsidiary Atronic in 1993, overseeing all foreign operations. For a decade, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Management Board before becoming Co-Chairman of the Group Management Board, sharing responsibilities with Paul Gauselmann from 2004 to 2012. From 2013, he was involved in the then Gauselmann Family Council and, from 2016, in the Gauselmann Family Foundation.
Lars Felderhoff will assume responsibility for executive management as the new Group Chairman. He has overseen the finances and organisation of the Merkur Group since 2018. He started his career in 2000 at the subsidiary Atronic. From 2007 to 2011, he expanded his expertise at the gaming group GTech (now IGT) and at Metro Cash & Carry International, a wholesale group. Felderhoff rejoined Merkur in 2011 as the Commercial Director of the adp Merkur subsidiary. In that capacity, he was in charge of commercial operations for the Merkur business segment, encompassing over 40 companies both in Germany and internationally. As a native of Rahden, he has close ties to the region and understands the roots of the corporate group. “The challenge is immense, and naturally, we will not be able to fill the shoes of an entrepreneur like Paul Gauselmann one-to-one. However, the company is robust and agile enough to continue setting new benchmarks in the future.”
He is assisted by the Management Board’s Vice-Chairs, Jürgen Stühmeyer and Manfred Stoffers. Stühmeyer, who hails from Minden, has dedicated 37 years to the Eastern-Westphalian company, starting as a trainee in 1987 and progressively advancing through the ranks. In his function as the Management Board member responsible for sales, he has directed the strategic orientation and commercial success of the entire Merkur pillar since 2007. Manfred Stoffers joined the company in 2011 as a consultant to the Chairman of Gauselmann AG, and was appointed Management Board member responsible for Marketing, Communications and Political Affairs in 2015.
Paul Gauselmann expressed great satisfaction with the top-level personnel changes, stating, “Reorganising the company by the time I turn 90 has been my wish for some time. We have accomplished this very well and are ideally positioned for the future, particularly as my son Michael, both a member of the Gauselmann family and an experienced entrepreneur, will continue to be involved in the most critical decisions.”
The post Leadership transition within the Merkur Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
GameplAI is harnessing the gains in automation seen in other tech sectors and bringing them to the sports betting industry, with more accurate pricing and automation which reduces the manual overhead of risk-management for trading teams. Its growing group of partners are benefiting from a series of never-before-seen, player-focused markets that engage fans both pre-game and in-play.
Gaming Americas caught up with their Co-Founder, Graham Savage, the man at the helm of a company on the road to becoming the premium supplier of automated and quantitative-driven sports solutions for the sector.
After GameplAI’s defining Q1 raise earlier this year, how have you been deploying the funds?
There are two core priorities for the deployment of our capital. The first is the expansion of our team. We have already doubled the size of the team since January and we are still looking to hire additional technology and sports-modelling expertise. The second strand is a focus on licensing. Given the global footprint of our expanding customer base, we are actively pursuing licences in multiple U.S. states in addition to emerging LatAm regions such as Peru and Argentina.
What does adding Marco Blume as an investor do for the company?
Marco provides fantastic insight and context in terms of what is most important to operators when assessing third-party products. Under his tenure, Pinnacle became a global leader in terms of sports product and pricing and this is the equivalent position that we are keen to assume within the suppliers’ sphere.
How do you see the supply market changing in the year ahead?
We see a strong emphasis being placed by operators on both in-play and props products. We feel this will be a dual responsibility to solve, with the onus being on companies like ourselves to create innovative products bolstered by compelling and accurate pricing, whilst our B2C partners will prioritise delivering intuitive and engaging front end UI to further embellish the product experience.
How were the Euros/Copa America for you and your recent operator deals?
We used both tournaments as a test bed. Betano, the premium online sports betting and gaming brand, launched a segment of the football player props product that we have developed in conjunction with Opta data. These markets proved to be hugely popular and we will roll out our extensive football props solution with Betano over the coming weeks.
In parallel, we launched a proof of concept of our football narrator product with a leading UK operator, which generates contextual markets in-play, relative to the most recent game state. These markets were really well-received by UK-based customers and we will look to broaden the scope of that collaboration, now that the domestic season has resumed.
What are the opportunities for GameplAI right now in the medium to long-term?
We have been very fortunate with the stature of partners with whom we are working. Their respective product and trading teams have been a fantastic support and resource for us – and working with people of that calibre will only serve to further enhance the quality of our product offering.
Broadening our international footprint is also hugely exciting and by the end of year we will be live with market-leading partners across three separate continents, which represents incredible progress in 12 months. We are hugely enthused at the prospects ahead and firmly believe GameplAI will be at the forefront of driving new product innovation in sports in 2025 and beyond.
Week 39/2024 slot games releases
Leadership transition within the Merkur Group
Play’n GO announces US release of Midnight Princess
Propping up the prediction game for sports betting
The Star: New Debt Facility Arrangement
BOS/The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling commissions Advisense to strengthen efforts against money laundering
Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort and Quick Custom Intelligence Forge a 3-Year Strategic Alliance
Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Announce Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Elements Casino Victoria
Coloured coins provide bonus boosters in Evoplay’s latest release Cat’s Blessing
Inspired Launches Latest Online Slots: Jin Tu, Cops ‘n’ Robbers Bigger Big Money and Cherry Power Boost
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