Can you tell us about your upcoming launches? Are there any products in particular you would like to highlight?
We’re delighted to have recently launched our 10th Big Bass game on 28 August. Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways is the latest release of one of our most popular slot series. The creation of 10 games is testament to how popular both the theme and star character have become, so to keep delivering on excitement, we’ve created a new twist for our Big Bass fans.
Launching later this month is our second-ever crash game – Big Bass Crash. With Spaceman being well received due to its multiplier elements and quick-decision-based action, Big Bass Crash will utilise familiar mechanics, but feature everyone’s favourite fisherman.
Our focus has always been to create immersive, engaging titles that players love coming back to time and time again, and our Big Bass series is evidence of this. Fishing games are incredibly popular with players, and more and more are released in the industry every month. We stand apart by adding new mechanics, twists and features to ensure every game brings something different. While we’re incredibly pleased to have hit 10 games for Big Bass, the hard work doesn’t stop there. We’ve got something else big planned for the franchise, so stay tuned.
For game designers and suppliers, what is the key to creating a slot franchise that resonates with players?
While there are numerous routes to building a slot franchise, one element we focus on is leveraging popular characters across our roadmap. Players will now load up a Big Bass game knowing the fisherman character will be on the reels. He has swiftly become synonymous with the Big Bass slot experience.We use this method across several of our other popular games as well; for example, the John Hunter series.
Our focus has always been to create immersive, engaging titles that players love coming back to time and time again, and our Big Bass series is evidence of this
Recently, we’ve been expanding on our Greek universe, with Zeus making his landmark debut in both Gates of Olympus and more recently in Zeus vs Hades — Gods of War. The popularity of Zeus and the Greek theme opened up opportunities to expand the narrative to introduce other heroes and heroines, such as Athena in Wisdom of Athena, and the birthplace of Titans in Forge of Olympus, all of which occur in the same universe to convey a sense of continuity in our latest thematic launches.
On another note, can you tell us about Pragmatic Play’s plans for live casino?
Our focus has always been to continue to push boundaries with new game show formats and blending of game categories, as we twist, transform and elevate our live casino titles.
One development we’re particularly excited about is our upcoming game show, Treasure Island, which combines quest-based gameplay, as players search an immersive world for a variety of gems. We’re confident players will love the multi-faceted environments we have created, with cinematic visual effects, from rolling waves, to swaying trees and many more. We’re also always refining our offering by adding new elements to our portfolio, from our new VIP and privé lounge tables, to native dealers for our non-English language titles.
How competitive is the live casino market at the moment?
Live casino is less competitive in comparison to slots. The barriers to entry are very high; it’s capital-intensive in nature and there are technological requirements and infrastructure involved in addition to the need for having a well-staffed operation to run the studios.
However, this doesn’t mean it’s a closed shop, and we have certainly seen a rise in the number of providers, which is great for the industry as a whole. It means more choice and better variety for players and operators. While more suppliers are entering the market, it’s a growth we welcome and want to see more of at Pragmatic Play.
It drives us to keep pushing our offering to new heights. It’s only a taste of what’s to come and we’re just getting started, but it signals a very exciting future ahead for the new possibilities we’re creating within the live casino space.
