Within the slots community, Fishin’ Frenzy is often regarded as the “original and best” fishing-themed slots around. Those are the words from Jo Purvis, Director of Key Accounts and Marketing UK at Blueprint Gaming.
On the eve of supplier’s most recent rendition of the renowned series that will incorporate the industry stalwart Megaways mechanic, Purvis noted that with every new release, “we make sure to keep the essence of what players love” about the original, as well as new features to explore in the deep blue sea.
She noted: “Many variants of the genre now occupy online casino lobbies, but the fact that players still turn to Fishin’ Frenzy for their gaming entertainment illustrates just how iconic and appealing the brand remains to this day.
“The original, first developed by Reel Time Gaming for the retail environment, was of course a big hit and that is down to its simplicity and design. The colourful ocean hues and audio effects of spinning reels was quite the departure from other genres available at the time and it was a breath of fresh sea air for many.
“Since Blueprint Gaming adapted the gameplay for the online and mobile market, the brand has progressed through various iterations.”
Lauding the original retail version as a “huge success” Purvis stated that Blueprint were confident in bringing the Fishin’ Frenzy franchise online and that the performances would be similar.
“Its longevity, however, has been somewhat of a surprise, albeit a pleasant one, given the influx of so many other games into the market. It demonstrates how a quality, well-loved brand can capture the imagination of players well beyond its initial launch.
“Our Fishin’ Frenzy series has certainly earned its reputation as being a trusted game, with many online operators still utilising the original title for marketing purposes when attracting new players.
“The legacy it has created hasn’t been by chance though, it’s down to the talent and skill of our design and development team in understanding what is required to keep a game fresh. They have taken the key ingredients of what made it a success and expanded on that to create something new.”
Delving into how Blueprint looks to keep the franchise fresh yet also maintain the core enjoyment that players have come to experience, Purvis explained that listening to feedback from both operators and players is “key”, whilst also being “observant of trends that can help shape future iterations”.
“The proven formula of keeping the key characteristics the same but introducing new features and mechanics is easier said than done, but we’ve managed to build a fantastic team that has this insight down to a tee and they manage it time and again,” the Director stated.
“Previous versions have included Megaways and Prizelines, while The Big Catch introduced a new twist to free games. With every release, we want to keep the best parts of what has come before and add new features and mechanics that have since developed and weave them into the gameplay, creating a seamless new experience that manages to retain its original charm.”
Looking into the latest edition of the fishing series, Purvis noted that the development team behind Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch Megaways decided to “combine two popular elements” found in previous releases to deliver an “elevated gaming experience” for players.
“The legendary Megaways mechanic added a new dimension to the franchise when it was first introduced back in 2019, while The Big Catch version introduced a different take on Free Games with more ways to win big. With Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch Megaways, players get the best of both features to reel in huge wins!
“The game retains all the charm and cheer of all its previous instalments with the same colour scheme, transitions and sounds, as well as the return of the iconic fisherman. It’s a fun blend of everything that has made the series such a hit up with re-tuned features that get the absolute most out of their combination and seamless fusion with each other.”
Casting her eye into the future, Purvis revealed that fans can continue to expect more variations of Fishin’ Frenzy, citing it’s “our responsibility” to introduce new concepts and “push the boundaries” to take the brand forward in new directions.
She concluded: “Our team is never short on ideas, so expect some new mechanics and features incorporated into the gameplay in the near future. You only have to look elsewhere at our Deal or No Deal branded games to see that we’re more than capable at bringing fresh ideas to the table.
“A major affiliate site recently referred to Fishin’ Frenzy as ‘slot royalty’ and as much as we’re very flattered by the title we’re inclined to agree. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with such a rewarding title and we’re confident there are more big catches for our fisherman to come.”
