Ahead of appearing at SBC Summit in Lisbon next week, Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales at Wazdan, chats to CasinoBeats about the company’s new slot game One Coin. Bacheva offers thoughts about the design and creatives of the game, and outlines its strategy of taking it to market.
Firstly, can you tell us about the creative process behind the game?
It was imperative to the design and development teams that One Coin™ offered something eye-catching, fresh, and inspiring, not just for the beloved series but for the industry as a whole. We wanted to work with an untested concept and transform it into something captivating that elevates gameplay. The revolutionary single reel provides exactly that, incorporating new mechanics such as the Mystery Multiplier™, which are compatible with One Coin™, thus providing a true revamp of the series.
How challenging is it to create a series of games that continues to resonate with audiences and evolve in its features?
We are fortunate enough to have created an instantly recognised brand through our Coins™ series, achieved through the perfect balance of innovation and recognition of the beloved mechanics that have allowed us to grow our player base. Focused research also takes place before any release, allowing us to cater to evolving player and client preferences. One Coin™ exemplifies the execution of this balance, with one-reel gameplay as our USP but crucially complemented by familiar features such as Hold the Jackpot™ and Chance Level™.
Coins™ has become one of Wazdan’s most established slot series; what has caused these games to have such success?
Ultimately, the series is always moving, constantly evolving with each new release. Unparalleled mathematics is key within the development stage, as is our meticulous use of our flagship Hold the Jackpot™ mechanic. No base game wins is a unique approach that separates us from competitors and gives players something alternative, as does our Cash Infinity™ feature. Touching on the answer to the previous question, while the series is constantly developing, the classic releases, such as 9 Coins™, remain the same, allowing players who favour a nostalgic experience to return to their favourites whilst having the option to delve into additions with a contemporary approach.
We’ve seen the Coins™ series get bigger and bigger over the years, how do the larger Coins™ (e.g 36 Coins™) games perform compared to the smaller titles? (9 Coins™, One Coin™)?
The titles with more reels are not created with the idea of overshining previous slots but rather to cater for an array of slot preferences and expand our player base. Some slot enthusiasts might be looking for larger layouts and more action across the reels like in 36 Coins™; others, for something unconventional but entertaining at the same time, enter One Coin™. Our unique math stays consistent throughout the varied titles within the series, which ensures that regardless of the grid format, we continue to maintain high retention levels and player and partner satisfaction.
What benefits has the studio seen from offering Coins™ games as opposed to standard mechanics?
The Coins™ series was a huge milestone for slot development due to its unprecedented gameplay. In a market as saturated as iGaming, innovative ideas are not just important but vital to creating a distance from competitors and creating a name for yourself. With this in mind, developers across the industry are constantly brainstorming to generate the next talking point, and for us, cutting out base game wins was the perfect move. Instead of adding something new to the standard mechanics, focusing solely on the bonus game allowed us to garner the interest of players looking exactly for that: a thrilling bonus game with huge win potential.
One Coin™ has seen Wazdan release its simplest Coins™ title yet. How did the studio come up with the idea for a one-reel title, and why do you think it will appeal to players?
Quite the contrary, despite the reduction in the number of reels, One Coin™ is packed with various features and mechanics that add variety to the seemingly straightforward gameplay. The appeal comes not only from the one-of-a-kind layout but also the whole gaming experience, which utilises the familiar approach from all other titles in the series, with Hold the Jackpot™ being at the heart of the action. We are confident that as soon as players take on One Coin™, they will quickly acknowledge just how much is packed into this single reel experience and how much can be gained from it.
Did the studio face any challenges when coming up with a one-reel title?
As with any game, there is always the fear that it will not be well received, but when trying to contribute fresh and unparalleled slot offerings to the market, risk-taking is a given. We went through the same process way back when the very first game in the series, 9 Coins™, was released. Would players engage in a no-base game win format? I think it’s safe to say the decision has proved to be a remarkable success, and we believe it will be no different with One Coin™.
Why is your presence at the SBC Summit in Lisbon so important and what are you hoping to achieve from the conference?
The summit’s remarkable growth over the years now provides access to unprecedented insight from across the industry and we are eager to take advantage of the networking opportunities at Feira Internacional de Lisboa. Portugal represents a vital market for us at Wazdan, and it is the ideal location to showcase to current and potentially new partners what they can expect from our revolutionary One Coin™ offering. We look forward to seeing you at stand B130!