Last year, we tried to predict how slots are going to look like in the near future. Some things we got right, while others didn’t quite become a reality yet. One of the trends we nailed down perfectly was gamification. We think it’s high time Fortune Frenzy players knew what this elaborate word means, so that’s what we’re going to look at today.
Gamification encompasses certain aspects of slot games that introduce additional game elements and increases the overall appeal of a slot. These aspects don’t necessarily change the mechanics of the game, but they do add an additional level of immersion in one way or another. A story might be told or other elements that the player emotionally reacts to might be included.
Ultimately, gamification will make a slot more than just a slot. When playing on a gamified slot, you’re not just spinning the reels to land symbols in a certain order to win. You’re also following a narrative, travelling across different locations, levelling up, looking for something or maybe even hiding from something — the possibilities are endless.
Slots With A Story Or A Narrative
Lots of slots have introductory videos that tell us a little about the background of the slot. What’s this slot about and what’s going on? This is an example of gamification. However, it goes much further than that as some slots will actually progress the story as you’re playing them. Here are some examples.
In Art of The Heist, an amazing slot by Playson, you’re helping a thief rob a museum. The reels are actually rooms of a museum and spinning them will influence how the story proceeds, as well as grant you winnings. If you manage to get the thief to the bottom of the grid (or the museum), the thief will have successfully robbed it and extra spins round will be activated. Additionally, you can explore the secret rooms of a museum for special cash prizes.
Gamified slots such as this will often merge the storyline with actual gameplay. So, successfully completing the story or progressing the narrative will often come with in-game rewards. A successful robbery might just mean a bonus game in terms of game mechanic. However, we’re immersed in the story, too, making it feel like it isn’t just a bonus game – there’s much more going on.
Another example is the NetEnt’s Aliens slot. This game has three different levels that feature different ways to win, but also represent a hero’s journey to destroy the Alien Queen and end the threat posed by aliens. Of course, killing the queen is very difficult, but will grant huge amounts of money.
Slots Featuring Different Levels
As in the previous example, some slots are gamified in a way that changes where the game takes place. In other words, there are different levels with different grids, symbols, backgrounds, music and/or features. Not only that, there’s usually a different goal each time to complete the level and move on.
In case of the Aliens slot, there are three levels in it. First, it’s ‘the search,’ where your marine is searching for the hive of the Alien Queen. Finding it will transport you to the next level called ‘the encounter.’ You’ll find yourself in a dark tunnel that leads to the centre of the hive. If you manage to survive the alien minions, you’ll reach the last level. It’s called ‘the hive’ and that’s where you’ll meet the Alien Queen.
Another example comes from Rabcat. We’re talking about the Castle Builder series. There, you can choose from many different levels, each featuring a different site where you have to build a castle. Landing the right combinations will progress the building process. Ultimately, you’ll help the whole kingdom expand as you literally build it with your own hands. While the story progresses, you also get better and better winnings.
Character Personalisation And Levelling Up
There’s much more to Castle Builder, though. No surprise here, since it’s probably the most gamified slot the industry has seen so far. Not only do you play a role as the king’s master builder, you can also choose your character, level them up and gain different perks depending on your actions.
Each level will bring new benefits and increased statistics that will influence your payouts. Under the guise of new equipment and building experience, you’re essentially getting things you’d expect in any slot game. These range from an increased number of extra spins to an increased RTP percentage.
Another example of levelling up an in-game character is in Viking Runecraft slot by Play’ N Go. It features a staggering number of 4,000 levels. Starting from the journeyman on level one, you progress up to the level of gods by landing winning combinations at various locations in the grid.
Each level up grants a chance to win an accumulated cash prize and one of the special bonuses for that level. While not the only feature of gamification, levelling makes it impossible to walk away from Viking Runecraft.
The Use Of Mascots In Mobile Slots
Not all the gamified slots have narratives, changing sceneries or levelling up, however. Sometimes, all it takes to make a game more interesting is simply using effects that don’t really affect the actual gameplay. An example here is the appearance of mascots.
Mascots are in-game characters that are identifiable and make the game more interesting or even funny. They will usually help you win by initiating certain special features. That way, it seems like they’re actually helping you, although in reality, it’s just a mechanic of a slot with some extra visual and sound effects.
Consider Mr Fox and fox pups in the Foxin’ Wins slot. The big guy will catch and shake down leprechauns for you and the fox pups will occasionally turn random symbols into wilds. During the bonus round of Dragonz, one of the dragons will also create clusters of wilds to increase your winnings.
These features could easily be done without mascots. However, friendly characters make the player feel like the game is on their side sometimes. We get emotionally attached to them and this makes us love slots like Foxin’ Wins so much more.
