ARISTOCRAT’S THUNDER EMPIRE: A NEW ERA OF HOLD AND SPIN GAMES
Aristocrat are ending 2024 with the new Thunder Empire Link and SAP game family that were much discussed among gaming managers at the AGE Show in August. The popular traditional Hold and Spin feature has been improved with a new ‘Hold and Spin Again’ addition that offers a feature inside a feature. There are two ways to trigger the feature, through Cash-on-Reels, or a new ‘Pink Lightning’ overlay, lifting interest for the regular players.
The Appeal of Innovation
The Thunder Empire games introduce a new ‘Hold and Spin Again’ mechanic, a feature inside a feature, that deepens player interest and engagement. Building on the already popular hold-and-spin concept, this series also introduces a ‘Pink Lightning’ overlay symbol, that offers an additional pathway to trigger the feature.
The series launches with four titles—King Samurai, Mongolian Empress, Magic Emperor, and Inca Diamonds. Available for the Mars X cabinet, the games boast high-definition graphics, and a vivid colour palette dominated by traditionally popular pinks and purples offers a welcome departure from the current red-and-gold trend saturating many gaming floors.
Link or SAP?
The jackpot options designed to align with the link strategy for a wide range of clubs and hotels include Grand Jackpot startups of $10,000 or $20,000 and $50,000 (for NSW).
SAP Grand Jackpot startup choices of $5,000 or $7,000, plus a $10,000 option (for QLD only).
Like a traditional Hold and Spin game, the Grand Jackpot can be won by filling the screen with 15 Cash on Reels during the hold-and-spin feature in both the link and SAP game versions.
Denominations: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, $1 and $2 (in NSW)
Inside the Hold and Spin Feature
The Hold and Spin feature is triggered by landing a total of six or more Cash-on-Reel symbols and/or ‘Pink Lightning’ overlays. For players who trigger the feature with fewer than six Cash-on-Reel symbols, due to the substitution of the ‘Pink Lightning’ overlays, the game will award free spins until the minimum of six is collected.
For the ultimate player experience, the aim is to land a ‘Pink Lightning’ overlay on top of a Cash-on-Reel symbol, turning it from the original gold to pink. Each time one of these combinations are collected, it will fill a position on a counter above the screen. If all six positions are filled on the counter, the “Hold and Spin Again” feature is unlocked, adding to the player’s reward potential. At the conclusion of the first feature, all Cash-on-Reel amounts are collected in the win meter, and the ‘pink’ Cash-on-Reel symbols will be carried forward with us into the next Hold and Spin feature.
Free Games
Each of the four Thunder Empire titles is triggered by three scatters:
In Magic Emperor and Mongolian Empress, when a WILD symbol is landed, it will expand across all 3-reel positions help boost our line win opportunities. To further enhance the player experience, all Cash-on-Reels symbols are also removed as to not block any potential line wins. Because these Cash-on-Reel symbols are removed, they have been replaced by special Pink Lightning overlays on reel 1 and 5 which display a number between 2-6 in the bottom right-hand corner. The Hold and Spin feature is triggered by landing 2 overlays which number values total at least 6. Once in the feature, the Pink Lightning overlays will shoot off into random positions onscreen, equal to the total value of the numbers the players landed and are held during the free spins.
In King Samurai and Inca Diamonds players choose the volatility of their gaming experience with a free game selection that balances risk and reward. Players are offered a choice of five different free games and multipliers options ranging from 13 free games with x2, x3 and x5 multipliers, through to 5 free games with x10, x15 or x20 multipliers. A 6th ‘mystery choice’ is also available that awards a random combination of free games and multipliers. During the free games the WILD substituting in any line win is multiplied by the players multiplier choice and is displayed on-screen.
For more information contact your Aristocrat representative
Written by: Justine Channing – The Drop Gaming Specialist
