IGT BETS ON GAME VARIETY TO APPEAL TO PLAYERS IN NSW AND QLD
A quick look over the rankings of Top 50 games released in the last two years* shows some interesting insights into the current market. In NSW 60% of the Top 50 games are standalone progressives (SAPs), compared to QLD where they still represent 50% of the top games. Link games on that Top 50 list in the QLD Club market make up 44% of the top games, while in NSW that drops to 32%. In both states there is a small percentage of Multigame product as well (NSW = 8% and QLD = 6%)
The percentage of manufacturers product among the Top 50 games is also more variable than you would expect. In QLD Clubs, IGT and Aristocrat have 32% each of the Top 50 games with SciGames, Konami and Ainsworth filling out the remaining game performance slots. In NSW Clubs Aristocrat holds 52% of the games in the Top 50 with IGT, SciGames, Ainsworth and Konami all grouped around the same numbers (between 3-7%) and Aruze and Atlas also figuring in that list of top games.
About the only consistency in both markets is that almost all games in that Top 50 list in both markets are multidenomination games.
While just over half (56%) of the games in the Top 50 are the popular hold and spin games that have dominated the market in recent years, it is notable that almost half (44%) are not hold and spin games. Clearly the players are still interested in good game variety and choice.
In line with that data showing game variety is still important to players, IGT has continued to concentrate on a range of interesting features and entertaining game options for players.
Their new Bubble Blast Link has remained among the top few games since its initial launch in May in NSW and is at the top of the list for QLD. There is now a choice of different machine options (Crystal Curve or Crystal Dual 27”), in either a Link or SAP versions, for the initial two games Genies Wishes and Treasures of Atlantis. A third game in the series Spells and Whistles, is due for market release in the coming weeks and has an added sticky wild in the bubble feature.
All the Bubble Blast games have a common feature with bubble symbols that appear at the bottom of the screen and each spin move 1 position up so players can repeat winning bubble credits. A player can get up to 20 bubbles on the screen at any time. To boost the game interest for the player the bubbles can be different sizes and cover only one symbol or up to 5 X 5 symbols filling the screen.
Importantly, in the Bubble Blast games the range of denominations from 1c-10c means clubs that have it installed are reporting less fluctuation in net hold than link games that include higher denominations such as $1-$2. With an RTP% of around 91% (depending on what the venue chooses) clubs are seeing good net profit from these games.
In NSW IGT’s latest original game concept, Cleopatra Rising, is achieving very strong results already, and has added further depth to IGT’s game range. They have more fresh math concepts and new games due for release at AGE 2019 in a few weeks.
* Article Data Source: MAX June 2019 – Top 50 games NSW Clubs and QLD Clubs/8+ EGMs/Released last 2 years/No MTGMs
