THE DROP TEST DRIVES: IGT’S FORTUNE RISING AND TREASURE RISING
IGT: Fortune Rising and Treasure Rising
Based on a proven performing game across NSW Clubs, Fortune Rising and Treasure Rising increase the number games IGT offers with unique and interesting game features for the players. IGT are building strong performance results, and more importantly, considerable longevity in the games they are releasing that are focused on maths variety in a market awash with one style of game.
Denomination: Both Fortune Rising and Treasure Rising are multidenomination games, player selectable in 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c and now with a $1 game version. For September 2019 85% of the Top 20 games in the NSW market have a $1 option that drives higher turnover through the games and appeals to a wider player base.
Game Features: Like the earlier Cleopatra Rising, in both Fortune Rising and Treasure Rising during standard games any coin symbol that appears on a reel collects below the reel. When the player has two coins collected below the reels the whole reel turns into an expanded wild symbol for the next two spins, giving them a chance at a bigger 3, 4 or 5 of a kind pay.
There is also a 3, 4 or 5 scatter treasure chest symbol which awards a 10 free game series. Each time an additional 3, 4, 5 treasure chest symbols are won during the free games 3 extra games are awarded and the whole free games screen is duplicated in the top box. Another group of treasure chest symbols can expand the free games onto a third screen, filling the screen totally for the player with extra winning chances
In both games a free spins feature can be triggered at random for any reel that has two coins collected. Three free spins are awarded through a special gate symbol on the 5th reel. Each time the special symbols land on a position the 3 respins counter is reset. Based on the number of the expanded symbols collected during the free spins the player can win a wheel feature where the maxi, major and grand prizes or a bonus wheel are available.
Also notable for their entertainment value in these two games is the attempt to build real character into the Chinese Fortune God and the Pirate. The Fortune God loves it when a player wins and builds a visible pile of coins around him as the player wins in the feature. The pirate is the opposite and gets upset when the players win his gold. Standing out from the crowd in games is hard these days so these added little features just build that extra familiarity and entertainment factor into the game for the regular players.
SAP Profile: This game offers a Grand Jackpot standalone progressive with a choice of a $3000, $5000, or $7500 start up as well as lower jackpots of $500-$1000, which is seen to be more achievable for a player within a gaming session.
Volatility: Treasure Rising and Fortune Rising are medium-high volatility games with the coin collection feature and expanded Wilds occurring regularly, giving players some entertainment and lots of wins. The free game, and extended game screens are a are bonus target for players prepared to increase their bets. The lower end of the denomination range (1c) plays at the 89.9% return to player while the $1 end plays at 92.2% for Variation 04 which shows clearly the statistical advantage the bigger players will see very quickly.
Floor Position: While these games have popular art themes and will have general player appeal, the advantage of the $1 play option skews the audience for these games towards the higher tier regular player who will see an inherent advantage to increasing their bets through the dynamic paytable and increased bonuses. This game is definitely a central to rear floor position game for the regulars and will work effectively in smoking and non-smoking areas.
Performance: These games were based on Cleopatra Rising which has had 6 months in the market and is still operating at 1.32 in the Sept 2019 MAX data with over 200 of the games in NSW Clubs. To settle at 1.23 after 6 months in the current market is a strong result. The Crystal Curve machine is producing the strongest results for the original Cleopatra Rising and both Treasure Rising and Fortune Rising are exclusive to the Crystal Curve giving them an advantage. However, the biggest performance boost in these games is the inclusion of a $1 denomination option more suitable for the stronger gamers. The expectation is that these new games, based on these two factors alone (Curve cabinet and $1 option) should perform 10-20% better than Cleopatra Rising.
