THE DROP TEST DRIVES IGT’S GOLDEN GUARDIAN
Golden Guardians is a high volatility gaming family designed to deliver a structured, yet layered player experience built around a Hold and Spin mechanic. The game introduces a ‘Jaws’ symbol that includes clustered cash-on-reel values, making it easier for players to achieve the six cash-on-reels required to trigger the Hold and Spin feature. Once activated, this foundation opens the door to deeper feature complexity through the Black and White Dragon mechanics, each offering distinct “special powers” that influence outcomes in different ways, from duplication effects to prize absorption. Golden Guardian is positioned to appeal strongly to mid/high tier and regular players, combining familiar Hold and Spin gameplay with layered enhancements that add variety, anticipation, and extended entertainment.
The Basics
Games: Four games are available in the Golden Guardian series: Eternal Fortune and Empress of the East, and Lotus Empress and Wealth of the West
Denomination: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, $1 and $2 (for NSW only)
Cabinet: All four games are available as both Link and SAP in the PeakDual27.
Link Jackpots
The Golden Guardian Link startup options are $10,000, $15,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $75,000 as a Super Link in NSW. The SAP option includes startups of $5,000 and $7,500. The games include two duelling mid-level jackpots and two dynamic bonuses (based on denomination choice)
Layered Hold and Spin Feature
Golden Guardian centres its appeal on a layered feature set that builds momentum into the core Hold and Spin mechanic. The sequence begins when players land the metamorphic ‘Jaws’ symbol, carrying clusters of two or three cash-on-reels, anywhere on Reel 3 during the base game. Once landed, the ‘Jaws’ shift to the top row, converting the remainder of that reel into wilds and immediately improving reel coverage.
With each spin, the Jaws step down one position, increasing the likelihood of additional cash-on-reel symbols landing to activate the Hold and Spin with six or more cash-on-reels, which, when triggered, plays as a classic Hold and Spin feature.
Landing a Black or White Dragon during the Hold and Spin feature will activate a secondary feature when no spins remain.
Black and White Dragon Features
Each of the Dragon Symbols in the Golden Guardian games have a special power.
The Black Dragon Feature opens a new window containing 6 surrounding reel positions. When spinning the reel positions, players can land gold cash-on-reel symbols to unlock any of the 6 surrounding positions. The Black Dragon selects and duplicates one of the cash-on-reel prizes to the left and right of the gold symbol and can land more than once during the feature in the centre reel. Unlocking all six surrounding positions spins a Super Reel to win credit prizes, bonuses, the Major Jackpot, the Black Jackpot or an upgrade to the Black/White Upgrade.
The White Dragon Feature opens with the same 6 surrounding positions. Again, the gold cash-on-reel symbol lands and unlocks a position. The White Dragon selects a position and then absorbs the cash on reel prizes to the left and right, freeing up extra positions for more wins for the player and extending the feature. Unlocking all six surrounding positions awards the Super Reel.
When both Black and White Dragons are landed, they combine their special powers and the feature expands to a 10-position secondary feature, merging both mechanics for amplified outcomes.
Free games
In all four games the free games are triggered by landing three scatter symbols. All games focus on the metamorphic ‘Jaws’ with cash-on-reel clusters, providing additional Hold and Spin Feature opportunities.
In Eternal Fortune and Empress of the East the ‘Jaws’ can land on Reels 2 and 4 and will move to the top position on the reel. The symbol includes a cluster of two or three cash-on-reel values, and it moves down the reels on each spin until they reach the bottom row. Players can trigger the Hold and Spin with 6 or more cash-on-reels, and the clusters count as part of the six required.
In Lotus Empress and Wealth of the West, cash-on-reels clusters may land in Reel 3. The feature symbol moves to the top position and drops one position per spin. On each spin an additional cash-on-reel is added to the cluster. Players need 6 or more cash-on-reels to trigger the Hold and Spin Feature.
Market Match
These high volatility games have a 1 in 65 feature hit rate which will appeal to mid/high tier and regular gamers. The layered Hold and Spin feature will give these regular players the familiarity they enjoy plus opportunities to vary their wins through the Black and White Dragon Features with different “special powers” that add variety to the games. These games will work well in a high-traffic area inside on the main gaming floor or in al fresco gaming rooms.
Golden Guardian brings together a cohesive mix of familiar mechanics and layered feature depth, making it a strong fit for high-traffic gaming floors. The classic Hold and Spin brings early momentum into the feature, while the Black and White Dragon features introduce differentiated “special powers” that add both variety and late-stage win potential, and ensure these games are well positioned to resonate with regular players.
To be the first in your area with these new games contact your IGT Representative
Written by Justine Channing – Gaming Specialist for The Drop
