Latest News
Merkur sun shines strong in trio of tropical new titles
From the cloudless savannahs of Africa to a radiant desert island, Merkur Gaming is bringing the warmth of summer into play this Autumn with three sun-drenched new games which form part of the brand’s ongoing reel game line-up expansion going forward into 2020.
Following an impressive start to this year with its stellar showcase at ICE London, Merkur Gaming’s online portfolio has grown from strength to strength thanks to the company’s continued drive to deliver the best aspects of the land-based experience to the online world. Implementing its ten years experience in translating world-leading game types into the digital sector, the latest additions to Merkur’s interactive roster shine a light on the brand’s gameplan for the next 12 months.
“Our newest releases, African Mask, Dreaming Island and Tribe Of The Sun, all deliver on our usual strong passion for details of classic casino games with an online twist and will for sure match players’ expectations as they combine unique mathematics and in-game features in fun and exciting ways,” explained Maja Cvetkovic, Business Development Manager – Online at Merkur Gaming.
African Mask is a 5-reel, all-pays game with a 2-3-4-3-2 row which delivers a visually impressive player experience combining the majesty of Africa with some of its more dangerous creatures. “We wanted a game which takes players to the wilderness, the pure nature and the beauty of Africa. After fighting wild animals and finding the right way through the jungle, the legendary African Mask releases its mysterious powers,” they added.
The Africa-inspired title features innovative wilds, savannah scatter symbols and the possibility 15 free games when three symbols are played at the precise moment during one of the game’s rituals.
Commenting on the powerful graphics adopted in the creation of African Mask, Cvetkovic, said: “The king of the mask is also the king of the jungle. The African Mask opens up a world full of yellow lions, orange leopards, blue kudus, green antelopes and purple hippos. The neon coloring with its sparkling and shining effects is combined with the bright light of the African sun. Take the chance to go on a safari and study the magic of the African tribes!”
The second new release from Merkur Gaming a subsidiary of German gaming powerhouse Gauselmann Group, delivers a different but even more luminous atmosphere, taking players to the lush haven of Dreaming Island. Offering tropical treasures, precious gold coins and ancient objects, this 5-reel adventure game delivers all the stunning scenery of a secluded atoll with the excitement of being stranded on a lonely island at the end of the world.
“Dreaming Island offers 720 ways to win, in addition to the thrill of having a wild joker and multiple scatter symbols,” she said. “For players it is important to pay attention to the silver goblin, as it is scatter and pays on any position on screen. But there is also the tropical bird as another scatter symbol. While flying around the Dreaming Island the bird triggers eight free games when five birds fly on the reels. During the free games the king of the sky multiplies the number of free games by the number of birds flying on the reels, starting even when only one bird appears. That means all the island’s secrets can be revealed and the player is awarded with up to incredible 96 free games! Dreaming Island is a dream you will not forget!”
Finally, Merkur’s Tribe of the Sun brings the craft of engaging storytelling, which is so popular with land-based reels, in line with the wider gameplay opportunities inherent in the online sector. The title weaves the tale of a medicine man from the Tribe of the Sun prophesising how the tribe will ascend to a glorious future around state-of-the-art mathematics and unique in-game features.
“In Tribe of the Sun five reels meet 30 fixed pay lines to make the first part of the prediction come true,” they said. “Each win is accompanied by a loud drum roll with which the tribe shows its appreciation to the player. The flames of the ritual fire also shows the tribe’s spiritual animals to the medicine man: The wild horse, the wailing wolf, the majestic eagle and the strong buffalo. Those provide their energy to help the tribe rise as well. The medicine man himself is wild and functions as the connecting link between the dimensions by replacing every symbol except the great chief.”
Cvetkovic concluded: “Tribe Of The Sun’s in-game features set it apart from standard reels and bonuses by interspersing everything around the wider narrative. Whether it’s incorporating the tribe’s Flame Lines to give multiple ‘Burning Wins’ or using the Chief’s quest to perform a ritual fire dance as the scatter symbol which can unlock up to 30 free games or trigger a random multiplier of x5, x7 or x10.”
Latest News
ECA and AGEM applaud creation of Association Assembly at ICE Barcelona
The news that January’s ICE Barcelona will include a major new feature dedicated to global gaming’s most influential trade associations has been welcomed by organisations in Europe and abroad.
Making full use of the additional space at the Gran Via Fira de Barcelona, the first ICE Association Assembly has been created to enable trade bodies to promote their values and create new opportunities for the gaming community across every sector and geography, including both the Brussels-based European Casino Association (ECA) and the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), the global trade association for gaming equipment suppliers with its primary headquarters in Las Vegas.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chair of the ECA confirmed: “Our members are already planning their week in Barcelona and they will be at this historic edition of ICE in great numbers. ICE is a pivotal event for the global gaming community and having a show floor feature which will enable us to engage directly with all sectors is a unique opportunity.
“Traditionally, our association’s involvement at ICE and its Conference program has primarily centred around networking and product development orientation—connecting with our members, regulators, suppliers, and fellow trade bodies. However, ICE 2025 marks a significant milestone. For the first time, the ECA will have the chance to fully interface with the global industry supply chain in its entirety. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to articulate our vision for the future to a diverse and comprehensive audience, where innovation, responsibility and significant partnerships for guest and customer centricity will have centre stage.”
Daron Dorsey, CEO of AGEM added: “We represent the interests of our gaming suppliers whose well-known brands are global in reach, so to be given the opportunity to explain our agenda and engage with what is a truly international audience of association colleagues on the ICE show floor is invaluable.”
January’s editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will occupy 120,000sqm of space compared to the 100,00sqm at ICE 2024. In a major endorsement of the opportunities offered by the relocation to Barcelona 72% of the 25 biggest exhibitors will have an increased stand presence at ICE 2025.
Industry Awards
Blask Wins Prestigious “Startup of the Year” at 2024 Starlet Awards
Blask, the pioneering AI-powered analytics ecosystem for iGaming, has been named “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious 2024 Starlet Awards. The company earned this recognition for developing a groundbreaking market intelligence platform that has redefined how gaming operators leverage data and market insights.
Award Recognition
The award confirms Blask’s revolutionary approach to market analytics and its significant impact on how iGaming companies access and utilise market intelligence. Powered by AI models including Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing, Blask analyses billions of data points across 2000+ active brands to provide unprecedented market insights.
The Starlet Awards recognition follows Blask’s recent SiGMA Asia Startup Pitch 2024 Award victory. “Winning these awards affirms our belief that innovation and bold ideas can reshape the iGaming landscape. The recognition underscores the impact of our cutting-edge AI technology and our relentless pursuit to transform data into actionable insights”, reflects Max Tesla, CEO and Co-founder of Blask
Blask provides operators with a strategic edge across multiple critical areas. Its real-time market analysis capabilities deliver instant access to crucial market metrics, while the high-granularity data available at one-hour intervals enables swift, informed decision-making. The sophisticated AI modelling system estimates GGR and FTD by analysing a comprehensive range of inputs, including historical data, third-party OSINT data, market performance, competitor metrics, historical brand performance, market reports, and public company disclosures.
Beyond analytics, Blask offers robust brand monitoring and competitor analysis tools, alongside strategic and tactical planning capabilities particularly valuable for market entry decisions and maximising performance during major events. The recently introduced customer profile feature harnesses AI to generate detailed, country-specific user profiles, adding another layer of strategic insight for operators.
Latest News
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