Voting for the Game of the Year has now closed.



Ace Ventura (Playtech):

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is bursting with exciting game features. For example, we created a unique queue system for the ‘Free Games’ round whereby during the base game, players collect symbols that signify different Free Games modifiers that are applied in combination on the next bonus entry. Two slots on the queue are always active with a chance of activating a third slot.

A total of 35 possible bonus configurations exist, which essentially guarantees a different experience every time that a player is awarded a bonus. The result is a highly compelling gaming experience with a wide range of volatilities that delivers a whole host of content for players to discover and return to.

Players receive a unique and highly exhilarating experience which a large proportion have remained loyal to with extremely high retention rates. As a result, our licensees have witnessed prolonged gaming sessions, high levels of retention and increased revenues.
Blackjack 6 in 1 (Felt):

Blackjack 6in1 combines six of the World’s best side bet games into one game of blackjack, therefore allowing the player to play any one or combination of the six side bets per hand. 

These side bets are the best of the best and known all over the World, including Perfect Pairs, 21+3 and Buster Blackjack. They are simple to play, have a high hit rate, are volatile in nature and provide big returns for both player and casino:

Players have a better game experience as a result of the provision of more challenging and stimulating side bet options that offer enhanced win opportunities. Casino operators are rewarded with increased levels of play and greater returns from the higher house edge that these games provide. 

Its a win-win situation, with both the player and the House.


Fireworks (Realistic Games):

With the creation of Fireworks, Realistic Games has provided operators with a slot game that continues to grow in popularity, so much so that it outstrips the performance of many of its better-established rivals.

Its game play offers one of the most innovative and exciting user experiences around, and has ensured its rapid adoption by players in territories across the globe. Its availability on the widest number of devices and operating systems has helped deliver phenomenal results across the board.

 Rather than peaking early and levelling out, that commercial success continues to grow with each month generating more and more revenue. It is everything a supplier could want in a game: popular with players; popular with operators.


Grim Muerto (Play’n GO):

Since its launch in July this year, Grim Muerto, has emerged as one of Play’n GO’s most successful ever games. The premium title offers an innovative user experience and never before seen features that has proved to have a strong appeal for operators and players.

Grim Muerto, a five-reel fiesta of traditional Mexican sounds and symbols, promises big wins from a feast of expanding wilds, paid out across 20 fixed paylines.

The easily accessible user experience coupled with high pay-outs have attracted core players in their droves, while the simplicity of gameplay holds an appeal for casual players.

The perfect combination of clean, eye popping graphics, a best-in-class soundtrack and unbeatable gameplay, Grim Muerto is the game of the year.



Guns & Roses (NetEnt):

Highlights:

- NetEnt’s most successful branded game in its 20-year history!  
- 3x more game rounds in its first 30 days than the next most successful branded game ever
- 4.5x more game rounds than the average branded game release (first 30 days)
- 2.5x greater Game Win in its first 30 days than the next most successful branded game ever
- 4.5 x more Game Win than the average branded game release (first 30 days)
- 1.5x the no. of game rounds that Starburst had in its first 30 days. 
- Outstanding “Appetite for Destruction” Wild and “Crowd-Pleaser” Bonus Game
- A seamless multi-channel experience 

Game Performance:

Since its release in January this year, Guns N’ Roses has literally been a smash hit! This Rockin’ slot has performed exceptionally well on both desktop and mobile, becoming NetEnt’s MOST successful branded game in its 20-year history – that’s no mean feat! It has brought a great number of VIP players to our operators’ casinos and has realized a considerable number of rounds per session, with average to longer than average session lengths. An Iconic band and a legendary slot! The success of Guns N' RosesTM slot is testament to NetEnt’s commitment to securing iconic global brand IPs, the adoration for this band and the passion with which this game has been painstakingly created.

Everything from the reels, soundtrack, features and concert background contribute to an immersive player experience that combines the chance to win with the excitement of being at a live Guns N' Roses gig. Add to this the Legend Spins feature, with first Axl, then Duff and finally Slash appearing on the reels, then crescendo as the game builds up to create a tangible Guns N' RosesTM live experience. The classic graphics continue in the main game, with the Appetite for Destruction Wild symbol, recreating the famous cross and skulls album cover from the band’s first album Appetite for Destruction. The Bonus features carry the theme further, with band members appearing in Encore Free Spins as Stacked symbols, while the intro to the Crowd-Pleaser Bonus Game has authentic live Guns N' RosesTM concert footage.

Features:

A seamless multi-channel experience Whether the game is being played on a mobile device or on desktop, players are guaranteed the same seamless experience they would expect from a desktop version. Our one code track delivery solution ensures that the mobile version retains the optimum graphics, sound and delivers truly immersive game play regardless of device.




Hot Safari (Pragmatic Play):

Being one of the leading online casino gaming software providers, Pragmatic Play strives to release new innovative games on a regular basis. As such, we have continued to roll out several quality slots over the past year. One of our standout performers which has also made a huge impression in 2016 is Hot Safari.

Featuring 25 pay-lines and 6 reels, Hot Safari is a result of hard work and creativity by our dedicated team of game developers. The game’s 6th reel is a feature that has particularly attracted numerous rave reviews as it adds surprises to the game while also serving as a win multiplier.

And the best part? You can win jackpots of up to 100,000x the stake per line. In addition, the game offers you an opportunity to win various bonuses such as the Super Wild Bonus and Free Spins Bonus.

You can help us win the 2016 Game of the Year Award by voting Hot Safari. 


Live Baccarat Squeeze (Evolution Gaming):

Live Baccarat Squeeze from Evolution Gaming — an innovative new live dealer game that replicates the ritual and mystique of the ‘squeeze’. In doing so, the game has provided Evolution licensees with a uniquely authentic cut-through to the hearts and minds of Baccarat devotees and delivered remarkable commercial results.



Legend of the Golden Monkey (Yggdrasil Gaming):

Legend of the Golden Monkey should win the Game of the Year because of its:

• Unique ingenious game design
• Unique way of having a 3D character interact with the game
• Great combination of feature-laden mechanics and immersive gameplay
• Good performance numbers
• Only very positive feedback from operators

Poltava (ELK Studios):

Poltava is an epic slot which lets you experience how the ground is shaking as the battalions of infantry, cavalry and artillery advance and reinforce in the unique Marching Reels feature with respin after respin, all accompanied by magnificent music. The power escalates as the roaring lions open the door to the amazing Flames of War bonus game. So, come on and do as hundred of thousands of other players, pick up your phone and join the action!



Space Invaders (Playtech):

One of our latest arrivals is the only officially licensed Space Invaders™ desktop and mobile slot game on the market, based on the iconic retro arcade game.

The five-reel, 10-line slot game offers players a blast from the past and boasts a host of fantastic features. As an example, the classic laser cannon, once activated, shoots invading alien ships and turns lower-paying symbols into multiplier wilds, awarding huge cash prizes.

Space Invaders™, when released in arcades in 1978, proved to be one of the most influential and successful video games of all time, paving the way for shooting and action games that followed.

In this supersonic slot, players fend off extra-terrestrial enemies and marauding UFO’s which, if vaporized, activates the re-spin feature for a chance to win up to nine additional wild symbols, granting mega cash payouts.

Launched simultaneously across mobile and desktop, Space Invaders™ brings the nostalgia of the global gaming phenomenon to Playtech’s unrivalled casino offering.

In-line with our ‘ultimate gaming experience’ strategy, players receive the same flawless experience no matter what device they choose to play on. Our games are also designed to suit both portrait and landscape modes on all tablet and mobile devices, delivering seamless gameplay. 

Stellar Jackpots with Chilli Goldx2 (Lightning Box Games):

We believe our patented Bonusing concept “Stellar Jackpots” is a game changer for both players and operators. It is first to market where Jackpot Bonuses can be enjoyed by players of all sized bets, not just the white whales who bet the maximum stake. Stellar Jackpot bonuses trigger as regularly for both lower bet players and max bet players.

Being a ‘bolt-on’ product, and funded by an ante bet, Stellar Jackpot Bonusing adds another dimension to already popular games, and gives operators a brand they can build on by adding other Stellar titles as they become available. The strength of the initial Stellar titles ensures our operators that players will trial the next release and give them a good take-up amongst their players and better value for their marketing efforts.

In an age in which retention and customer management are becoming increasingly important, the Stellar Jackpots concept – and Stellar Jackpots Chill Gold-x2 in particular – delivers for both players and operators.



The Viking: Wheels of Valhalla (Magnet Gaming):

The Vikings – Wheels of Valhalla provides operators with a very playable and genuinely innovative slots game. It is the perfect conversion game for those trying real money slots for the first time with its attractive graphics and catchy theme tune, while it’s bonus games and progressive jackpots appeal to the more seasoned player. It has helped drive growth for countless operators, particularly those looking to attract new, younger players, to their brands and sites. 

The skill element of the bonus games is a huge draw from millennials, and its unmatched retention rates, through generous free spins and bonuses, keeps them coming back for more.


The Wild Chase (Quickspin):

The Wild Chase is the best performing Quickspin slot of the past three years, offering an innovative user experience that has proved to have strong appeal across multiple territories. The game is themed around the story of a bunch of rich, European ‘brats’ that carry out sophisticated heists to get a kick out of life. Compared to some of our previous content, we have opted for a more mature and realistic art style to create a unique perspective. 

The game includes an innovative Respin feature that redesigns a concept that had previously been used by a handful of other titles. It builds upon a Wild multiplier that ensures that the game’s Sticky Win feature is not dominated by smaller wins. Previously, most games that used a similar feature saw players become frustrated when they hit low win symbols, because they knew the win would be insignificant. The great innovation on The Wild Chase was to add multipliers to boost the wins on low wings. It is a small tweak, but a significant one which completely alters the gameplay experience. 

Our years of experience in slots development ensured that in The Wild Chase, every little detail optimises the player experience. We are confident that this title has been the most innovative and successful release of the last 12 months.




Entry criteria

This is not an award for the game that generated the largest amount of revenue, but revenue generation will be a key factor. Special consideration will be given to innovation, marketing value, product quality and games that provided cut-through in a crowded market. The award is open to any game supplier either from an independent studio, major supplier or in-house team.

Please note:
  • Entries are open to all real-money gambling (RMG) games
  • The game must be live on the date of entry
  • The game must be available through at least one operator
  • The judging will be announced soon.

Key criteria include:

  • Innovation
  • Marketing value
  • Product quality
  • Revenue generation


Who decides on the winner?

The winner will be voted on by operators attending the awards, from a shortlist drawn up by the judging panel and will be announced on Monday 28 November at the EGR Operator Awards.