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Can Playtech consider the Kingdoms Rise series a success?
In the autumn of 2019, Playtech announced that they were releasing Kingdoms Rise, a brand new game suite that initially featured three new online slot games Forbidden Forest, Sands of Fury and Guardians of the Abyss.
Playtech took a real jump into the unknown by pumping its resources into not only developing a brand new slot series but creating an entire fantasy universe that features original characters and stunning locations, all with their own rich backstories.
Two years later the slot series has continued to evolve into something much bigger than the initial three games that debuted on October 24, 2019… We’re asking what makes the Kingdoms Rise series so unique, and can we look back and consider it a commercial success today?
Kingdoms Rise – iGaming’s first interconnected slot series
The Kingdoms Rise slot series is truly unique because it’s interconnected in more ways than one. Firstly, players can jump between games by clicking an interactive map.
This map is a completely fleshed out world that spans across multiple continents with different biomes, so you could be jumping from a game set in the harsh frozen mountains one moment, a lush elven forest enclave next and a pirate ship after that.
To date, there are ten online slots available to play from the Kingdoms Rise map, each featuring a host of unique characters hailing from one of the many in-depth fantasy kingdoms.
The other element that ties all ten games together is the Features Shop, the ‘driving force’ behind the series, which offers players the opportunity to buy bonus features… Not with real money, but Game Tokens instead, which are earned when playing any Kingdoms Rise slot.
Players can earn up to 15 game tokens per spin, these tokens are shared across all 10 games, so if you earned 645 tokens whilst playing Kingdoms Rise: Shadow Queen then you’ll still have 645 tokens when playing Kingdoms Rise: Chasm of Fear… The only condition is that these tokens are strictly linked to one casino account, so you couldn’t play Kingdoms Rise on two different sites and carry over your tokens.
Tokens are used to automatically trigger the bonus features in any of the Kingdoms Rise games… Whether or not this breaks the rules relating to the UK Gambling Commission’s ban on Feature Buys, we’re not quite sure, but as of today, the Features Shop is still available to UK players… So we can only assume that Playtech has found a clever workaround?
What makes the Kingdoms Rise series so popular?
If we had to pinpoint the main thing that makes Kingdoms Rise so successful it’s definitely the features shop. Whilst online slots require patience… Most online slot players are not that patient, so the ability to jump straight into the action is just too good to ignore.
It’s entirely plausible that players can earn enough game tokens to trigger one of five different bonus features in just 20 spins (if they’re playing at one of the higher stakes)… Whilst it’s not foolproof, it’s likely that this is significantly faster than it would be to trigger the bonus on their own through standard gameplay.
With 29 different bonus features available to trigger for between 300 and 4,000 tokens there’s an abundance of choice, high rollers can trigger the most lucrative bonus feature in the entire series in less than 300 spins. If they’re lucky enough to trigger any bonuses naturally in the lead up then they’ll earn the required amount of game tokens even faster.
Another thing that makes this series so popular is the sheer variety offered in each and every Kingdoms Rise slot, Playtech has created each game so that no one is the same. Some slots have 10 or 20 paylines, others have thousands… There are even slots in the series that ditch the traditional reels in favour of cluster pays mechanics.
Finally, the greatest pulling power the Kingdoms Rise series has is its networked progressive jackpots. All of the slots feature three jackpots, a Power Strike Jackpot that must pay by 2,000, a Daily Strike Jackpot that must pay by the end of every day and an Epic Jackpot, which can offer players the chance to win life-changing sums of money.
Was Kingdoms Rise the successor to Age of the Gods?
Some industry insiders and online slot enthusiasts have speculated whether Kingdoms Rise was a like for like replacement for the Age of the Gods series, because let’s be honest, whilst the god-based mythical-themed slots are legendary, they’ve not aged too well.
There’s a lot of crossover between the two series, both feature ancient heroes, terrifying monsters, and powerful Kings and Queens… Most notably, both online slots have huge networked progressive jackpots that can net players some serious cash.
Has Playtech got the manpower to maintain two similar series alongside one another, as well as create new online slots on a month-by-month basis?
There’s been no indication from Playtech as to whether Age of the Gods’ time in the spotlight has come to an end, but you have to wonder if they’re going to quietly stop making new slots… There are no new games planned, but does that matter when the old slots are still so popular?
Kingdoms Rise feels like a spiritual successor to Age of the Gods, but whether it was officially planned to spearhead the Playtech brand instead, we’ll probably never know.
What’s happening with Kingdoms Rise right now?
There’s another mystery to be solved when it comes to Playtech and Kingdoms Rise. The last game to be released in the series was Battle Beast, which arrived in casinos in February 2021… Since then there’s been radio silence with regards to what’s next.
Usually, that wouldn’t be any cause for concern… It can take months, if not years for new slot games to come to fruition, however, sometime between February 2021 and today, the official Kingdoms Rise website disappeared from the internet entirely… Redirecting players to the Playtech website instead.
Hardcore Kingdoms Rise fans (or anyone that had visited the site) will have seen for themselves just how much information that site held, it contained the biographies of more than 30 in-game characters, information on the game-world and even featured a progressive jackpot tracker.
Looking at the Kingdoms Rise map in-game, it’s quite clear that there are plenty of named areas that were designed to play host to new Kingdoms Rise slots in the future (such as Stonegrow, Dark Strait and Grand Coast), but will they ever arrive? Who knows… The silence is deafening.
Has Kingdoms Rise been a success so far?
Ultimately, we believe the Kingdoms Rise series has been a success up until this point. The PR and hype surrounding the game suite in the early days was unrivalled, players were keen to get stuck in and Playtech couldn’t bring out new slots fast enough, such was its popularity there was even live casino spin-off games.
However, the hype train seems to have slowed down considerably, it may even have come to a complete halt, and that’s down to a lack of communication on Playtech’s part… However, we can’t see the numbers these slots generate, so we can’t say for certain that players have moved on from the series and onto pastures new.
If players are still playing the original Age of the Gods slot with as much enthusiasm as they were in 2016, then players will still be playing Kingdoms Rise slots as well.
Personally, we think these games are a lot of fun and there aren’t any other slot series out there that go into as much depth as these do, we truly hope we haven’t seen the last of them.
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Atlaslive Presents Enhanced In-Play Betting Tools: Engage and Ask Your Questions at SBC Summit
Atlaslive, a B2B software provider of a highly customizable and dynamic iGaming platform, is ready to present its live technologies and top-tier features at SBC Summit 2024 in Lisbon on September 24-26.
Atlaslive is well-established in various markets and is known for its iGaming Platform, which offers solutions designed to meet local needs. The Summit is a fitting occasion for Atllaslive to introduce its rebranding, highlighting not only the new look and feel but also the brand’s updated identity and product developments.
Visitors are invited to explore the enhanced Sportsbook, a comprehensive hub of payment solutions, and learn about the effectiveness of the Bet Builder feature for major sports events. Gain insights into trends like entertainment and in-play betting during panel discussions with Atlaslive’s CPO, Lasha Kupatadze, taking place on September 24 from 2:45 PM to 3:30 PM WEST (3:45 PM to 4:30 PM CEST) in Conference Room 3 at the SBC Summit.
To stay ahead in the fast-paced iGaming industry, Atlaslive has continuously evolved its Platform by introducing cutting-edge features and integrations. With innovations such as enhanced user management, real-time analytics, and advanced automation tools, the platform ensures that partners can operate more efficiently while delivering a better UX. These developments have played a key role in boosting client satisfaction, and attendees at SBC Summit will be able to see these features firsthand.
Atlaslive has strengthened its iGaming Platform through strategic partnerships, offering a more comprehensive and powerful solution for managing operations, and aims to forge even more connections and partnerships at the event in Lisbon.
Naturally, partners are focused on boosting profits while keeping resources optimized, and Atlaslive makes that happen with its speedy platform, reliable uptime, and lower costs. Visitors can discover how these key metrics have played a big part in Atlaslive’s success.
“Our focus has always been on building a platform that delivers top performance while adapting to our partner’s unique needs,” said Maxim Slobodyanyuk, COO at Atlaslive. “We’re excited to be at the SBC Summit to demonstrate the technology and features that continue to drive our success and the success of our partners.”
Make sure to Atlaslive’s Stand C110, Hall 3 during the summit to share insights, learn more about the latest groundbreaking solutions, and explore new business opportunities.
Find out how Atlaslive can revolutionize your iGaming experience by booking a meeting with our team at the summit here. Atlaslive, the tech behind the game.
The post Atlaslive Presents Enhanced In-Play Betting Tools: Engage and Ask Your Questions at SBC Summit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Atlaslive and Legitimuz Team Up to Boost Registration and Compliance for iGaming Operators in Brazil
Atlaslive, a leading B2B software provider in the global iGaming industry, announced a new partnership with Legitimuz, Brazil’s premier identity verification and facial recognition provider. This strategic collaboration aims to streamline Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, boosting player registration and ensuring top-tier compliance across the Brazilian iGaming market.
With a strong presence in the LATAM region, Atlaslive continues to enhance its offering to iGaming operators, helping them scale their platforms efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of security and regulatory compliance. By integrating Legitimuz’s cutting-edge technology, Atlaslive will enable its partners to register up to 30% more bettors through faster and more reliable KYC solutions.
The partnership will combine Atlaslive’s dynamic iGaming Platform with Legitimuz’s expertise in automated document analysis, 3D facial recognition, and instant approvals — all delivered in less than 30 seconds. This joint effort will enhance user onboarding, improve data security, and prevent fraud without sacrificing conversion rates.
CEO of Atlaslive, Maxim Slobodyanuk, said: “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing scalable, secure, and innovative solutions to the iGaming industry. With the Brazilian market poised for growth, ensuring seamless and compliant registration processes is critical. Together with Legitimuz, we will support operators in increasing registrations, reducing fraud, and adhering to local regulations, all while improving the user experience.”
CEO of Legitimuz, Kayky Janiszewski, commented: “Our technology is designed to increase conversions while maintaining the highest level of security and compliance. By integrating with Atlaslive’s powerful platform, we’re enabling operators to scale their businesses efficiently and confidently in Brazil. Our KYC solution, with its automated document analysis, 3D facial recognition, and instant approval, ensures that players can be verified quickly and securely, driving growth and trust in the process.”
This partnership further solidifies Atlaslive’s position as a trusted and innovative provider in the Latin American iGaming market, supporting operators in scaling their platforms with confidence. As the demand for reliable and fast KYC grows, this integration will enable operators to meet the expectations of both regulators and players.
The post Atlaslive and Legitimuz Team Up to Boost Registration and Compliance for iGaming Operators in Brazil appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Kinetix has announced the launch of its AI-UGC Fund – a $1 million initiative designed to support game developers and modders to put Generative AI technologies directly into the hands of gamers. SmokeSpot Games, the makers of customisable fighting and fashion title Dropcult, is the first studio to receive support from the Fund.
Kinetix provides game developers with its Embeddable AI Emote Creator, allowing players to create custom 3D animations from videos directly within the game. This enables game studios to turn their players into creators, addressing the growing demand for customization and fresh content. Additionally, it boosts user-created videos shared on social media by players – who eagerly share their best creations on TikTok – hence amplifying user acquisition through virality.
This technology has already been embraced by industry leaders like OVERDARE, the new UGC game from South Korean publishing giant KRAFTON.
The Fund aims to accelerate the adoption of AI-UGC features by game studios. Selected developers will receive up to $75,000 each to bring Kinetix’s User-Generated Emote technology to life in their games or mods, as well as dedicated integration and marketing support.
The User-Generated Emote technology is leading the charge towards a future of gaming experiences which is expected to be enhanced by numerous AI features, impacting everything from interactions with non-playable characters to creation of entire virtual worlds. Enabling players to express themselves through their own emotes satisfies gamers’ increasing needs for endless customisation and opportunities to create the content they want and which reflects their identities. And, by transforming players into active creators, Kinetix helps create an endless flow of content for games and gaming platforms at minimal cost.
“While recent developments in AI make it easy for anyone to create content, this revolution is yet to be provided to players, directly in 3D games. With this Fund and our SDK, we intend to bring Generative AI capabilities into the hands of gamers, like we already did in OVERDARE or Dropcult,” said Yassine Tahi, CEO of Kinetix.
Yuriy Ternovski, CEO of SmokeSpot Games, said: “We centered Dropcult around customizable avatars, fashion and dynamic gameplay that can be streamed and shared on social media. Partnering with Kinetix took this further by letting our community express themselves through movement. Players like to create and share their creations. Everyone wins and we grew a large community around this!”
The AI-UGC Fund Programme is a selective, application-based program designed to identify and support projects with the greatest potential to shape the future of gaming on any platform. Its initial focus will be on live games or those in open/closed beta with established 3D avatar systems and growing monthly active users (MAUs). Applications are open on a rolling basis, early submissions are encouraged. To apply, developers will need to provide detailed information about their project, plans for integrating AI technology, a visual deck or short video and the amount of funding requested.
The post Kinetix Launches $1M Fund to Accelerate AI-UGC in Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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