Aurelia Szymon, Senior Account Manager at Wazdan, agreed to tell CasinosHunter more about new Jackpot games, mechanics, game series, etc., in the new Q&A. Recently as CasinosHunter, we found out that Wazdan studio has released a bunch of new games specifically with jackpot features. Obviously, we could not walk by and wanted to learn more to share with other online casino players.
About Wazdan Jackpot Games
Wazdan, an award-winning online casino provider, already has more than 180+ HTML5 games available and makes over 40 new games each year. Out of those 180 titles, 35 are Hold the Jackpot™ games, and by the end of 2023, the company plans to release 3 more jackpots.
Wazdan is one of really few companies - compared to the general pool in the industry - that make jackpot slots on a regular basis and go beyond the mechanics we all have gotten used to by now. By pushing the boundaries and thinking out of the box, Wazdan stands out from the crowd with its high-quality games that combine jackpots with other in-game features. All games by this studio are certified by GLI and other agencies and support more than 30 languages, and all currencies, plus there are user-friendly features like energy-saving mode, big screen mode, double-screen mode, etc.
Hold the Jackpot feature slots you can find at many online casino sites also have additional mechanics like Cash Infinity, Sticky to Infinity, Collect to Infinity, Extremely Light, and so on. Wazdan clearly takes care of its players by making smoother animations, reducing stimulation and stress for the players, and reducing energy consumption for devices. However, the jackpot games by Wazdan are so hugely popular that the company is going to release a new Jackpot Rain™ promo tool soon for progressive jackpots.
In other words, regardless of how you put it, jackpot slots by wazdan are awesome and every player should try them out. We could go on and write more about them, but Aurelia Szymon, Senior Account Manager at Wazdan, does it much better in the new Q&A below.
Q&A With Aurelia Szymon, Senior Account Manager at Wazdan
We have found out that Wazdan has released an impressive number of games with a jackpot feature called “Hold the Jackpot”. Even today, not many software providers are able to make decent jackpot games. Do you feel like Wazdan faces a lot of competition in terms of jackpot games?
Hold the Jackpot™ feature has indeed become a significant part of our game portfolio, and we've noticed a considerable appreciation for it among players around the world. While there is huge competition in the jackpot game segment, we believe we have managed to stand out by creating a strong brand around the Hold the Jackpot™ feature. This feature has become synonymous with exciting win opportunities for players.
What's more, what sets our games apart is that this feature evolves with each successive game. We add new bonus symbols, increase jackpots, and more, to continually surprise players. The huge selection of games with this feature means that there is something for every player, whether they like classic fruit games, immersive mythological stories, or oriental flavours, for example.
When players encounter the Hold the Jackpot™ ribbon in our game icons or logos, they have come to expect a thrilling bonus round, which has set our games apart in a competitive market.
An excellent example of this is our game, 9 Coins™, and its series. Even though it was released a year ago, 9 Coins™ continues to be one of our top-performing games. It has not only maintained its popularity but also received numerous nominations and recognition along the way and kicked off a game series. This suggests that our approach to creating jackpot games has resonated with players, contributing to our success in this competitive space.
Better still, the huge popularity of our Hold the Jackpot games prompted us to create a new promo tool, Jackpot Rain™, with progressive jackpots. We unveiled it for the first time in Barcelona and got fantastic feedback from operators, so it will be hitting the casinos soon.
Could you please tell us more about this Hold the Jackpot feature, how does it work for the player?
Certainly! The Hold the Jackpot™ feature is an exciting mechanic that provides players with the opportunity to win impressive rewards. The specific details of how it works can vary from game to game, but the core mechanics are generally consistent.
To activate the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus game, players typically need to land a specific number of bonus symbols on the game's reels. Once triggered, the bonus game grants players a set number of respins, typically starting with three. During this bonus round, the objective for players is to cover as many of the game's reels as possible with bonus symbols.
Whenever a player successfully lands a bonus symbol during a respin, it resets the respin counter back to three. This mechanic keeps players engaged and provides them with multiple chances to increase their winnings. The bonus game comes to an end either when there are no respins left, or the player manages to fill all the reels with bonus symbols. Achieving the latter outcome rewards the player with the Grand Jackpot, which is the game's maximum win.
For a more concrete example, let's take a look at the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus round in our top-performing 9 Coins™ slot. In this game, players need to land at least three bonus symbols of any type on the middle row to trigger the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus game. The bonus symbols initially stick to the reels, and players are granted three re-spins.
During this bonus game, players have the opportunity to collect various symbols that offer prizes, such as Cash Infinity™ symbols, Cash symbols, Mini, Minor, and Major Jackpot symbols. Additionally, there's a Collector symbol that accumulates the values from Cash and Cash Infinity™ symbols and multiplies them randomly by up to x9. The Mystery symbol can transform into other bonus symbols, and the Jackpot Mystery symbol can change into Mini, Minor, or Major Jackpot symbols.
Players can enjoy the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus game until they've used up all their re-spins or successfully filled all the reels with bonus symbols. When the game concludes, the player is awarded a prize based on the accumulated values of the bonus symbols, including any Jackpot wins. Filling all the reels with bonus symbols grants players the Grand Jackpot, which is the ultimate prize in the game, and its value is equal to 500x player’s bet. Players who are looking for larger jackpots can choose another game in the series.
How many jackpot games by Wazdan are available, in general?
As of the current moment, Wazdan offers a total of 35 Hold the Jackpot™ games, with 3 more coming this year.
These games include popular series like the 9 Coins™ series and the Power of Gods™ series, as well as popular standalone titles such as Mighty Wild™: Panther, Burning Sun™, and Fortune Reels. It's also worth noting that there are Extremely Light titles featuring the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus game, now enhanced with more elegant and smoother animations, and reduced energy consumption.
Additionally, Wazdan has games with Jackpot features beyond the Hold the Jackpot™ mechanic, for example, the Jackpot Coins™ feature is available in Hot Slot™: 777 Cash Out and the upcoming Black Horse™ Cash Out Edition slot.
Wazdan has a diverse portfolio of jackpot games to cater to different player preferences and provide a wide range of exciting experiences.
Are there certain jackpot games that perform better than others?
The performance of Wazdan's jackpot games can vary depending on the specific market, but there are indeed certain games that have been particularly successful in the last few months.
One standout series that has been a top performer is the 9 Coins™ series, with 9 Coins™ Grand Platinum Edition, 16 Coins™, and the most recent – 9 Coins™ Grand Diamond Edition. All these games combine two engaging features, the Hold the Jackpot™ and Cash Infinity™, providing players with a rewarding bonus round experience and the chance to win the Grand Jackpot. What is more, some of these titles go beyond this win-promoting duo and implement more exciting features, such as the Cash Out or Chance Level™ mechanics. This combination has resonated well with players, contributing to the series' astounding popularity.
Apart from the 9 Coins™ series, another game that has gained popularity is Mighty Wild™: Panther. This beautifully designed game offers two lucrative bonus games: Hold the Jackpot™ and Wild Rampage™, which is a dynamic mix that players may be familiar with from the Sizzling Kingdom™: Bison. These engaging features have made Mighty Wild™: Panther a popular choice among players, showcasing the diversity and appeal of Wazdan's jackpot games.
The Power of Gods series, which includes titles like Power of Gods™: Hades, Power of Gods™: Medusa, and Power of Gods™: Valhalla, has gained significant traction among players. These games offer the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus feature and captivating themes centred around powerful deities, making them a preferred choice for many players.
Even after being released more than two years ago, Fortune Reels remains one of the most iconic slots from Wazdan. This game is known for its unique Hold the Jackpot™ bonus round, which has kept players engaged and excited. It's worth noting that Fortune Reels was nominated in the EGR Operator Awards 2021 in the Game of the Year category, a testament to its popularity and quality.
These standout jackpot games have not only maintained their appeal but have also earned recognition and nominations, affirming their status as favorites among players and in the iGaming industry.
Wazdan makes series of games following specific themes, for example Power of Gods series. Do you feel like casino users love playing games in series?
Certainly, there is a notable appeal among casino users for playing games in series. Wazdan recognizes the value of creating themed slot series as a way to enhance player immersion and engagement.
When games in a series share a common theme, it offers players a sense of continuity and familiarity. They don't have to learn entirely new game mechanics from scratch when transitioning from one game in the series to another. This continuity and consistency contribute to higher levels of immersion, as players can easily become acquainted with the gameplay and features, allowing them to focus on the enjoyment of the game itself. In addition, if players like a title, it is very likely that they will reach for another title in the series instead of looking for a similar game from another provider or another casino, so this has a positive impact on player retention.
Additionally, offering a themed series of games provides players with choices. For instance, in the Power of Gods™ series, both Power of Gods™: Medusa and Power of Gods™: Hades incorporate the Hold the Jackpot™ feature, but they have distinct themes and characters. This allows players to choose the game that resonates with their preferences. At Wazdan, we believe in giving players the freedom to tailor their gaming experience, whether it's by customizing their gameplay or selecting from a variety of immersive slots within a themed series. This flexibility and choice add to the overall appeal of playing games in series.
When it comes to Jackpot games, is Jackpot the decisive feature that attracts the player to the game? For example, how likely is a player to play an ugly game only because it has a Jackpot feature?
The appeal of Jackpot games is indeed a subjective matter, and different players have their unique preferences when it comes to slot features. In the iGaming industry, there is a wide range of features that attract players, including Free Spins, the all-time favorite Book Bonus, Megaways, and Jackpots.
It's challenging to determine precisely how many players are drawn to Jackpot games solely because of the Jackpot feature, as player preferences can vary widely. However, there is likely a percentage of players who are particularly attracted to Jackpot games by the possibility of large winnings and would play them regardless of other aspects like aesthetics or theme.
That said, the overall quality of a game, including its graphics and visual appeal, is an important factor in player engagement. At Wazdan, we take pride in developing slots with top-notch graphics and design, ensuring that our players enjoy a visually appealing and immersive gaming experience. This way, players can focus on the excitement of the game and the potential Jackpot wins without concerns about aesthetics.
Games that have the Hold the Jackpot feature are also equipped with other features - Cash Infinity, Sticky to Infinity, and Collect to Infinity. How do these features interact with the Jackpots?
The interaction of features like Cash Infinity™ and Sticky to Infinity™ with the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus round in Wazdan's games is designed to create a dynamic and rewarding gaming experience and, crucially, to increase players' engagement with while they wait for the bonus round to start.
In games like Mighty Wild™: Panther, which incorporates these features, Cash Infinity™ symbols play a crucial role. These symbols appear in the base game and remain on the reels until the end of the bonus round. Importantly, Cash Infinity™ symbols function as bonus symbols, reducing the number of bonus symbols a player needs to land to trigger the bonus round. This feature not only helps players enter the lucrative bonus round more easily but also awards prizes during the bonus game.
Sticky to Infinity™ symbols, such as the Svarog Mystery symbol in Power of Sun™: Svarog, not only stick to the reels but also offer the added benefit of awarding Jackpot prizes at the conclusion of the bonus round. This creates a synergistic effect, making the game more engaging and rewarding for players.
The combination of Collect to Infinity™ & Hold the Jackpot™ has been well received by players, as Magic Spins™ and Sizzling Kingdom™: Bison are popular slots. In the latter, the Collect to Infinity™ feature is quite simple, yet very powerful – during the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus game, the Collect symbols accumulate the values of the corresponding reels for a certain number of spins. When the Collect to Infinity™ symbol is drawn, the number of respins changes to infinity, so the Collector symbol collects prizes until the end of the bonus game.
The combination of these features, along with the Hold the Jackpot™ feature, is indeed a recipe for success. It enhances player engagement and encourages them to return to the game, especially in cases like Power of Sun™: Svarog, where the features work harmoniously to provide a thrilling and potentially highly profitable gaming experience.
Extremely Light games by Wazdan also have this Hold the Jackpot feature. As far as I remember from the previous interview, the Extremely Light series was developed to make the gaming experience less stimulating and overwhelming for the player and prevent compulsive gambling behavior. So the player still has a chance of grabbing a big jackpot but while playing in a softer mode, is that the idea?
You're absolutely correct. The Extremely Light series of games by Wazdan, including titles like Burning Sun™ Extremely Light and 9 Coins™ Extremely Light, was designed with the intention of providing players with a more relaxed and less overwhelming gaming experience. The idea behind this series is to offer a softer and more gentle mode of gameplay that caters to players who prefer a calmer and less stimulating environment.
While playing games from the Extremely Light series, players can still enjoy the excitement of the Hold the Jackpot™ bonus round and have a chance to win substantial jackpots. These games refrain from overstimulating players with flashy animations or excessive audio effects, contributing to a more soothing and comfortable gaming atmosphere.
Furthermore, the Extremely Light series comes with added benefits, such as reduced loading times, smoother gameplay, and decreased battery usage. These enhancements ensure that players can have a pleasant gaming experience while keeping the Hold the Jackpot™ feature at the heart of their gameplay. It's about offering choice and a more relaxed gaming option for those who value a softer, less intense mode of play.
What do casino operators love most of all about Wazdan Jackpot slots?
Casino operators love Wazdan Jackpot slots for several compelling reasons. These slots consistently deliver guaranteed results, making them among the top-performing games in their portfolios. The engaging gameplay offered by Hold the Jackpot™ slots leads to longer player session durations and higher retention rates, ultimately contributing to revenue growth.
Wazdan's strong brand recognition, particularly surrounding the Hold the Jackpot™ feature, attracts new players to casino platforms. The diverse portfolio of Jackpot slots caters to a wide range of player preferences, allowing operators to expand their audience. Furthermore, the appeal of big jackpot wins creates marketing opportunities for operators, including promotions, tournaments, and campaigns that generate excitement and draw more players to their platforms.
Additionally, Wazdan is committed to building strong partnerships and providing ongoing support to its operators, ensuring that they have the resources and assistance needed for success. These factors collectively make Wazdan Hold the Jackpot™ slots a preferred choice among casino operators, enhancing their overall performance and player satisfaction.
Eva is the voice of online casino reviews at CasinosHunter. With over a decade of copywriting experience, she ensures all content is clear and accurate. Eva simplifies complex gambling concepts and rules, helping players make informed decisions based on casino facts.
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