Guitar Quest Brings Rock-Inspired Gameplay to Modern Slots

Relax Gaming announced Guitar Quest, a rock-music themed online slot. It brings together progressive, player-controlled bonuses and interactive elements in order to give players a "more" engaging experience. Guitar Quest is one of the largest projects Relax Gaming has worked on to date. Specifically, it brings to the table several new ways for Relax Gaming to build their content offerings including the back-stage bonus system and Solo Mode; both being unique additions to Relax Gaming's overall catalog.

As a result of New Zealand-based online casino operators providing international markets with access to international gaming platforms, the theme of Guitar Quest shows a trend developing amongst online slot providers. As such, there is a shift away from the traditional slot format by adding systems for progression, systems for bonuses, and themed titles centered around entertainment to increase user engagement.

Music has long been used as a basis for movies, TV shows, books etc., however it is still an underutilized theme in online casino gaming (compared to mythology, history, fantasy etc.). By using the theme of guitar-driven rock music, Relax Gaming adds a new twist to the music genre. It uses aspects of live concerts, garage bands, and the high-energy of guitar-driven music. This provides players with an original concept that is distinct from the majority of recent slot launches. In addition, for New Zealand based players who participate in music festivals and attend live shows regularly, it will be interesting to see if the use of rock music resonates with them.

More players value progression over random rewards

A significant aspect of Guitar Quest is its emphasis on progression through play. Modern-day slot players are favoring games that allow them to advance or improve as they continue to play. There was a realization by developers that visible progression could increase engagement and encourage continued play by providing players with an objective for each session. The Solo Mode feature seems to fit into this mindset.

The feature works like a cash collecting bonus round allowing players to maintain momentum and connect their game-play actions with possible rewards. This style of mechanic follows a large trend within the igaming sector where progressions have become a major focus in design along side volatility and payout potential. Instead of just relying on randomness for rewards, developers are finding ways to create experiences that allow players to work towards larger goals over time.

Players increasingly influencing slot development

In addition to the Solo Mode feature, the backstage bonus also includes two different gameplay paths that can be chosen by players. two-way paths or bonus selections are becoming a major influence in slot development today. A number of studios now include selective bonus options, branching features or various pathways for progression to add more variety to each session.

For players, these types of mechanics allow for personalized gameplay and increased replay value. Often times the different pathways will produce different results, encouraging users to come back and test out different methods. This type of design is becoming increasingly common among top-tiered slot developers that want to develop games that go beyond basic free spins and static bonus rounds.

Online slots entering digital entertainment market

Additionally, the release of Guitar Quest exemplifies how online slots are entering the world of digital entertainment. Not only are studios concerned with the math behind their games (payout structure) but also visual appeal, theme identity and the ability to hold player engagement for extended lengths of time.

When describing Guitar Quest, Tony O'Mahony stated that "everything is turned up to eleven." This statement reinforces Relax Gaming's intentions to portray the excitement and energy found in rock music culture. In turn, the final result is a title that is marketed as an entertainment product as well as a traditional online slot.

Closing thoughts

To summarize for New Zealand-based online casino players, Guitar Quest is yet another example of how modern slot development is taking steps past traditional spin-to-win mechanisms. Guitar Quest combines a rock-music theme with progressive play mechanics, interactive bonus systems and player-selectable feature choices. Overall, Relax Gaming has developed a release that embodies some of the most prominent trends affecting the global online casino market right now.