Manta Mayhem Delivers Wild Underwater Slot Action

We have noticed an increasing number of players using offshore gaming sites when they log into online casinos. As such, we believe Manta Mayhem represents a larger movement occurring in the creation of new online slots by designers. Many developers are creating entertainment-based slots (in terms of storyline and/or comedic theme) versus traditional slots, which were based primarily upon jackpots or traditional casino images. Story Telling: Growing Importance in Slot Design

Historically, almost all online slots had some form of theme associated with them, such as mythology, treasure hunt, ancient civilization, etc. Those types of themes continue to be popular; however, slots such as Manta Mayhem demonstrate how studios are incorporating storytelling/character-driven designs into their products. For example, while Play'n GO did establish a typical underwater environment for Manta Mayhem, they went one step further and developed a comedic story line featuring various misfit sea animals, and a paranoid manta ray obsessed with protecting his stash of magical clams. The overall tone established was very humorous/exaggerated/chaotic. This appears to be a greater trend throughout the iGaming market as companies are working to develop games that will give players something to think about after they leave the casino, vs. a pure payback system.

Players can greatly benefit from unique/memorable themes in the online casino world. When there is a distinct cast of characters/narrative present in a slot, it will stand out in a much greater capacity compared to other slots in the casino lobby. Character-Driven Slots Gaining Popularity

As seen with Manta Mayhem, one of the main areas of concentration regarding developing this product is centered on the character interactions. The game's plot revolves around a group of disorganized sea animals' attempt at stealing a hoard of magical clams from a manta ray who is defending his stash. The type of humor-driven storytelling that is featured in Manta Mayhem is becoming more prevalent in modern online casino slots. Companies are starting to realize that a lighter-hearted/entertaining experience is what appeals to many players over an overly serious experience.

In addition to utilizing this approach successfully in numerous previous releases, Play'n GO has utilized animated graphics alongside strong thematic identity. As opposed to being merely an oceanic themed slot focusing on underwater adventures; the ocean setting of Manta Mayhem focuses on comedic tension between the manta rays desire to protect his hoard and the chaotic nature of the sea creatures attempting to pull off the heist. That approach demonstrates how slot development is becoming more related to entertainment design as opposed to strictly traditional casino presentation.

Visual Identity Still a Significant Area of Development

Another area that has been gaining momentum within the online gambling industry is the development of visually identifiable environments. Using bright colors, glowing objects (such as clams), and animated characters creates a highly recognizable visual element that translates extremely well onto mobile devices. With the growth of mobile casino gaming continuing to grow at a rapid pace in New Zealand, the ability to keep a visually appealing/clear/engaging game on small screens has never been more important. Players prefer games that utilize clean animations, bright colors, and easy-to-understand themes when accessing casinos via mobile first casino platforms.

Expansion Beyond Traditional Casino Imagery

Play'n GO's use of comedy and poor plan execution in an underwater setting also illustrates the current expansion beyond traditional casino themes taking place globally.

Many companies are abandoning reliance upon royalty, mythological, and ancient treasure-type themes and are exploring different ways to create new quirky characters and unusual concepts through creative storytelling.

According to Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play'n GO, "Manta Mayhem is really a game about bad plans getting worse," illustrating Play'n GO's emphasis on humor/personality, as opposed to a heroic storyline.

Final Thoughts

In terms of New Zealand online casino players, Manta Mayhem is another example of how game design in slots is now trending towards being created from an entertainment perspective. While game play mechanisms still have a lot of weight, designers are placing a greater emphasis on storytelling/character interaction as well as memorable visual display elements in order to keep the player interested.

Play'n GO has provided a slot (Manta Mayhem) that accurately represents the evolving values of the current online slots market; through the use of underwater comedy and a colorful array of visuals along with the strong character development that will be found within this slot - while also using a slots personality/atmosphere equally to those traditionally used by casinos.