Why we can’t get enough of classic slots

Daniel Kalinowski, Social Media and Affiliate Manager at Blueprint Gaming, tells Comparasino why he believes the classics are often the best. 

Take a look at any online casino lobby and you’ll see hundreds of blockbuster video slots, Megaways slots and jackpot slots. But dig a little deeper and you’ll also find a decent selection of classic slots. 

These games are based on the fruit machines found in arcades and pubs across the UK. With their 3×3 reel structure and iconic fruit, bar and bell symbols, they stir a strong sense of nostalgia among those who play them. 

While the gameplay might be stripped back compared to video and jackpot slots, these titles still put players on the edge of their seats with each spin. And when it comes to big win potential, they can be hard to beat. 

Blueprint Gaming is one of the most established classic slot developers – it also has a full suite of video slots and jackpot slots. The studio is always pushing the limit when it comes to classic slots, with its latest title – Cash Strike Hotspepper promising explosive gameplay. 

To learn more about why classic slots are so popular, and how Blueprint Gaming continues to evolve the classic slot experience, we spoke to the studio’s Affiliate and Social Media Manager, ​​Daniel Kalinowski. 

What makes classic slots so much fun to play?

Underlying the appeal of classic slots is their simplicity, whilst maintaining a perfect blend of crisp graphics, engaging gameplay and frequent opportunities for wins. Game mechanics are transparent, and there’s less of a learning curve compared to more complex slots which rely on intricate features, bonus rounds and multi-layered gameplay. 

Part of the charm of the titles in our Fishin’ Frenzy series that spawned one of the hottest themes in slots is their simplicity and clever design which have helped pave the way for their runaway popularity.

The colourful ocean hues and audio effects of spinning reels were quite the departure from other genres available at the time and it was a breath of fresh air for many. Since then, our continued success story has boiled down to keeping the proven formula of key characteristics but introducing new features such as The Big Catch. A quality, well-loved brand can capture the imagination of players well beyond its launch without being overly complicated, making sure it aligns titles specifically to players’ proven classical preferences.

How do you ensure your classic slots appeal to purists while tempting new players to give them a go?

Ultimately, enhancing the gaming experience for players is what comes first, and this derives from focused research and development during the creative process. While we are keen to try new mechanics, we aim to ensure the gameplay is easy to understand while sustaining an immersive experience, allowing us to develop en masse throughout the year.

The key is to ensure players easily understand the nature of a title and can get behind its engaging approach. Our host of games based on globally recognised IPs (ted™, The Goonies™, Rick & Morty™) are a prime example of this. Players new to the slot space are intrigued due to the concept being based on a movie or TV show internationally recognised, but the gameplay remains stimulative and not overbearing, as a true classic slot does.

Your latest release, Cash Strike Hotstepper, is packed with bonuses so takes a different direction from standard classics that are bonus-light. Is this because players now demand more complex classic slots?

Not necessarily. The slot space is incredibly congested and so studios are constantly seeking opportunities to distance themselves from competitors. Naturally, this often entails developing mechanics which are slightly more complex and offer an elevated level of gameplay. The latest addition to Blueprint’s popular Cash Strike series remains loyal to the old-school makeup, taking place on a classic 3×3 grid and featuring retro fruit symbols with frequent opportunities for cash wins.

However, an added focus on the title’s bonus games ensures slot enthusiasts can engage in something new, allowing us to maintain high retention levels across our Cash Strike series. While many of our top-performing games are the more straightforward, there is still room – and always has been – for variety and complexity which Blueprint continues to aspire to. Both types of games can perform well and there is room for both in any portfolio.

How does Blueprint Gaming use mechanics to stand out?

The highly competitive slot space means suppliers can never afford to rest on their laurels. Constant innovation to continue catering for emerging gaps in the market allows you to stay ahead of the pack. Take our new Rapid Fire Jackpots™ (RFJ) mechanic for instance. There has been little evolution in the classic mechanic, but we identified an underserved demographic and addressed it. You have your jackpot and your non-jackpot players and among the latter, some believe that a major win on Jackpot King may be unachievable. RFJ counters that by delivering regular drops that bridge the gap in the market.

Our release of King Kong Cash™ DJ Prime8 was the first game to feature RFJ, pairing the latest version of one of our biggest IPs with one of the strongest mechanics that we’ve launched in the past 18 months. From there, we will have roughly two games a month including Luck O’ The Irish Cash Strike, The Goonies™ Deluxe and the much-anticipated Rick & Morty™ Strikes Back. Once the initial wave of RFJ titles hits the market, future games featuring the new mechanic will be billed equally with Jackpot King variants, ensuring that we continue to cater for both niches. Our ultimate goal is to have two distinct systems that have their own identity and offer different things, accommodating players across the slot space.    

The big win potential of classic slots tends to eclipse that of video slots – why is this?

The possibility of securing grand jackpots is a key factor for slot enthusiasts who opt for classic slots as their preference. This pool of players enjoys titles that pay tribute to the traditional slot experience with recognisable symbols and easy-to-follow gameplay. With one of our latest releases, Cash Strike Hotstepper, we catered for this base by ensuring the game’s Gold Strike feature, which collects all cash and collect symbols and adds them to the flaming Cash Strike logo at the top of the screen, with the potential of dropping at any point during gameplay, was complemented by traditional fruit symbols and a retro 3×3 grid. Through this approach, we can ensure classic slot lovers have their demand catered for, but with the addition of engaging mechanics that aren’t overbearing and ensure innovation levels remain strong while boosting retention.

Which format is more challenging to develop for (classic or video) and why? Which is more fun and why?

I wouldn’t lean one way or the other, we have an incredible product and design team here at Blueprint who continue to develop industry-leading titles across the board. Player preferences are closely adhered to, and we ensure we remain knowledgeable of emerging trends and changes in behaviour. Our portfolio of games based on global IPs is an example of when we have put time into developing feature-rich, immersive titles with state-of-the-art graphics, but that does not mean we neglect those who opt for more classic inspired slots, with Cash Strike Hotstepper again an example of us continuing to keep things fresh and exciting for those wanting a more straightforward experience. Ultimately, developing games that players love is what drives us, regardless of their preferences, and we continue to be driven by expanding our ever-growing player base. We’re slot enthusiasts at heart, so there’s fun in all of the games that we create.

Can you give us a little insight into your product roadmap for the coming months? Any secrets you can share?

We have a jam-packed summer schedule of thrilling slot releases, with many incorporating some of our globally recognised IPs and our revolutionary new jackpot mechanic, RFJ™. The Lost Boys™, set for release in August, is one we are particularly excited about as it marks a brand-new series in collaboration with Warner Bros. Get ready to join the Lost Boys on their eternal party where Cash Moons are collected by one of the four vampires, with a thrilling bonus round also on offer where cash collect multipliers become active. The highly anticipated return of the Rick and Morty™ series also lands in July, with Trailblazer, The Goonies™ Deluxe and Majestic Fury all among the exciting titles on the horizon. Watch this space!