Let’s Talk Gambling: Real money, real thrills

Hungrybear and Yggdrasil prepare to shake up the slots market with the launch of a real money version of Slot Masters.

Much has been said about multiplayer slot games over the years and many have lauded the concept as the next big thing in the space. As it stands, Hungrybear’s Slot Masters is the only true example of its kind.

Having been operating as a free-to-play product since launch, Slot Masters has been met with keen interest from players and its creator is now due to unveil a real money iteration thanks to a partnership with Yggdrasil and its YGG Masters programme.

CEO and Founder, Justin Chamberlain from Hungrybear and Jose Simon, Commercial Director at Yggdrasil tell us more about this much-anticipated evolution in slot gaming.

Hungrybear

What can we expect from Hungrybear and Slot Masters after joining YGG Masters – how will the product be taken to the next level?

The next level is taking what is now a proven and popular game genre to a real money experience.

We’ve built a peer-to-peer slot experience that offers today’s players what they’re used to in other forms of gaming – competing against friends and anyone else who might be online and battling it out to see who is crowned the winner.

Millions of players have already interacted with Slot Masters as a free-to-play variant, so we are highly confident the new real money version is the next big thing for the industry.

When can we expect this real money version to be launched?

We are nearing completion of the build now. The game has been passed as certified by a test lab, and we will have it live in the UK market by Q4 2024.

It has been a long time coming but that has allowed us to tweak the format and gameplay to get it as ready as it can be for launch. These are exciting times for us and the industry.

Multiplayer slot gaming has been touted for many years with several unsuccessful efforts at cracking the genre. What has Hungrybear done to get the formula just right?

We kept it simple, true to a slot experience, and added competition in the game by allowing players to attack each other’s score.

At its heart, Slot Masters is still a slot, plays like a slot, and doesn’t present the player with such a new gaming experience that they fail to play and adopt it. Keeping to that principle, and then adding a meta layer on top of this, was definitely the key to making this a successful product.

That has been proven now as we have the game live with over 23 operators globally, in seven different jurisdictions, have handled 2.1bn spins, and have attracted over 3.2m players to the format.

It’s clear that the formula works and now we simply need that next step of adding the thrill of real money gaming that will elevate Slot Masters to the position we’ve always had in mind for it.

How do you expect multiplayer products to innovate the iGaming space as you evolve the offering?

We already have an 18-month roadmap of innovations in multiplayer in the pipeline, including new weapons, mechanics, features and even whole new games lined up with this incredible format.

I fully expect this roadmap to expand and evolve over the next 18 months as we go live with more and more operators in more markets and get the product in front of more players.

Yggdrasil

Hungrybear is the latest studio to join the YGG Masters initiative, what about the company makes it a perfect partner for Yggdrasil?

Hungrybear stands out as an ideal YGG Masters partner due to its innovative approach to game development. Slot Masters is the global introduction of the world’s first multiplayer slot game and that’s a big deal.

This innovative spirit aligns with Yggdrasil’s commitment to enhancing player experiences. Hungrybear’s vast expertise in the industry ensures the release of high-quality games that appeal to a global audience.

What role will multiplayer experiences play in the future?

Multiplayer experiences are set to play a significant role in the future of gaming, especially as Gen Z continues to make up the majority of active players. It is a demographic that values socialising with peers and interactive experiences within its community, and multiplayer games cater directly to this.

By being a pioneer of multiplayer games and being able to leverage the combined vast experience both parties bring to the table, our partnership is set to propel Slot Masters to new heights.

How important are exclusive partnerships like the one with Hungrybear for Yggdrasil?

Exclusive partnerships with up-and-coming studios such as Hungrybear are crucial for Yggdrasil. They ensure a diverse and continuous flow of unique and engaging game content that appeals to a variety of demographics and complements the existing portfolio.

As much as it is important to pay attention to market trends for localised content, it is equally essential to stay on the lookout for partners who can bring their expertise to the fore on an even wider section of the player base.

This is also a partnership that will see the launch of a product that has no direct equal in the market and so it is something that holds huge value for both our companies.

How successful has the YGG Masters program been for Yggdrasil?

The YGG Masters program has been highly successful since its inception in 2019. It has helped Yggdrasil push the boundaries of game design and development, ensuring that players always have access to fresh and exciting content.

Some games from YGG Masters partners have also reached the top ten in several markets, made possible by Yggdrasil enabling studios to maximise distribution and reach new audiences as rapidly and efficiently as possible.

YGG Masters is set to keep expanding, with two new studios to join this year and more to come in 2025, so the future is extremely bright.