NetEnt and their contribution to Egyptian themes
Introduction
NetEnt is one of the pioneers of premium online slots. In the Egyptian theme, the studio made several significant steps: from classic video slots with video inserts to 3D mechanics and Buy Bonus functionality. Consider which games have set trends and what they are good at.
1. Secrets of Cleopatra™ (2011)
Grid and lines: 5 × 3, 20 lines.
Key mechanics:- Wild/Scatter: Cleopatra's symbol serves both roles.
- Free Spins: 12 freespins with an expanding symbol of the player's chosen sign.
- Buy Bonus: Direct purchase option for a round of freespins.
- High-quality video exhibition with animation by Cleopatra and Egypt in the spirit of a Hollywood blockbuster.
- Epic orchestral theme and spectacular fanfare.
- Contribution: set the Buy Bonus standard and showed how you can combine story video inserts and classic "books" inside the slot.
2. Jackpot Raiders™ (2017)
Grid and lines: 5 × 3, 20 lines + 5 progressive jackpots.
Key mechanics:- Raid Spin: when three "excavation" characters are dropped, a bonus round is activated with the choice of one of four cards.
- Pick & Click: Choosing a box with instant prizes and a chance to increase your progression.
- Progressive jackpots: Mini, Minor, Major, Mega, Grand.
- Vivid cartoon graphics with a group of adventurous archaeologists.
- A dynamic soundtrack and the sound of a shovel grinding through a stone.
- Contribution: offered a hybrid of archaeological quest and jackpots, breathing life into the format of "wine-wines" - bonuses + progressive.
3. PyramID: Quest for Immortality™ (2020)
Grid and lines: 5 × 3, 20 fixed lines.
Key mechanics:- Cluster Pays: payments for symbol clusters.
- Pyramid Feature: 4 phases of "excavation," each gives a strong multiplier (up to × 10) and fixes the found characters.
- Free Spins: Bonus round with progress bar and persisting multipliers.
- Fully three-dimensional drums in the form of a collapsing pyramid.
- Sound track with choral inserts and atmospheric echo.
- Contribution: demonstrated how to turn a static layout into a dynamic quest with several stages and an increasing "discovery" effect.
4. NetEnt Technical Innovation
1. Video inserts and cut scenes: Secrets of Cleopatra set the fashion for cinematic prologue and epilogue.
2. Buy Bonus: Instant access to the bonus round has become the standard of premium slots.
3. Progressive Cluster Pays: Pyramid combined cluster mechanics and multitasking bonuses.
4. Progressive jackpots: Jackpot Raiders have implemented five levels of jackpots in the story slot.
5. Impact on industry
Copying the "books" format: dozens of slots followed Secrets of Cleopatra, offering its own version of the expanding symbol and Buy Bonus.
Development of plot bonuses: from simple scroll selection to complex stages of "excavation" with several phases.
Betting on 3D and cinema: Premium studios began investing in video inserts and 3D animation to compete with NetEnt.
6. Practical advice to the player
1. Secrets of Cleopatra: Suitable for classic lovers with a Buy Bonus option and an epic visual.
2. Jackpot Raiders: a choice for those who want both a quest and a chance for a grand progressive.
3. PyramID: Quest for Immortality: Ideal for those who value multiple stages of bonuses and cluster mechanics.
4. Bankroll management: the high volatility of all these slots requires readiness for long losing runs and clear control of rates.
Conclusion
NetEnt has made a significant contribution to the development of Egyptian themes by introducing video inserts, progressive cluster pays and Buy Bonus. Their slots remain benchmarks of the genre, combining archaeological adventure plots with modern mechanics and premium design. By choosing any of the NetEnt releases, you get a proven balance of excitement, visual immersion and potentially a big win.
