Expert review by Gemma Heathcote.
Novomatic AG Group is a global gaming giant. In 2016, it generated a turnover of 2.3 million euros. Since its establishment in 1980, the company has expanded steadily and today has offices in 50 countries. The main markets are EU member states as well as the rest of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. The company’s success is based on the fact that it places great emphasis on extensive research and the development of new technologies. Because of this Novomatic remains a leader and trendsetter in the world of social, mobile and online gaming.
Novomatic specialises in both providing games for online casinos and exporting high-end gaming equipment for traditional casinos in more than 70 countries. As a game developer, Novomatic takes the risks that can arise very seriously and runs a campaign against gambling addiction aimed at ensuring that customers enjoy the process of gaming without the risk of becoming a hostage to their own passion.
Novomatic’s complete range of products includes the most advanced slot machines, the best gaming platforms, custom signage for every type of casino, security and, of course, a host of exciting games for the most discerning players!
Novomatic’s official website gives a great insight into the openness policy within the company. Anyone can view the detailed CVs of each of the board members. This openness allows the interested visitor to find out what is valued here in potential employees who wish to continue their career at Novomatic.
In addition, the company page offers impressive interactive 360° tours from Novomatic stands around the world. With background audio, you’re guaranteed to be fully immersed in the atmosphere of the action! Two locations are now available on the website for a virtual tour: a tour from the Novomatic stand at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 in London (the largest exhibition dedicated to the gambling entertainment industry) and a tour of the Admiral Arena Prater (Europe’s largest sports bar). After taking this online journey and exploring the company’s vast library of games, it’s easy to see just how much quality Novomatic has to offer in every area they operate.
Novomatic takes great care to ensure that all 24,000 professional employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. The company has even been recognised for this by the Federal Ministry of Family and Youth Affairs.
This attitude towards employees has also earned Novomatic the “Best Employer Award 2016/2017”. All of this places the company firmly among the top ten Austrian companies in this industry.
Speaking of the qualitative differences between Novomatic games and all other video slots, the first thing worth mentioning is the story component. The choice of themes for Gaminator series slots was totally immediate for that time.
Yes, gambling as an industry in those years was already settled and even on the radar, but back then the word combination “slot machine” was associated only with a picture of a fruit slot with a standard set of symbols and lacking even a hint of plot. Against the backdrop of such monotonous content, game solutions reveal full-fledged stories about adventures, travels and the beauties of nature that attracted a lot of attention from the audience. Needless to say, Novomatic was the first to send players to Egypt. To go in search of ancient Egyptian treasures deep into the pyramid together with the main character – the prototype of the notorious movie hero Indiana Jones, the most famous slot of the vendor called Book of Ra (and popularly just Books). It would be more correct to even say not “offered”, but “offers”, and each time in a new way. For example, Novomatic has already re-released the slot machine 14 times. And, given the manufacturer’s love of constantly improving its own products, this is clearly not the limit.
For them, Novomatic has its own series of games for convenience – Deluxe. It includes upgraded versions of the Gaminator series slots; these games have a corresponding name – Book of Ra Deluxe, Lucky lady’s charm Deluxe, Dolphin’s pearl Deluxe, etc. The differences include better quality graphics, more detailed animation and the introduction of an extra line for betting.
Novomatic offers more than 240 video slots to suit all tastes. Many of them have a reputation for high volatility slots: in such slots, a player may, sooner or later, pull off a huge payout. Because of the advanced search on the company’s website, you can easily find the game you want or sort the list according to a specific criterion. The search filters allow you to choose the platform, number of reels and paylines, volatility and title. In this way, the player can easily find a slot whose name may have slipped his mind. In addition to video slots, a large collection of other popular casino games such as multiplayer games, progressive jackpots and virtual table games are also available on the website.
Now let’s take a look at two popular video slots from Novomatic. These games are dramatically different in theme, but both have great graphics that give them a high rating among players.
Dolphin’s Pearl Deluxe
This is a standard video slot with five reels (the most popular type of modern slot machine) and a free spins bonus round. The theme of the game is the underwater world, so the video slot is full of a variety of sea creatures that tease players with a potential big catch.
The aim of the game, as with most other video slots, is to collect a combination of five of the same symbols on one of the ten paylines. In Dolphin’s Pearl Deluxe, the dolphin is the Wild symbol and takes the place of all other symbols except for the shell with the pearls, which is the Scatter symbol. If two pearls appear anywhere on the reels, the total bet is doubled.
Dolphin’s Pearl Deluxe video slot is known for generous 15 free spins bonus round. It is activated after three or more Scatter symbols have appeared anywhere on the playing field. During the bonus round you can win even more free spins if 3 or more pearls appear on the reels again.
This game, like Dolphin’s Pearl Deluxe, offers ten paylines on five reels and a free spins bonus round. The game design features a variety of items to symbolise good fortune, such as a ladybird, four-leaf clover or lucky horseshoe. Could it be that all these attributes not only set the mood, but actually contribute to success?
Lady Luck herself takes part in the game, and her collection of lucky amulets can hypnotise the player! The aim of the game remains the same – to collect a combination of five of the same symbols from left to right. Lady Luck is the ‘Wild’ symbol and the magic crystals are the ‘Scatter’. These beautiful purple spheres could bode well for big winnings in the very near future, so keep an eye out for them!
A bonus round of 15 free spins is activated if three or more Scatter symbols appear on the playing field. It’s more accurate to call this round a free game, as the reels don’t spin during it. Instead, the ‘lucky’ symbols appear on the screen one after the other, surrounding you in an atmosphere of magic and good fortune.
Novomatic has made an invaluable contribution to the gambling industry with its production of inimitable slot machines. Most other gambling vendors look up to the company as a model of quality. But an original is always better, that’s why the demand for Novomatic slots continues even with the entertainment industry becoming saturated with all kinds of gaming solutions.
Novomatic is an excellent example of what it means to be a world leader in the gaming industry. The company’s impeccable reputation for corporate social responsibility makes it an excellent role model. Luckily for us, Novomatic will continue to delight everyone with exciting and varied games!