Greentube’s first foray into the world of online gaming was back in 1999. Since then, it has become a powerhouse in the development of state-of-the-art gaming solutions, releasing some of the industry’s most popular online and mobile casino games.
We were fortunate enough to get some time with Bernd Baumert, their Director of Games Production and Operations, to learn more about one of their exciting recent slot releases, Trinity Treasures™ Wukong.
Q: Can you start by introducing yourself, your role and your involvement in the development of Trinity Treasures™ Wukong?
A: Absolutely, my name is Bernd Baumert and I’m the Director of Games Production and Operations at Greentube. In my role as Director of Game Production and Operations, I oversee the smooth transition from game idea to seeing the game go live in key markets.
With regards to Trinity Treasures Wukong, I provided creative feedback and direction throughout the game’s development cycle to help ensure it becomes a hit game for the studio.
Q: Greentube has always boasted a diverse portfolio, and has always done notably well with classic themes. Was this a factor in the development of Trinity Treasures™ Wukong?
A: Of course! Given the preference for Asian Themes in our industry, we were heavily inspired by its success over the years and wanted to develop a game that focuses on ‘The Journey to the West’. It was a great choice and I’m very proud of the result we were able to produce with this game.
Q: Players are tasked with filling pots to trigger different features, a staple of Asian-themed slots. Could you provide a general overview of how the pots work and their associated bonus features?
A: We’re aiming to release more games that use our 3-Pot Mechanic, where each pot is linked to a different bonus feature. On any spin, players can trigger one, two, or even all three pots at once.
In the case of Wukong, the blue pot activates a reel extension feature. This awards 10 free spins and adds extra rows, expanding the game to a 5×6 reel layout. The red pot also gives 10 free spins but removes all low-paying symbols from the reels during the bonus. The green pot unlocks between 10 and 20 free spins, changing the paylines so that wins are paid both ways.
Q: Trinity Treasures™ Wukong also features a jackpot prize that’s triggered by filling the reels with coins. Do you think that lucrative fixed jackpots like this are essential in modern games to provide players with something to aim for?
A: I strongly believe that every good game will find its audience. While some players prefer the Linked Progressive Jackpots, our data shows that a large group would rather pursue a lucrative Fixed Jackpot. With the Greentube portfolio, we aim to cater to all player styles and preferences.
Q: How difficult is it from a development perspective to settle on the features and mechanics that go into a game like Trinity Treasures™ Wukong? Do you have these in mind prior to creating the game, or do they get added in over time?
A: Game design is an art form where you combine the theme that inspired you with the game mechanics you believe will give players the best experience.
Sometimes, you do need to take a step back and remove or adjust a feature to better suit our markets, but that’s also part of the fun when creating games.
Q: Just how important is a strong narrative to a new release? Do you think it’s absolutely essential, or can a game succeed on features and mechanics alone?
A: The success of a game rests on three core pillars: the mechanics (math), the theme, and the choreography of what happens on the screen. Neither can exist independently; therefore, it is also essential to focus on both the storytelling aspect of games and their underlying technology to ensure long-lasting success.
Q: Can you tell us what else we can look forward to from Greentube in the not-too-distant future?
A: We are going to add more games to our successful game Families, such as Cash Connection, Silver Lux or Piggy Prizes, while at the same time, aiming at broadening the portfolio with new exciting mechanics for our players.
Read the complete interview at onlinecasinoreports.com
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