Welcome to our exclusive Q&A with Charlie Jacka, Head of Product at Blueprint Gaming! In this interview, we delve into the captivating world of one of the leading providers of online slots.
Join us as we discuss some of the most iconic titles in Blueprint Gaming's portfolio, including the beloved Fishin Frenzy and its thrilling sequel, Fishin Frenzy The Big Catch. But that's not all - we also find out what are the company's upcoming releases.
Get ready to dive deep into the innovative and immersive world of Blueprint Gaming!
Welcome Charlie! We appreciate you taking the time to join us in our Q&A. Let’s start with the most iconic slot in your portfolio - Fishin’ Frenzy. Why do you think it’s still #1 after a decade of its release?
"Fishin’ Frenzy’s success lies in its heritage as a land-based title where its colourful, cheerful design and simple gameplay were a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of the higher volatility games that were around at the time.
We took that strong foundation and brought it into the online space and have evolved it by bringing in fresh new features and mechanics with each new iteration.
We need to time a new addition to the family tree correctly and make the best use of successful features and gameplay innovations as best we can – see the addition of Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways, Fishin’ Frenzy Prize Lines and Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch Jackpot King.
It blazed a trail on release, and that aura remains to this day, thanks to the intuitive updates that keep it fresh but retain the original charm that made it such a hit. As long as players continue to enjoy the game family and return to it, we’ll keep developing it."
How long did it take you to make this game? Were there any challenges?
"The time in development was roughly the same as most of our other games.
We don’t rush them and believe it or not, our core team is still relatively small, but at the same time, they’re a seriously talented bunch, and they know their craft, so they’re adept at getting important projects out of the door with the right blend of efficiency and attention to detail."
What have you learned from Fishin’ Frenzy’s success?
"That people can’t seem to get enough of a good thing! As mentioned, as long as players keep returning to it and demanding new angles on it, we’ll continue to develop them.
We’re equally very conscious of not overdoing it too, though and with a blend of operator and player feedback and keeping our eye on industry trends, we’ll ensure that the games we produce are the right ones for the market."
Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch is another smasher in the series. In your opinion, why is the fishing theme so popular in online slots?
"The beauty of a theme like fishing and a brand like ours is that it is so universally adored that it has been met with success wherever it has been operated, which was the case with Fishin' Frenzy The Big Catch.
Fishing, while not everyone’s cup of tea, is a pastime that is enjoyed globally so we would have no hesitation in introducing it whenever we enter new markets for the first time, in fact, it’s one of the many titles we can rely on to perform when we move into new regions. I think there’s something gently comforting about it as a theme, and it’s also very recognisable within games and gaming in general."
How does Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Splash differ from the original Fishin’ Frenzy?
"It’s all in the upgrading of the bonus round. The Big Splash sees several fish fill the screen with the player able to choose one that reveals a special upgrade to the playing experience.
As usual, three or more golden boat bonus symbols award free spins. This then offers the opportunity to select from friendly fish and their feature-enhancing properties, which include transforming top-paying symbols to cash-collect symbols to help players hook the big prizes.
Collecting two fisherman symbols during free spins awards an extra Big Splash pick allowing another shot at selecting a game-changing free fish upgrade.
Four fisherman symbols during free spins grant extra spins, and the smiling angler lands any fish he awards a scatter win multiplier as well."
What is the max win in Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Splash, and how can players achieve it?
"The max win is 4,000x, and if players want to get near that big total, they will have to try their luck at landing as many Frankie the Fisherman symbols as possible while clocking up the multipliers!"
What’s next for the most famous fisherman?
"We’ll continue to rely on our creativity in terms of game development for Fishin’ Frenzy for as long as it remains a strong swimmer, which we’re confident it will be for years to come. As long as we and the wider industry continue to innovate, then there’s no reason why the theme cannot endure.
We’ve got plans for the next Fishin’ Frenzy game already lined up, so we’ve got faith that there is a long way to go for it yet. We hope that players will continue to have fun with our games and that we can keep on supplying the titles that they love."
And last but definitely not least is Luck O’ The Irish Go For Gold. Could you tell us a bit more about this game and its features?
"Luck O' The Irish Go For Gold features the new rainbow trail cashpot system, where 3 or more cashpot symbols in view award one of 7 cashpot prizes ranging from 5x - 50x the player's stake. Reveal 9 cashpot symbols to trigger big money for the chance to win up to 500x your stake."
Was it challenging to develop a sequel to a hugely popular game? How did you manage to make it different?
"There is always a challenge in creating the sequel to a highly successful hit game. The player community has exceedingly high standards, and so do we, so the trick is in doing the original justice and meeting the high expectations set by the original.
Fortunately, we’ve got a great heritage in following up hit games with iterations that are as well received – look at Fishin Frenzy, Eye of Horus, and Deal or No Deal as prime examples. Certain games lend themselves well to particular features and mechanics too, so as the market evolves, there are often more tools at your disposal a year after an original hit."
What else are we going to see from Blueprint Gaming in the upcoming months?
"We got a full roadmap of diverse and exciting titles for players to look forward to over the next few months, including Big Catch Bass Fishing and Rise of Atlantis 2, and we’re in the early development stages of a couple of big, exciting licensed titles too. We’ll let you know more as soon as we can!"
Thank you for your time! Is there anything you would like to say to all people visiting Slotswise?
"Thanks for continuing to play and enjoy our slots – we couldn’t do what we do without the support of the player community, and we’re extremely grateful for your support – we promise to keep releasing games you love to play!"