Despite being one of the most recognized names in online casino gambling, Net Entertainment, or just NetEnt, has not always been at the top of its game.
Fortunately, they have cemented their reputation over 20 years of developing great casino games, which you can read about in this NetEnt review.
Net Entertainment review
Net Entertainment, better known as NetEnt these days, is a Swedish casino gaming developer with worldwide name recognition. The company currently employs more than 1,000 workers located around the world. Their portfolio of games is utilized by more than 200 casino operators on nearly every continent. NetEnt games were responsible for generating more than 41 billion transactions in 2017.
NetEnt's 20-year history as a casino game developer has been nothing short of remarkable. Their ride has been a roller coaster of success, failure, and then ultimate success again. Throughout their history the company and its executive management have focused on creating premium gaming solutions they believe should appeal to players first, then operators second.
The degree to which NetEnt games now proliferate the online gambling universe pretty much speaks to all they've accomplished. As the second decade of the 21st century draws to a close, NetEnt is helping to drive the industry forward with new innovations and better technology.
NetEnt's history
NetEnt was originally founded in 1996 as a game development company based in Sweden. At the time, online gambling was still in its infancy. Other game developers vying for their share of the market were already well ahead of what was then known as Net Entertainment.
Rapid growth was always part of the company strategy. In the early years though that strategy nearly killed Net Entertainment. The company invested heavily in their very first server in hopes it power their gaming efforts for the long-term. It didn't work out. Just four years after Net Entertainment was founded, the company was in such bad shape that its owners were trying to give it away for free. No one wanted it.
Determined to press on, company ownership refocused and came up with a plan for success. That plan included launching their very first online casino in 2000. Developers followed up that milestone by pushing out industry-leading video slot games. Their game designs proved so successful that it seemed like they were releasing one hit after the next.
By the time Net Entertainment was ready to split into two separate companies, the casino gaming division was strong enough to go it alone. That occurred in 2007. Two years later, the company issued its IPO on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. The hits kept coming and the company eventually changed its name to NetEnt in 2015.
Though developing mobile games since 2011, NetEnt took mobile gaming to the next level in 2016 when they introduced their live casino games for mobile. Today, nearly 40% of the company's revenue comes from those live titles. Incidentally, NetEnt also joined the World Lottery Association in 2016.
NetEnt's products
NetEnt originally started out with a heavy concentration on RNG video-based casino games. Those games are still the bulk of their business today. A brief look at the company's game portfolio demonstrates that developers aren't afraid of covering a variety of different topics and genres. NetEnt offers:
The remainder of NetEnt's products are divided into the following categories:
Where some game developers stretch themselves thin by offering a more expansive portfolio of services, NetEnt focuses on two things: developing high-quality games and supporting operators with the tools they need to make the games work for them. NetEnt is all about the experience. They want the experience to be equally attractive to both operators and players alike.
Examples of NetEnt titles
Now that you know about the nuts and bolts of NetEnt, let's talk actual games. Have you ever played any NetEnt titles? If so, we suspect you probably have your favorites. If not, it won't take many plays for you to understand why NetEnt is one of the most respected names in online gambling. Check out the following titles:
Starburst is arguably the video slot that put NetEnt on the map. It is technically a simple game featuring 5 reels and 10 pay lines. Players have the opportunity to determine the number of active pay lines for each spin along with both coin value and bet level (the number of coins bet per line). Having three options to choose from makes betting a bit more interesting in Starburst.
Beyond that, Starburst offers plenty in terms of visual appeal. Game developers chose a bright and bold color scheme with deep purple being the primary color. It is offset nicely by neon green in the control panel and various colors representing the symbols, all of which are precious gems.
Starburst is somewhat deceiving inasmuch as there are no opportunities for bonus round play. And yet, the game is by no means dull. Unlike most other video slots, wins in Starburst can originate from either the left or right side. That instantly increases winning potential. The game also features a Wild symbol that can randomly expand on any spin. Expanding to cover the entire reel generates a free spin.
Second only to Starburst in terms of company name recognition is Gonzo's Quest. The release of this game marked a milestone for NetEnt in that it clearly demonstrated their 3D capabilities. To this day Gonzo's Quest is considered a standard of 3D video slot game development.
Gonzo's Quest is a 5-reel, 20-paylline slot that dispenses with traditional spinning reels in favor of symbols that fall from the top of the screen. The falling symbols are in keeping with the game's Amazon exploration theme. They actually work quite well here.
Bonus features include Free Falls (free spins) and a tumbling symbol feature that essentially grants a free spin every time a win is registered. Symbols from winning combinations disappear after being evaluated, causing new symbols to fall from above to fill in the empty space. The symbols are then reevaluated for new wins. This process continues until no more wins are registered.
TXS Hold 'em is NetEnt's version of the popular Hold 'em poker game played the world over. Because it's an RNG game, it is also a single player game that pits the player against the dealer. No other players are involved. As such, bluffing has been eliminated. Raising is also not allowed. Players may bet, call, and fold as usual.
Fans of Texas hold 'em will appreciate this game for both its speed and slick playing engine. The game represents an excellent opportunity to enjoy hold 'em poker without having to devote hours to sitting at a table. In that respect, this is an entirely different game. Yet it still combines the same poker strategy along with a scaled down version of progressive betting.
As for the interface, it is extremely easy to use. Everything is drag-and-drop or point-and-click. The game plays equally well on both PCs and mobile devices.
NetEnt's Live Blackjack title connects players to a live blackjack table located in the company's state-of-the-art studio. Players are linked via live video and audio to a real-time game being played out on their screens. Nothing here is simulated other than the computer-generated buttons and poker chips players use in-game.
Live blackjack is played using common Vegas-style rules. Players can double down, split, and even purchase insurance. Dealers must draw to 16 and stand at 17. It is all pretty straightforward.
One of the strong points of NetEnt's Live blackjack is that multiple players can all be seated at the same table. Each player is playing against the house only, so it matters not what they are doing in relation to each other. Having said that, players can interact with one another and the dealer throughout the game. They can also see what the others are doing in terms of bets placed.
NetEnt summary
NetEnt is easily one of the most influential companies currently in the online gambling industry. They continue to lead the way with new innovations in both the RNG and live gaming environments. If you haven't yet played a NetEnt title, you really should. Perhaps you already have and just don't know it. Either way, NetEnt games are top-of-the-line and state-of-the-art.
Next Post: Australian Nextgen Gaming has been in developing games for 20 years
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
