James Raraty: “Using popular IP is a huge draw for players, but it’s not without its risks”

We sit down with James Raraty, Product Executive, Blueprint Gaming to talk about branded slots and how the company has carved a strong name for itself as a supplier of such titles. From Rick and Morty™ to the Goonies™ to Deal or No Deal™, and ted™, Blueprint now takes on another beloved franchise, The Flintstones™. Raraty walks us through the game’s mechanics and the introduction of a Super Free Spins feature, which differs from a standard Free Spins feature, and relies on the collect mechanic instead. Find out more about this exciting new title in our full interview with Raraty below.

Q: Congratulations on the release of the Flintstones™, can you start by telling us what prompted Blueprint Gaming to choose this particular IP for its latest branded slot?

Thank you! As most people know, Blueprint has carved a strong name for itself as a supplier that has delivered quality branded slots over the years. We’ve had massive success with ted™, Rick and Morty™, the Goonies™ and Deal or no Deal™, so we thought it was time to introduce the world to another iconic game featuring much-loved characters from popular media.

We wanted to find a brand that would offer huge appeal to a global audience of all ages. Whilst The Flintstones™ was a show that first aired in the 1960s, it still has huge cultural appeal today. Everyone knows who Fred Flintstone is, even if they haven’t watched the show or movies!

Q: Do you think that The Flintstones™ has the longevity to stand out long-term, in the same way that The Goonies™ has become a mainstay in casino lobbies?

Absolutely! We created this game using the same successful model we used for titles such as The Goonies™ Megaways. We know what works well with players and it made sense to follow that same route. Of course, this game boasts exciting new features such as the Super Free Spins!

Q: How does the Super Free Spins feature differ from a standard Free Spins bonus?

First and foremost, players trigger the Super Free Spins bonus by landing two of the Fred and Barney-themed scatter symbols alongside a Super Free Spins scatter.

Rather than triggering ten free spins like the standard feature, this bonus awards the players a guaranteed collect modifier on each spin. Once each collect modifier has been used the feature round ends and the player is returned to the base game.

Q: What other features and mechanics can players enjoy in The Flintstones™?

Players can also enjoy the Lock & Collect upgrade. This sees all current Cash Symbols frozen before spinning the reels for even more rewards. The Max Collect mechanic can see every cash symbol automatically change to the largest possible value which is a very nice bonus!

Q: How much of an impact does using real-life IP have on a game’s overall success?

Using popular IP is a huge draw for players, but it’s not without its risks. Obtaining IP is expensive, and it ultimately adds extra pressure on the team to ensure the game succeeds.

It would be fair to suggest that players gravitate towards branded games because their familiarity offers peace of mind to players. They can take a chance on a game that they know nothing about, or they can choose to play The Flintstones™ because they recognise the characters.

It’s all about the psychology. It’s certainly not to say a standard unbranded slot is any better or worse than a branded one but in the eyes of players that brand name offers an added layer of trust. It’s akin to going into a supermarket and buying your favourite brand of bread as opposed to something you’ve never eaten before!

Q: The Flintstones™ is another Blueprint title that’s easy to understand from the very beginning, is it important for developers to keep things simple when it comes to new releases?

Ultimately there’s a market for pretty much everything in this day and age! We know that Blueprint Gaming enthusiasts enjoy our content because we deliver the features and mechanics the way they want them, without overcomplicating things.

That’s not to say we avoid creating games that boast brand-new features and mechanics, because we’re certainly not averse to trying something new either, which is evident in The Flintstones™. We know what works well for our particular audience and we’ll continue to utilise that knowledge going forward.

Complex games are most certainly welcome, as are simple ones! Here at Blueprint, we like to keep our portfolio diverse, keeping operators and players on their toes for what’s coming next!

Q: With that in mind, what’s next for Blueprint Gaming?

We have some great branded games upcoming, a couple to mention are The Lost Boys™ and Rick and Morty™ Strikes Back. Players can look forward to these games in the coming months, as an added bonus these games also come paired with our brand-new Rapid-Fire Jackpot system, which we are set to go live with at the end of July.

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