Painting the reels pink: Playson reveals Pink Joker: Hold & Win
“When developing Pink Joker: Hold & Win,” explains Dragulina, “we evaluated the success of our other releases and considered what made them so popular. We were inspired by the success of Thunder Coins, with its lightning strike animations, iconic Thunderbolt Collect feature, and of course, the Pot of Gold mechanic which is highly engaging. Based on this, we decided to expand our offering of coin games based on this standout artwork.”
Playson’s newest release, 3 Pirate Barrels, went live on September 12th 2024. The game has already received a 5-star rating from CasinoRating and was featured on VegasSlotsOnline’s “Best New Online Slots of the Week”, giving Playson high hopes for a similar reception when Pink Joker launches on September 26th.
Return of the (pink) Joker
The new Pink Joker: Hold & Win slot “marks a delightful departure from the traditional, with its central character donned in dazzling pink,” says Dragulina, “Every element, from the animated backgrounds to the spinning reels, carries a touch of spirited vibrancy, making Pink Joker a visual celebration that stands out in our diverse portfolio.
This is complemented by character-inspired mechanics such as the stacked Joker Wild symbols boosting the chance of winnings during the base game, the bonus game’s Joker symbol capable of awarding vast multipliers, and the welcome return of the beloved Pile of Gold and Collect Feature.”
The titular Joker is a recurring character in Playson’s games, featuring in almost a dozen slots with 5, 20, 40, and 100 paylines. “A game about the Joker was a logical development as he features across several titles within our portfolio, but we wanted to add something memorable and special,” Dragulina says, “This is how the idea of the Pink Joker was born.”
Straying from the conventional path of creating increasingly complex storylines with each new instalment, Dragulina explains how the developers wanted to focus on creating a simple, enjoyable experience for a global audience. “As we wanted to keep the game the mix of classic approach with augmented mechanics which are relatable to a vast audience, the complex storytelling took a back seat in this creation. We have truly focused on creating pure gameplay joy for our players.”
Blending experience and innovation
By no means does a simpler base game make Pink Joker any less exciting than its predecessors. In fact, there are several innovations that make it stand out from previous releases.
“Making a swing from traditional norms, we enhanced the game with an electrifying rock soundtrack, which boldly complements the classic slot format,” says Dragulina, “This decision not only added a layer of audacity but also opened the door to incorporating visually captivating lightning effects that animate the gameplay and intensify the player’s engagement.
“In crafting Pink Joker, we tackled the dual challenge of blending artistic flair with precise mathematical calculations. Our foremost goal was to develop a game that introduces innovative player mechanics and thematic elements while maintaining adherence to desired RTP parameters.”
While some developers specialise in singular, standalone slots, others zone in on a single storyline and develop it into a multi-series slot franchise. Playson sits somewhere in the middle of this scale. The Joker is, of course, a mainstay of the Playson catalog. However, slots in the Hold & Win franchise aren’t based on the events of the previous release.
Instead, the Hold & Win mechanism itself is the common thread tying one slot to the next. By connecting its games by feature rather than storyline, Playson strikes a chord with both the standalone gamer and the sequel-seeker.
Exploring the game
Though there have been several similar releases that borrow Playson’s Hold & Win mechanism, Dragulina is a firm believer that nobody can top the original developer. “The Hold & Win mechanic is well-known and much-loved around the world, and our portfolio is seen as one of the leading examples of the format. Due to this, it is essential to continue differentiating against the competition and delivering more novel experiences with each release.”
Pink Joker Hold & Win slot features
To achieve this novel experience, Playson carefully considers the value that every feature, symbol, and aesthetic decision delivers to the overall UX. “In terms of mechanics, the Joker continues to elevate gameplay to a new level. The stacks of Joker Wild symbols in the main game increase the chances of winning, while in the bonus mode, the Joker symbol awards multipliers. We also included the Collect feature that collects winnings both in the main game and in the bonus game.
“The Collect Feature is key and always receives a welcome attitude from the players,” Dragulina explains, “In Pink Joker: Hold and Win it is enhanced with the Joker Multiplier feature, with a cell multiplier that is unlimited. With each spin, several multipliers can land on the cells. Those values are instantly enlarged and collected before the field clears up for more rounds.”
The game also carries over the Pile of Gold feature from Energy Joker, which collects all the bonus symbols that land on the grid and stores them in the Joker’s towering stack of gold coins. “Players can count on getting more from this game, as the random Pile of Gold Feature provides an extra Bonus mode, even when there are already several multipliers on the reels. This game offers many different paths to a win.”
Configuration
With its 3×3 grid, five paylines, and traditional fruit, bar, and bell symbols, Pink Joker’s configuration is reminiscent of the vintage one-armed bandits you find on a Vegas casino floor. However, by infusing it with electrifying graphics, innovative Collect and Multiplier features, and a grand jackpot of up to 1,000x your bet, Playson blends together the old and the new in a petite pink package.
The old-school fruit symbols aren’t just an artistic choice, but a tactical marketing decision to ensure Pink Joker appeals to a global audience. “We expect the game to perform well in all our main European markets. It will appeal to medium risk-takers who enjoy various slot themes and has the potential to attract classic fruit players. Thanks to the Joker, we should have more engagement in markets such as Belgium, where this type of game is popular.”
Gameplay
In terms of the gameplay itself, Pink Joker combines elements of the last few Hold & Win releases. You achieve the maximum 1,000x win by landing the Grand Jackpot Bonus symbol during the bonus game. The Grand Jackpot symbol can pair with various other symbol combinations to increase your winnings significantly. “The same Grand symbol can be collected by the Collect symbols and thanks to multipliers, each payout can be multiplied,” Dragulina clarifies, “It all depends on the player’s luck.”
Playson’s future releases
When it comes to expanding its portfolio, Playson doesn’t rest on its laurels. The operator looks at the data-driven statistics of a slot’s performance and uses this to understand what works and what doesn’t, implementing changes to the game’s mechanisms, configuration, or theme as necessary.
“To measure success, we utilise our in-house data management system xEye Viewboard,” Dragulina explains, “This is also available to our partners so they can monitor the performance of the game right from its launch.”
Playson also considers player feedback while conjuring up its next releases. According to Dragulina, hearing directly from the players about the perks and pitfalls of a game is the best way to enhance and improve the player experience. “Player feedback is highly valuable as it helps us to measure what was popular about a game and why. When it comes to sequels, the most important thing for us is to strike the correct balance by keeping the main features that players loved and taking these to a whole new level.”
Playson has more than 200 trusted partners around the world helping to distribute its content to 24 global regulated markets. Thanks to its expansive reach, Pink Joker: Hold & Win will be available to players around the world on September 26th. Get your spin finger ready and discover for yourself what the Joker’s latest adventure entails!