Digital casino solution provider NetEnt announced that it will develop and launch its first real-money virtual-reality (VR) slot game to the online casino market. Gonzo’s Quest, one of the company’s most popular titles, will pilot this new game venture.
The use of VR is a growing trend among consumers and research shows that online players are starting to look for alternative, more immersive gaming experiences.
NetEnt predicted that WebVR technology will be mature enough to offer basic support for VR game-play in 2017/2018. NetEnt’s plan is to respond to that by adding the Gonzo’s Quest VR game to its current multi-channel offering and to distribute it through the existing NetEnt Casino Module to maximize reach and availability for its customers.
Per Eriksson, CEO of NetEnt, said, “We firmly believe that VR has a given place in the future of online gaming, based on our research and the trends that we monitor. We remain focused on delivering the ultimate entertainment experience by taking this first step towards developing our first real-money VR slot. This is a milestone for NetEnt and the gaming industry.”
NetEnt showcased the first prototype of the game at last week’s ICE Totally Gaming trade show. It also showed new additions to its innovative live casino offering. “Having committed to developing its mobile live casino product in collaboration with players, the result is an incredible experience that truly pushes the boundaries, and is the most immersive product for mobile on the iGaming market today,” the company said in a press release, which also announced that its live mobile offering is growing with a new Common Draw Black Jack game will launch on March 27.
NetEnt also used ICE to launch NetEnt Live Rewards, the first deliverable from NetEnt Engage, a suite of products, features and functionality designed and develop to maximize levels of loyalty and retention, boosting player engagement.
The Live Rewards process allows promos to be created in less than two minutes and campaigns to be planned in greater detail, opening the door to more personalized offerings that will provide differentiation to casinos and resonate deeper with players.
