BonusFinder, a casino bonus comparison site has interviewed Anastasios Ioannidis from Pragmatic Play and ARRISE, about their brand new lanch Fortune of Olympus, how they’ve improved on the existing IP, supported player engagement and where they see the series going after this new release.
Pragmatic Play is preparing for one of the most anticipated slot launches of the year. What sets Fortune of Olympus apart from other releases?
Fortune of Olympus has a powerful legacy behind it, being the latest adventure in Pragmatic Play’s iconic Gates of Olympus series. The new title follows blockbuster hits such as Gates of Olympus 1000 and Gates of Olympus Super Scatter – both incredibly popular slots in markets worldwide. While building on a theme and narrative that players already love, Fortune of Olympus delivers a unique gaming experience with fresh mechanics, a wide selection of betting options, and excellent win potential. It adds a new dimension to the Gates of Olympus franchise.
Pragmatic Play’s Olympus games have become one of the supplier’s hallmark IPs. How has the visual and thematic storytelling evolved in Fortune of Olympus to keep the brand fresh for returning players?
When adding to a successful franchise, the aim is to deliver a game that both celebrates and complements the series, while being great in its own right. Nodding to the original, Zeus welcomes players back to his mountain of treasure in Fortune of Olympus, but this time a gold-filled throne room sets the scene for electrifying gameplay and wins of up to 10,000x. The King of the Gods presides over the base game from atop his golden throne, adopting an even more powerful stance as the bonus game unfolds. Judging by his meaty calves, he also seems to have hit the gym hard since his last outing, and he has acquired a powerful new weapon – a charged trident brimming with potential.
What measurable differences, such as max win potential, bonus game structure, or new modifiers, can players expect in Fortune of Olympus when compared to other highly successful games in the series?
The first and most striking difference in Fortune of Olympus is that it is played on a large 7×7 grid adorned with ancient Greek symbols. These include lightning bolts, golden rings, helmets and chalices, and Zeus himself as the scatter. For the first time ever in the Gates of Olympus series, cluster pays explode into action. Players can win prizes of up to 150x when clusters of five or more matching symbols land on the reels during spins or tumbles – this can be compared to the 50x max non-multiplier win in Gates of Olympus, which remains one of Pragmatic Play’s most popular games.
The bonus game is supercharged too, offering up to 30 free spins (twice as many as in previous games), with retriggers available. During the feature, each multiplier that hits is added to a total multiplier, which then applies to all subsequent wins in the round – not just those featuring multipliers! Fortune of Olympus also offers four special bets. Where available to players, these bets enhance the gameplay in some way, such as by increasing the chance to win free spins or guaranteeing a minimum 50x multiplier on every spin. There is also the option to buy entry to Free Spins or Super Free Spins, which removes the three lowest multiplier values to boost win potential.
Based on your player data and performance analytics from earlier Olympus titles, were there any specific insights or feedback that directly shaped design decisions in the development of Fortune of Olympus?
Performance data is absolutely key to the development process, guiding everything from the design to the mechanics and maths model. All games in the Gates of Olympus series have performed brilliantly across all player demographics. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that Fortune of Olympus includes many of the ingredients that have made these slots so successful. But it also features a mix of new features and mechanics designed to augment and diversify the gaming experience.
How is Pragmatic Play supporting long-term engagement for operators through promotional tools, in-game events, or ongoing series development?
Pragmatic Play is renowned for delivering both original titles and additions to its most popular game franchises. Sweet Rush Bonanza, for example, extended an iconic candy-themed world while introducing brand-new features. Big Bass keeps growing too, with Big Bass Splash 1000 the latest game in the series to supercharge wins up to 25,000x. While continuing to optimise the gaming experience for players with each new release, Pragmatic Play adds even more value through promotional offerings such as Drops & Wins.
Awarding over €100,000,000 to players since launching in 2020, Drops & Wins is the industry’s largest provider-funded prize pool. The current winter edition is giving away more than 50,000 prizes every week. Available across new and popular Pragmatic Play slots, prizes are awarded from Wheel Drops (wheel segments are collected randomly during gameplay) or based on where players rank in Daily Tournaments. Additionally, there are numerous network promotions to enjoy throughout the year. Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Holiday Chase promotion, which is available in most markets and runs until 14th January 2025, is set to award €5,000,000 in bet multipliers and free spins throughout the festive season.
Where do you see the Olympus series heading after Fortune of Olympus? Does this release introduce mechanics or creative directions Pragmatic Play will likely expand on in future titles?
As mentioned, Fortune of Olympus journeys deeper into Olympus, introducing cluster pays, special bets, and the potential for more free spins than in any previous game in the series. Players won’t have long to wait before seeing the ancient Greek god flex his muscles again, with Zeus vs Hades – Gods of War 250 set to launch in early February.
