NetEnt Developer Review – One of the First Online Casino Game Creators

Considered to be one of the “founding developers” of the iGaming industry as we know it today, NetEnt was launched in 1996. Nearly three decades later, this developer continues to be one of the iGaming companies that others look up to, while the best new casinos online are looking forward to adding NetEnt’s portfolio within their own platforms. In today’s article, we will re-discover how NetEnt became such a prominent entity within the industry, and see what types of products and services it offers today.

The Games – Various Online Casino Genres

Currently offering approximately 150 titles in their portfolio, NetEnt’s games come in the following genres: video slots, table games, and live dealer titles! Operators will be happy to know that this developer offers exceptionally optimised software, which is easily integrable into a variety of platforms. The company produces originally themed games, as well as titles styled after licensed franchises. This developer releases approximately six games per month, so you can be sure that their iGaming portfolio will keep growing!

All Slots Are Special

As expected, the slot section of NetEnt is the largest by far, numbering approximately 130 titles. Although a good portion of the games will be done in a standard reel layout (5x3), NetEnt is a company known for offering slots with variable and interesting gameplay mechanics. Some of the features that can be expected here are things like multiple free spins modifier effects, transforming reel patterns, various RTP rates, complex bonus games, and others. You can check out some of the most prominent NetEnt slots below.

• “Street Fighter II”

  

  This exceptionally iconic brand modelled after CAPCOM’s very own series, this slot takes a unique take on the arcade fighting genre. True to the original, a player will choose a character, which will not only act as a “special symbol” within the reels themselves but also participate in the “fight” itself. Every successful reel combination with symbols of the chosen character will produce a “hit” which will decrease the opponent’s health. The slot has a 5x5 layout, giant symbols, a “car smash” bonus game, cascading reels, symbol destruction, a gamble feature, and more. SF II has an average RTP rate of 96.06%.

• “Ocean’s Treasure”

  

  Clearly modelled after the legend of the sunken city of Atlantis, this 5x3 slot offers an impressive amount of bonus features and 15 pay lines. This game has two types of wild symbols – a regular one, and a “full reel one” (stacked wilds) – both types are active during “regular play” and free spin (FS) modes. During FS mode, players will start at “Level 1” with an x3 winning multiplier. Upon reaching Level 5, the winnings multiplier will increase to x12, and also grant a bonus win!

• “Reel Rush 2”

  

  Is the second instalment in the Reel Rush series. Modelled after the land of “fruit candy”, this game features a reel layout that starts at 5x1x3x5x3x1. Over the course of the game, additional rows can be unlocked which will then transform the slot’s reel pattern into a 5x5x5x5x3, resulting in 1,875 bet ways! Furthermore, there are random features like symbol reveals, additional symbols, random wilds, extra free spins, multiplier boosts, re-spins, and winning multipliers – all of which may appear after every spin!

• “Vikings”

  

  Capturing the spirit of the TV show created by the History Channel, this game comes with a 5x3 reel layout. One of the most exceptional features of the game, is the “Raid Spin” symbol that gives free spins, and changes the game’s layout completely! During raid spins mode, the game will transform its layout into a 7x5 pattern, that will have 78,125 winning ways. Another interesting feature is the “Hot Spot” mechanic which allows a stacked wild reel to clone any all others next to it.

• “Jumanji”

  

  Another slot based on a licensed franchise, this adventure-themed slot has 36 pay lines and a layout of 5x3x4x5x4x3! The special symbols here are wilds and scatters, but that’s not all. Among the numerous bonus features here, players can get a number of free spins. Among the many features, there are re-spins, random wilds, symbol shuffle, stacked wilds, and a “mystery feature”. The mystery feature itself is a prize wheel that grants specific FS effects, multiplied wins, or extra dice rolls for the Jumanji bonus game.

Table Games – Few but Powerful

Within the table games section in NetEnt’s portfolio, operators will find eight gaming titles – Blackjack Single Deck, Roulette Advanced, Blackjack, Texas Hold’Em Pro, Baccarat Pro, French Roulette, European Roulette, and American Roulette. Just like with the slot titles, all table games feature exceptional graphics, and smoothly transitioning animations. Here are some interesting facts about the most intriguing titles in the table games category.

• “Roulette Advanced”

  

  This game has numerous features and gameplay mechanics that are bound to appeal to players who like to play fast or slow. In addition to the full “European” bet layout, there is an extra field on the left side of the interface that serves as quick access to betting on hot and cold numbers. If players prefer it, they can use the wager patterns provided there to make a complex combination wager such as “les orphelins”, “finale plain”, “finale cheval”, etc. The betting limits here are from €0.10 to €5,000 and players will have access to a quick spin option!

• “Baccarat Pro”

  

  With a bet limit of €0.10 - €1,000, the Baccarat Pro series game is ideal for both beginners and seasoned high rollers. The available bets that can be made here are player, banker, and tie. Like any classic Baccarat here, winning banker bets will have a payout of 0.95:1 (due to the 5% commission fee); winning player wagers will be paid out 1:1, and successful tie bets will produce a 9:1 gain.

• “Blackjack”

  

  Probably one of the best RNG blackjack examples online, NetEnt’s version of this card classic shines with both its simplicity and functionality. There are no fancy bets to be made here, and the only additional function that can be considered as “exotic” is the fact that a person can play three hands at the same time. Naturally, this game will also have a betting limit (per hand) which will be €1 - €500.

The Live Games Are Exceptional

NetEnt’s live casino games are some among the most preferred ones by operators in the iGaming industry right now. Granted, they aren’t chosen for their quantity – NetEnt’s live dealer portfolio contains approximately 10 games in total. On the other hand, the flexible betting limits, exceptional stream quality and overall variety are what made NetEnt’s live lobby to be preferred by any online casino website today. We have explored some of the most exceptional live dealer titles below.

• “Auto Roulette”

  

  Adhering to the European standard of the game, Auto Roulette provides players with the one thing they are lacking when playing with a live dealer – speed. Since all wheel functions are automated, and there is no manual reset of the ball, players won’t have to wait for anything else besides the ball landing in a wheel pocket.

• “VIP Roulette Live”

  

  Stands out with its exceptional betting range, which starts from $1, all the way up to $100,000, per spin! Although this game is targeted to high-paying players, its high volatility is bound to prove exciting to occasional gamblers as well. VIP roulette has an RTP of 97.3%, and multiple “camera angles” allowing the player a full few of the wheel and the betting field.

• “Perfect Blackjack”

  

  Allows the player to play up to three hands at the same time, but that’s not all. In addition to having one of the best RTP rates in a NetEnt game (99.66%), PB offers four gaming moves once the cards have been dealt on the table. A player will be able to hit or stand; however, they can also split, or double down.

One of the Most Licensed and Certified iGaming Companies

As a famous developer, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the company is licensed and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Government of Gibraltar, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, the Belgium Gaming Commission, as well as the Government Gambling Regulation Administrations of Romania, Spain, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey more about NetEnt licenses!

As expected, such a highly licensed business also possesses technical testing certification for its software products, and NetEnt is no exception either – their products have been tested and verified for fairness and security by eCOGRA, Gaming Laboratories International, iTech Labs, and the Technical Services Bureau.

The administrations mentioned above have established themselves as being the leading authorities when it comes to the enforcement of specific standards for iGaming quality and legality. What is interesting, however, is that most of them have been established almost a decade after NetEnt began its journey in the iGaming industry. NetEnt’s excellent legal reputation allows the company to quickly secure new licensing opportunities when they arise.

Devices Compatible with NetEnt’s Software Products

We were more than happy to learn that both the RNG and live casino games offered by NetEnt run superiorly on all smartphones, tablets, and computers using operating systems such as Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. This superior optimisation comes from the fact that NetEnt has created its products and services via the highly renowned software development platform HTML5.

NetEnt’s History, Business Roadmap, Company Mission

Although officially starting in 96’, NetEnt’s history spans back to the 60s and 70s, when two Swedish gambling companies merged into one. It was the son of the owner of one of those companies, that decided to established NetEnt, nearly three decades later.

It should be mentioned that the company’s first gaming software examples appeared in their first online casino solution called “NetEnt CasinoTM” in 2002. Year after year, the company sings business deals with more operators, gains additional licenses, releases more gambling software products, and gains a serious amount of positive reputation among critics and clients in the iGaming industry.

A historical moment has marked a new and interesting development for NetEnt as a company. As of June 2020, an offer was made by Evolution Gaming, for the acquisition of NetEnt as a business entity. Evolution Gaming is one of the top five major businesses in the entire iGaming industry, and a business deal between two such iconic online gambling providers is bound to go into the history books.

News about the Company and Additional Info Portals

The company finds it important to manage an entire section where they can post information about the latest developments in their business. Whether NetEnt wants to announce their next attendance at an iGaming expo event or they would like to present their new business partners, they will inform the public via their official website. This software developer and provider doesn’t underestimate the power of social media as well, which is why they also have active channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

How Does This Developer Compare to Others in the iGaming Industry?

NetEnt is one of those iGaming software developers that can’t be compared to many other businesses in the field. After all, this company has “iGaming pioneer” status that can’t be taken away by anyone. As a developer and provider, they continue to stay relevant not only because they release new content, but because they are always updating their own development techniques and adapt to the constantly changing trends in the iGaming industry.

Care for the Players and Social Responsibility

NetEnt is associated with BeGambleAware – an organisation that provides free assistance to individuals who experience difficulties in dealing with gambling addiction. This developer is dedicated to spreading awareness about the dangers of gambling, which his why they are also connected to other charities like GamCare and Gambling Therapy.

NetEnt also funds a number of projects that are meant to provide further insight on gambling issues, and offer public assistance. For quite a while now, NetEnt officials have expressed a public opinion on behalf of the company, stating that the gambling industry as a whole should focus itself on the well being of the players, before anything else!

Partnerships with Casinos and Other Companies

Although NetEnt is defined as an “old business”, it is considered to provide the “golden standard” when it comes to games and software services – which is why the best new casinos online are looking for a chance to work with this developer. Some of the biggest business casino partners of the company are brands such as Frank Casino, LeoVegas, Rizk, Casino Room, 888casino, and so many others.

Although the company is currently engaged in a major transformation of its business, NetEnt continues to create successful business relations. This became evident from the company’s acquisition of the studio Red Tiger Gaming in 2019, and their successful partnership with the renowned FashionTV Gaming Group. Our experts have noticed that with their increase of high profile clients and partners, NetEnt has become almost “viral” in the information circles of the iGaming industry.

More iGaming Development for NetEnt In the Future

This iGaming developer and distributor is currently engaged in a variety of industry activities, every single one of which is expanding the company’s popularity and market value. The best new casinos online in the UK, and in the rest of Europe, are lining up for a chance to work with NetEnt, and secure a good standing position with a company that is bound to grow even further. Our experts are eager to learn what NetEnt will achieve next; whatever it is, it will prove to be exciting for both online operators and industry critics!