Microgaming is an online gaming pioneer in the true sense of the word. The company has created the first fully functional real money online casino back in 1994, a system shortly adapted by many others, leading to the creation of a multi-billion dollar industry. Today, the Isle of Man-based software developer provides content to hundreds of
minimum deposit casinos all over the world, at the same time leading the way in innovation and technology development within its industry. This year, Microgaming is set to release several amazing games but one of them will surely stand out of the crowd. It's called Castle Builder II, and it represents the bridge between social games and video slot machines.
An innovative mix
Castle Builder was one of the most successful slot machines ever to be released online. Unlike its "usual" counterparts, which focus on spinning the reels to win, Castle Builder gives its players a different purpose: build castles. By spinning the reels, players get not only cash wins but building materials, too, that are used to reach the goal of the game: to finish the construction of yet another castle. This innovative approach not only pushed Castle Builder to the top of its popularity but also earned it a nomination for EGR’s "Game of the Year" award in 2013.Castle Builder II is built on the same premise but goes way further. The focus on the game's "social gamification" features is obvious: players can choose from multiple characters to play with, characters that gather experience and develop throughout the game. Players can also unlock various achievements during the game while progressing through its 15 kingdoms, over 75 castles, and more than 300 in-game characters to meet.
Focus on building
Castle Builder II manages to successfully shift its focus away from in-game credits and onto building the next castle. Unlike in other social slot machine collections, like Slotomania or Big Fish Casino, here credits are merely a means to an end rather than a goal in themselves. This makes the game even more entertaining and enjoyable for players. "By embracing the concept of unlocking content and continuous progression, the game encourages players to come back for more," Thomas Schleischitz, CEO, and Founder of Rabcat Gambling, the Austrian developer behind the game, told the press. Indeed, Castle Builder II has infinite replay value, making it an attractive title for operators and players alike.Castle Builder II was presented to the public at this year's ICE Totally Gaming, an annual industry event taking place at the Excel London each February. The game is set to be released across Microgaming's network of operators at a yet unspecified date in the second quarter of 2017.
