Slot Software: The Ultimate Guide to the Big 3 Casino Game Creators | Part 2 Microgaming
Microgaming is the starting point for online casinos as they created the first online casino software in 1994, the very same year they launched. As the gaming company who brought online gaming to the doorsteps of every UK player, they are a company of firsts, record-breakers and award winners, smashing through barriers and creating trends.
As one of the key leaders of the iGaming industry since they designed and piloted it, they also created the first mobile casino game and their network of progressive jackpots is the world’s largest even setting world records- which makes it easy to see how and why they’ve earned their top spot in player’s hearts! Oh, and lest we forget Microgaming are founding members of eCOGRA, which gives them the gold standard when it comes to Fair Gaming!
Operating worldwide, Microgaming has their head office- Sixty Two- on the Isle of Man and are one of the largest suppliers of online casino software creating Slots, Casino games, Bingo and Live Casino titles, but surprisingly they have one of the smallest teams behind the ground-breaking operation with only around 200 hundred staff.
Microgaming Games Suite
The huge Microgaming gaming suite is a real pull factor for the hundreds of casinos and players who opt for Microgaming software as game choice and type is not an issue. The lobby has over 600 titles. Numerically, their lobby size beats their main competition for the top spot, NetEnt, and has been considerably boosted by Microgaming opening the Quickfire platform to other studios (more on this below- keep reading).
Microgaming is known and respected as industry innovators, creating interesting and solid casino games that have strong paytables and plenty of action, but a more classic approach to graphics. All their games are mobile-ready and can be played across devices. Their game interfaces are always intuitive. By bringing other studios on to the Quickfire platform they have also been able to increase the wealth of different theme types, styles and attitudes to bonuses, which makes for a stellar portfolio of games.
Want to get a better feel for Microgaming? Take a look at one of their latest releases
What’s more, Microgaming is a fantastic option for branded games as top franchises entrust them with their brands. Some of the best Microgaming branded Slots titles include Halloween, Terminator, Avalon, Playboy, Battlestar Galactica, Thunderstruck and Bridesmaids.
Microgaming has an impressive reputation when it comes to their RNG casino tables and their in-house Live Casino has global studios. Used by over 100 casino operators, it features the unmistakable Playboy Live Dealers and games include Blackjack, Roulette, Sic Bo, Baccarat and Casino Hold’em.
Game variants include:
- Slots: Classics, Video and Progressives.
- Video Poker and the Microgaming is a top choice for Poker, not only do they specialise in Video Poker, but they also host the MPN- a network of over 30 different Poker rooms and with a yearly tour and Live Championships that has €500,000 as a guaranteed prize- this is as good an online Poker and casino tourism gets and is why Microgaming dominates online Poker!
- RNG Tables: Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, Baccarat and other casino table and card games.
- Live Dealer Games: from worldwide studios
3 Most Iconic Microgaming Slots
With a collection of 600+ casino games, Microgaming is specialists in all areas of the casino, but none more so than slots, having created some of the industry’s most iconic titles.
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Mega Moolah | RTP 88.12%
In the top spot is, of course, the slot that smashed Guinness World Records in 2015, when it paid out from a single spin 25p, more than €17mill.
Mega Moolah is a safari-themed slot (new additions to the network include newly themed Mega Moolah Summertime and 5 Reel Drive) with a bonus round that offers up 4 progressive jackpots, the Mega (highest level) regularly pays out million-pound sums. The average win amount is a massive £4,392,262, won at an average pace of once every 8 weeks. It is the top and most regularly paying progressive slot, which in turn attracts even more players, increasing the jackpot more!
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Immortal Romance | RTP 96.86%
Immortal Romance is a Microgaming original from 2011, that players still love till today. It has a cracking narrative, amazing bonus rounds- that include 4 different sets of free spins-, and whopping payouts, along with that stellar RTP. This slot is loved so much that it has recently had a revamp in late 2019 so players can now enjoy Immortal Romance Scratch, which is bigger, badder and more graphically impressive than ever.
Ready to get your vamp on and win big? Then this is the slot for you- find a casino and start playing now!
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Game of Thrones 243 Ways | RTP 95%
Released in 2014 and capitalising on the popularity of the TV series, this branded slot speaks volumes about Microgaming as it is both great fun and highly rewarding. Hit the reels and defend your house as winter and war approach- are you ready to give it all for the promise of riches?
Record-Breaking Progressive Jackpots
We’ve said that Microgaming likes to break records. Well, they have the largest jackpot network in the world, which if you’re into jackpots and big prizes is a real reason to head to a Microgaming casino.
Their jackpot network is the biggest in prize amounts paid out and they are the studio to make the most millionaires. Plus they are also the creators of the world’s most popular Progressive Jackpot Slot; Mega Moolah. This is a game that in 2015 broke the Guinness World Records for largest jackpot payout (taking the title from NetEnt’s Mega Fortune) when a UK player bet just 25p and won a whopping €17,879,645.12 from a single spin.
Mega Moolah may be crowned the casino industry’s top Progressive Slot, but the Microgaming suite has many more hidden gems in it that are especially aimed at both video and classic slot players. Must-try progressives for jackpot hunters are Cash Splash, Jackpot Deuces, King Cashalot and Major Millions.
Meet the Microgaming Studios
To keep the Microgaming suite fresh, truly innovative, and current with lots of new titles, Microgaming has formed exclusive partnerships with numerous smaller studios. This allows the studio to release games on the Microgaming Quickfire platform, under the Microgaming brand and gives Microgaming one of the fastest growth rates in the industry.
Whilst providing Microgaming with a cracking line up of year-round new titles for players, this strategy also gives exposure to games and studios that may not otherwise be able to break into the competitive iGaming market. Microgaming currently lists the studios shown below as current partners.
Top 3 New Microgaming Slots
Through partnering with many other smaller studios, Microgaming has churned out some impressive titles since 2018. However, some players have complained that the Microgaming magic slot formula is lacking from some of the newer games.
In response to this, Microgaming has reshuffled its studios, keeping the most popular and losing the unpopular. Dedicated Microgaming fans may notice that studios such as JFTW have disappeared from the list, whilst Triple Edge Studios are there to stay.
Microgaming listened to their players and want to get the right formula and since criticisms have calmed down. Some of the most impressive new releases on the Microgaming platform are:
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Astro Legends: Lyra and Erion | Foxium via Microgaming RTP 96.4%
With 22 reel cluster pays and a mission to beat the monster Erion, saving your planet from certain doom in funky bonus rounds. Created using AR, Lyra and Erion guide you through the game-play of this futuristic slot, which has a top game prize of 15,000x your bet thanks to a delightful re-spin feature! Sign-up to an online casino to take this slot for a spin.
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Crystal Rift | RabCat and Microgaming RTP 96%
Deep in the earth, Crystal Rift is awaiting with buried games and crystals waiting to be won. An excellent slot with cascading reels that deliver constant wins across 25 lines. Above all, it is exquisite and a must-play slot.
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Lost Vegas Survivors Scratch | Microgaming RTP 96%
Survive or die trying- those are the only options given in this slot- should you choose to play. Opt to take on either the role of a zombie or survivor as interesting, Las Vegas characters flood the reels. Do or die and spin to win for instant cash drops and a profitable blackout bonus feature.
Check out one of their latest and highly popular new releases, Tiki Mania in the video below.
Microgaming Industry Awards and Best Moments
Microgaming has more awards than could be fit into any trophy cabinet. Some of the most impressive and recent include:
- EGRs Innovation in Slot Provision for 2019, Poker Network award for 2018 and Best Mobile Gaming Software in 2017.
- The Global Gaming Awards Digital Product of 2016.
- IGA’s iGaming Software Supplier of 2018 and Mobile Product of the Year for 2017.
Along with an impressive collection of industry accolades, Microgaming is an active industry reformer and innovator. They’ve been in the midst of many of the industry’s defining moments as the creators of the first online casino, first mobile casino game and even eCOGRA.
eCOGRA is an independent game and casino verification lab- they test game RTPs and casino RNGs. Essentially ensuring fairness in online gaming and that nothing is fixed. This shows that Microgaming has a true gaming passion for real gaming and provides only the best to players.
When you bring all together it’s clear to see why Microgaming is the top choice for hundreds of casinos and millions of players across the world. With sizzling hot slots, a live casino full of Playboy dealers and a whole host of top-class studios contributing titles year-round this software producer easily earns its space on the top spot of most popular UK casino software.
Check-in next week as we’ll be taking a look at another of the giants, Scientific Gaming. If you missed part one: NetEnt catch it here.
