Playson’s Homor on Stars and Fruits: Double Hit

Gaming International Online: Playson developed the Double Hit mechanic for this game – please tell us about the evolution and implementation of the mechanic and what it means for the end user.

Blanka Homor: The mechanic was designed for markets with strict regulations, where maximum stake limits are set low. With just a single spin, players can claim victory on two game fields, thus potentially winning twice as many prizes, and guaranteeing wins when scatter symbols land across both fields.

For operators in markets with especially stringent regulations, it’s an ideal retention tool, and we’ve had good feedback from the partners who have used it so far.

GIO: It is ideal for the German market because of the new regulation declaring that spins need to last a minimum duration of five seconds, but does this exclude titles like this from gaining traction further afield? Or will we see a new game type evolve, with longer featured spins where the spin itself is a major part of gameplay?

BH: In my view, the spin is already the main feature of a slot game. The ‘thrill of the punt’ depends on it, through the anticipation that builds as you predict which symbols are about to land, and the potentially winning combinations they may form.

Many of the mechanics we see in today’s market primarily serve to enhance the thrill of the spin. For example, Megaways, Gigablox, Megaclusters, and InfiniReels all encourage the player to focus on the spin itself, rather than distracting them from it. As for Double Hit, the mechanic doesn’t only build excitement by extending the length of that spin, it also doubles your chances of winning.