As mentioned in our post of October 20, the end of 2020 was a very busy period for developers. Numerous high-profile games were unveiled by the likes of Blueprint, NetEnt, and Yggdrasil. And with 2021 now in full swing (for better or for worse), January is shaping up to be just as hectic. Here are seven slots set to be released in the coming weeks – some are hotly anticipated by players, others not quite so much.
Ruby Play - Zao Cai Shen
The company that doles out slot games designed ‘by gamblers and for gamblers’ may have escaped your attention. They’re not all that well-known to most players truth be told, despite being a ‘progressive’ development studio. Nonetheless, they partner with a collection of top casino sites such as 777, 888 Casino, and NetBet. Their specialty is bricks-and-mortar slot machine ports. And in keeping with this strategy, they’ll be launching Zao Cai Shen in late January.
Green Jade Games – Alien KO
Green Jade is another upcoming developer that’s slowly building a name for itself. We strongly urge you to read the company’s about page, which includes a deliciously conceited blurb that reads more like a United Nations Mission statement. Platitudinous virtue-signaling aside, the team at Green Jane have evidently found the time to, you know, create gambling games? Alien KO is their latest effort. Comprising a 6 x 4 reel configuration, sticky wilds, and free spins round, it features three RTPs: 93%, 95%, and 97%. As Green Jade’s about page so rightly states, ‘the best time to be alive is tomorrow’ (or on the 18th of January when their slot is slated for release).
7 Seas Pirates – Reel Time Gaming
Reel Time Gaming is perhaps best known for its gaming cabinets. Nonetheless, the company has built a large portfolio of slots in recent years, many of which have gone down reasonably well with players. Highlights include Eye of Horus and Wild Mustang. Their next game is 7 Seas Pirates – a five reel slot with 10 pay-lines that is set to be unveiled on January 19th.
Moriarty Megaways – iSoft Bet
iSoft Bet’s back-catalogue is largely made up of branded games such as Basic Instinct as well as traditional video slot games. The company has also released a solid collection of Megaways titles over the past year or so, such as Western Gold, Queen of Wonderland, and Dragon Match. These will soon be joined by Moriarty Megaways – a game inspired by Sherlock Homes that will include the usual cascading reels, multipliers, and a voluminous number of bet-ways. According to Slot Catalogue, the game has an RTP of 96%. You’ll be able to try it on January 19th.
Bull in a China Shop – Play N’ Go
Play N’ Go is one of the most prolific developers in i-Gaming, churning out slots on a regular basis. Despite the outrageous production rate, their development team somehow manages to craft highly original games - although some fall by the wayside, most are well-received by players. January 21 will see the launch of its latest title, Bull in a China Shop. Replete with the kind of visuals one might expect from a developer with deep pockets, this polished-looking game comprises five reels and a raft of bonus features including multiplier wilds and three free spin modes.
Legend of Athena – Red Tiger
Ancient Greece is of course a bountiful source of inspiration for slot developers. There are many reasons for this, which we don’t have the time or the inclination to go into here. And it seems that the Greek God botherers at Red Tiger will be offering their own chance-based interpretation of this classical epoch in the very near future (January 20 in fact). Athena, the deity of warfare is to be RT’s muse. And judging by the screenshots, the game looks very well put together, albeit without many extra features. The action will play out over a 5 x 3 grid with 10 pay-lines and the RTP is said to be 95.75%.
Defenders of the Realm – High 5 Games
High 5 Games has made a name for itself by developing quirky slots. Jazz, Cosmic Heart, and Valley of Fortunes are fairly typical examples. The company’s most well-received slot thus far has to be Lucky Lassie though, which graces the lobbies of numerous online casinos. On January 21, High 5 will be launching Defenders of the Realm – an unusual Viking/Arabian historical romp featuring a pick-me bonus game, locked wild reels, and a standout six-tier bonus round.
