Gaming Corps has raised the stakes with 3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme, a more volatile take on its established series. The game features dual collect reels, synchronised instant prize symbols, and a bonus pot that builds throughout free spins before resolving in a final bonus spin. The Demihog also returns, bringing an extra layer of intervention to the base game. We spoke with Jon Harwood, Mathematician at Gaming Corps, about the math behind the higher volatility, the reasoning behind the 30,000x cap, and how pulse mode fits into the studio’s plans.
Gamingslots: 3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme puts a comedic spin on classic Greek mythology while running on a 10/10 volatility rating and a 30,000x top win. What was the vision behind contrasting such a light-hearted theme with an aggressive math model?
Jon Harwood: Our aim was actually to attract players who might not have wanted to play the original 3 Pigs of Olympus, while still offering something fresh for our existing player base.
That’s why we created a more volatile version of the game – which did have plenty of players, but we’re always working to create ever-more attractive products that can reach an even wider set of players. Having a lower cost to play (5c compared to 10c in previous games) allows for bonus buys to have a lower barrier to entry, which allows more players to enjoy them.
GS: Collection mechanics typically rely on standard single-reel triggers, but this title activates both outer reels. How does this dual-collect setup shift base game momentum for players?
JH: When it came to developing the game, we decided that dual collect reels would allow for a more dynamic, exciting experience – double the excitement, in fact. If you land a collector on reel 1, then you can hope for prizes to land on reels 2-5. If you do land prizes on reels 2-5, then you might get a collector on reel 6.
Offering double collect possibilities offers twice the win potential, and that continues into the pot spin, with twice as much excitement to collect the bonus pot as a conventional one-reel collect mechanic.
Building a bonus pot means that the fun grows as the free spins progress. Anticipation is a big part of what makes a game engaging to play and is crucial for generating player engagement.
GS: Rather than limiting coin values to individual positions, the grid can synchronise to land oversized mega instant prize symbols. How does the chance of landing those larger blocks change how players watch a spin unfold?
JH: The synchronised reels allow both colossal prizes to enter the game, as well as increasing win potential from the standard payways seen in the base game. Larger colossal prize sizes mean larger prize values, which in turn means more bonus pot value potential. As I mentioned before, the thinking behind all these strategies is to increase the excitement to much higher levels than other games can offer.
GS: The free spins round routes coin values into an accumulated bonus pot rather than settling them instantly as they land. How does holding back that payout for a final bonus spin alter how players track their progress through the round?
JH: Building a bonus pot means that the fun grows as the free spins progress. Anticipation is a big part of what makes a game engaging to play and is crucial for generating player engagement. There does have to be a resolution, of course, and it all leads to a climax where the player has the chance to win a prize they’ve spent their free spins building.
Math-wise, because the player does not win the bonus pot every time, we can make the bonus pot worth much more than perhaps the player even thought. This also means more bonus buys on 3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme have a chance of being profitable than most other slots are.
The Gaming Corps team always tries to add more ways for the player to enjoy our games. Our pulse mode allows players to complete a block of wagers and show the highlights of that block, whether it’s big wins or bonus triggers.
GS: High-volatility math profiles often mean navigating stretches of dead spins. How does the Demihog’s “flames of fortune” intervention function to protect session pacing during losing base game rounds?
JH: While the extra volatility does mean more dead spins, the extent to which this is the case in 3 Pigs of Olympus 30,000 Extreme is limited compared to competing games on the market. The games team at Gaming Corps worked hard to make the base gameplay as engaging as the original, while pushing the limits of the bonus gameplay.
One really significant feature is that flames of fortune intervention sees the return of the Demi Hog from 3 Pigs of Olympus 2: Rise of the Demi Hog. When he appears, the game will respin dead spins to either trigger a bonus feature or create a big win.
This means more action in base gameplay, and fewer dead spins than a conventional high-volatility slot. The overall result is more characters during gameplay, more action, more chances to win – and all that means it’s a more exciting experience for players.
While most of our titles will not be high-volatility ones like 3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme, each will have carefully considered models with the aim of engaging players beyond the first 100 spins.
GS: The title highlights your proprietary pulse mode for rapid, math-focused play. Can you share the origins behind pulse mode, and what made it a natural fit for an intense math profile like this one?
JH: The Gaming Corps team always tries to add more ways for the player to enjoy our games. Our pulse mode allows players to complete a block of wagers and show the highlights of that block, whether it’s big wins or bonus triggers. Players who may not want to play bonus buys for personal taste reasons now have the option to skip to the bonuses by buying a block, to save time slaving away at the base game. One of the best things you can do for a player is give them control over their fate, and pulse mode is another feature which does just that.
GS: With 3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme pushing the limits of your collection titles, what can the industry expect next from Gaming Corps as you round out the year?
JH: After a huge amount of effort, we’re now beginning to establish a suite of successful slot game mechanics. These are ripe for cross-pollination and can create new gaming experiences for players.
While most of our titles will not be high-volatility ones like 3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme, each will have carefully considered models with the aim of engaging players beyond the first 100 spins. Our game models are designed with the player in mind and offer unique experiences compared to the competition. That’s why the games we’ve developed so far have been such a success.
3 Pigs of Olympus 30000 Extreme is available to play in select casinos.
