MGS Microgaming Systems: In the Beginning
Microgaming tells a story as old as the internet gaming industry itself. It’s a story that’s been told many times but always beckons to be re-told, and that’s because it’s a mighty fine story. Microgaming actually shares the legacy of online casino games with what was, but is not anymore, its biggest rival – Cryptologic. In the beginning both companies fought for dominance of the online market with both introducing players to new online casino software, games and features, but in the end it was Microgaming which won and has continued to strive as a solo company dependent on no other. Cryptologic on the other hand was eventually sold off and absorbed by Amaya Gaming and, while their games remain popular, nothing new has been released and thus the company enjoys a legacy and a historic value but not modern success. Today Microgaming continues to release at least 2 - 3 games a month – a tradition it’s followed since the early 1990s.
Early Success
In 1994 Microgaming opened up its very first online casino, The Gaming Club. Many consider this to be the first and oldest internet casino in existence. During its formative years the company released many games, especially slots, which are still treasured to this day. Thanks to an early start in the 1990s, the company has amassed more than 600 games spanning slots, table games, live casino games and Denada Casino games.
Gaming Conventions
Over the years Microgaming has released many games and used these very games to invent and unveil gaming conventions. Some are quite old now and have become the norm while others are more recent. Some of the conventions or ideas are also ones that have been refined by the company itself or by rival corporations, often being released under a different name. The fact of the matter is that in the gaming industry ideas are constantly refined, chopped up and changed and just because one company might have initiated the concept, it doesn’t mean its exclusive to that company. For instance, Microgaming gave us Rolling Reels™, a paying system that gives you a free spin when you achieve a winning combination. Once a win is achieved, the winning symbols explode or disappear and then new ones slide down into the places of the old ones. However, this concept has been seen in the games of rivals and under different names, namely – Cascading, Tumbling and Falling Reels. This is but on example of how inventions have become conventions.
The Microgaming Range
The Microgaming range is diverse and essentially covers all genres and sub genres of the casino gaming industry. The bulk of the games are made up of slots and therein lies a range spanning classic, video and progressive games. New Zealand Denada Casino players are privy to all of these sub genres, although it does need to be noted that the core of the games are best enjoyed on the PC and desktop software and this is because the full range is available on this platform. Denada Casino gaming is playing catchup and currently between 100 and 200 Microgaming powered games are available, operator dependent, and that number continues to increase. Table games are made up of blackjack and roulette and together these games number above 50 thanks to the Gold Series, an exclusive line-up of games created by Microgaming. A very similar trend has been followed with their video poker games in terms of variations exceeding the 50 mark. Microgaming has also tackled the live casino gaming genre, although at the time of publication, this is something still relatively new to the company. In others words, this is an offering that needs more tinkering and refining.
Popular Microgaming Pokies
Microgaming has a series of claims to fame, the majority of which are straight from their range of pokies games. It’s not too surprising either as players generally gravitate towards pokies games. Their range however is impressive and over the years they’ve released games that have garnered fans from all around the world. These games cover titles from their early years all the way to the latest ones. Some are so detailed that they have taken two years to make while others have been done through licensing agreements. When you get wind of names like Mermaids Millions, Thunderstruck, Jurassic Park™, Terminators 2™, Ariana, Avalon II: The Quest for the Holy Grail or TV’s best creation in the last 20 years, Game of Thrones™ Mobile Pokies, all you need to know is that Microgaming made it.
