Game Show Titles Growing in Popularity

Online technology continues to improve at an ever-growing pace. For gamers, this is not just changing our first-person shoot ‘em ups or incredibly realistic sports sims; it is driving innovation in the casino industry.

With slots becoming increasingly sophisticated and then live dealer games becoming the norm, it was hard to see the next big thing.

As it turned out, it was a twist on live dealer games that has players excited and trying a new experience – game show formats. While you can still play blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and casino hold’em with your favorite live dealers online, there is a new format waiting.

Game shows, mainly produced by Evolution Gaming, take the traditional and high-energy television game show format and put them in the live casino environment, streaming straight to your cell phone or to your laptop. In this guide, we outline some of the best game show titles out there, games that bring TV-style excitement to your living room, placing you as the star guest.

Deal or No Deal

Who can forget this TV game show, franchised the world over? In the US, Howie Mandel fronted the popular program, and in the UK, it was Noel Edmonds. The idea was to select boxes inside which were cash prize amounts. The mysterious banker would then make players an offer – and they could choose whether to take the money or keep playing for a bigger win.

The online version of Deal or No Deal comes from the Evolution Gaming studios. The set looks like the original and places you at the heart of the action, having to make all the choices that the participants had to on the TV.

Monopoly Live

This is another all-action game show title from Evolution. Although it was never on TV before, it feels like it should have been. You place your bets, and the genial host then spins a giant wheel to see who wins.

There is the option to bet on a bonus game, too. If this comes in, then a large, virtual reality version of the original Monopoly board fills the screen, and an animated Mr Monopoly wanders on to control the action. As you go around the board, you can collect large prizes. Anyone who has backed the initial bonus game option gets to participate in the payouts.

Mega Ball

Like so many online game shows in the UK, Mega Ball is an interesting fusion of two different game. In this case, it’s bingo and old-school lottery draws. You join the game and buy a card of numbers – you can select up to 200 if you wish. The host then launches the game, and numbered balls are drawn in a quick-fire fashion. You don’t have to worry about crossing off your numbers as they land – the software does it all for you. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the heart-thumping action.

Prizes come from making a winning line or completing your entire card.

Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt

Regular casino players will know all about the Gonzo’s Quest slot game from NetEnt. It was one of the first to use the tumbling reels technology, where winning spin symbols disappeared to be replaced by others from above, meaning you might win more than once on every spin.

The game show version of the slot features an augmented reality rendition of Gonzo (based on a Spanish conquistador, who were not as pleasant as Gonzo), standing next to the playing board, where your host is controlling the action. It’s an entertaining hide-and-seek format, where you select the prizes you wish to discover, plus how many picks you have to find them.

Dream Catcher

Evolution’s first game show-style production was Dream Catcher, and it remains a firm favorite with players today. The game presenter spins the money wheel, and you win the prize if your selection comes up. The lower the odds means there are more segments of your choice that can land. If you go for the long odds, there may only be one or two chances of your bet coming in.

Like the other game show titles, it’s a simple game, but the presenters’ enthusiasm, the set lighting, and sound effects make it a truly immersive experience.

More Titles to Come

All the games we list in this article are recent additions to online casino platforms. It isn’t easy to forecast where the clever game developers will go next. One thing is for sure - the ever-improving technology stack available to them means the new generation of titles will be well worth waiting for.

While you continue to enjoy all your traditional games, like roulette and blackjack, keep an eye on your favorite online sites to be one of the first to play these games when they are made available.