Andy Payne Q&A
Relax Gaming recently released Immortal 5, the story of 5 selfless heroes who watch over the citizens, keeping them safe from harm and sleeping soundly in the comfort of their protection.
With multiple bonus modes, Immortal 5 has already proven to be a diverse game, and its superhero genre will appeal to many with a soft spot for the mighty, brave, selfless and strong.
In our latest Q&A, we caught up with Andy Payne – Game Product Owner at Relax Gaming to discuss Immortal 5.
Jamie: Immortal 5 is packed with action and energy. Did the success of the most Money Train franchise inspire you to create such an adrenaline-fueled game?
Andy: While I wouldn’t attribute the inspiration for Immortal 5 directly to the Money Train series, it’s hard not to notice some parallels between the two. Both games are brimming with features that create rich and engaging player experiences.
The thought of Immortal 5 achieving even a fraction of the success enjoyed by the Money Train series is a thrilling prospect, and we sincerely hope that it strikes a chord with players, making its way onto their list of favourite games
In crafting the overall feel of Immortal 5, our primary aim was to weave together a diverse array of features throughout the game. Each area is designed with unique elements that vary in potency, ensuring players can interact with them in different ways.
This intricate layering is intended to offer players a depth of experience, keeping them engaged and eager to explore all the game offers.
Jamie: The game has several bonuses with thrilling power-ups. What was the vision behind these features, and how do they keep players engaged?
Andy: The vision behind the Immortal Silver and Gold bonuses stemmed from having so many great ideas to start with! Ultimately, we needed a solution that allowed us to include all of them in the game in one way or another.
They all had their individual USPs and complemented the core feature mechanic in their own way. Instead of narrowing down the list to one or two and creating a main feature based around them, we flipped the way the bonus is experienced, developing the ability for players to create their own feature from the mix of power-ups in a pick ‘n’ click format.
If we just focused solely on the Immortal Silver bonus, what the players have each time they enter is the possibility of 12 different combinations of bonuses to play before they have experienced them all. When we factor in the Immortal Gold Bonus with the additional selection, that pushes the number of unique bonuses up to 36 combinations on offer.
Jamie: How did you balance the gameplay to ensure both casual and high-stakes players would enjoy it?
Andy: Creating a game like Immortal 5 is an intricate art form requiring thorough testing throughout embryonic prototyping. This initial phase is crucial as we meticulously refine our ideas and narrow down the features we plan to incorporate into the game. Each feature has a distinct purpose that enhances the overall player experience.
With Immortal 5 being a feature-rich title, we understand the importance of ensuring that each element functions harmoniously with the others. For instance, some features are strategically designed to generate in-game currency.
This currency is essential as it allows players to progress and access more exhilarating aspects of the game, making their journey even more engaging.
Additionally, we have included features intended to surprise players, introducing elements of unpredictability that keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. These surprise mechanics can lead to explosive wins that feel rewarding and impactful, offering moments of joy and exhilaration out of seemingly nowhere. Our goal is to craft a seamless and immersive experience where every feature enhances player engagement and contributes to the thrill of the game.
Jamie: From your honest perspective, what are the pros and cons of working with a streamer when developing a brand-new game?
Andy: Working with streamers is always exciting because they understand the fundamentals of what makes a great game. These individuals spend hours each day playing various games from multiple providers, bringing their extensive experience–both positive and negative–to the production process.
While there aren’t any significant downsides to collaborating with streamers, the most challenging aspect is ensuring that we, as Game Product Owners, deliver a game that aligns with their vision. We are tasked with building a game based on a third-party perspective, which can be tricky.
One of the major advantages of partnering with streamers is that they have a clear idea of how they want their game to play. They can quickly gauge whether we are on the right track and, if necessary, articulate any changes, such as adjustments to hit frequency and feature entry thresholds. They also possess a solid understanding of Return to Player (RTP) allocation and how we can manage that allocation to change the feel of the game.
Jamie: Out of all the characters in Immortal 5, which one do you think will become a fan favourite and why?
Andy: I’m hopeful that each hero in Immortal 5 will resonate with players uniquely, especially as fans are drawn to their favorite characters based on the epic wins they create.
Our Relax Game studio in Malmö, which was behind the project, dedicated tremendous effort to meticulously crafting the team of heroes. It was essential for us to create a connection between the characters and their abilities, allowing players to feel the impact of each superhero’s skills in action. This included the design of each character, the thoughtful allocation of their superpowers, and how they could be displayed through their design and the animation when they are involved in creating wins.
If I had to pick one, I would choose the only one that is super stacked; I will leave it to the players to find out which one that is by playing the slot game!
