As the links between video games and online casino continue to be taken to new levels, the Game Play series discovers how the gambling industry’s key players embarked on their gaming journey.
This week we spoke to Martyn Hannah, Managing Director at Comparasino, to discuss battling with his brother for the PlayStation controller, how Call of Duty overtook his first year at university and why “video games are like books”.
SlotBeats: What was your first console? What is the first video game you ever played?
Martyn Hannah: My first console was a PlayStation and it was a Christmas present from my parents. I was meant to share it with my younger brother, but the competition for the controllers and the battle over which game we would play became so fierce that it wasn’t long before my parents purchased another PlayStation so that we could have one each.
The first game that I loaded up was Gran Turismo followed by Tomb Raider. I’ve always been into cars and motor racing so GT opened up a whole new world for me, but then I really liked the strategy element of games such as Tomb Raider and Spyro the Dragon so I would often bounce between those genres.
SlotBeats: What is your favourite game of all time and why?
MH: Easy. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This game definitely took up too much of my time – although saying that, I was in my first year of university when it came out, so I did have plenty of time to waste.
I couldn’t help but be drawn into the story and the gripping gameplay and committed many hours (mostly back-to-back) to completing it. I then spent even more hours playing online with my friends. Despite the hours invested into the game, I wasn’t particularly good at it. Which is a shame given the fame and fortune the esports stars of today enjoy.
SlotBeats: What mobile game have you spent the most time playing?
MH: I got quite heavily into Temple Run back in the day and was also a bit of a sucker for Farmville. But I soon realised both those games were a time vacuum and have since tried hard to limit the screen time I have each day, especially when it comes to gaming and social media – although this is proving easier said than done despite setting time limits on certain apps.
SlotBeats: Which mobile game are you currently playing?
MH: I’m not. I spend most of my day in the Comparasino office and if I’m not doing that, I’m at home with my family. Since having my first child in January last year, free time is not something that I have a great deal of so playing mobile games comes pretty low down on my to-do list. That said, I’m increasingly doom-scrolling on LinkedIn long after my working day has finished (why are people posting so late and on the weekend?), so perhaps it’s more about priorities than time management.
SlotBeats: Last video game completed?
MH: For me, video games are like books. I start them with the best intention of getting to the end but that rarely happens. Grand Theft Auto V, Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty WWII and Far Cry 5 are just some of the games that I’ve started at some point over the last couple of years but have yet to complete. I often promise not to buy another game until I’ve completed those I’ve started but then I get hit with an ad or see a cool case cover and I can’t help myself.
SlotBeats: Favourite video game character?
MH: I’d have to say Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. But that’s probably got more to do with Angelina Jolie playing her in the film franchise than anything else.
SlotBeats: Favourite all time slot?
MH: It’s not really a slot, but Aviator from SPRIBE is my favourite casino game for sure. I really love the simplicity of the game and the increasing curve format. It’s not even about winning for me, it’s the sense of having beaten the game when I cash out at just the right moment. Although the occasional big win is nice.
I think we will definitely see more of these non-traditional games come to dominate casino game lobbies in the months and years to come – they really do lay down the gauntlet for producers of traditional slots in terms of the deeply engaging, fast-paced action they provide.
