Dr Sebastian Reddig, Chief Product Officer at GAMOMAT, explores why the upcoming release of Roman Legion Deluxe on 21 November is catching attention.
Roman Legion Deluxe is part of your successful Deluxe series. What was the thought process behind creating the Deluxe line, and how do you decide which classic games to upgrade?
The motivation behind the Deluxe series arose from the desire to modernise the visuals of some of our original games. Last year we celebrated our 15th anniversary and wanted to mark the special occasion by revisiting our classics to elevate them to a more contemporary standard. We wanted to go further than just updating the visuals by modernising the games across the board.
Players have always appreciated the maths behind our games, but there was occasional feedback from our community that some visuals could benefit from a slight refresh. So, we listened to our players and used their feedback, along with sales data and game reviews, to identify which titles would benefit the most from an upgrade. We’re fortunate to have an extensive portfolio of strong performing games to back up the belief that we make the right decisions.
Roman Legion has been a fan favourite for over a decade. What is it about this game that continues to resonate with players, and what makes the Deluxe Version an even more engaging experience today?
The mechanics of Roman Legion are key to its popularity. The sound, the theme, and the legionnaires on the battlefield all contribute to a unique atmosphere. It’s thrilling to watch the legionnaires become sticky as you progress through the free games. This element creates a spectacular experience that players really enjoy.
Personally, I think it’s a brilliant game. Streamers have really taken to the game thanks to its high volatility and the excitement that it builds during the free game rounds. Roman Legion Deluxe doesn’t change the core experience but enhances it visually, ensuring the same excitement with polished graphics and a refined soundtrack.
Updating classic games like Roman Legion comes with its own challenges. How did you approach the task of modernising the visuals and sound without altering the core gameplay, and how do you ensure you strike the right balance for long-time fans?
The challenge is to retain the original charm of the game while bringing it up to modern standards. We don’t want the player to feel like they’re playing a copy of another developer’s game. It must retain the unique GAMOMAT aesthetic while looking fresh and polished.
Over the years, we’ve brought in some razor sharp minds to our team that have honed our craft, allowing us to push the boundaries with animations, sound, and graphics. But at the heart of it all, the maths remains timeless. It’s this balance between technical advancements and the preservation of what made the game great that really defines the process.
Roman Legion’s mechanics, particularly the high volatility and Sticky Wilds feature, play a key role in its enduring appeal. Can you explain how the game’s maths and mechanics work in harmony with the visuals to create such an immersive experience?
Players are immersed in the game thanks to the battlefield, riders, the legionnaires, and the iconic Roman visuals. The Roman Empire has a rich history that has long garnered players’ attention, and that’s a big part of its appeal. The sticky wilds feature makes it feel as if you are surrounded by fierce legionnaires, creating tension and intensity.
Added suspense comes from the fact that the game is a high volatility one, with some rounds providing truly spectacular wins depending on how the legionnaires appear. The potential for high rewards during certain spins keeps players fully engaged and adds to the overall thrill.
Roman Legion Deluxe is set to release on 21 November 2024. What can players expect from this version, and are there other games lined up for the Deluxe treatment?
Players can look forward to a more responsive, cleaner game experience with our new console, which we introduced last year. The games are now more adaptable for operators and perform better overall, without impacting the core gameplay. Technically, it’s a smoother integration, but the game is unchanged. Just as we did for Ramses Book Deluxe and Crystal Ball Deluxe, we’ll be creating a limited series of 3D figurines of the main characters which will be presented exclusively to VIPs. These have become sought-after collectors’ items.
We’re especially proud of the Roman Legion figure — it’s truly a standout. As for future releases, we do have more Deluxe titles in the works, but I’ll keep those under wraps for now. Let’s just say Roman Legion Deluxe won’t be the last in this series.
