Starburst continues to dominate the charts, but it faces stiff competition from Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play, rather than Book of Dead by Play’n GO. As we approach Easter, candy-themed games like Sweet Bonanza are starting to gain popularity and are poised to claim the top spot in April.
Analysts are typically cautious when making predictions about game success due to the numerous variables involved. However, by delving into the data, it becomes easier to make accurate forecasts. While distribution reach and game mechanics are crucial factors, themes also play a significant role in determining chart success, particularly when seasonal overlays are applied.
When it comes to Sweet Bonanza and Starburst, which are nearly evenly matched, the deciding factor may be the seasonal swing towards the sweet tooth. Immortal Romance by Microgaming, a popular oldie, consistently ranks in the top 20 games due to its unique blend of romance and horror, which resonates with players during Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
While we don’t have a specific chart for Valentine’s Day, we acknowledge the romantic-themed games that captivate players year after year, such as Lucky Valentine by Red Tiger, Heartburst by Eyecon, and Lucky Lady’s Charm by Novomatic. Love Joker by Play’n GO also performed well, although it’s surprising that these seasonal masters didn’t release any new games this year, potentially saving their surprises for Easter.
Other romantic variations that proved successful during Christmas include editions from Spinomenal, like Book Of Aphrodite. Betsoft Gaming’s Heart’s Desire offered a passionate backdrop with classic symbols. Yggdrasil released the Power Of Love this year, featuring a strong brand and exciting features designed to “fill up our love meters.” If you prefer a more conservative Victorian adaptation, KA Gaming’s Romance In England features a bowler-hatted gentleman courting an HRH lookalike over a cup of tea atop a big red bus.
In terms of deals, Lady Luck Games continues to expand its reach, adding Hub88 this month and maintaining its position as the busiest studio over the past six months. Slotegrator takes the top spot among aggregators, striking three new deals in February alone with Aviatrix, Gaming Corps, and Panga Games.
As Easter approaches, some studios are finalizing their launch plans while others are repackaging existing titles with Easter themes. The database already includes many upcoming releases, ensuring a wealth of exciting games to come. Interestingly, there is only one dentist-themed game on the market, which was launched back in 2014. It may be time to launch a new one in May to coincide with the tooth fairy’s next visit.
*Please note that these are live charts that update monthly. Make sure to select February 2023 from the drop-down menu to match the analysis.
**The interactive games chart excludes live games and table games. Game rankings are based on the number of appearances on the casino homepages of over 2,200 casino sites. For more detailed charts, including game rankings, live and table games, positions on subpages, and filtering options, please contact our partner, Egamingmonitor.com. Egamingmonitor covers 45,000 games, 1,400 suppliers, and 2,200+ operators.
***Data on deals was collected from April 2020 onwards, and the rolling chart reflects the current performance, indicating the number of deals signed in the last six months. Please note that only deals reported on company websites, in the gaming press, or directly to us by studios and aggregators are included. For a comprehensive list of deals between studios and aggregators (as well as aggregators and operators) from all time, you can visit Egamingmonitor.com.
