Crash Games: The Comet Among New Games
For those of you who have not yet discovered them, crash games are the new kid on the block in the gambling industry and are attracting lots of players and, therefore, revenues for gambling companies all over the world. They are very successful because they are simple and exciting at the same time.
What is a Crash Game?
In its simplest form, the game is based on a counter that will count upwards with exponentially increasing speed until it randomly crashes, i.e. it stops counting. The task of the player is to cash out of the game before the counter crashes. If the player manages to cash out in time the value of the counter will be the multiplier of the stake, so the higher the counter goes, the higher the multiplier becomes, and the higher the win will be. If the game crashes it means the player has lost their bet.
Pic 1. A sample crash game with dual bet, chat, and leaderboards
Crash Game History
It might feel like crash games are new to the market, but crash games started to take off back in the early days of crypto gambling. So, they have been around for a while longer than most people think. Since then, crash games have crossed the border to traditional gambling sites and have taken the gambling world by storm. Crash games would have done well in any case, but the pandemic has certainly also helped. Crash games were well-positioned “live” or interactive games when other live games were scarce.
The Advantages of Crash Games
Crash games have many features and benefits. First and foremost, crash games are simple to understand and easy to play. They are graphically appealing since they visualise the winnings that are increasing with exponential speed. Since there is no need for complicated game rules or pay-tables the games are very intuitive even if they come in many forms and shapes. This makes them accessible to the full range of players, newcomers, and pros alike.
The games are exciting since you see your winnings gradually increase and must make split-second decisions on when to cash out. The adrenaline rush that comes with watching the multiplier climb higher and higher before cashing out at just the right moment is unmatched by any other casino game. At the same time as there is a possibility to play safe on small multiples risking less there is also a possibility to bet big and take the opportunity to win significant amounts of money on high multipliers in a short time. This is why crash games attract both beginners and hardcore gamblers to the game at the same time.
Many crash games have a dual betting option adding the possibility not only to bet twice but also to have the possibility to cash out on different levels, thus in a way hedging the bet playing the game a bit safer while still having the chance to win big.
Another distinct feature of crash games is that they are multiplayer games where you can feel the presence of all other players in each round by seeing the list of players stacking up as bets are accepted. You can see their stake and how well they perform, and it is also fun to see your position in the list of other players.
Most crash games also have a chat function which makes the multiplayer aspect of the game even bigger where players can interact with each other and share winnings or losses. Chat is admittedly a dual-edged sword and can be offensive so of course it needs monitoring. Split The Pot has implemented a clever voting system so trash-talking can be restricted amongst players themselves reducing the need for staff monitoring of the chat in various languages. The sense of community is further enhanced by leaderboards and shared rain etc. in the chat.
As with most games nowadays one can of course auto bet and automatically cash out on different levels. Intricate games like for instance Comet Crash also can set up various strategies in the advanced mode where you, for instance, can increase or decrease the stake depending on the result of the previous bet. One such possibility is to use the popular “Martingale” strategy where the stake is doubled following any lost bet and thus when the winning bet eventually comes, win all the money lost on previous bets back plus more.
Furthermore, many online casinos have recognised the appeal of crash online casino games and have started offering generous bonuses and promotions to attract players. This has led to increased competition among casinos, which has ultimately benefited players by providing them with more options and better deals.
Versions and Localisation
As time has gone by the original counter has developed into many versions of skins not only with different aeroplanes crashing but also taxis or motorbikes crashing, or sports themes like Rugby, Cricket, and more. The game in this sense has a freedom of imagination a bit bigger than just making new versions of slots.
While some crash games look the same among platforms and markets another trend seen not only in crash games but also in other games is strong localisation. That can for instance manifest itself by local language naming or localised appearance. For instance, the graphics of the game can be adapted and localised with the local look of taxis and backgrounds mimicking the sports stadiums or skyline of local cities, or randomly adapting the tone of the skin of the rugby player, all making the games feel a bit more familiar and appealing.
Another possibility in the same space is localising by promoting cooperation with local stars, for instance, local cooperation with sports teams like in the crash game Rugby Run where the colouring of shirts and stadium are localised. The third possibility is to use cooperation with local sports stars who are then featured in the game as is also done in versions of the game of Rugby Run.
Add to this various promotional tools like rain, where participants in the chat can receive an extra “rain” of money if participating, or other promotional features like various leaderboards with the highest winners or highest multipliers that are also promoted in the chat the total offer of the game becomes quite appealing.
Operator Concerns
One factor limiting success in rural areas or on older phone models is capacity. It can be either that the capacity of the mobile or fixed internet is limited, the phone is somewhat old, or it might be that price plans give a high cost for playing. In these instances, normal casino games and many crash games are simply too heavy and cannot be played. It is therefore a challenge to make games that are appealing and at the same time lightweight.
Another interesting trend is that the crash group of games is becoming so popular that operators are moving away from sorting these games based on brand and instead sorting them by type of games where crash games get their own lobby. If this isn’t the final proof of a successful new game, then I wonder what is?
About the Author
Per-Ivan Selinder
Per-Ivan Selinder is an industry veteran who has held various CEO and board positions in the online gambling industry for the past 22 years. He is the founder of Betway and was part of pioneering gambling on smartphones when they completely changed the gaming market with the first iPhone. Today, among other things, he is the chairman of Split the Pot, a Swedish gambling studio delivering crash games and other successful games to Africa and all over the world.
