Behind the Scenes: The Unveiling of 888's Buried Treasure

LONDON, January 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Treasure Fair is the latest online slots offering from gaming giants 888, however this is a slots game like no other. With all the variety and competition to contend with, the production team at 888 set out to create something unique that would stand out from the crowd. The result is nothing short of spectacular. Down to the finest detail, Treasure Fair has been masterfully crafted both visually and in terms of its features and narrative. Here is a little insight into the creative journey behind this impressive game.

Not unlike a Hollywood production, the Treasure Fair creation took some 13 months from inception to completion, with the early days consisting of brainstorming sessions made up of writers, marketers, product leaders and game design wizards. Out of 20 different concepts, the idea of a fairground was the clear winner as it had not yet appeared in 888's repertoire. However, they wanted to make sure their fairground would differ from anything offered by the competition. Although there were some fairground and circus themed games available, they all had somewhat of a colourful and jolly air about them, which is what prompted the folks at 888 to take a step over to the dark side.

The backdrop and atmosphere of this traditional slots game border on macabre and spooky, not unlike The Bride of Frankenstein or Beetlejuice. However, it is accomplished with moderation and good taste, sans any kind vulgarity or explicit gore. To make their dark world really pop the creators of Treasure Fair placed heavy emphasis on 3D animation and graphics. Attention was given to each and every detail, in the words of Treasure Fair's creative director, "the user feels and appreciates every one of these details - even though he may not realize that he is noticing them. But this is what makes the experience high-end and keeps the players spinning and coming back for more." The game's colour palette can be described as sepia toned or 'muddy' and, even though darkness dominates, there are subtle juxtapositions of light to be found. Every scene, item, typeface and character was carefully designed in accordance with the creative team's 'mood boards'. Even the music and sound effects contribute to the haunting atmosphere of the game.

Aside from the incredible attention to detail, another contributing factor to Treasure Fair's success is the unison between 888's creative and product teams. Treasure Fair contains all the technical bells and whistles of a traditional online slots game, including 5 reels, 25 pay lines and an impressive 5 bonus games, yet the outstanding design and 'packaging' take the game to a whole other level. The narrative also works hand in hand with the product to break new ground. The characters take on a life of their own. They are perfectly cast and in keeping with the mood, which is creepy and yet enticing at the same time. 3D animators and designers used state of the art software tools to help them bring the characters to life and define their movements.

The lead character is a the Ring Master, who serves as a guide and master of ceremonies, luring players in but also giving them the chills. His roguish sidekick is a Monkey who jumps and squeals, plus helps players along by flipping a coin in the 'double or nothing' game. Other mesmerizing characters appear as slot symbols and include the highest valued Fire Eater, who can yield prizes worth up to £1,500, along with the Clown, the Fortune Teller, the Strong Man and the Policeman, who can all bring top cash prizes. Lower value symbols appear in the form of beautifully designed letters, plus there is a Wild card which improves winning odds. As well as the addition of bonus rounds and double up games, Treasure Fair offers generous promotions plus a progressive jackpot that can reach a maximum win of £100,000!

At the end of the day, slots are about the buck, both for gaming providers and players alike. Thus the making of Treasure Fair was a commercial process as much as it was a creative one. The 888 team sought to create a game that would benefit their players, both in terms of experience and payouts thus creating a community of loyal customers. Figures suggest that their quest has been successful. In just half a year since its launch, Treasure Fair has become one of 888's top five slot games. Treasure Fair has proved itself to be a classic and remarkable game that ought to stand the test of time, which is a good thing considering all the hard work and toil that went into making it!