NEXT.io recently sat down with George OIekszy, Head of Game Retention at Play’n GO, to discuss the upcoming release of new game title GEMIX 100.
NEXT: GEMIX 100 is set to be released at the end of this month. What was the main inspiration behind the game?
Olekszy: The first question we ask when it comes to developing game sequels is whether or not there’s demand for it. The original Gemix was a huge hit with our players, so in this instance it made sense to continue the story. Whenever we have a game with strong characters and game mechanics and features, we start thinking about ways to improve it, and with Gemix 100 we felt this was possible.
NEXT: Are games on a larger 7x7 grid becoming more popular compared to, say, the traditional 4x4 or 5x5? Why do you think this is?
Olekszy: There are players who prefer each type of grid layout. The defining feature of a 7x7 grid, in comparison to 4x4 or 5x5, is the sheer number of configurations that are possible. It leads to fast and furious gameplay, with more ways to win. This appeals to players who enjoy exciting gameplay. It would be no surprise to see this trend continue into the future.
NEXT: What special bonuses or features are included in GEMIX 100?
Olekszy: Gemix 100 is a continuation of the original, with all the features our players know and love. What we’ve included is a 100x max multiplier. When this is combined with the original features from classic Gemix, it gives players an entirely new experience with capacity for enormous wins.
NEXT: Are there any new characters or visual elements we should look out for?
Olekszy: One of my favourite things about this game is that we’ve taken a classic title of the genre in the shape of original Gemix and reimagined and refashioned it for a 2024 audience. It looks and feels like the original without feeling old or clunky, and has been produced in a modern style by our designers and developers. We think players will love what they see then the game is released.
NEXT: The first GEMIX title was released in 2014, followed by GEMIX 2 in 2021. That means GEMIX 100 has been a long time coming! What learnings from the first two GEMIX games have influenced the design of this one?
Olekszy: The trickiest part of any sequel is ensuring we stay true to the original game that was popular enough to justify the creation of a sequel, while also wanting to introduce new features and mechanics that we think players will love. With Gemix 100, we learned to protect the core elements of the game, with small tweaks, such as the new max 100x multiplier, that we think add a new layer of excitement to an already beloved series.
NEXT: Why is the game called GEMIX 100, and not GEMIX 3?
Olekszy: Gemix 100 is part of our 100 series, the defining feature of which is our incorporation of the number 100 into the game mechanics. In Gemix 100, this is in the max 100x multiplier. We make sure that the 100 moniker is relevant in any game we apply it to, and we think players recognise and appreciate this fact.
You can read the original Q&A by NEXT.io here.