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Armadillo Studios
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Introduction
Armadillo Studios is part of EveryMatrix. The Miami-based slots studio was launched in 2021 to deliver games specifically for the U.S. market. The small team is made up of game enthusiasts and industry veterans who focus on designing slot experiences based on American player preferences.
They shoot to bring the mechanics and features of classic land-based slot favorites to online casinos, but they also aren’t afraid to work in unique twists and innovative features to keep their products engaging and competitive. The games seamlessly optimize from a mobile-first deployment to a big screen or any type of device.
Armadillo’s Chief Operations Officer is Dave Stoveld. He started out in land-based casino maths for Scientific Games in Las Vegas before moving to Stockholm to take responsibility for product ownership at NetEnt for about two years. He then became an executive producer at Yggdrasil, then head of research and development at Kalamba Games before helping EveryMatrix launch Armadillo Studios
Stoveld has watched the industry evolve and has grown with it, introducing new models and game concepts along the way that are important draws to capture new players. Of course, like with any other developer in the crowded space today, not every game is going to be a hit, but every attempt should give players all the developers have got in their magic tool pouches. Armadillo Studios’ games seem to hit the mark more often than many others. One innovation the company uses is seen in deploying new technologies like AI. Games can be developed, prototyped, tested, and deployed much quicker to specifically targeted audiences.
Some of the successful mechanics the company has used include those found in games with “Exotic Wilds” in their titles. These games seem to be some of the developer's greatest hits because they tend to balance quality gameplay with competitive features. However, there can be a downside to “dynamic” elements in games if players don’t want to give up a little RTP for a more engaging experience.
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Following are a few screenshots of randomly chosen Armadillo Studios games. I also indicate the posted returns. You can see each game has two or three.
One possible explanation could be the market where the games are to be released. The Exotic Wilds title is approved in the US for New Jersey. The minimum slot RTP there is 83% so that doesn’t quite line up but when we see the other jurisdictions the game is approved for it starts to look at least possible that when an operator deploys an Armadillo game from SlotMatrix, they can order the title with one of two or three theoretical RTPs. That might be great for players in the UK where the RTP must be stated, but not so good for players at a Malta-licensed casino with no duty to display RTP and where mandatory minimum returns were lowered from 92% to 85% in 2021. MGA-licensed operators could offer any of the three configurations and most players would never know the one they are playing.
We’ll take a closer look at a few of these games:
1849 Gold Bonanza
RTP -- 94.07% / 95.99%
Armadillo’s 1849 Gold Bonanza slot takes players back to the Wild West with a slot that brings medium to medium-high volatility and a fair balance of frequent good-value wins. The game is built on a 5x3 reel layout with 20 fixed paylines and offers betting options from $0.20 up to $100 per spin. When you open the game the bet is set to a default of $1.00. The slot’s RTP settings range between 94.07% and 95.99%, depending on where you play.. The game ID is offered to operators as 1849GoldBonanza or 1849GoldBonanza96, so that tracks. When a number is not mentioned in the title it appears to be the default RTP.
There are plenty of features in 1849 Gold Bonanza including Free Spins, Multipliers, Wilds, Scatters, and a Buy Feature for those who want to jump straight into the action. The Wild Transformation feature can transform lower-value symbols into wilds which could be the trigger for a bigger payout. Look for Golden Nugget Cash Prizes. They can add to the fun by rewarding extra cash when you collect them. The Free Spins are always a nice bonus and players who want high-speed gameplay can use Turbo Mode to spin even faster.
With a max multiplier of x31,158 and potential max exposure to the operator’s coffers of up to $3,115,800, 1849 Gold Bonanza keeps the game a high-stakes affair even if the volatility is not completely brutal to a low-roller with a smaller bankroll. The hit frequency ranges from 20.58% to 20.66% depending on the RTP setting so you can expect to collect something off every fifth spin on average.
The game has the potential for high payouts while probably not eating you alive every session if you use smaller bets. The hit frequency gives the game a good pace, and the theme is fun during free spins. You’ll make the first upgrade on most attempts but the second and third come far fewer and further between.
Alice's Mad Fortune
RTP -- 94%/96.01%
Alice’s Mad Fortune spins up a twist on the classic Alice in Wonderland theme, mixing in familiar characters and fantasy visuals with what could be high-stakes gameplay. The game is set on a 3x5 reel layout with 10 paylines running left to right. The volatility is very high and the RTP can come in at 94% or 96.01% with the higher number being the default. The game is geared toward players who enjoy the possibility of hitting the rare and occasional big win with a betting range of between $0.20 and $100.
The slot has a lot of features from Free Spins and Multipliers to Respins, along with a Buy Feature to launch the bonus right away for a fee. The Collectables mechanic, where players gather Gold and Silver characters throughout the game adds an extra layer of engagement but fell short for me. The Adventure Re-Spins Bonus offers additional spins, and the Bonus Characters feature can unlock special rewards tied to different Wonderland personalities.
With a top multiplier of 50,100x and a maximum win potential of up to $5,010,000, Alice’s Mad Fortune has high payout appeal, but it doesn’t seem to provide enough “oomph” in regular gameplay to wait it out. Your mileage may vary, but I wasn’t entertained waiting for a decent payout. The hit frequency hovers around 20%, with most spins that paid out actually being losses disguised as wins where you rarely get your stake back. However, with RTP in the mid-90s, you should have a reasonable chance at landing a win now and then.
Fairy Fantasy Exotic Wilds
RTP – 88%/94%/96%
(FairyFantasy88 / FairyFantasy / FairyFantasy96)
Fairy Fantasy Exotic Wilds slot uses a 5x3 reel format and offers 243 ways to win. The game has high volatility, meaning it’s geared toward players looking for occasional, larger payouts. The RTP is variable and the number might be available where you play. eCOGRA-certified operators often have RTP sheets linked, just one click from the certification document. It can’t be higher than 96% theoretically or lower than 88%, no matter how you bet but your actual RTP will vary significantly due to its volatile nature.
Each spin fills the reels with symbols like waterfalls, leaves, and fire, bringing various fantasy fairies into play. At least one Exotic Reel is guaranteed on every spin. Unicorns and other enchanted creatures are the highest-paying symbols, with up to 10x potential per winning combination.
With a minimum bet of $0.20 and a max of $80, the game would be fine for players with any sized bankroll, but lower bets relative to your bankroll will likely get you more playtime while waiting for those big hits. Look for Free Spins, Multipliers, Wilds, and a Buy Feature that lets you cut to the front of the line for a fee and buy into bonus rounds for instant access.
Fairy Fantasy keeps it pretty basic, with some extras to keep the gameplay engaging without feeling overdone. If you like the feel and the theme it’s a good game to play for the occasional ceiling-shaking wins with a max multiplier of 5000x and a max payout of $400,000 at max bet without the bonus buy activated - the math gets a little complicated with 24 unit increase (104 units) and a multiplier of 3846x with Feature Bet ($399,984) but it’s essentially the same.
Conclusion
Armadillo Studios was purpose-built for the American market but has expanded its mission to offer the games across the board in regulated jurisdictions. However, unlike its sister developer, Spearhead Studios, the games aren’t simply localized but crafted initially for a US audience. The distinction isn’t immediately obvious to an outside observer, but since the games are built for specific markets the back-end data could show the approach is successful from a market perspective.
External Links
Armadillo Studios -- Corporate web site.