NextGen Gaming Provider Review
NextGen Gaming is a veteran provider of online casino games. Founded in Australia in 1999, when online gaming was in its infancy, the company’s initial business was developing slots for traditional casinos, then adapting some of those games for online casinos. Today, the company has over 120 titles to their name.
Although NextGen Gaming has been around for nearly three decades, not many casino players are familiar with the name. This is because they operate a B2B model, meaning they develop and supply games to other providers and distributors, rather than directly to casino operators. The company has gone through a series of mergers and acquisitions, and is today a member of the Light and Wonder group.
In this review article, we will dive into details about the company, going over their history, features, and our experience playing some of their games.
Specifications
| Name | NextGen Gaming |
| Year founded | 1999 |
| Headquarter | Australia, United States (Light and Wonder) |
| Type of game | Slots |
| Number of games | 120+ |
| Popular titles | Medusa, 300 Shields, Gorilla Go Wild, Judge Dredd, Foxin’ Wins, and Dolphin Reefs |
| License | Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) |
About NextGen Gaming
NextGen Gaming was founded in 1999 by Tony Auslan, a former managing director at International Gaming Technology (IGT). Starting operations in Sydney, Australia, NextGen’s initial business was providing traditional casinos and other venues like pubs with slot machines. The company faced competition from big names like Aristocrat and Bally, eventually licensing their games to these other providers.
By the 2000s, NextGen began shifting their focus towards online gaming, as it was becoming more popular. They started out adapting some of their traditional casino games for the online market and found some initial success. They also continued their model of licensing their games to other providers, which meant players would interact with their games without realizing it.
In 2011, NextGen Gaming was acquired by Sweden’s NYX Interactive, but this did not slow down their operations. They continued to make games and found major success in 2014 with 300 Shields, a Spartan-themed slot. NYX Interactive was later acquired by former Scientific Games, now Light and Wonder, for $630 million. This move introduced NextGen’s games to more markets, and they continue to function as a development studio under the Light & Gaming group.
License and Regulation
NextGen Gaming has held licenses from regulatory bodies, including the Malta Gaming Authority, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. Today, as a part of Light & Wonder, the company operates under a broader licensing framework that covers multiple jurisdictions, enabling them to access an even wider range of regulated markets.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Innovative gameplay features | Outdated game design on many games |
| Progressive jackpot slots | Limited game variety |
| Mobile-compatible games | Brand visibility ossies |
NextGen Gaming Software Features
Customizable Game Mechanics
Operators can adjust key parameters, including betting limits, return-to-player (RTP) percentages, and even the number of paylines on a game. This allows them to tailor their games around player abilities, offering a somewhat personal experience.
Cross-platform Compatibility
NextGen Gaming casino games are supported across various platforms, including PC and mobile devices. This makes their games available to more players, as their preferred gaming device is not a barrier.
HTML5 Technology
NextGen casino games are developed using HTML5, a lightweight yet powerful technology stack. This means their games easily run on most browsers and do not have to be downloaded. It also makes their games responsive enough to be played on many devices.
Innovative Game Features
NextGen slots often feature in-game bonuses and mechanics, like SuperBet, Up Wild, and Select-a-Play, that not only make gameplay more exciting but also increase a player’s chances of winning.
NextGen Gaming Portfolio
NextGen’s portfolio consists entirely of slots, an unsurprising fact, given how popular and widespread slot games are. Most NextGen slots are in the classic 3×3 format, which seems outdated now, but will be appreciated by those who prefer this over the now-standard 5×3 format.
Some of their slots featured licensed branded content, including names of popular movies and characters, including King Kong Fury, The Mask, Batman, and Superman. Their catalogue has something for everyone as they offer a wide variety of themes, from adventure and nature to history and even mystery.
Features of NextGen Slots
Unique Game Mechanics
NextGen slots have unique mechanics developed in-house. Some of them include
- Select-a-Play: This allows players to tweak game volatility and choose from different bonus modes, which balance free spins and multipliers.
- Slide-a-Wild: This allows players to influence the position and behaviour of wild symbols.
- SuperBet: This allows players to place extra bets to unlock perks, including higher multipliers, additional wild symbols, or extra free spins.
- Up Wild: This allows wild symbols to move up the reels, leaving behind extra wilds.
Interactive Bonus Rounds
Some NextGen slots also feature interactive bonus rounds or mini-games where players can win big by solving puzzles or unlocking hidden objects.
Progressive Jackpot
NextGen also offers progressive jackpots on some of their slots. These progressive jackpots are usually based on bets wagered in a casino, rather than a wide network of casinos. The wins are smaller but occur frequently. Some games eligible for this jackpot include Jackpot Jester Wild Nudge, Amazon Idols Million Maker, and Doctor Love on Vacation.
High RTPs
NextGen slots have competitive RTP, with most games offering RTPs of 95% and higher.
NextGen Popular Titles
Foxin’ Wins
Foxin’ Wins is one of NextGen’s flagship slots. It features a charismatic fox who guides players through the game’s luxurious world of lavish mansions and gold coins. Its standout feature is the SuperBet, which allows players to increase their wager for bigger bonus opportunities. The Select-a-Play option gives players control over the number of paylines and volatility, tailoring the experience to their preferences.
Medusa Megaways
Medusa Megaways reinvents the classic Greek mythology theme with the powerful Megaways engine, offering up to 117,649 ways to win on cascading reels. The game’s visuals are richly detailed, depicting the mythical Medusa and ancient Greek symbols with a dark, atmospheric tone. During free spins, the Medusa wild symbol locks in place, increasing the chances of consecutive wins as reels cascade. Multipliers grow with each cascade, creating the potential for massive payouts.
300 Shields Extreme
This is a high-volatility slot inspired by the fierce Spartan warriors of ancient history. The game’s bold, cinematic graphics and intense soundtrack create an immersive battlefield atmosphere. The main attraction is the free spins feature, where players can earn multipliers of up to 300x, dramatically increasing win potential. The slot also includes stacked wilds and scatter symbols that trigger bonus rounds, offering more excitement.
Starmania
Starmania features a space backdrop, with bright, colourful symbols representing stars, planets, and cosmic phenomena. The slot boasts an RTP of approximately 97.86%, which is relatively high, and features balanced volatility that appeals to a broad range of players. Key features include stacked wilds that can cover entire reels and free spins that offer additional winning chances. The game’s smooth animations and catchy soundtrack enhance the space-themed experience, making it both visually appealing and rewarding.
Gorilla Go Wild
This slot transports players to a lush jungle environment filled with wild animals and ancient Mayan iconography. It features detailed graphics, with vibrant colours and animated wildlife that bring the jungle to life. It offers an RTP of around 92.06% and features a high maximum win potential, appealing to players who enjoy riskier gameplay. The game includes wild symbols that substitute for others to create winning combinations and bonus rounds that increase excitement and payout opportunities.
Bonuses and Promotions
As a provider, NextGen Gaming does not directly provide promotions to players. They do have in-game bonuses and other features that create more opportunities for players to win, as well as progressive jackpots that randomly reward players with a big win. Casino operators often feature NextGen games as part of promotional offers, including welcome bonuses, free spins offers, and other deals.
User Experience
How well do NextGen Gaming slots hold up to this day? We tested some NextGen games and can say we had a good time playing them.
Graphics, Sound, and Animation
Earlier in this review, we noted that most NextGen games have an outdated design, but this does not mean they are bad in any way. They have more 2D slots. Each game is designed so well to fit the theme, with matching symbols, motifs, and other visual elements. But you can tell they keep up with the times, as the sequels of some of their titles have improved designs.
One striking thing is how most of their slots have different spin symbols, often fitting the theme. The 3×3 format makes the games look a bit compressed, but this makes the games appear to spin faster. The games feature rich animations that tie in with the theme and are used intentionally, such as when you land a winning symbol or during bonus rounds.
The experience is further enriched by background sound that draws you in further.
Gameplay
The games follow the usual style of slots, where you click a button to spin and hopefully land a win. Even first-time slot players should have no difficulty playing any of their games. Most of NextGen’s slots have low to medium volatility, meaning you can expect frequent but smaller wins.
Performance
All the games we tried ran quite smoothly, with no hassle. This may be because the games are lightweight, owing to their simple design and animation. We experienced fast loading times, with quick spins. We also tried some games on mobile, and the experience was just as smooth with no observable lag or glitches.
Fairness and Transparency
You should only play casino games from providers that are trusted and legit. Here are some ways NextGen Gaming proves that:
License
As a member of the Light and Wonder group, one of the biggest iGaming companies, NextGen has access to different markets with the right licenses. Being able to operate with any of these licenses would require NextGen to uphold a standard and fulfill certain obligations, all as a means to promote the safety of players.
Certified RNG
To ensure fairness of their games, NextGen’s random number generator (RNG) software has been tested, audited, and certified by independent third-party labs. So players can expect the results of their games to be unpredictable.
Game Transparency
NextGen games include all necessary information players should be aware of, including RTP, paylines, volatility, and even the mechanics available in the games.
Player Reviews
This is what some players have said about NextGen games:
“The visuals in Medusa Megaways are solid, but I swear the bonus round takes too long to hit. I had fun when it did show up, and I got a 25x win! So not bad, but I wouldn’t call it generous. Might return when I’m bored, not obsessed.” – Alice P.
“300 Shields Extreme is pure stress. Seriously. It’s either ‘nothing at all’ or ‘oh wow, where’d that win come from?’ I get why some people love the volatility, but I’m too old for that kind of rush now.” – Maurice L.
“Doctor Love on Vacation is one of those games you try out thinking it’ll be silly, and then end up chasing scatter symbols like your rent depends on it. I had fun. Didn’t profit, but fun counts.” – Geoffrey N.
“NextGen games? They feel smooth. I like that. Not all flashy, just steady. Played one with pyramids and a gold wild, don’t remember the name, but the music was too dramatic for the wins it gave.” – Pryce J.
“Some of their mobile games load really fast. I don’t even remember the name of the one I played, but the spins felt smooth. RTP didn’t feel great, though. It’s like either feast or famine.” – Hilary C.
Support
NextGen provides support for operators and other clients through Light & Wonder’s global customer services. They have a secure portal for submitting tickets and providing technical assistance for other issues. NextGen Gaming does not provide direct support to players and individuals.
Final Thoughts
NextGen Gaming is one of the companies that made the transition from traditional games to online casino games. Their journey has spanned almost 3 decades with evidence of hard work and resilience that has preserved them to this day. Even though they are part of a larger gaming group today, their identity is still preserved due to how they set themselves apart early.
Their slots are engaging, innovative, and could often be rewarding. If what you want is to spend a good time playing a casino game with a somewhat vintage feel, then their older games are perfect for you. In any case, you can’t go wrong trying any of their games.
FAQ
Can I Play NextGen Games on Mobile?
Yes. All NextGen games are built with HTML5 technology and work across Android, iOS, tablets, and PC, without needing any plug-in.
Where can I find RTP Information for a Game?
RTP information is available in the help section under the game’s settings.
What Kind of Games Does NextGen Have?
NextGen’s portfolio includes slots alone. They do not have tables or live casino games.
Can I Play NextGen Games for Free?
Yes, you can try out demo versions of NextGen games, which are available on some casinos or aggregator platforms.
Are NextGen Games Fair?
NextGen games use RNG software that has been audited and certified by leading testing labs in the iGaming industry. This means their games have proven to be fair with unpredictable results, ensuring everyone gets the same chance.
