The development and testing process of any online casino game is a complex and rigorous process that requires meticulous planning, precise execution, and thorough quality assurance. In this article, we will take you behind the scenes to explore the development and testing process of Divine Fortune Black, a here popular slot machine game developed by NetEnt.
Conceptualization and Design
The journey begins with conceptualization and design, where the game developers identify the theme, mechanics, and features that will make the game engaging and appealing to players. For Divine Fortune Black, the team at NetEnt was inspired by Norse mythology, drawing from stories of Odin’s ravens and the Norns who shape fate.
"We wanted to create a game that captured the essence of Norse mythology, with its rich history and symbolism," said Jonas Nylander, Product Manager at NetEnt. "We aimed to design an immersive experience that would transport players to a mystical world of magic and wonder."
During this phase, the team defines the game’s core mechanics, including paylines, reels, and bonus features. They also decide on the game’s volatility level, which determines how frequently and how large payouts will occur.
Key Features
Some of the key features that were integrated into Divine Fortune Black include:
- 5 reels with 20 fixed paylines
- A progressive jackpot system, where a portion of each bet contributes to the growing jackpot pool
- Three main bonus features: Bonus Wheel, Wild on Fire, and Free Spins
- High volatility level, making it suitable for experienced players seeking high-payout opportunities
Development
Once the design phase is complete, the development team begins crafting the game using various programming languages and software tools. For NetEnt’s games, including Divine Fortune Black, they use a proprietary platform called NetEnt Engine.
"We have developed our own engine over the years, which allows us to create high-quality games with seamless gameplay," explained Patrik Österman, CTO at NetEnt. "Our engine is built on top of modern technologies such as HTML5 and JavaScript, ensuring that our games are compatible across various devices."
During this phase, the team writes code for each feature, ensures stability and performance, and conducts extensive testing to ensure the game meets quality standards.
Testing
The testing process is an essential part of developing any online casino game. It involves evaluating the game’s mechanics, features, and overall user experience to identify bugs, glitches, or other issues that may detract from gameplay.
NetEnt’s quality assurance team employs a combination of manual and automated testing methods to thoroughly examine every aspect of the game. This includes:
- Regression testing: ensuring that changes made during development don’t break existing functionality
- Load testing: simulating high traffic conditions to test performance under heavy loads
- Fuzz testing: introducing random inputs or unexpected behavior to identify edge cases
- User experience (UX) testing: evaluating how players interact with the game, identifying usability issues and areas for improvement
"We take pride in our rigorous testing process," said Österman. "We strive to create a perfect gaming experience that leaves nothing to chance."
Launch Preparation
After thorough testing and quality assurance, the game is ready for launch. The NetEnt team prepares marketing materials, ensures compatibility with various operating systems and devices, and configures servers for optimal performance.
"Launch preparation is an exciting phase," said Nylander. "We get to see our hard work come together as a polished product that will entertain millions of players worldwide."
Post-Launch Evaluation
Even after launching the game, the NetEnt team continues to monitor its performance and gather player feedback through various channels, including social media, customer support, and analytics tools.
"We track key metrics such as player engagement, retention rates, and revenue generated by each game," said Österman. "This data helps us refine our development process, identify areas for improvement, and develop new features that meet evolving player demands."
