In July 2014, Evolution Gaming released its latest-generation online slot, Balloon Race. The game blends traditional slot elements with a live game-show-style bonus round. Players soar through the skies with Balloons, earning multipliers and advancing through phases. This is similar to Evolution’s popular Crazy Coin Flip and Crazy Pachinko, both of which feature live bonus rounds.
This new addition is different to other live slots as it includes expanding wilds that boost the chances of forming a qualifying combination. The colourful graphics combined with an exciting race element add suspense, making every spin an unforgettable adventure.
Qualification Phase
You need to collect 3 scatters to qualify for the live bonus round. Expanding Wilds substitutes any symbol except the scatter and enhances the chances of forming a qualifying combination.
Top-Up Phase
After qualifying, the Top-Up Phase begins. Balloons rise and then pop to enhance the multipliers. The more balloons released and popped, the greater the potential rewards, with random multipliers further boosting the final payouts.
Live Balloon Race Bonus Round
The final phase, the live Balloon Race Bonus Round, features a live game host releasing coloured balls. Each colour corresponds to a different balloon, and as the balls are drawn, the respective balloons ascend towards the finish line. The race continues until one balloon reaches the top, determining the multiplier for all qualified participants.
Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution, commented: “When our team created Balloon Race, the aim was very much to appeal to traditional slot players. At the same time, drawing on our Group brands’ expertise across live casino, live game shows and online slots, we also wanted to make it very different—both visually and in terms of the player experience.”
Haushalter added: “Balloon Race achieves everything we set out to do and more. But what stands out for me is how colourful, simple and fun-to-play Balloon Race is. It’s an uplifting game in so many ways—not least because it offers players engaging entertainment with the potential to win accumulated multipliers!”