Rival software review (unnecessarily long)

[sal monella]

I decided to try out one of the casinos running Rival software. The casinos are Cocoa, Da Vinci's Gold, Paradise8, and This Is Vegas.

*** SLOT GAMES ***

The big claim to fame here is the "I-slot" interactive slots, supposedly the most revolutionary, cutting-edge slot games ever. When I played a few days ago there were two options: "As the Reels Turn" and "Reel Crime: Bank Heist." A third I-slot game, "Reel Crime: Art Heist" has just been added.

Possibly I overlooked or failed to understand some elements, but I was baffled. "As the Reels Turn" is a soap opera themed game. It's a typical video slot with a couple of different second-screen bonuses. A particular combination on the reels will trigger an advance to a new game level. Between levels, a video depicting the soap opera storyline is shown, and between some levels, a second-screen bonus is awarded.

I didn't bother watching the videos. The bonus games were entirely unremarkable, typically involving a choice of symbols to reveal a hidden bonus amount. Bonus amounts tended to be quite low.

After reaching and continuing past the final level, I was returned to level 1, but apparently they plan to release additional levels in the future. However game play is the same at each level. The only differences are the between-level videos and bonuses.

The Bank Heist game is a little different, and a bit more complicated. The game includes a chase level featuring different symbols on the reels. For no apparent reason, the player is required to lock in a particular bet amount before playing the chase level. The bet amount is a mandatory 5 coins per line, so although my original bet amount was 15 cents, I was required to play at least 75 cents per spin if I wished to continue.

As best I could determine, my only alternative was to never play the Bank Heist game again. There's a button to reset back to the beginning of the level, but no way I could see to back out to the main level.

During the chase level, car symbols on the reels cause either the pursuing or getaway vehicle to move forward. The level ends when the getaway vehicle either is caught or reaches the finish line. The car symbols act as blockers for most payouts, so this level seemed to suck money.

A bonus round is awarded at the end of the level, and the bonus feature differs depending on the outcome, but the bonus for getting away doesn't appear to be any better than the bonus for getting caught. I don't know, maybe the developers wanted to teach the lesson that crime doesn't pay.

Between various levels and features are annoying videos, which I would expect to get old very quickly, although they are skippable.

The regular slots are better. The three-reelers are typical examples of their type, but they treated me very well through prolonged play.

The regular video slots are typical 15-line games, but with a few oddities. An example is the "Metal Detector" game. The pay table is unusually proportioned. A typical symbol may pay 10 for two symbols left to right, only 15 for three of the symbol, and maybe 40 or 50 for four. The result is a lot of small hits and a few large hits, but very few medium payoffs.

The bonus feature requires maneuvering a man holding a metal detector along a beach. A buried object is then revealed and a bonus amount is awarded. There's no rhyme or reason to this. In one instance the buried object is a safety pin and the payoff is 200 coins. Next time OMG it's the Ark of the Covenant! And the payoff is ... 100 coins. WTF!?!

Summing up the slot games, I didn't find any of them revolutionary. But I noticed that every game and every feature is totally luck-based, which in my estimation is a huge limitation on creativity. Admittedly luck-based games are the norm, but to really reward continued play and crank up the loyalty factor, I think the designers need to consider incorporating elements of skill.

*** VIDEO POKER ***

The video poker is like going back in time to a Microgaming casino in 2004. Games are available in either single-line or 4-line options, and with the exception of single-line Deuces, all pay tables appear to be the same as Microgaming. (Rival uses the good Deuces payoffs for both single and 4-line.)

Graphics are slightly flashier than Microgaming, but the overall experience is essentially the same. Kudos to Rival for offering both 5 and 10 cent coin amounts.

Missing from the Rival software is a perfect-strategy autoplay feature. That's OK with me because I think it was a mistake for Microgaming to offer it. The ability to play skill games perfectly effectively turns Microgaming's video poker into 99.5% slots. (Or 99% or 98.5% depending on the game.) Which has largely killed the ability of Microgaming casinos to offer decent incentives.

*** TABLE GAMES ***

Didn't play any, but they offer the usual assortment.

*** CASHIER AND ACCOUNTING ***

The software offers excellent tracking of comp points. According to support, the comp rate ranges from 0.1% for BJ & VP all the way up to 0.4% for slots. But for some reason I earned at the 0.1% rate for all games. I thought it might be because I was playing with a bonus, but the 0.1% rate continued even after the bonus and my withdrawal had cleared.

Bonuses are activated prior to depositing, somewhat like the RTG software. The active bonus information and terms continue to be accessible via the cashier until the bonus has cleared.

The software has a unique feature to prevent bonus abuse -- excluded games are allowed to be played, but bet sizes are limited. I assume this is to prevent a player from doubling up at a table game before clearing a bonus at slots.

Wagering progress toward a bonus does not appear to be trackable within the software, although the comp point counter may be useful for this. Support wasn't especially helpful. They claimed the cashier area would tell me when I was finished. After another inquiry to support, I was advised that I was clear to withdraw, but the software continued to display the active bonus.

Then after some confusion over ID verification, I cashed out successfully.

*** MISCELLANEOUS ***

The software doesn't appear to download any games automatically. Each download initiates when a game is launched for the first time, and it's not possible to play other games while waiting.

I found the slots autoplay feature to be somewhat slow. It would occasionally speed up, but I was never able to achieve consistently rapid play. May have been my computer though.

*** SUMMARY ***

This may be reflective of my reduced expectations after multiple unsatisfactory casino experiences, but I liked the casino and would play there again. For non-bonus play I would still choose a Microgaming casino instead, but a few incentives would swing the pendulum in favor of Rival, at least some of the time. And the Rival casinos do appear to be more aggressive with their bonus offers.

[Simmo!]

Hmmm... Sal Monella. Just reminded me I have a big bar of Cadbury's chocolate in the fridge....

[dominique]

I'm getting nice feedback on these.

There are some new slots coming out, too.

I see people returning for more, so that seems to be a good indication that fun is to be had.

My own test runs were fun. I liked the islots.

[paul1]

Originally Posted by sal monella

Missing from the Rival software is a perfect-strategy autoplay feature. That's OK with me because I think it was a mistake for Microgaming to offer it. The ability to play skill games perfectly effectively turns Microgaming's video poker into 99.5% slots. (Or 99% or 98.5% depending on the game.) Which has largely killed the ability of Microgaming casinos to offer decent incentives.

Good point, Sal. This was my same thoughts exactly. They should never have added that feature.

[kwblue]

I liked the I-Slots, Reel Crime more than the others (including the new Art Heist).

I, actually, liked the regular video slots better. Grandma's Attic was fun (to me) because I seemed to get some regular wins out of it. However, I agree that they should really kick it up a notch with the games and try to offer some unique bonus games (like Marvel Comics Slots have). Or some major Free Spins like you see in many of the newer MGS games.


Overall, I really like the casinos as it is a nice interface. I would really like to see a lot of new games, though. They could really 'Rival' MGS if they can get the variety up. (pun intended)


kwblue

[sal monella]

I guess it's too late to edit my original post. Just noticed the Deuces video poker pay table at Rival casinos is not the same as Microgaming. The Microgaming payout for 4 deuces is 1250, assuming max coins, but Rival only pays 1000. This reduces the optimal return of the game to around 98.5%, instead of about 99.3% at Microgaming.

Time for a new eyeglass prescription.

[RobRival]

Thanks to Sal Monella for the review on the Rival Gaming software.

We take all feedback seriously, and this thread has been forwarded to our developers.

In particular, we examined the comp point issue you raised.

All four 400 Group casinos (www.thisisvegas.com , www.cocoacasino.com, www.paradise8.com and www.davincisgold.com ) have set the following comp policy:

For each dollar wagered, players are awarded points -

* 4 points for Keno
* 3 points for Slots
* 2 points for Caribbean Stud Poker, Let it Ride, War, Red Dog, and Three Card Poker
* 1 point for all other games.

We conducted an audit of the system and determined player accounts were indeed receiving incorrect comp points based on the games played. As Sal Monella noted, all wagers, despite what games were being played, were receiving 1 point for each $1 bet. We are pleased to let you know that this issue has been resolved and all new wagers are being comped using the above point system. All previously placed wagers have been retroactively comped to correct any discrepancies. Players with accounts that were affected have been notified via email.

We've also determined that a portion of these comps have been applied to accounts that are no longer accessible due to voluntary self exclusion from the casinos. The 400 Group has decided that these comps will be converted to a cash donation to be made to www.GamAid.com.

We trust that this issue has been resolved to all players' satisfaction, and that Rival's and The 400 Group's commitment to fair play is clear.

Thanks to Sal Monella for bringing this to our attention.
Rob Lockhart
Rival Gaming Technical Support

[kwblue]

Serious kudos to resolving an issue and even back-filling the comp points. I received my email about it and then saw this thread. Simply superb support, IMO.

[soflat]

Originally Posted by kwblue

Serious kudos to resolving an issue and even back-filling the comp points. I received my email about it and then saw this thread. Simply superb support, IMO.

Yes! I second that. I always wondered what was up with the comp point counter, now I know.

Anyways I like their 3-reel slots. They don't look real fancy like some other software, but I'd rather have a chance at winning over being impressed by some graphics anyday.

I also see they have added a new version of Reel Crime (an art heist version with famous paintings).

[Mousey]

I was about to email support about the comps points issue. (I usually check CasinoMeister first. LOL) I've just logged in at Da Vinci's Gold and find that the comps in my account seem to have been corrected since I played last night.

Thank you CocoaRob & 400 Group! Good customer service is always appreciated.

And thanks Sal for your review.