Mystery Genie: Fortunes of the Lamp
Mystery Genie is a 5x4 video slot game featuring mystery symbols, wild multipliers, and a lovable genie with a huge personality! The game is full of big bold energy and brilliant comical self-awareness, all set within a magical Arabian setting.
The brief was simple - produce a genie themed game.
My involvement as Art Director for this project went far beyond the visuals. I wanted to create a look that felt both familiar and fresh. The story of the thief and the lamp was a great starting point and I leaned into the typical Arabian setting and story. I knew right from the beginning that I wanted a female genie and was keen to avoid the stereotypical skinny and overly sexualised supermodel. I wanted a reel woman (pun intended!) with curves. A larger-than-life personality filled with energy, charm, and a little bit of sass that could still be considered sexy. To top this off I added a playful twist with the genie being self-aware and often breaking the 4th wall to talk to the player. All whilst having the ability to shapeshift into forms beyond her setting. The art team did a fantastic job on executing that vision, whilst animation and audio truly brough her to life.
The art style fits the comical tone perfectly. Capturing a colourful light-hearted cell shaded look with a sculpted angular finish.
I knew right from the beginning that I wanted a female genie with a larger than life personality filled with energy, charm, and a little bit of sass. Her self-awareness, tendency to break the 4th wall, and ability to shapeshift into forms beyond her setting meant we could have a huge amount of fun with her.
Setting
Magical Arabia was the obvious setting for this game. Our base game is set within a rich Arabian city. We have an exciting balcony view during a beautiful sunset behind the palace. Whilst expensive items and a friendly tiger populate the room.
The free spins game takes the player to the mysterious cave of wonder, filled with treasure and easter eggs from previous Play'n Go games.
Symbols
Mystery Symbol
For the mystery symbol we featured the genie character shapeshifted into a question mark, with her hair comically separated from her head to form the shape. During the animation this shifts into an exclamation mark before revealing the hidden symbol. The revealed symbol is first presented with a blue hue to indicate the genie has shapeshifted into the symbol trying to help the player.
Wild Symbol
Featuring the genie again. As multipliers increase the genie snaps her fingers to make this happen. Again, this shows that the genie is helping the player in their quest for fortune.
Sand Respin Symbol
A classic sand timer with magical blue sand. Again, this is the genie shapeshifted into this form. When revealed the genie explodes from the timer and activate a respin on the reels by flying around them.
Scatter / Bonus Symbol
A two-sided coin first presented with the magical lamp and then this spins round to reveal the entrance to the cave of wonder once the player has won free spins.
Higher Paying Symbols
The higher paying symbols feature various Arabian characters inspired by the story of the thief and the lamp.
Lower Paying Symbols
These use traditional royals designed to fit the Arabian theme.
The promotional imagery features all the characters from the game in a fun, adventurous montage you could easily imagine in an action comedy movie poster.
Game play
The comical tone, the bold energy, and fast game play I wanted for this project are all wonderfully captured in the game play. The whole experience is a joy to play and the genie really steals the show! Her influence in trying to help the player is ever present, and her joy in celebrating wins are epic! You can play the game here.
Example of a big win where the genie celebrates the win by shapeshifting into various costumes, such as a cheerleader and a rockstar (complete with an electric guitar added to the audio).
The transition to the free spins game beautifully showcases the genie breaking the 4th wall by using a TV remote to change the background until we arive at the cave of wonder
Intro animation features our sassy genie lady narrating the story
The sand respin animation (1:45) showcases the genie flying around the reel to make it respin. This was inspired by 1970s Superman flying around the earth to reverse time.
