Hold & Win Gets a Boost as Providers Refresh Franchises
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Key takeaways
- Big franchise upgrades are driving the news cycle: Playson’s Coin Strike XXL: Hold and Win and Blueprint’s Fishin’ Frenzy: The Big Catch Gold Spins show studios doubling down on proven IP with mechanic enhancements.
- Hold & Win stays dominant for retention: The upgrades focus on bigger feature potential (e.g., larger pots/jackpots, respins, modifiers), reinforcing Hold & Win as a go-to format for engagement.
- Crash-slot hybrids are gaining traction: Pragmatic Play’s Mines+ signals continued expansion into fast, high-risk “instant-win” experiences that blend crash elements with grid gameplay.
Play'n GO has launched Blazing Dragon Fortunes and Mandalay Bay Riches on January 29, 2026, adding to their portfolio of high-volatility Asian and adventure-themed slots. Pragmatic Play released Mines+, a mines-style crash/hybrid game, on the same date, expanding their instant-win and crash-inspired offerings beyond traditional reels.
From iGamingBusiness, Playson upgraded their popular Coin Strike series with Coin Strike XXL: Hold and Win, released January 29, 2026. This enhances the Hold and Win mechanic with bigger potential for respins and jackpots in a classic coin-themed setup. Blueprint Gaming also released Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch Gold Spins on January 29, upgrading the renowned Fishin' Frenzy franchise with royal-themed features, gold spins, and improved catch mechanics for higher engagement.
These releases highlight ongoing trends: providers continue refreshing proven franchises with mechanic enhancements (Hold and Win upgrades, gold spins modifiers) and diversifying into hybrid formats (Pragmatic's Mines+ blending crash elements with grid play). Hold and Win remains dominant for retention, while crash hybrids gain traction for quick, high-risk sessions. Tier 1 studios like Play'n GO and Blueprint focus on iterative innovation to maintain player interest amid saturated markets. No major regulatory updates or roadmaps emerged in this window impacting global slots (excluding US).
Playson's XXL upgrade could drive renewed adoption of Hold and Win in operator lobbies, as enhanced versions often see strong initial performance. Blueprint's franchise extension reinforces the value of long-running IPs in competitive European and international markets.
Sources:
- https://www.bigwinboard.com/new-slots (for Play'n GO and Pragmatic releases)
