The Mystery Deepens
Upon visiting Gaz Gaming’s website using the Wayback Machine archive tool, it becomes apparent that the company’s website has always been inactive. They either never got around to building it, or they simply registered the domain to preserve their brand name without any intention of creating a proper site.
Fortunately, the internet holds all the information, and with a bit of research, Gaz Gaming starts to reveal some of their secrets. While not groundbreaking, this information offers insights into the games the company has developed so far and their areas of expertise (spoiler alert: web design is not their strong suit).
Video Slots from a Russian Puzzle
In the approximately three years since Gaz Gaming was established, the company has focused on creating slot games. Currently, they have launched a few slots that are available at a limited number of online casinos, with Twist Casino being the main venue for Gaz Gaming’s work. This seems to be a Russian casino where Gaz Gaming either has a stake or has provided their games.
So far, the Russian software company has released precisely 16 video slots with the following titles: Adults Only, Funky Dexter, Mega Hot, Apprentice Thief, Ghost Busters, Rich Catch, Aztec Gold, Happy New Year, Treasure Island, Cash Fiesta, Lost, World War II, Exciting Football, Lucky Sevens, Far Far Away, and lastly Maya Quest.
Some conclusions can be drawn immediately about the games, language abilities, and mindset of the enigmatic Gaz Gaming team – assuming it is indeed a team and not just the work of one individual.
Unsubtle Slots
In the Russian and Eastern European markets, it is common to see regional versions of successful Western games being released. The only difference is that the slot is adapted to accept local currency and presented in the local language, which is often Russian.
The original developer does not receive any royalties, and in the case of a branded slot, there is no compensation either. The companies whose brands have been used in this way would likely be more upset about the poor quality of the product carrying their name rather than the slight loss of income.
For example, consider Ghost Busters. Gaz Gaming’s slot based on the classic 80s movie is slightly different from the original, as attentive readers may have noticed, as the movie was stylized as Ghostbusters.
This minor variation in the name would not protect Gaz Gaming from legal action if Columbia Pictures decided to pursue the Russian company – if they could even locate them. The slot includes characters from the movie, such as Slimer and the Ecto 1 Ghostbusters car.
Saucy Slots
Another notable characteristic of Russian developers – at least some of them – is their tendency to release slots that might make other gaming companies blush and feminists faint. Depending on your values, Gaz Gaming’s Adults Only slot could be seen as tasteless, morally objectionable, anachronistic, or simply amusing. The game features sexual items, a woman with two men, and various instances of female nudity. It’s not particularly sexy – the graphics are not of high quality – but it is certainly attention-grabbing.
While the game’s vulgarity is undeniable, it does have a certain allure due to its shock value. Yes, this controversial game truly exists, and yes, you can play it if you wish.
More Slots from Gaz Gaming
It must be noted that not all of Gaz Gaming’s slots are controversial or borrowed. Some seem to be based on original ideas, or at least as original as a game like Lucky Sevens can be.
As the name suggests, this is a classic slot set in a casino lobby. The 3-reel game may not offer anything new, but it is a solid game that will attract fans of retro slots, of which there are many.
Gaz Gaming seems to excel with their original titles released in Russian for the local market. This includes Tanks and Money, a 5-reel slot with a military theme. It includes 9 paylines, wild symbols, and a bonus game where players must aim with a tank to hit targets and win money.
To experience the type of traditional fruit machine games that inspired Gaz Gaming’s logo, try Mega Hot. Like their other games, it may not be visually stunning, but it is a game that can be played openly, unlike Adults Only.
Unconventional Games from an Unconventional Company
While Russian slots are popular among Russian players due to language and currency compatibility, for non-Russians, the main reason to try these slots is to marvel at their eccentricity. Take Funky Dexter, for instance, set in a forest and featuring a lion, an Incan mask, an acorn, a hunter’s trap, and a butterfly, among other symbols. How do they come up with these ideas? Do they randomly select words from a bowl to use as symbols?
The Technology Behind the Games
Gaz Gaming’s slots are designed exclusively in Flash. When it comes to technology, the company’s approach is as outdated as their views on sexuality. To play Gaz Gaming’s 16 slots, or at least some of them, you must use a desktop computer; they are not compatible with mobile devices.
Summary of Gaz Gaming
Gaz Gaming is likely to remain a niche software development company – that is, if they are still active. If they have ceased operations or been legally challenged by companies they have copied, their legacy lives on through games like Adults Only, demonstrating that there is indeed a slot game for every imaginable concept.
Gaz Gaming may be eccentric, but their contribution to the internet arguably adds character to the online world.