A bit about NetEnt

There are some points in time, in all industries but in the gambling industry especially, where it seems like one company has run away from the competition and will never be caught. Poker fans out there will have already seen this with Paradise Poker getting crushed by partypoker, and a similar thing happening again as Full Tilt Poker fell apart and was absorbed by PokerStars.
I think of Net Entertainment, or NetEnt, in a similar way. First there were only brick and mortar casinos, and none of us dinosaurs could imagine any other way to deposit our hard-earned coins. Then Playtech came along and smashed the online market and it looked like they would never be stopped, but over the years NetEnt found its feet and caught up with the industry leader. In my eyes it is now the joint best software providers around, along with Microgaming, and certainly one of the first names I scan for whenever I'm checking out the latest online casino.

Famous games

If you like playing at online casinos but don't really take notice of which provider hosts the games there, the chances are you've already played a whole bunch of NetEnt games. They cover hundreds of casinos across the world and have some of the most famous games around. You've almost definitely heard of Starburst, one of the newer but more popular progressive jackpot slots. I can't count the number of times I've received 50 free spins on Starburst as part of a sign up bonus, as it always seems to be either that or Gonzo's Quest. It is clear that NetEnt have been working with a number of online casinos to make sure the game is pushed and enjoys some success. It plays quite like a Merkur machine, say Rising Liner or Metamorphosis, but this is not very surprising as another unique thing about NetEnt is that they don't follow one type of style. All of their games are completely different in terms of style and payout, with the only similarity being the high quality graphics and all round solid production.

Not afraid to switch things up

The best thing about NetEnt isn't a gimmick, or one particular slot or table game, it is just consistently high quality games that tick all the boxes. HD graphics, smooth animation, logical and often generous payouts - NetEnt delivers everything you want. But that doesn't mean that NetEnt doesn't have its own character. I would say that South Park: Reel Chaos is a definite contender for one of NetEnt's most noteworthy games. Lots of casinos house Hollywood-themed slot games but they are usually on the safe side - think Tomb Raider, Top Gun and Playtech's famous superhero slots.
South Park: Reel Chaos rips up the rule book on what you can expect in a slot game and fans of the show will be happy to hear it stays true to the show. Have a few spins until you unlock the in-game feature where potty-mouthed Eric Cartman tries to catch Butters as General Disarray and you'll see what I mean - just make sure you've got your headphones on if anyone else is at home!

What makes NetEnt special?

Two things that make NetEnt stand out for me are their style of games, and their progression in the casino industry. First off, the style�there is no style! I always say that NetEnt are like the chameleon of the casino world because their machines are so flexible and adapt to all kinds of different casinos and playing styles. Some people see this as a bad thing, and I can see why. If you like a particular provider like IGT for instance and you hear that they've released a new slot, you can be pretty sure that you'll enjoy it. With NetEnt everything is different, but for many people (myself included) who like variation in their casino gaming this is actually a good thing.

Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Secondly, the way NetEnt have come to be is unusual, almost like they were going backwards. Instead of having a land-based casino and adapting to online play, NetEnt started online and are now trying to branch out to physical machines in the US! Strict US gambling laws mean that getting into casinos is more or less the only way NetEnt can get more exposure across the country and this is exactly what they're working on right now. I'm sure Aristocrat and IGT are waiting with bated breath as they are the kings of US casinos at the moment and won't be looking forward to stuff competition from an online giant.

Summary

There are a couple of software providers whose games speak for themselves and NetEnt is one of them. Their incredible games catalogue is adored by casino lovers everywhere and they are easily in the top two, along with Microgaming. I have yet to come across anyone who didn't enjoy NetEnt's high quality output, and the way the company conduct themselves is exemplary. With constantly improving mobile products and potential expansion into the US, get ready for NetEnt to get even bigger and even better as the months and years go by.