Onboard the 1st class Express™
At Posh Monkey Studios, we aim to build games that combine familiar themes with distinctive mechanics and memorable experiences. Inspired by the golden age of luxury railway travel, 1st Class Express™ was designed to capture the anticipation, elegance and excitement of setting off on an important journey. From the beginning, we wanted the train to be more than a visual backdrop, it needed to become the centre of the gameplay. That ambition ultimately led to the creation of the game’s defining feature: the Big Train Bonus™.
The Big Train Bonus™ features four different Bonus types, each introducing a unique modifier that affects the passing carriages. Mystery Carriages reveal Jackpot prizes, while 3x3 Carriages play out their own miniature slot feature with guaranteed rewards. The Adder Bonus adds extra prizes to individual carriages, while the Multiplier Bonus applies multipliers to their values.
These Bonus types can also combine, creating numerous feature variations and increasingly powerful interactions. Players may understand what each individual Bonus can do, but they never know exactly how the journey will develop. With every new carriage, the direction and potential of the feature can change.
One of our biggest development challenges was presenting a large, cinematic train sequence within the limited space of a portrait mobile screen. Every carriage, prize and modifier needed to remain clear, while the train still had to feel suitably impressive. Design and QA worked closely to refine the scale, framing, visual hierarchy and pacing of the experience.
Early versions of the Bonus progressed too quickly, giving players little time to anticipate what the next carriage might bring. Through repeated testing and iteration, we adjusted the speed of the train, the pauses before each reveal and the transitions between carriages. The result is a feature filled with anticipation, where every carriage feels like another exciting step towards the final outcome.
“For 1st Class Express™, the QA team focused on ensuring our new Big Train Bonus™ delivered wins on a non-stop service whenever players filled the carriage pots in the Base Game. As the feature departs from the usual reel-based bonus, thorough testing was essential. The final destination was a polished product that we hope every passenger will enjoy, all the way to the end of the line!
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The finished Big Train Bonus™ brings together a premium theme, four distinctive Bonus types and numerous possible combinations. Its carefully considered pacing allows every approaching carriage to create a new moment of anticipation, while each modifier adds another layer of possibility.
What began as a fast-moving Bonus evolved into a feature designed to keep players on the edge of their seats throughout the entire journey. The destination may be important, but aboard 1st Class Express™, it is every carriage along the way that makes the journey unforgettable.
