Helping to cement Pragmatic Play’s reputation for high-volatility, feature-led slots, The Dog House combines dramatic bonus rounds, big win potential and a base game that’s easy to get to grips with.
As with other titles from Pragmatic Play, the Dog House games are generously loaded with features, but manage to remain approachable and retain their mainstream appeal. Even the first The Dog House game involved sticky wilds, wild multipliers and a free spins bonus round, but this didn’t stop Pragmatic from stepping up their game…
Return to the neighbourhood
After discovering the first game, players were wagging their tails for more of the picturesque white picket fences and friendly K9 faces of The Dog House. True to form, Pragmatic Play delivered… and delivered… and delivered.
The most significant evolution of this slot series came with The Dog House Megaways, which boosted the number of ways to win to 117,649 and added a second free spins bonus round.
More of the same? Yes please
Pragmatic Play appeared to have struck a winning formula, contrasting a cuddly aesthetic against a high volatility level. This might sound counterintuitive, but the results speak for themselves.
Because of this, Pragmatic didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The Dog House Megaways uses the same cozy setting and lovable characters, which are integral to the success and broad appeal of the original.
It’s worth mentioning that Pragmatic appeared to be playing it a bit safe with the next few instalments. No two pups are the same, but it could be argued that bigger swings might have made the next few titles a bit more distinct. For example, 2023’s The Dog House Multihold is a solid game, but it’s far from revolutionary.
Then came…
The Dog House Royal Hunt and The Dog House Dog or Alive put a thematic twist on the theme of the original games, injecting a breath of fresh air. The former takes inspiration from the British aristocracy and their corgis, and the latter from the Wild West.
On the subject of Royal Hunt, the latest release, Pragmatic’s COO Irina Cornides said “The Dog House is one of Pragmatic Play’s most iconic game franchises, and The Dog House Royal Hunt’s monarchical makeover makes for a great addition to the player-favourite series.”
Thanks to this second creative wind, Pragmatic Play has managed to keep the Dog House series relevant, effectively redefining what an animal slot can be.
Another jewel in Pragmatic’s crown
Pragmatic Play has become one of the World’s most successful and prolific producers of slots. This is largely thanks to a handful of flagship franchises, rather than because literally everything they do is perfect (hey, even Spielberg has hits and misses).
Unlike certain slot franchises, which simply churn out game after game, the Dog House series really justifies its instalments, particularly the later ones. They have the characteristic sticky wilds and easygoing atmosphere (unless you're a cat person), but enough variety to stand up on their own.
The Dog House series can now confidently count itself amongst Pragmatic’s most recognisable IPs. These include the John Hunter series, the Sweet Bonanza games, and, of course, the legendary Big Bass series.
Of course, Pragmatic will need to get even more creative if it wants its Dog House series to remain the slot of choice for animal game fans. Every dog has its day, but this dog’s is far from over!
