How Meticulous and Creative Design in Fishing-Shooting Drives Engagement and Retention.

Melding technology and entertainment, iGaming is one of the fastest and most innovative industries in the world. Gamification through challenges, upskilling, personalisation and customisation is critical for engagement and the arrival of fishing-shooting games is ticking all the boxes. Dahung Chen, Head of Product Management, TaDa Gaming is in the hot seat for the latest Q & A on why TaDa is the No.1 provider for these games.

Fishing-shooting games offer more player interaction than most RNG-based content. How do you design mechanics that sustain engagement while still embracing randomness?

Great question. This is the most important element when designing compelling, arcade-style or casual games where the balance between player agency and unpredictability is key.

Some TaDa releases play out in different Rooms or Halls, which can offer high, medium or low volatility choice such as in Ocean Hunter or Happy Fishing Lightning; or a betting range and accessibility of different features such as in Mega Fishing or Ocean King Jackpot so this is the first choice players make before starting the game. 

This immediate option to pick a strategy makes outcomes feel less arbitrary—even within RNG games. With all titles mixing skill-influenced gameplay and randomness for a fast-paced experience. RNG (Random Number Generation) is critical for both visible fairness and genuine unpredictability. 

However, our mechanics also give players agency through probability shaping based on player input or choices. These can include timing or weapon choice. Specifically with TaDa games, using the Aim mechanic means players only hit the targeted fish regardless of other obstacles in the way, so saving on ammo, whereby the Auto Shoot mechanic ensures the cannon will automatically fire at the targets within range. This allows players to focus on target aim without the need for manual firing/clicking.

Weapon choice also affects the odds: using the Torpedo in Mega Fishing can increase the winning rate by 6x although there is a cost implication to this option. Free Weapons, such as the Nuclear Bomb in Bombing Fishing or the Thunderbolt in All Star Fishing, charge up with each shot and, when full, allow players to create an explosion either specifically within a location or across the whole screen; so fantastic visuals as well as great win potential.

Plus, we offer on-screen tips to advise when a Boss is approaching so the randomness feel earned and never frustrating. This also impacts on skill-building loops, meaning players improve with each play experience, mastering timing or recognising high value opportunities, such as exploding certain features only when the screen is full.

By creating this sense of progression and achievement, in addition to multiplayer functionality and volatility choice, we see higher numbers of Daily Active Users (DAUs) and longer gaming sessions leading to increased long-term engagement and retention.

How important is the multiplayer function?

Within specific markets, it is a huge driver of attraction and engagement. Our research has shown that real-time multiplayer capability creates a new form of social gaming and interactive play that attracts regular slot players, second/third generation digital natives and completely new demographics to our games, especially in jurisdictions where social play is the norm.

Although many TaDa fishing-shooting games enable up to four players simultaneously, all wins are still distributed individually so players benefit from immersive gaming while keeping their winnings separate. We have very positive feedback on this function.

Giving multiplayer options means players often return to the game to play with friends rather than random strangers - which also gives us viral benefits as a brand and operators great marketing opportunities. The unpredictability of playing with other people—whether strangers or friends adds replay value so the multiplayer function is a key feature.

How do you use pacing, feedback, or progression systems to create a sense of momentum that keeps players coming back?

Within each game the paytable indicates the value/multiplier of each fish. Grouping them into tiers makes it easy for players to recognise the easy-catch fish or frequent low-tier kills like the Mini Zombies in Fortune Zombie that give instant dopamine hits and top up the winnings/coins/ammo levels.

Larger fish or creatures, especially those that can trigger a feature such as Bomb Crabs or Vortex fish raise the stakes. This is further enhanced by the arrival of the Bosses with the super wins or triggering the in-game bonuses such as jackpots in Jackpot Fishing or Bounty game in Bombing Fishing. These upswings also create variety in gameplay rhythm and ensure each game visit can be unique.

Adding visual warnings and sound cues to signal the arrival of a Boss builds tension and excitement while preparing players for a high-stakes encounter. This intentional pacing shift enhances emotional engagement and encourages players to stay for the action. We also add to the sensory effect through changes in music, or the Vampire calling out encouragement in Fortune King Jackpot which really engages with players to make them feel the win.

Enhanced gamification comes through our engagement tools GiftCode and WIN CARD within our fishing-shooting games. GiftCode is an immediate reward for extra ammo whilst WIN CARD is time sensitive/storable reward for progression. Both work in very different ways but both significantly impact engagement and retention with players being quickly rewarded and/or enjoying reaching milestones. Progress is not linear, it’s all encompassing with TaDa.

Do fishing-shooting games attract a wide player demographic? If so, why?

The beauty of fishing-shooting games is that they appeal to every demographic. Easy to play with straightforward rules, slot players have gravitated to fishing-shooting games like Jackpot Fishing and Mega Fishing for skill influenced gameplay, strategic choices, a more interactive and dynamic experience with multiplayer options.

There is also the recognition that the wager process is similar to slots, whereby you place a bet each time you spin the reels. In fishing-shooting, each shot you take places the bet, so the mix of familiarity in process and innovation in experience is uniquely engaging.

Casual gamers typically play games that are easy to learn, require minimal time commitment and offer quick rewards, so the simplicity of fishing-shooting rules and the variety of playing styles that deliver rewards is very attractive. 

Our fishing-shooting games have successfully engaged players both in established markets and the new demographics across Latin America and Africa because they deliver challenges and skill-influenced gameplay through interactive and dynamic experiences with multiplayer options. 

Add in strategic gaming, decision making, fantastic 3D video entertainment and easy to grasp gameplay from the first shot and you can see why fishing-shooting games have such enormous appeal across jurisdiction and demographic.

What unique business value does fishing-shooting bring to operators?

Clients who integrate fishing-shooting games alongside our slots, table, bingo and crash games enjoy enhanced KPIs including: longer session times; higher deposits; more repeat plays; and new player demographics. Interestingly, players will often play both slots and fishing-shooting at the same casino, extending their screen time and placing higher wagers in both verticals.

Fishing-shooting games bring a unique mix of action, strategy and entertainment which appeals to new-to-iGaming-audiences as well as existing ones looking for novelty. Research has shown that casinos who offer cutting-edge new concepts have greater appeal across all demographics; and our operators report specifically higher bet volume and conversions due to the Big Boss features, in-game jackpots and bonuses which spike GGR. 

Younger demographics are also looking for more skill-based gameplay: fishing-shooting games have challenging components where player strategy can influence the outcome, putting players more in control of the game.

Fishing-shooting games often involve more frequent action (e.g., shooting targets, catching fish), leading to more betting opportunities per session compared to the pace of traditional slots, which translates to higher overall bet volumes. Ocean Hunter sees players hitting 1,300 rounds per session with a bet value of €450.00!

Every operator is looking for a product that appeals to new audiences whilst retaining existing ones and finally they have found this magic touch with fishing-shooting. Furthermore, these games can act as a bridge to other casino products: TaDa’s gamification tools and recommendation engine encourage players to experiment and test other RNG games, switching between slots and fishing-shooting, extending screen time and increasing overall casino revenue which is a great way of adding significant value to any business.