The History of Gonzo's Treasure Hunt
How Evolution and NetEnt brought the legendary conquistador to live casino with VR technology.
A Legendary Partnership
Gonzo's Treasure Hunt was launched in May 2021, following Evolution's acquisition of NetEnt. This game represented the first major product combining Evolution's live casino expertise with NetEnt's beloved slot character, Gonzo.
The game made history as the first live casino game to be fully playable in virtual reality, marking a major milestone in the evolution of online gambling technology.
The Gonzo Legacy
Gonzo Pizarro is one of the most iconic characters in online slots history:
- First appeared in Gonzo's Quest (2011) by NetEnt
- The slot pioneered the "Avalanche" cascading reels mechanic
- Gonzo's Quest became one of the most played online slots ever
- Spawned sequels: Gonzo's Quest Megaways, Gonzo's Gold
- The character has been featured in multiple games over 10+ years
Development Timeline
Gonzo's Quest Launches
NetEnt releases the original Gonzo's Quest slot, introducing the Avalanche feature.
Evolution Acquires NetEnt
Evolution Gaming completes acquisition, gaining access to NetEnt's IP portfolio.
Development Phase
Evolution develops unique treasure-hunting gameplay with VR compatibility.
Gonzo's Treasure Hunt Launches
The first VR-compatible live casino game debuts with the treasure wall mechanic.
VR Innovation
The game continues to pioneer VR gambling experiences.
Technical Innovation
Gonzo's Treasure Hunt introduced several technological firsts:
VR Compatibility
First live casino game fully playable in virtual reality headsets.
3D Character
Real-time 3D Gonzo character interacts with players and the game world.
Interactive Picking
Players choose their own stones on the treasure wall for unique engagement.
70-Stone Wall
Massive treasure wall with 70 stones each hiding potential prizes.
Unique Gameplay
Stone Selection
Unlike other games, players actively choose which stones on the wall to reveal, creating personal involvement in the outcome.
Multiplier Picks
Purchase Prize Drops to reveal multipliers that will be applied to winning stones.
Re-Drop Feature
Gonzo can trigger Re-Drops that add even more multipliers to the wall.
Maximum 20,000x
With stacking multipliers, wins can reach up to 20,000x the bet.
Key Statistics
Industry Impact
Gonzo's Treasure Hunt demonstrated several important developments for the industry:
- Slot characters can successfully transition to live casino
- VR is a viable platform for live dealer games
- Player interactivity can be meaningfully integrated into live games
- Acquisitions can lead to innovative cross-brand products
The game opened doors for more slot-to-live adaptations and positioned Evolution at the forefront of VR gambling innovation.
Join the Treasure Hunt
Explore the treasure wall with Gonzo in this innovative live game.
Play Gonzo's Treasure Hunt