Ireland-based free-to-play (FTP) sports-game provider, SportCaller, has enhanced its relationship with Gamesys Group Plc-owned Virgin Bet (Virgin Games), having launched its advanced live-quiz product The Ladder with the UK operator.

The cutting-edge football trivia game, which is customized exclusively to the British operator’s “thriving” sports base, tests the strength of customer’s football general knowledge while competing over 10 questions for a variety of “easily-attainable free bets or prizes.”

“We’re delighted to both extend and evolve our current collaboration with Virgin Bet by launching The Ladder.”

Collecting bets or prizes requires players to submit their answers to the questions within 10 seconds, which is timed by a live countdown clock. However, players can also choose to get help from a series of Power-Ups, which as the game progresses offer them valuable lifelines. Included in these unique features are:

  • Go 50-50, which eliminates two multiple-choice answers.
  • The Free Pass automatically provides the answer.
  • Extra Time, which extends the allotted 10-second time period to submit an answer.

Players who are incorrect, descend The Ladder for the day or week, while those who respond correctly will need to complete all of the course’s 10 questions in order to win their share of a sizeable prize pool or one of multiple smaller “free bets.”

The system is guarded against manipulation of the signature limited-time countdown, which corresponds to “varied question-alternating functionality” and a vast knowledge of topical football data.

Live leaderboards have also been added by SportCaller. The boards update in real-time and allow players to keep tabs on how they’re doing and participate in a daily battle to earn bragging rights against their opponents. The feature drives brand loyalty, repeat visits, and core retention for the London-headquartered sportsbook.

Evolving partnership:

In a company press release, Managing Director for SportCaller, Cillian Barry, said the following about the new cutting-edge game and its growing relationship with Virgin Bet…

“We’re delighted to both extend and evolve our current collaboration with Virgin Bet by launching The Ladder. This general knowledge live-quiz format has proved particularly popular and versatile for operators and their players, not only during the lockdown but also as sports have returned. The pent-up passion among fans is palpable.

“Our array of games and mechanics now allow any client to offer a softer, and more accountable, means of keeping players engaged with their key products of interest. Indeed, this recent movement is part of a wider trend that’s very encouraging to witness – in that most of our games with Tier-1 operators in mature markets are aimed at securing retention in a sustainable and responsible way. It’s vital for our industry to promote consumer protection and education.”

The new game is an extension of the existing partnership between the two companies, with SportCaller unveiling its LiveScore6 predictor game exclusively with Virgin Bet in February this year.

Immediate positive response:

Virgin Bet Marketing Director Richard Leask commented on the popularity of the new product with its customers, saying…

“We’re thrilled at The Ladder’s immediate connection with our customers, as they pit their wits against each other on these rapid-fire tests of trivia. SportCaller’s live-quiz configurations are as engaging as they are simple to play, and this been quickly shone through in some impressive weekly repeat-visit rates for the game.

“SportCaller offer us flexible formats that responsibly sustain players’ attentions and allegiance, fostering long-term loyalty that comfortably outstrips those customers who have never enrolled in games like The Ladder.”