Just when it gets really quiet outside and you have that awkward moment when you can’t sleep because your bed’s too cold, a very specific game is about to unfold. No, we’re not talking about something like CS:GO with constant gunshots and people talking on their headsets, rather something way quieter and relaxing. A game that many of us have watched on TV with our favourite aunts while sipping hot cocoa when we were just little kids. Deal or No Deal Live is making its comeback and finding a way into all of our hearts once more.
Three Stages, One Prize
The wheel starts turning, making a quiet humming sound, just like your fridge in the middle of the night. Gold segments blink, catching your attention. This is the Qualifying Round, where you don’t have to bet that much to get started. You pick a briefcase, number 16, which might be a special number for you and set the difficulty. “Easy” mode costs more but also gives you much better odds. You’ll enter the next round if you manage to get three gold bars to align. If you’re unsuccessful, the screen goes dim and you’ll have to give it another try.
Then you’ll get to the Top Up section. This is where things start to get interesting as you try to increase prizes by using multipliers hidden in those 16 suitcases. The smallest multiplier is five, and the biggest is fifty, the decision is up to you and you better hurry up before you run out of time. This section might give you a flashback of haggling with a street vendor where even though you already know how little they’re willing to offer you still try to get an even lower price. You can spin to your heart’s content, but every second counts.
The Banker’s Whisper
Here’s how it all goes down in the live studio: sixteen mysterious cases containing unknown amounts line the wall. A host with a wide smile welcomes you as another one moves the cases around. They go about their business efficiently, with elegance and professionalism you rarely see outside of prestigious gambling establishments. Meanwhile the chat box is popping off with questions that are answered with the patience of a saint.
First, three cases are opened, revealing numbers that are removed from the board. Then, you’ll hear the banker’s voice, offering a deal that might not be all that attractive. You can either take it and end the game right there, or continue playing and open more cases to see how much you can get. It’s a difficult choice, but hey, no risk no reward.
Boxes and Midnight Logic
What makes Deal or No Deal Live so great is not the prizes, though a 500x payout is something that we would all appreciate. The reason why most people play it though is that it takes us back to those happy times when Deal or No Deal was one of the few great TV shows we could enjoy after school. The creators of the game, Evolution Gaming didn’t go overboard with the decorations either, as they understood how important simplicity and familiarity were for this project. They created an extremely simple game, much like one you would host at a community wedding.
