How the Innovative Slot Mechanic Conquered Online Casinos

Megaways slots at RichRoyal Casino.

The online gambling industry is no stranger to innovation. New slot games with unique themes, bonus features and presentation styles are released every week by leading software providers seeking to capture player interest in an increasingly competitive market.

But once in a blue moon, an innovation comes along that genuinely changes the game (pun intended). An innovation that sparks a revolution so seismic, so landscape-altering, that things can never quite be the same again in the vertical slots.

Origins of the Megaways Mechanic

Megaways slots on platforms like RichRoyal Casino trace their origins back to Australian slot developer Big Time Gaming (BTG). Ever on the hunt for the next big thing in slot game mechanics, BTG released the inaugural Megaways title – Bonanza – in August 2016.

So what exactly is the Megaways mechanic that has taken the industry by storm? Put simply:

Megaways slots feature an expanding reels mechanic that changes the number of symbols displayed on each reel with every spin. This creates thousands of possible winning combinations on a single spin.

Traditional slot games use a fixed reels matrix, such as 5 reels with 3 symbols displayed on each reel. This allows for a maximum of 243 possible winning combinations (3x3x3x3x3).

Megaways slots smash this limiting paradigm by utilizing an innovative random reel modifier to display between 2 to 7 symbols on each reel on every spin. With 6 reels in play, this allows for up to 117,649 ways to win!

The minimum number of Megaways possible is 64. But the average number of Megaways per spin is around 30,000. Either way, that’s a lot more action than standard slots can offer!

Why Players and Operators Love Megaways

There are several reasons why the Megaways mechanic has proven so popular with players and operators alike:

Massive Winning Potential

The greatly expanded number of paylines unlocks monumental winning potential compared to standard slots. Megaways games frequently pay out wins of over 10,000x the stake – something practically unheard of on normal slots.

In January 2021, a lucky player won a record-breaking €19.4 million jackpot from a €0.20 spin on the Megaways game Athena Fortune by Relax Gaming! This life-changing payout highlights the appeal of Megaways’ uncapped winning potential.

High Volatility = Big Thrills

Megaways slots tend to feature high volatility, meaning less frequent but generally bigger wins. Players enjoy the excitement of volatile games offering fewer, heart-stopping spins versus low volatility slots providing smaller but more regular payouts.

Gripping Gameplay

The expanding reels feature inherently creates a more dynamic and engaging playing experience versus standard slots with their static reel matrices. Seeing a different symbol configuration and number of Megaways on every spin keeps gameplay feeling fresh.

Universal Appeal

While volatile slots don’t appeal to everyone, Megaways titles attract casual players and high rollers alike. Low-stakes players appreciate the big win potential from minimal bets. Yet high rollers also enjoy applying larger bankrolls to chase those elusive mega payouts.

Key Megaways Slot Titles

BTG has retained tight control over their IP, rarely licensing other providers to use the proprietary Megaways mechanic. However, they have granted licenses to select partners, leading to some breakout Megaways hits:

Bonanza remains the poster child for the Megaways revolution, showcasing the mechanic’s exhilarating potential. SG Digital’s Monopoly-branded take adds a familiar brand to the mix along with a quarter-million max payout!

But as the above table shows, the Megaways catalog has expanded vastly following BTG’s select licensing agreements with other leading game studios. Each provider adds their unique flair to keep the novel game mechanic feeling fresh.

Megaways Deliver the Slot Thrills Players Crave

Over six years since their launch, Megaways slots continue going from strength to strength. Their player-pleasing blend of innovation, excitement and winning potential has seen them conquer the online slots vertical.

Megaways have become the must-have game mechanics for providers in today’s competitive iGaming landscape. Their widespread popularity has birthed an entire sub-genre that shows no signs of slowing down.

For slot fans, the Megaways revolution has been a breath of fresh air. For game developers, it’s the innovative blueprint on how to create slots that players just can’t get enough of!