In the last two decades, online slots have become the most popular casino game in the world. Today, there are thousands of slots games available at most online casinos, offering players endless options for entertainment and big wins. It’s not uncommon for players to choose online casinos based on which software provider they have partnered with.
As you might imagine, the competition among software developers in the casino market is harder than ever. To stand out from the rest, developers are constantly innovating and incorporating new features into their games. Here are five in-game features that have revolutionized the online slots world.
Bonus and Free Spins Rounds
Bonus and free spins rounds are now a staple in most online slots games. These features give players the chance to win extra prizes or free spins within the game itself, without having to place additional bets. Bonus rounds often involve interactive mini-games where players can choose objects or complete tasks to reveal hidden rewards.
Free spins rounds, on the other hand, award players with a certain number of free spins with multipliers that can significantly increase their winnings. These features have made online slots more exciting and rewarding for players, as they add an element of surprise and increased winning potential.
It’s not completely clear which was the first online slots that offered a bonus- or free spins game. Microgaming’s Cash Splash, released in 1998, was one of the first to incorporate this feature.
Avalanche Feature
The Avalanche feature, also known as cascading reels, has redefined the way players experience online slots. Instead of traditional spinning reels that stop to display a set of symbols, the Avalanche feature allows winning combinations to disappear, making way for new symbols to fall into place. This creates an opportunity for consecutive wins from a single spin, increasing both engagement and excitement for players.
Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt was the first online slots game to implement the Avalanche feature. Released in 2010, this game set the standard for what has become a beloved mechanic in many modern online slots. With each Avalanche, Gonzo’s Quest also introduced a unique multiplier feature, where successive Avalanches could increase the player’s multiplier up to five times, further enhancing the potential winnings.
The innovation of the Avalanche feature, combined with its immersive storyline and engaging graphics, has solidified Gonzo’s Quest as a classic in the online slots world.
Expanding Wilds
Expanding wilds have become a popular feature in online slots, captivating players with their potential to significantly boost winnings. This feature occurs when a wild symbol appears on the reels and expands to cover the entire reel, creating more chances for winning combinations. The expanding wilds feature adds an extra layer of excitement as it enhances the potential for larger payouts with each spin.
Starburst, an extremely popular online slot game developed by NetEnt, showcases the expanding wilds feature effectively. In Starburst, the wilds only appear on the second, third, and fourth reels, but when they do, they expand to cover the whole reel. This not only increases the probability of hitting a win but also triggers a re-spin, giving players another opportunity to score a win without placing an additional bet.
Starburst’s use of expanding wilds, combined with its vibrant visuals and captivating gameplay, has established it as a staple in many players’ favourite lists. Even today, 12 years after its initial release, Starburst is often featured in free spins promotions, which is a testament to its enduring popularity.
Megaways Mechanic
Megaways is a game mechanic that offers players thousands of ways to win on each spin. Instead of traditional paylines, Megaways slots have a varying number of symbols per reel on each spin, resulting in hundreds or even thousands of potential winning combinations.
The first online slots game to feature this mechanic was Bonanza by Big Time Gaming, released in 2016. Since then, more software developers have adopted this innovative feature, including Red Tiger Gaming and Blueprint Gaming. The success and popularity of Megaways games can be attributed to their high volatility, as they offer the potential for big wins on every spin.
Megaways are now a highly sought-after feature in online slots games, with players actively seeking out these titles for their thrilling gameplay and massive winning potential.
Gamification
Gamification is a trend that has made its way into many industries. This feature incorporates elements of video gaming, such as challenges, levels, and rewards, into online slots games. By adding a layer of interactivity and competition, gamification has made online slots more engaging and entertaining for players.
One example of this is Yggdrasil Gaming’s Vikings Go Berzerk slot, released in 2016. This game features a Rage Meter that fills up with each win and triggers special bonuses once it’s full. It also has a Treasure Chest feature where players can choose from different chests to reveal instant prizes or free spins.
The incorporation of gamification features has not only made online slots more entertaining but also encourages players to keep coming back for more, adding a new level of loyalty and engagement in the online gambling world.
These five in-game features have revolutionized the online slots world, making it an exciting and constantly evolving industry. As software developers continue to innovate and push boundaries, we can expect even more groundbreaking features that will further enhance the player experience. So next time you spin the reels on your favourite online slot game, take a moment to appreciate the creative minds behind these revolutionary features that have changed the way we play slots forever.