Back when the first online casinos appeared in the early 1990s, players were in awe of the fact that gambling is possible at any moment without leaving home. It was innovation enough for them at the time, but consumer expectations grow exponentially and soon, more was needed to produce the same effect and keep their interest high.
In the competitive iGaming industry, software developers are always striving to meet the increasing demands for innovation by producing more engaging content: better and more immersive design and graphics, themes, and gameplay features.
In this article, we focus on one aspect of innovating in gambling – the advanced mechanics in the latest slot machines.
What can you expect to see if you decide to try out some of the newest slot releases on the market?
You will see exactly how the slot industry has evolved and changed over time, giving people even more options to accommodate this popular hobby.
Cluster Pays
The Cluster Pays game mechanic made its debut in 2016 with the software provider NetEnt’s Aloha! Cluster Pays game. It quickly captured the attention of players due to its distinct gameplay and the possibility of lucrative payouts. Since then, various other game providers have adopted the mechanic and included it in their own portfolio.
In a Cluster Pays game, you’ll notice a grid of symbols rather than the typical reels. Winning requires landing a cluster of matching symbols that are adjacent to each other either horizontally or vertically. The cluster size required for a win can differ among games, but it usually ranges from four to six symbols.
Once a winning cluster is formed, the symbols involved in it will vanish, and new symbols will drop from above to fill the gaps. This feature is called Cascading Reels and can result in additional wins from a single spin. The Cascading Reels feature persists until no more winning clusters are formed.
Megaways – Reinventing Paylines
Big Time Gaming introduced the Megaways online slot mechanic in 2016, and it has since been reinventing gaming as we know it. Instead of traditional paylines, the mechanic produces a varying number possible winning combination,even up to 100,000.
The reason for the Megaways mechanic’s immense popularity is its high volatility, which keeps players engaged and excited throughout their gaming experience. The unpredictability of the Megaways slots creates a feeling of anticipation, as players eagerly hope for that big win.
The Megaways mechanic is currently one of, if not the most widely used and sought gameplay feature. There are now thousands of titles with massive amounts of winning lines to cater to every player.
The Gigablox Mechanic
Gigablox was first introduced by software provider Yggdrasil in 2020. It is essentially a way to make the symbols on the reels larger, with some taking up 2×2, 3×3, or even 4×4 spaces. This creates more potential for big wins and exciting gameplay, as players can hit multiple paylines in a single spin.
The popularity of the Gigablox mechanic lies in its ability to create anticipation and a thrilling feeling. When a large symbol appears on the reels, players know that big wins could be just around the corner. Additionally, it adds an element of unpredictability to the game, as players never know when a Gigablox symbol will land and what it will do.
Since its introduction, Gigablox has become hugely popular. Many software providers have incorporated it into their games, and players have responded positively to the increased potential for building bankrolls. Gigablox has also had an impact in reinventing the gaming market, as it has forced providers to innovate and come up with new ways to keep players engaged and entertained.
InfiniReels
InfiniReels is a cutting-edge online slot mechanic that enables an indefinite number of reels and winning ways on each spin. NetEnt, a software provider we already talked about, introduced this revolutionary feature in 2020, and it has since gained popularity among players.
The idea behind InfiniReels is straightforward: each winning combination triggers the addition of a new reel to the right-hand side of the game interface, leading to an infinite number of reels and winning ways. With each new reel, players can create more winning combinations.
InfiniReels slots are designed to provide user-friendly gameplay, with intuitive controls and simplistic mechanics. Players can modify their wager amount and spin the reels the same way as traditional online slots, except with the added feature of an infinite number of reels. The unique and captivating gameplay experience provided by the infinite reels mechanic sets it apart from traditional online slots, providing endless opportunities for significant wins. This is why it has rapidly become a favorite among online casino enthusiasts.
Cascading Reels
Cascading Reels is an exciting feature that has taken the online slot world by storm, with some of the biggest software providers like Pragmatic Play and others implementing it. This feature is simple yet effective, adding an extra layer of thrill to the game.
The symbols drop down on the grid and land on top of each other. When matching symbols are adjacent, a winning combination is formed and the symbols disappear, leaving room for new ones to fall from the top and fill the empty spaces. This process can go on for several rounds in a chain reaction, which leads to cascades of wins and potentially significant payouts.
The reason why cascading reels are so popular is that they offer players a unique gaming experience. Unlike typical slots, where players have to wait for the reels to stop spinning, cascading reels provide instant feedback on every spin. The potential for multiple wins in one spin is higher, especially if there are other features, like multipliers, to produce a more impressive combined effect.
A Fan Favorite – Multimax
Multimax was first introduced by Red Tiger Gaming in 2018, and since then, many other game developers have adopted it as well.
The concept of Multimax is quite straightforward. As you play the game, you collect symbols that help you earn multipliers. The more symbols you gather, the higher your multiplier, which increases your chances of winning. This mechanic has become increasingly popular because it allows players to win big even with small bets, making it an attractive option for players who want to hit the jackpot. In addition to the potential for big wins, Multimax slots are also visually appealing and immersive. The high-quality graphics and sound effects used in these games create an exciting atmosphere for players, enhancing their overall gaming experience.
Moreover, Multimax has become an essential component of the online slots industry, helping to differentiate games from one another in a highly saturated market. It provides a unique gameplay experience that is fresh and engaging, giving players a chance to try something new and exciting.
Multimax has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the online gaming industry. As such, it is an essential and vital feature expected to continue to play a critical role in its evolution.
Splitz
Splitz is a thrilling mechanic that has taken the online slot world by storm in recent years. This feature was first introduced by Yggdrasil in 2019, and since then, it has become increasingly popular among players and game developers alike.
The way Splitz works is quite simple. As you play the game, Splitz symbols appear on the reels, and when they land, they split into several other symbols of the same type, increasing your chances of hitting a winning combination. This unique mechanic adds a level of surprise to the game.
Players love Splitz because it allows them to win big even with small bets. The mechanic offers the chance to split symbols into up to five identical symbols, which can lead to massive payouts. The more Splitz symbols you collect, the higher your chances of winning big.
Furthermore, the Splitz feature is designed to be visually appealing and immersive, making it an enjoyable experience for players. The graphics and sound effects used in these games are of high quality and help to create an exciting atmosphere for players.
Splitz has become an essential feature in the online slot industry. It provides a unique gameplay experience that sets games apart from one another, which is crucial in a highly saturated market. As a result, more and more games are adopting this mechanic, as it helps them to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Buy Bonus
The Buy Bonus is a sought-after feature in online slots that lets players skip the wait for a game’s bonus round by purchasing access to it. It has gained popularity over the years, and more game developers are incorporating it into their slots, as it is proven that people are eager to use it even if you’re essentially skipping the exciting part of anticipation in online slots that we love.
The origins of Buy Bonus can be traced back to brick-and-mortar casinos, where players had the option of buying into bonus rounds for an extra cost. The online version of Buy Bonus has been adopted by notable game developers like Playtech, NetEnt, and Big Time Gaming.
To use Buy Bonus, players pay a fee, which is often a multiple of their bet size, to gain access to the game’s bonus round. This feature appeals to players who want to improve their chances of winning since bonus rounds can offer considerable rewards.
While there are advantages to using Buy Bonus, there are also drawbacks. Some players may find it expensive, and it can be perceived as a way for developers to persuade players to spend more money. Furthermore, some players may feel that using Buy Bonus detracts from the anticipation of waiting for the bonus round to trigger naturally.
Regarding payout, Buy Bonus can offer substantial rewards, but there are no guarantees. As with any online slot game, players should practice responsible gambling and be mindful of the risks involved.
Conclusion
Slots appear simple and to many, they offer no room for innovation. But as evident, they are being reimagined as we speak and in ways we never thought possible.
We are glad to see that more and more software providers are trying – and succeeding to come up with new features to engage their current fanbase and attract new players.
