Online slots have seen remarkable evolution since their inception, and one of the most transformative innovations in recent years is the “Megaways” feature. Introduced by Australian software developer Big Time Gaming (BTG) in 2016, the Megaways mechanic has reshaped the landscape of online slot games, providing players with an entirely new level of excitement, unpredictability, and winning potential. In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the world of Megaways slots, understanding the concept, exploring how it works, and analyzing its impact on the online casino industry.
Megaways games are now available to suit every taste and preference. This has been influenced by the fact that the game’s creator, the renowned game developer Big Time Gaming (BTG), has licensed the game mechanic to other companies. As a result, numerous other gaming companies, such as Blueprint Gaming, have jumped on board and created their own versions of Megaways.
Players, therefore, have a wide range of options to choose from, and top-notch slots are continually being introduced to online casinos. A significant number of online casinos catering to players prominently feature Megaways slots in their lobbies, making it very straightforward for players to access and enjoy them.
How it started
The Megaways concept was born out of a desire to breathe fresh life into traditional slot machines. BTG’s innovative approach to slot design shattered the constraints of fixed paylines and introduced a dynamic, ever-changing system that allows for thousands of ways to win on each spin.
The evolution of Megaways games has led to slots having hundreds of thousands of ways to win, or even more, as seen in games like Holy Diver, where 586,971 ways to win become possible when you manage to trigger the bonus game.
How Megaways slots work
At the heart of the Megaways feature is a dynamic reel system. Instead of the usual fixed number of symbols per reel, each reel in a Megaways slot can display a varying number of symbols on each spin. This dynamic setup leads to an exponentially increased number of ways to win.
Here’s how the Megaways mechanic works:
Reel Modifiers: In a Megaways slot, you’ll typically find six reels, but each reel can display between 2 and 7 symbols. The number of symbols on each reel changes with every spin.
Megaways Calculation: To determine the number of Megaways (ways to win) on a particular spin, you multiply the number of symbols on each reel. For example, if Reel 1 displays 5 symbols, Reel 2 has 6 symbols, Reel 3 shows 4 symbols, and so on, the total number of Megaways for that spin would be 5x6x4x4x7x3 = 5,040.
Dynamic Paylines: With thousands of Megaways possible on each spin, players enjoy an ever-changing grid of symbols, resulting in dynamic paylines that increase the unpredictability and excitement of the game.
You can find the mechanic for instace in Sweet Candy Cash Megaways.
Volatility and RTP
In theory, each spin in a Megaways slot can offer a tremendous number of winning possibilities. It’s essential to remember that the same principles apply to all slot games. Having over 117,649 ways to win in a slot doesn’t necessarily mean winning is exceptionally easy. However, the dynamic reels and changing symbol counts make the gaming experience a bit more rewarding and stimulating.
As the icing on the cake, it’s a fact that Megaways slots often have relatively high volatility, and the maximum potential payouts are also top-tier. The immersive experience provided by the game mechanics is, at its best, utterly captivating and fascinating, which makes these games one of the best slots of our time.
Why are Megaways slots so popular?
The game mechanic originally launched by Big Time Gaming, offering over 100,000 ways to win, has struck a chord with modern casino enthusiasts for several reasons. There are numerous factors contributing to their popularity.
Abundance of Ways to Win: The sheer number of ways to win in Megaways slots, compared to traditional, simple slots with just a handful of paylines, offers a refreshing change. The increased winning opportunities add excitement to the gameplay.
Action-Packed Experience: In today’s fast-paced world, where every second counts, Megaways slots provide an action-packed gaming experience that keeps players engaged. Waiting for outcomes becomes a thing of the past.
Heightened Excitement: Megaways games introduce an element of unpredictability, stimulating the pleasure centers in players’ brains. The combination of fast-paced action and various ways to win creates an adrenaline rush.
Visually Stunning: Megaways slots are known for their impressive visual and audio design. The captivating aesthetics and immersive soundtracks enhance the overall gaming experience.
Variety and Innovation: Megaways slots come in various themes and gameplay styles, ensuring there’s something for every player’s taste. The ongoing innovation within the Megaways concept keeps the games fresh and exciting.
High Volatility: Many Megaways slots offer high volatility, which means the potential for big wins is substantial. This appeals to players looking for significant payouts.
Megaways slots have become a favorite among casino enthusiasts because they offer a dynamic, thrilling, and visually appealing gaming experience. The combination of numerous ways to win and high volatility makes them a compelling choice for those seeking excitement and the potential for substantial rewards in the world of slot gaming.
Furthermore, in many games, the Megaways mechanic has been enhanced to be even more thrilling through special features and highly engaging game themes. Megaways slots are constantly filled with action and have exceptionally high entertainment value. While the return to player percentages in these games typically doesn’t reach astronomical levels, compared to games operated by national monopolies, the return to player percentage of each Megaways slot is indeed commendable.
Advantages of Megaways slots
Massive Winning Potential: The most significant advantage of Megaways slots is the potential for enormous wins. With thousands of ways to win, players can land combinations that lead to substantial payouts.
Enhanced Engagement: The dynamic nature of Megaways slots keeps players engaged as they anticipate the ever-changing combinations on each spin.
Variety of Themes: Megaways has been adopted by numerous game developers, resulting in a vast array of themes and gameplay styles to suit every player’s taste.
Cascading Reels: Many Megaways slots feature cascading or “avalanche” reels, where winning symbols disappear, making way for new ones, potentially leading to consecutive wins in a single spin.
Popular Megaways slots
The success of Megaways has led to a plethora of popular titles, including “Bonanza,” “Extra Chilli,” “Gonzo’s Quest Megaways,” and “Mega Fortune Megaways,” among others. These games have become fan favorites, known for their engaging gameplay and massive winning potential.
- Bonanza
- Extra Chilli
- Piggy Riches
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
- White Rabbit
- Temple Tumble Megaways
- The Dog House Megaways
- Great Rhino Megaways
- Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
- Aztec Gold
How to play Megaways slots?
From the player’s perspective, playing a Megaways slot is no more difficult than playing any other slot game. Here’s how it typically goes:
- Select the Megaways slot that interests you and open it.
- You can explore the game’s paytable, features, and rules by clicking on the information (i) icon, menu icon, or a small question mark icon. This will provide you with information about symbol values and game functions.
- Set your bet according to your gaming budget. This can usually be done by clicking on a coin icon, which opens a menu, or by using plus and minus buttons located below the game area.
- Start playing one spin at a time by clicking the large spin button. Alternatively, you can choose a specific number of automatic spins and define criteria for when they should stop.
- Your remaining balance, bet size, and winnings will automatically update at the bottom of the game screen.
- The game will clearly notify you when you trigger features like free spins or other bonus rounds.
- If the game has a cascading reels feature, it will activate automatically, and you don’t need to do anything to initiate a symbol cascade.
How to play a Megaways slot?
Playing a Megaways slot is straightforward and follows the same principles as playing any other slot game.
Enjoy the excitement and anticipation as you spin the reels!
Impact on the gaming industry
The introduction of the Megaways feature has had a profound impact on gaming industry.
Increased Competition: The success of Megaways slots has spurred competition among developers to create innovative games, resulting in higher-quality gaming experiences for players.
Player Engagement: Megaways slots have proven to be incredibly engaging, attracting both new and experienced players. The dynamic nature of these games keeps players coming back for more.
Game Evolution: The Megaways mechanic has triggered a wave of innovation in the industry, leading to new features and gameplay elements that keep the slot gaming experience fresh and exciting.
Global Popularity: Megaways slots have gained global popularity, making them a staple at online casinos worldwide.
The History of Megaways slots
The history of Megaways slots takes us straight to the land of koalas and the vibrant heart of Sydney, Australia. It was there that the pioneering game developer Big Time Gaming (BTG) spent a considerable amount of time crafting an entirely new game mechanic. BTG’s stroke of genius was to focus on new mathematical solutions, rather than just visual appeal and the creation of new themes.
The company’s breakthrough came in the mid-2010s when they realized that there had been no revolutionary advancements in slot development for years. It was from this realization that Megaways games were born, smashing the conventions of slot machines on a massive scale.
The dynamic reels of Megaways games, where each reel contains a different number of symbols and changes with every spin, creating a continuous cycle of changing ways to win, showcased BTG’s world-class innovation. While many game developers constantly work on new game mechanics, very few ever achieve the level of popularity that Megaways slots have attained.
Dragon Born, released in early 2016, was the first slot to utilize the Megaways game mechanic. In this game, offering 117,649 ways to win, the winning potential was pushed to remarkable heights, and significant resources were invested in its graphical design.
Bonanza was an instant hit regardless of the country or casino it was played in. Casino players had almost a full year to digest and marvel at the magnificent ways to win and the entirely different gaming experience offered by the Megaways mechanic since the release of Dragon Born.
Following Bonanza’s success, the game developer introduced several legendary slots, such as Extra Chilli and White Rabbit. With these new releases, the game mechanic became familiar to a growing fan base, thanks to fresh gameplay features like the bonus buy option and the gamble feature in free spins.
As a result of these releases, Big Time Gaming quickly rose to prominence among major game providers. In the 2020s, there are numerous companies producing Megaways games, all of whom pay licensing fees to BTG. Everyone wants to ride the wave of the Megaways craze, and it’s fitting that BTG’s office is located near some of the world’s most famous surfing destinations, considering they started this Megaways phenomenon.
Game providers that use Megaways feature
New Megaways games are being introduced to online casinos every month. From a game mechanic perspective, Megaways, in addition to bonus buy slots, has become one of the most popular types of games in the era. The production that began in 2016 has reached a point where there are well over 100 slots in this category.
The themes of these games span everything imaginable. However, the common thread among them is the game mechanic originally launched by Big Time Gaming, which usually offers 117,649 ways to win, and sometimes even more.
Among individual game developers, Big Time Gaming rightfully holds the top position, and its best games are among the most popular globally. Since 2018, the pace of new releases has rapidly accelerated, thanks to competition. About twenty gaming companies are developing their own concepts with hopes of achieving Megaways success.
- Big Time Gaming
- Blueprint Gaming
- Fantasma Games
- Inspired Gaming
- Iron Dog Studio
- iSoftbet
- NetEnt
- PG Soft
- Pragmatic Play
- Red Tiger
- ReelPlay
- SG Digital
- Stakelogic
Is it worth playing Megaways slots?
If you’re a complete beginner to online casino gaming, Megaways games with their ever-changing grid may seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, playing slot games is by no means rocket science and is suitable for anyone who enjoys winning based on pure chance.
Understanding the mechanics of Megaways slots becomes relatively easy for those interested in them. However, for first-timers, it might be a good idea to start with simpler games in terms of structure and concept. Once you become familiar with the basic principles of slot gameplay, you can venture into the enchanting world of Megaways. Megaways slots typically have straightforward graphics, and instead of visual tricks, the appeal of these games lies in the randomness of each spin and the excitement it creates.
Megaways games are definitely worth trying out because they offer a completely different gaming experience compared to traditional slots. The thrill evolves as you play. Once you get a taste of Megaways, you’ll likely want more – at least from time to time. Fortunately, Megaways games are now available on many online casinos, so you won’t run out of opportunities. Moreover, we can expect new releases from various game developers in the future.
Final thoughts
The Megaways feature from BGT has revolutionized the world of online slots, providing players with an unprecedented level of excitement and winning potential. Its dynamic reel system, cascading reels, and massive variety of themes have made Megaways slots a dominant force in the gaming industry.
As developers continue to push the boundaries of innovation, Megaways is sure to remain a central feature in the evolution of online slot games. Players can look forward to a future filled with even more thrilling and rewarding Megaways slot experiences.
