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The world of online slots exploded in 2016 with the release of the first-ever Megaways slot game. Developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), the Australian software company, Megaways slots introduced a groundbreaking format built on an RNG engine that randomly generates a new number of symbols per reel with every single spin. This innovative mechanic paved the way for games with an astonishing 117,649 paylines and beyond.
In just a few short years, Megaways slots like those at Roll XO Casino have conquered the industry and won the hearts of players thanks to their high volatility potential, dynamic paylines, exciting bonus features, and overall uniqueness. Let’s take a deep dive into understanding exactly how Megaways work and why they have proven to be so revolutionary.
Anatomy of a Megaways Slot
Unlike fixed payline slots of the past, the hallmark of a Megaways game is that every spin brings a different number of symbols per reel, resulting in a fluctuating number of ways to win. While the minimum number of Megaways starts at 117,649, certain features can expand the reels exponentially to over 1 million ways!
Megaways games are built on a 6-reel format with configurable reels that can fit anywhere from 2 to 7 symbols each spin. The first reel always holds 2 symbols, while reels 2-5 fluctuate between 2 and 7 symbols per spin. The final 6th reel always holds 7 symbols, acting as the game’s colossal reel.
This means that every single bet brings a completely unique layout with a varying number of Megaways. Certain in-game features like cascading wins and bonus rounds can further increase the Megaways for even bigger winning potential.
Megaways Paylines in Action To visualize the innovative Megaways mechanic, here is an example spin on the monumentally popular Megaways slot Bonanza showing how the paylines form:
- Reel 1: A, K
- Reel 2: 10, 5, 9
- Reel 3: J, 2, 8
- Reel 4: Q, 7, 3, 10
- Reel 5: K, 5, 9, 2, A
- Reel 6: 4, 6, Q, J, 8, 7, 3
In this spin, there are 4 symbols on reels 2-5 and the standard 7 symbols on reels 1 and 6. This forms a total of 117,649 ways to win – the minimum Megaways. Now, if reels 2-5 had each landed the maximum 7 symbols, this spin would’ve formed a whopping 1,144,000 ways to win!
As you can see, the random expansion and contraction of the reels bring vastly different layouts and new ways to hit winning combinations, no matter the result.
Key Benefits of the Megaways Format
So why has this innovative format struck such a successful chord with players worldwide? There are a few key advantages Megaways slots hold over traditional slots:
- Higher Volatility. The fluctuating reels and Megaways mean significantly higher overall game volatility compared to fixed payline slots. Players have chances to win bigger prizes more frequently.
- Higher RTPs. Megaways slots typically have higher average RTPs in the 96-97% range – much higher than the ~90-95% RTPs of normal video slots. This gives players a better chance of winning over time.
- Cascading Wins. Most Megaways games utilize cascading wins and reaction features after big wins. This allows new symbols to fall into place after wins, bringing consecutive reactions and even more Megaways!
- Engaging Bonus Rounds. Nearly all Megaways slots incorporate highly volatile and entertaining bonus features like free spins, instant bonuses, and more. These are triggered more frequently due to the higher volatility.
- Responsive Layouts. Megaways are built using HTML5 technology that automatically adapts the slot’s layout perfectly across all devices. Players can enjoy Megaways from anywhere flawlessly.
Megaways Revolution Takes Hold
Since the 2016 debut of the pioneering Megaways game Bonanza, the slotspeak.com/new-slots/ format has exploded across the industry with universal acclaim. Top providers like Pragmatic Play, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger, and more have all jumped aboard the Megaways train – bringing their own signature style to the format.
There are now over 100 unique official Megaways slots that have been launched. Fan-favorite titles include Gates of Olympus, Buffalo Rising Megaways, Fishin’ Reels Megaways, and Star Clusters Megaways – all offering their bonus features and volatility profiles. 2022 also brought the launch of the world’s first Megaways jackpot slot in the form of Wheel of Fortune: Extreme Spin by IGT.
And with more providers releasing new Megaways games each month, there’s no sign of the hype fading any time soon. In fact, some projections estimate over $1 billion wagered on Megaways slots annually – a testament to their revolutionary allure and entertainment value for all player types.
Verdict: Megaways are Here to Stay
Very few slot innovations can truly be classified as “game-changing” – but Megaways belong in that rare echelon. The ingenious mechanic of randomly generated reels and thousands of ways to win on every spin has proven to be a revelation that will reshape slot designs indefinitely.
With volatile math models, big win potential, and hugely popular brands utilized, Megaways are only continuing their meteoric rise to dominance. Major online casinos and game developers are all on board with Megaways as the new industry standard – and people can’t get enough. Slots will never be the same again after the dawn of Megaways.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
