The online gaming industry has evolved dramatically in recent years, with game developers constantly innovating to introduce fresh mechanics that elevate the gaming experience.
These new mechanics have transformed how players engage with online slots, from dynamic reel systems to innovative ways of forming combinations.
Below, we delve into some of the most popular online slot mechanics, such as Megaways, Avalanche, Win Anywhere, Cluster Pays, and Progressive Slots, to better understand how they add variety and entertainment to each title they feature in.
Megaways
Developed by Big Time Gaming, the Megaways mechanic features a dynamic reel system where the number of symbols on each reel varies with every spin. As a result, players never know exactly how many pay lines might be included in the play, which could reach a staggering 117,649 different ways.
In Megaways games, each reel could display between two and a maximum of seven symbols in most cases. The number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel together, meaning that the more symbols appear on the reels, the more potential combinations are available.
One of the earliest and most popular Megaways games is Bonanza, which set the standard for how this mechanic operates. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Extra Chilli are other notable Megaways slots, both featuring the same dynamic reel system but with additional layers of gameplay, such as free spins, bonus rounds, and multipliers.
Avalanche
The Avalanche mechanic creates features also known as cascading reels or tumbling reels. Despite being in play of many different titles for quite some time now, these reels offer a refreshing twist on the traditional reel system.
Instead of simply spinning to a halt and determining returns, this mechanic allows symbols involved in combinations to disappear from the grid.
Once these symbols are removed, new symbols cascade down from above to fill the empty spaces, potentially creating further combinations and extending the chain of results from a single spin.
This mechanic continues until no further combinations are made, giving players multiple chances to form new combinations in one go. This makes for a more dynamic and fast-paced style of play and offers the opportunity to string together multiple outcomes without having to re-spin the reels.
Games like Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt helped popularise the Avalanche feature. In Gonzo’s Quest, the cascading reels are accompanied by an increasing multiplier, which grows with each consecutive combination.
Other games featuring Avalanche mechanics often incorporate additional features, such as locked symbols or special wilds, that further enhance the experience.
Cluster Pays
Instead of needing matching symbols to line up in a specific pattern, Cluster Pays slots form combinations when symbols land in clusters. These clusters are typically formed by a group of symbols that are adjacent to one another, either horizontally or vertically.
The larger the cluster of symbols, the higher the potential to return a range of different values. This system allows for more flexibility compared to classic pay lines, where symbols must align in a fixed sequence to form combinations, opening up the game grid.
NetEnt’s Aloha! Cluster Pays is one of the best-known games featuring this mechanic, set against a vibrant tropical backdrop. Players form clusters of symbols like flowers, tiki masks, and coconuts, with larger clusters leading to a range of different outcomes.
Jammin’ Jars by Push Gaming is another standout example, where colorful jars and fruits form clusters on an 8×8 grid. The jars act as special symbols that could move around the board to increase the chances of further combinations.
Win Anywhere
The ‘Win Anywhere’ mechanic takes flexibility a step further by allowing symbols to land anywhere on the reels and still count toward forming combinations.
Unlike traditional paylines or even clusters, this mechanic doesn’t require symbols to land in any particular pattern or adjacent to one another. As long as a certain number of matching symbols appear anywhere across the reels, a combination is formed.
Games like Raging Rhino by WMS exemplify the Win Anywhere mechanic, where combinations are formed when a specific number of symbols appear across the game grid. In Raging Rhino, players could land combinations on any of the six reels, regardless of the symbols’ exact positions.
Progressive Slots
A progressive slot is a game where a portion of each bet helps the jackpot grow over time. After the jackpot is claimed, it resets to a predetermined starting amount, which is chosen randomly and is never zero.
As players continue to spin the reels, a percentage of each bet adds to the jackpot, allowing it to gradually increase until it is won again.
For some games, such as Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, the jackpot has the potential to keep building without a limit, while others have a set maximum, where the jackpot is returned either before or once it reaches that cap.
Summary and Responsible Gambling
Every slot mechanic adds an extra layer of interest to the gameplay of the titles they feature within. Each innovation has ultimately helped to reshape the online gaming experience, contributing further variety from the original, classic games.
Players should always set limits and be aware of their habits to ensure a balanced approach to gaming. Enjoyment and entertainment should remain at the forefront, with a mindful approach to playing for fun and being responsible.
RELATED ARTICLES
