Developed by Big Time Gaming (BTG), the Megaways mechanic has radically transformed how players and developers perceive slot gameplay, offering a dynamic reel structure that significantly increases the number of potential winning combinations.
The fundamental concept of Megaways slots is the variable reel symbol height on each spin. Typically, each reel can display between two to seven symbols, and the number changes randomly with each spin.
This variability affects the number of total possible ways to win - with the standard format of six reels, it is possible to achieve up to 117,649 ways to win, calculated as 7^6 (7 symbols per 6 reels). Some games push these boundaries even further, offering up to 586,971 ways in newer variants.The Megaways mechanic was first introduced in 2016 with the release of 'Dragon Born', but it was 'Bonanza Megaways' that truly set the gaming world alight. BTG's innovative approach wasn't limited to increasing the number of win ways; it also integrated features like cascading reels, which allow winning symbols to disappear and new ones to fall into their places, potentially creating further wins.
The mechanic's popularity led BTG to license the technology to other software developers, including industry giants like NetEnt and Blueprint Gaming. This licensing has spurred a wide variety of games featuring the Megaways system, each adding its own unique twist to the fundamental mechanic.
In addition to the variable reel sizes, Megaways slots often include additional features that enhance gameplay:
Megaways slots are typically known for their high volatility, meaning they offer larger payouts that occur less frequently. This can be more attractive to high-risk players looking for big wins.
The Return to Player (RTP) percentages in Megaways slots usually hover around 96%, which is fairly standard for online slots but decent enough to attract serious slot players.
The inception of Megaways slots can be traced back to Big Time Gaming (BTG), an Australian software company known for its innovative approach to online casino games.
BTG CEO Nik Robinson, who had previously founded New Tech Media, which was sold to News Corp and merged with Orbis to become Openbet, envisioned a slot game mechanism that could offer a significantly higher number of potential winning combinations compared to traditional slots.
The first Megaways slot, "Dragon Born," was released in 2016 but did not make a huge impact initially. However, the subsequent release, "Bonanza Megaways" in the same year, became a massive hit. Bonanza effectively utilized the Megaways mechanic, featuring six reels and up to seven symbols per reel, which could result in up to 117,649 ways to win.
The key innovation was the variable symbol height on each reel during every spin, meaning that every spin could have a different number of total possible win ways. This unpredictability, combined with cascading reels and extensive multipliers, added a new dimension of excitement to the gameplay.
Megaways slots have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the casino gaming industry. By transforming the fundamental architecture of the slot machine experience, they have created a new standard that balances complexity with immense entertainment value.
