The Slot Games That Broke the Mould

Well-known symbols on slot reels in the past included fruit, such as cherries and lemons. These were introduced in the US when games were banned from giving out cash and instead dispensed flavoured candy. Since then, slots have continued to adapt, be it in the age of video or the smartphone. In the modern era, several slot games have helped push the genre onward, breaking the mould and what was expected of them.

Tomb Raider

Microgaming is responsible for some of the biggest moments in slot gaming. Based in the Isle of Man in England, they developed the first online casino software way back in 1994. This would be followed by the release of one of the first online poker networks. Even today, they have many major titles which you can find on websites like Aboutslots. Ranking and rating slot games, Microgaming titles it has discussed include the anime-inspired Our Days, and games with advanced mechanics like Immortal Romance Mega Moolah.

Yet what really made Microgaming special was that they were the first developer to hold a license for an existing product and transfer it to a slot game. This was done by acquiring Tomb Raider from Eidos, meaning they could adorn the likeness of popular video game heroine Lara Croft across the reels of a slot. They enhanced this with explorer-based iconography and even built a bonus game that meant you had to choose golden idols left in a tomb.

By today's standards, the title is quite vanilla, and sequels have appeared much more worth your time. Yet this game set a precedent. It opened the door so everyone from the NBA to classic game shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire could license their intellectual property to slot games. Even Judge Judy managed to get her own title.

Fishin Frenzy

Some slot games lend themselves to a theme quite naturally. When you play a game related to Ancient Egypt, you know there will be links to gold, hidden riches, and so forth. Even other games that dive into mythology have themes related to unearthing long-lost artifacts, which inevitably take the form of cash. Mine the culture of countries like Ireland, and you will find pots of gold at the ends of rainbows and related concepts.

Fishing is not one pastime that you would think lends itself to slot games immediately. Most anglers, when not reeling in fish, catch old kitchen appliances, bicycles, and the odd boot. Yet this theme is extremely popular in slot games, and it is all down to one title: Fishin' Frenzy by Playtech. Originally launched in 2010, its base game is still well-played today and introduced the idea of using a fish-catching mechanic along with reels to unlock bonuses.

The idea arrived just at the perfect moment, as slots were becoming more thematic. As the smartphone allowed casual gaming into the hands of many, its bright, colourful icons and easily recognisable graphics became a huge hit. It has spawned many initiators, though few have the success this one has.

The Megaways Mechanic

Even today, the majority of slots have around 10 to 20 paylines. These are the number of ways you can win in a game. Yet a Megaways mechanic in a game can allow 117,649 or more ways to win, creating volatile, exciting games that break from the traditional fixed reel notion.

The idea came from developers Big Time Gaming, founded in 2011. The first game using the concept arrived in 2016 and provided 4,096 ways to win. The next game, Bonanza Megaways, increased this further. They then began to license the system, allowing Megaways to be used with many popular slot franchises.

Behind them, the idea is that the number of symbols on each reel changes with each spin. These can move between 2 and 7, dictated by a random reel modifier. You could spin once and have very few, then load some on the next spin.

Added to this are several bonuses. Cascading reels are a feature where winning symbols vanish, and others drop to take their place. Additional wins can then be won from a single spin. Multipliers and bonus rounds can add to this. Very select games may even have progressive jackpots that link between casinos, with extremely high amounts.

Slot games are constantly evolving. Current developers like NoLimitCity are really pushing the envelope, using themes previously unheard of and mixing up mechanics to emulate the derided packing systems at major warehouse retailers instead of reels. Live casino has also impacted the slot scene, creating semi-hybrid games that offer elements of chance mixed with live bonus rounds.