How bonus mechanics have evolved over the past 10 years
How bonus mechanics have evolved over the past 10 years: the evolution of bonus games in slots
Introduction
Slot bonus games have become one of the most popular features of online casinos, and over the past 10 years, their development has been truly revolutionary. Slot developers are constantly looking for new ways to make the game more exciting and profitable by introducing innovative bonus mechanics. These changes significantly affected the gameplay, increasing the chance of winning and making games more interactive. In this article, we look at how bonus mechanics have changed over the past decades and what new features have become standard in modern slots.
2010s: the beginning of the era of difficult bonus rounds
1. Free spins with progressive multipliers.
In the 2010s, bonus games began to become more dynamic and multi-stage. One of the first major innovations was the introduction of progressive multipliers in free spins. In such slots, multipliers increased with each new spin, which gave players the opportunity to receive large winnings. This innovation attracted the attention of many players, and it quickly became popular in the industry.
Example:
2. "Pick-and-Click" bonuses.
One of the first interactive mechanics was bonuses with a choice of objects, or "Pick-and-Click." Players selected symbols or items that hid prizes, such as money, extra spins, or multipliers. These bonuses not only added an element of surprise, but also required the player to be involved in the process, which made them popular among players.
Example:
3. Multilevel bonuses.
Tiered bonuses, which included multiple stages, became the new standard in the 2010s. Players moved from one stage of the bonus round to the next, where they were waiting for additional opportunities to win. These bonuses brought not only a large number of free spins, but also increased the winning chances with each new level.
Example:
2020s: New horizons with innovative bonuses
1. Interactive bonuses with plot elements.
One of the main trends of the 2020s was the introduction of bonus rounds with plot elements. Such bonuses allow players to actively influence the development of events, choosing characters or functions that determine the course of the bonus game. This makes the game more fun and dynamic, increasing player engagement in the process.
Example:
2. Progressive bonuses and jackpots.
In recent years, progressive bonuses with growing multipliers and jackpots have become even more common. These bonuses offer players a chance at huge payouts, as they increase with each new spin or bonus stage. These bonuses have become especially popular in high-volatility games, where the chances of large payouts are higher, but the risk also increases significantly.
Example:
3. "Infinity Reels" and Megaways mechanics.
The mechanics of Infinity Reels and Megaways made bonus games more exciting and profitable, as they provide players with additional opportunities to form winning combinations. These mechanics allow you to increase the number of characters on the reels, thereby increasing the chances of activating bonus features and significant payouts.
Example:
4. Bonuses with choice and personalized progress.
New bonuses in slots have begun to include personalization elements, where players can choose which bonuses or features they want to activate. This gives them the opportunity to adapt the game to their preferences and increases the chance of big payments. Such bonuses have become more common due to their interactivity and the ability to adapt to a specific player.
Example:
Trends in the development of bonus mechanics: what awaits us in the future?
1. Hybrid power-ups and adaptive mechanics.
In the future, we will see even more hybrid bonus features that combine various mechanics, such as progressive multipliers, select bonuses, and expanding symbols. These mechanics will be even more adaptive, changing depending on the style of play of each player.
2. In-depth interaction with the plot.
Slots with interactive plots will have to develop further, offering even deeper and more multi-layered stories in which the player's choice will have a greater impact on the final payments and gameplay.
3. Bonuses with blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies.
Bonus features based on blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies are expected to become increasingly popular. This will allow players to receive cryptocurrency bonuses and winnings, as well as provide new forms of bonus features such as gaming tokens and NFTs.
Conclusion
Introduction
Slot bonus games have become one of the most popular features of online casinos, and over the past 10 years, their development has been truly revolutionary. Slot developers are constantly looking for new ways to make the game more exciting and profitable by introducing innovative bonus mechanics. These changes significantly affected the gameplay, increasing the chance of winning and making games more interactive. In this article, we look at how bonus mechanics have changed over the past decades and what new features have become standard in modern slots.
2010s: the beginning of the era of difficult bonus rounds
1. Free spins with progressive multipliers.
In the 2010s, bonus games began to become more dynamic and multi-stage. One of the first major innovations was the introduction of progressive multipliers in free spins. In such slots, multipliers increased with each new spin, which gave players the opportunity to receive large winnings. This innovation attracted the attention of many players, and it quickly became popular in the industry.
Example:
- Gonzo's Quest (NetEnt) is a slot that was the first example of using progressive multipliers in bonus spins. It was an important innovation that brought an element of strategy and increased the chances of big wins.
2. "Pick-and-Click" bonuses.
One of the first interactive mechanics was bonuses with a choice of objects, or "Pick-and-Click." Players selected symbols or items that hid prizes, such as money, extra spins, or multipliers. These bonuses not only added an element of surprise, but also required the player to be involved in the process, which made them popular among players.
Example:
- The Slotfather (BetSoft) is one of the first "Pick-and-Click" bonus slots where players selected symbols to receive various bonuses. This added interactivity and dynamism to the gameplay.
3. Multilevel bonuses.
Tiered bonuses, which included multiple stages, became the new standard in the 2010s. Players moved from one stage of the bonus round to the next, where they were waiting for additional opportunities to win. These bonuses brought not only a large number of free spins, but also increased the winning chances with each new level.
Example:
- Jack and the Beanstalk (NetEnt) is a slot with multi-level bonuses, where each new stage of the bonus opens up additional opportunities for receiving large payments.
2020s: New horizons with innovative bonuses
1. Interactive bonuses with plot elements.
One of the main trends of the 2020s was the introduction of bonus rounds with plot elements. Such bonuses allow players to actively influence the development of events, choosing characters or functions that determine the course of the bonus game. This makes the game more fun and dynamic, increasing player engagement in the process.
Example:
- Vikings Go Berzerk (Yggdrasil Gaming) - a slot with bonuses based on the choice of actions in the plot. Players select characters and complete tasks that affect the final outcome of the game.
2. Progressive bonuses and jackpots.
In recent years, progressive bonuses with growing multipliers and jackpots have become even more common. These bonuses offer players a chance at huge payouts, as they increase with each new spin or bonus stage. These bonuses have become especially popular in high-volatility games, where the chances of large payouts are higher, but the risk also increases significantly.
Example:
- Mega Moolah (Microgaming) is a progressive jackpot slot where bonuses increase with each new spin, giving players a chance at giant payouts.
3. "Infinity Reels" and Megaways mechanics.
The mechanics of Infinity Reels and Megaways made bonus games more exciting and profitable, as they provide players with additional opportunities to form winning combinations. These mechanics allow you to increase the number of characters on the reels, thereby increasing the chances of activating bonus features and significant payouts.
Example:
- Bonanza Megaways (Big Time Gaming) is a slot with Megaways mechanics that offers players up to 117,649 ways to win in each spin, which significantly increases the chances of activating the bonus round.
4. Bonuses with choice and personalized progress.
New bonuses in slots have begun to include personalization elements, where players can choose which bonuses or features they want to activate. This gives them the opportunity to adapt the game to their preferences and increases the chance of big payments. Such bonuses have become more common due to their interactivity and the ability to adapt to a specific player.
Example:
- Reactoonz 2 (Play 'n GO) is a bonus slot where players can choose between different bonuses based on their current progress in the game, which adds a strategy element.
Trends in the development of bonus mechanics: what awaits us in the future?
1. Hybrid power-ups and adaptive mechanics.
In the future, we will see even more hybrid bonus features that combine various mechanics, such as progressive multipliers, select bonuses, and expanding symbols. These mechanics will be even more adaptive, changing depending on the style of play of each player.
2. In-depth interaction with the plot.
Slots with interactive plots will have to develop further, offering even deeper and more multi-layered stories in which the player's choice will have a greater impact on the final payments and gameplay.
3. Bonuses with blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies.
Bonus features based on blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies are expected to become increasingly popular. This will allow players to receive cryptocurrency bonuses and winnings, as well as provide new forms of bonus features such as gaming tokens and NFTs.
Conclusion
