The world of online slots grows more innovative every year as developers race to deliver the next big thing in-game features. Two slot mechanics that have taken the industry by storm recently are Megaways and Cluster Pays. These build on classic slot foundations while incorporating fresh ideas for gameplay, bonuses, and payout potential.
- Inside megaways slots
Megaways make every spin count more through massively expanded symbol positions and ways to win. Traditional slots use fixed reels and rows, typically with just 243 ways max to land prize combinations across pay lines. But, Megaways breaks that mold with adjustable reels able to expand into up to 117,649 winning ways! With randomly shifting reel sizes from spin to spin, the possibilities are hugely energizing.
How do they work?
The number of symbols each reel displays per spin varies. So reels may show just 2 icons on one spin, then expand to display up to 7 on the next before shrinking back down again. Both the number of symbols and reel positions get adjusted every round. This innovative math allows exponential growth in the ways icons can line up to form winners. Reels expand up to 7 positions vertically using the proprietary Megaways mechanic invented by slot pioneers Big Time Gaming.
Megaways advantages
Adjustable reels bring important benefits:
- Massive winning potential – Covering up to 117,649 ways across 6 reels dwarfs old-school slots.
- Frequent payouts – Greater coverage means more ways to hit winning mixes of symbols.
- Big event feel – Ever-changing reels build anticipation and excitement for bigger payouts.
- Fun fact – It’s a blast watching reels whizzing around and landing random patterns.
- Breaking down cluster pays
Cluster situs slot gacor take a unique approach. Instead of pay lines, Cluster Pays awards prizes for landing clusters of matching symbols. The key advantage is more flexibility to form winners with less reliance on fixed pay lines or positions.
How do they work?
Cluster slots fill the entire playfield with symbols rather than spinning set reels. Payouts are then awarded for landing clusters of 5, 6, or even more matching icons. Cluster sizes, shapes, and positions can vary randomly, opening up exciting new geometry for forming prize groups.
Advantages include:
- Wider payout potential – hitting anywhere on the screen allows bigger chances to cluster enough symbols.
- Cascading wins – Symbols explode to fill gaps, allowing more clusters to occur cascading-style.
- Simplicity – with no fixed reels/rows/lines, it’s easier to recognize winning clusters.
Other notable mentions
Some other unique slot innovations to look out for beyond Megaways and Cluster Pays include:
- Split symbols – Single icons that count as two separate symbols toward payout combos.
- Multipliers trails – Growing prize multipliers as part of payline payouts.
- Reel modifiers – Elements that transform or affect entire slot reels in various ways.
Time to spin and win
Slots fans have so many fresh innovations to look forward to as developers push boundaries. Megaways and Cluster Pay slots lead the way with their creative math driving bigger winning potential compared to classic slot setups. It’s an exciting time to spin as these exhilarating new features get combined in more and more slots each year.