A Mechanic That Redefined an Industry
When Big Time Gaming launched Bonanza in 2016, few could have predicted the seismic impact it would have on the online slots industry. The secret ingredient was the Megaways™ mechanic — a patent-protected reel system that introduced a radically different way of generating winning combinations, replacing fixed paylines with a dynamic, ever-changing structure.
How Megaways™ Works
In a standard slot, each reel displays a fixed number of symbols per spin (usually 3). Megaways™ changes this entirely: on each spin, each reel can display a different number of symbols — typically anywhere from 2 to 7.
The number of active "ways to win" is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols showing on each reel. With six reels each showing up to 7 symbols, the maximum possible combinations is:
7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 × 7 = 117,649 ways to win
This figure has become iconic in the industry — "up to 117,649 ways to win" is the hallmark of a true Megaways™ game.
Cascading Reels: The Natural Partner
Most Megaways™ slots also incorporate cascading reels (also called avalanche reels). After a winning combination, the winning symbols are removed and new symbols fall into the gaps. If another win forms, those symbols cascade away too — creating potential chain reactions from a single spin. Many games apply an increasing multiplier to each cascade in the bonus round, significantly amplifying winning potential.
The Licensing Model and Its Impact
Big Time Gaming chose to license the Megaways™ mechanic to other developers rather than keeping it exclusive — a decision that accelerated its adoption dramatically. Major providers including Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, iSoftBet, and Blueprint Gaming have all created Megaways™ titles. This created an entire sub-genre of online slots, with hundreds of games now carrying the Megaways™ trademark.
Notable Megaways™ Titles by Provider
| Game | Provider |
|---|---|
| Bonanza Megaways™ | Big Time Gaming (original) |
| Extra Chilli Megaways™ | Big Time Gaming |
| Sweet Bonanza Candyland | Pragmatic Play (Megaways-inspired) |
| Gonzo's Quest Megaways™ | Red Tiger / NetEnt |
| Fishin' Frenzy Megaways™ | Blueprint Gaming |
| Primal Megaways™ | Blueprint Gaming |
Why Players Love Megaways™
The appeal of Megaways™ is rooted in several factors:
- Unpredictability: Every spin looks and feels different from the last.
- High volatility excitement: Most Megaways™ games are high variance, offering the thrill of chasing large bonus payouts.
- Cascading win potential: A single bonus round can produce chain reactions worth multiples of the original bet.
- Max win potential: Many Megaways™ games advertise max wins of 10,000x–50,000x the bet, attracting jackpot hunters.
The Criticism: Is Megaways™ Oversaturated?
With hundreds of Megaways™ games on the market, some industry observers argue the mechanic has become oversaturated. Many titles follow an identical structure — six reels, cascades, free spins with multipliers — leading to a "copy-paste" feel. Players and developers alike have begun seeking the next innovative mechanic, such as Cluster Pays or Infinity Reels, to provide fresh experiences.
The Legacy
Whatever comes next, Megaways™ fundamentally changed what players expect from online slots. It proved that core mechanics — not just themes or graphics — can be the primary driver of player engagement. Big Time Gaming's invention will be studied as a landmark moment in casino gaming history for years to come.