Megaways and Pragmatic Play: Peak Online Slots Entertainment

What happens when an award-winning casino game developer adopts a groundbreaking online slot mechanic? The answer is simple: magic happens.

Join us as we explore what makes the Big Time Gaming (BTG) Megaways mechanic so appealing to players and how Pragmatic Play has used it to create an impressive catalogue of immersive and high-paying slot games.

How Megaways Changed the Video Slot Game

BTG was founded in 2011 to find new ways to enhance the online casino experience. While the company built a portfolio of popular online slots, it was its core gameplay system, Megaways, that cemented its reputation within the industry.

What the Video Slot Sector Had to Offer:

At the time, video slots largely followed fixed payline structures, ranging from 20 paylines to 1024 ways to win. The number of paylines also influenced a slot's reel and row configuration, as well as how winning combinations were formed and counted.

Here is a look at what players had available before Megaways arrived:

What Made the Megaways Mechanic Unique:

Here is a quick look at the innovations that helped Megaways reshape online gambling:

• Variable Reels: Each reel could display a different number of symbols on every spin, creating a constantly changing game layout.
• 117,649 Ways to Win: Players had access to far more winning combinations than traditional payline and 243 Ways slots.
• Cascading Reels: Winning symbols disappeared and made way for new ones, creating opportunities for multiple wins from a single spin.
• Win Multipliers: Many Megaways slots increase multipliers during consecutive cascades, boosting payout potential.
• Dynamic Gameplay: The changing reel setup meant no two spins felt alike.
• Licensing: BTG licensed the mechanic to other developers, resulting in hundreds of Megaways titles.
• Player-Focused Volatility: The mechanic supported both frequent small wins and the potential for significant payouts, appealing to a wide range of players.

The introduction of Megaways gave developers greater freedom to experiment with winning combinations, reel configurations, and game mechanics, helping pave the way for many of the bonus features and in-game power-ups players enjoy today.

Pragmatic Play Launches its First Megaways Slot

2020 was a pivotal year for fans of RNG (random number generator) slots, with BTG announcing a partnership agreement with award-winning casino software developer Pragmatic Play.

Melissa Summerfield, then Chief Commercial Officer at Pragmatic Play, said:

“We are thrilled to release our first-ever Megaways™ slot. We hope to bring a new dimension to a popular gameplay that will surely resonate with our fanbase and beyond.”

The resulting release was Great Rhino Megaways, a medium-volatility slot set on a sub-Saharan African safari, much like the headline-grabbing Mega Moolah.

With its free spins, respins, and jackpot mini-game, Great Rhino Megaways proved that Pragmatic Play could successfully adapt the Megaways formula, paving the way for dozens of future releases.

Megaways Goes Mainstream with Pragmatic Play

Unlike many studios that released only a handful of Megaways titles, Pragmatic Play has embraced the mechanic across multiple themes and volatility levels, building a portfolio that appeals to both casual players and high-volatility gaming enthusiasts.

1. In-House IP: Big Bass Bonanza Megaways

Players are transported to a lively fishing retreat where every cast could land a valuable catch. This medium-to-high volatility slot combines free spins, money symbols, and fisherman collectors, with progressive multipliers of up to 10x helping punters land sizeable wins.

Games in this category include Big Bass Hold & Spinner Megaways, as well as a host of non-Megaways games.

Play Big Bass Bonanza Megaways and other Big Bass games at V.Vegas Casino today.

2. Fantasy & Magic Slots: Dragon Pots Megaways

Venture into a fiery dragon lair packed with magical creatures, hidden treasures, and powerful bonus features. This medium-volatility slot combines free spins, expanding modifiers, wild symbols, and multipliers to create exciting opportunities for bigger wins.

Games in this category include Witch Heart Megaways, Power of Merlin Megaways, and Curse of the Werewolf Megaways.

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3. Animal Slots: Mustang Gold Megaways

Traverse the Wild West, where roaming mustangs, cash prizes, and jackpot rewards await on every spin. This medium-to-high volatility slot combines tumbling reels, instant-win collect symbols, fixed jackpots, and a free spins feature that can offer substantial payouts.

Games in this category include Buffalo King Untamed Megaways, The Dog House Megaways, and Mammoth Gold Megaways.

Play Mustang Gold Megaways and other animal-themed slots at Stake Casino today.

4. Wild West Slots: Bandit Megaways

Players are dropped into a lawless Wild West frontier filled with outlaws, tumbling reels, and explosive multiplier opportunities. This high-volatility slot features free spins, retriggers, and dynamite multipliers of up to 500x, with winning multipliers \ carrying forward during the bonus round for bigger rewards.

Games in this category include Wild West Gold Megaways and Buffalo King Megaways.

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5. Ancient Culture Slots: Book of Tut Megaways

Enjoy an Egyptian treasure-hunting adventure filled with ancient relics, hidden riches, and expanding symbols. This medium-volatility slot features up to 117,649 ways to win, free spins with an expanding symbol, and an ante bet that increases the chances of triggering the bonus feature.

Games in this category include Pompeii Megareels Megaways, Aztec Gems Megaways, and Ancient Island Megaways.

Play Book of Tut Megaways and similar slots at Megapari Casino today.

6. Mythology Slots: Might of Freya Megaways

Travel to a realm of Norse mythology, where the goddess Freya oversees tumbling reels, powerful wilds, and epic rewards. This high-volatility Megaways slot features respin-triggering Super Symbols, increasing multipliers during free spins, and a unique bonus wheel that can award up to 20 free spins.

Games in this category include Revenge of Loki Megaways, Fury of Odin Megaways, and Power of Thor Megaways.

Play Might of Freya Megaways and other myth-rich slots at Wageon Casino today.

7. Asian Slots: Floating Dragon Megaways

This slot blends Asian mythology with the expanded possibilities of the Megaways format, taking players on a quest for fortune alongside the legendary Floating Dragon. This high-volatility title features up to 236,196 ways to win, free spins, a Hold & Spin bonus, instant prizes, and win multipliers, all contributing to its max win of 20,000x.

Games in this category include 5 Lions Megaways and Floating Dragon New Year Festival Ultra Megaways.

Play Floating Dragon Megaways and other Asian slots at PlayOJO Casino today.

From dragons and Vikings to treasure hunters and outlaws, Pragmatic Play's Megaways portfolio showcases just how versatile it can be. If any of these releases catch your eye, play them at our top online casinos today.