What are Megaways?

The Megaways engine, licensed by Australian company Big Time Gaming (BTG), replaces the static grid of a conventional pokie with a dynamic, variable one. On any given reel, between two and seven symbols can land, with the total number of symbols displayed changing with every spin. A winning combination is achieved by matching symbols on adjacent reels, starting from the leftmost reel. The number of ways to win is calculated by multiplying the number of symbols on each reel. On a six-reel game, if reels one through six display 4, 5, 6, 3, 5, and 4 symbols respectively, the total ways to win for that spin would be 4 x 5 x 6 x 3 x 5 x 4 = 7,200.^[1]

This system creates a staggering maximum of 117,649 ways to win on a standard six-reel layout when every reel shows seven symbols. Some titles, like Curse of the Werewolf Megaways from Pragmatic Play, utilise this maximum potential. The mechanic is often paired with cascading reels, where winning symbols explode and are replaced by new ones falling from above, creating the possibility for consecutive wins on a single spin.

Nik Robinson, CEO of Big Time Gaming, reflected on the creation in a 2021 interview: "We knew we had something that felt different. It wasn't just another slot. It was a shift in the geometry of the game itself. The initial challenge wasn't building it, but convincing people that players would understand it."^[2] The success of Bonanza provided that proof, creating a player demand that forced other developers to seek licenses.

The licensing model itself became a significant revenue stream for BTG. While specific financial terms are confidential, industry analysis suggests it involves an upfront fee and a revenue-sharing agreement based on the game's performance. This allowed smaller studios to leverage a proven mechanic while BTG benefited from the widespread innovation.

The most profound difference is the shift from player-selected paylines to a mandatory bet on all variable ways. This simplifies the betting process but also removes an element of player strategy concerning bet placement. The dynamic reel structure directly increases the game's variance. With the number of ways fluctuating wildly, the game can produce long sequences of dead spins followed by a single spin with a high way count that triggers a substantial cascade.

Dr. Michael Auer, a behavioural researcher, notes: "The Megaways mechanic, with its cascading features and visually dynamic reels, creates a powerful illusion of control and near-miss experiences. The constant change in the playing field and the rapid symbol movement can lead to a more immersive and potentially more engaging experience for players, which needs to be balanced with clear responsible gambling messaging."^[3]

An unverified but widely circulated statistic among Australian player forums suggests that the average frequency for triggering the free spins feature in a popular title like Bonanza is approximately 1 in 200 spins. This figure is impossible to confirm without access to the game's source code and full simulation data, but it aligns with player experience and the game's high volatility rating. For a game like Curse of the Werewolf Megaways, the "Howling Re-Spins" feature acts as a secondary bonus, potentially leading to the main free spins round, adding another layer of anticipation.

The mechanic has also influenced game selection at casinos. Operators prominently feature Megaways titles because they are proven player favourites. This creates a feedback loop: players demand them, casinos promote them, and developers create more of them. When browsing a casino lobby, Australian players will often find a dedicated "Megaways" category, a testament to the mechanic's market dominance.

Pragmatic Play took the core Megaways blueprint and integrated its own signature features. The Howling Re-Spins is a notable addition. This feature triggers when two or more full stacks of werewolf symbols land. Those reels lock, and a re-spin is awarded. If more werewolf stacks land, they too lock and the re-spin counter resets. This can continue until all six reels are filled with werewolves, guaranteeing a win and often serving as a gateway to the free spins round.

The free spins round is where the largest wins are possible. It begins with a 2x multiplier. Every cascade during the free spins increases the multiplier by 1. Crucially, there is no upper limit to this multiplier during the feature. According to the data from Pragmatic Play's own promotional material, the potential is capped only by the game's maximum win of 10,000x the bet. This combination of unlimited multiplier growth on a 117,649-way grid is the primary driver of the game's high volatility and appeal.

The mechanic's success has spawned a wave of "dynamic ways" or "multiway" systems from other developers seeking to capture the same market without licensing the BTG engine. Examples include NetEnt's Megavolts™ mechanic, Push Gaming's dynamic grids, and Hacksaw Gaming's cluster-pay systems. While these alternatives operate on similar principles of variable symbol arrays, they each have unique rules and feels, creating a sub-genre of pokies defined by their non-static layouts.

For the Australian player, this means more choice and continued innovation. However, it also necessitates a more informed approach to game selection. Simply looking for a "Megaways" badge is no longer enough. Players need to read the game rules, understand the specific bonus triggers, and check the volatility rating. The mechanic has raised the bar for what constitutes an engaging pokie, pushing developers to create more complex and potentially rewarding experiences.