Yuriy Muratov, Chief Commercial Officer at 3 Oaks Gaming, highlights the changing dynamics in how bonus features are activated and driven by player preferences.
The sheer thrill of activating a slot’s main bonus feature is second only to securing a big win in what players love about the igaming experience. The anticipation it brings, along with the changing artwork, transitions and unique sounds that occur once triggered, delivers a memorable experience that keeps players coming back for more.
The traditional form of securing the required set number of symbols is industry standard when it comes to bonus feature activation. However, changing market trends have dictated the evolution of this experience to cater for player preferences.
Securing enough bonus symbols can be agonising at times with close calls, but that only brings greater satisfaction when the feature is finally triggered. Yet for a growing number of players, this process is too slow, particularly when compared to other forms of digital entertainment.
From Bonus Buy features to games specifically made with the sole purpose of activating a bonus round, there are now multiple ways in which players can gain access to a title’s flagship feature. It is the evolution of the online slot experience, which is ultimately being shaped into how different player demographics want to enjoy their digital entertainment.
Regulatory hurdles
The introduction of Bonus Buy options transformed the slot experience. No longer did impatient players have to wait to gain access to a game’s key feature. For a fixed cost, they could bypass the base gameplay and ensure gaming sessions were guaranteed to include a bonus feature.
Unsurprisingly, online slot streamers instantly took to this concept as it ensured they could showcase bonus rounds within their sessions and increase audience figures. It remains a staple of their offering, with many live streams dedicated to bonus hunts.
However, changes in regulation have seen Bonus Buy options restricted in certain jurisdictions. This has led to studios exploring alternative approaches to satisfy the demand of bonus feature-hungry players.
One example is the creation of ‘extra bet’ features, where players can increase the cost of their spin in order to raise the chances of triggering a bonus. For a segment of slot enthusiasts, this provides a cheaper alternative, while operators can also offer this safe in the knowledge that it adheres to most regulatory requirements.
Solely bonus-focused content
The way in which players can activate in-game bonus rounds continues to evolve as studios look to introduce new and creative ways to elevate the user experience.
Bonus-focused games is a new genre of slots that is building momentum. These types of slots see the base gameplay feature no regular wins at all – instead, each spin is completely focused on activating the bonus game. For instance, the ‘Hit the Bonus’ range of games that we now offer at 3 Oaks Gaming require players to simply land bonus symbols on the middle row of a 3×3 grid format. Such gameplay is easy to understand for newcomers, while also resonating with bonus-focused players.
Another way in which bonus activation has evolved is through the ‘3 pots’ mechanic. During the base gameplay of this genre of slots, three pots are visible above the reels and each depict a different special modifier that becomes active within the bonus game. Interestingly, it can activate the bonus feature when symbols associated with the pots appear in the gameplay, providing an alternative to the requirement of a set number of symbols.
It is evident that the gameplay of slots continues to change and how the pinnacle of the overall experience, the bonus feature, is triggered. Above all else, it is crucial that operators showcase a diverse range of experiences to ensure the widest audience possible enjoy the excitement of their favourite form of casino entertainment.
