Key Insights
Quick Answer
Progressive features are integrated into new casino games to increase excitement, reward long-term play, and create a sense of anticipation and exponential growth for players.
Best Way To Get Better Results
If you enjoy progressive features, manage your bets and time wisely. Set limits for how much you're willing to risk chasing bigger payouts and understand the game’s volatility.
Biggest Advantage
You’ll understand how progressive features work and why they can be a game-changer, offering the potential for large rewards through consistent play.
Common Mistake
Chasing progressive jackpots too aggressively without considering the risk involved. Not all progressive features lead to big wins, and volatility can be high.
Pro Tip
If you’re playing for the progressive jackpot, remember that patience is key. Stick to a betting strategy that allows you to play long enough to trigger the feature without blowing your budget.
What Are Progressive Features in Casino Games?
A progressive feature is any in-game element that increases in value as the player continues to play. While progressive jackpots are the most well-known, other types of progressive features can include:
- Progressive multipliers: The multiplier value increases the more you play, or with each feature that triggers.
- Progressive win totals: Some games have increasing win totals that add up over time, contributing to a growing prize pool.
These features are designed to keep players engaged by offering the potential for exponential growth in rewards, encouraging them to keep playing in hopes of triggering a larger payout.
Why Developers Love Progressives
- Increased player retention: Progressives keep players engaged by offering a long-term goal (the jackpot or bonus).
- Higher excitement: The growing prize pool or multiplier creates a sense of anticipation that makes the game more exciting.
- Marketing appeal: Progressives are easy to market because they offer clear, tangible goals for players, like hitting a jackpot or reaching a certain multiplier level.
If you want to understand how progressive mechanics evolve, read How New Slot Mechanics Are Invented (Article #6).
Types of Progressive Features in New Games
1) Progressive Jackpots
The most common type of progressive feature is the progressive jackpot, where the jackpot grows with each bet placed by players. This can happen in two ways:
- Standalone progressive: The jackpot is tied to a specific game and increases as players place bets.
- Networked progressive: The jackpot is linked across multiple games or casinos, meaning the prize pool can grow faster, as it accumulates from many different players.
These jackpots can reach astronomical amounts, leading to massive payouts if the player is lucky enough to hit the jackpot.
2) Progressive Multipliers
Some slots feature progressive multipliers, which increase over time, either with each spin or as the player progresses through bonus rounds. For example:
- The multiplier might increase with each consecutive win, enhancing the payout as the player keeps winning.
- Bonus rounds may come with progressively higher multipliers, giving players a sense of building rewards as the feature progresses.
These features add excitement by gradually increasing the value of payouts and giving players a reason to keep playing.
3) Cascading Wins with Progressive Features
In many modern slots with cascading reels, winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall into place. Some games add progressive features to this mechanic by:
- Increasing the multiplier with each consecutive cascade
- Adding extra features or bonuses after multiple cascades
This builds a sense of exponential reward, as players feel like the longer they play, the more their rewards grow.
4) Tiered Progressive Bonus Rounds
Some games feature tiered progressive bonus rounds, where players can unlock multiple levels of a bonus round, each offering increasing rewards. The longer you stay in the bonus, the better the potential payout:
- Tier 1: Low payouts with easy objectives
- Tier 2: Higher payouts with tougher objectives
- Tier 3: Big multipliers, free spins, or high-value symbols
This tiered approach provides players with a sense of progress and accomplishment, encouraging them to continue playing to reach the highest levels.
How Progressive Features Enhance the Player Experience
1) Building Anticipation
Progressive features create a sense of anticipation. Players are constantly watching the jackpot grow, or seeing the multiplier increase with each successive spin. This sense of “almost there” builds excitement, which can keep players engaged over a longer period of time.
2) Increasing Player Engagement
The potential for massive payouts through progressive jackpots or multipliers keeps players engaged. The idea that every spin could bring them closer to a big win encourages continued play, and the longer the game goes, the bigger the potential reward.
3) Rewarding Long-Term Play
Progressive features are designed to reward players who play for longer sessions. Whether it’s through increasing multipliers, cascading wins, or tiered bonus rounds, players who stick around longer are more likely to see their rewards grow, which adds to the excitement.
4) Psychological Reward
Humans are naturally drawn to exponential growth, and progressive features tap into this by offering rewards that increase over time. The more a player plays, the bigger the potential payout, and this keeps them motivated to continue.
A Simple Example With Numbers
Imagine a slot game with a progressive multiplier that increases by 1x for every consecutive win.
- Bet size: $1 per spin
- Progressive multiplier: Starts at 1x, increases by 1x for each win in a row
- Gameplay: The player hits a win on the first spin, triggering a 1x multiplier. After two consecutive wins, the multiplier increases to 2x. On the third consecutive win, it jumps to 3x.
Over time, the progressive multiplier can significantly boost winnings, making the player’s wins feel more rewarding and adding excitement to each successive win.
Common Traps To Watch For
Common Traps To Watch For
Trap one
Chasing the progressive jackpot. While exciting, these jackpots are difficult to hit and come with higher volatility. Manage your bankroll and don’t chase wins that might not come.
Trap two
Overestimating the importance of progressive features. While they can be exciting, remember that most of the time, the base game will still account for the bulk of your playtime and results.
Trap three
Underestimating volatility. Progressive features often come with higher volatility, meaning bigger rewards but also longer dry spells.
Quick Checklist
Step 1: Understand the progressive feature’s mechanics before playing.
Step 2: Set a limit for how much you’re willing to risk while chasing the progressive features.
Step 3: Play for fun—don’t base your session on hitting a jackpot.
Step 4: Monitor your bankroll and don’t bet beyond your limits.
Step 5: Take breaks to avoid getting too caught up in chasing progressive features.
FAQs About Progressive Features in Casino Games
How Do Progressive Features Work?
Progressive features accumulate value as you play. Whether it’s a jackpot or multiplier, the reward increases with each bet placed until it’s triggered.
Are Progressive Features Always Worth Chasing?
Not necessarily. Progressive features can be exciting, but they come with higher volatility and risk. Consider your bankroll and risk tolerance before going after these features.
Can Progressive Features Trigger Often?
It depends on the game’s volatility and the feature itself. Some features are rarer than others, but the excitement lies in the potential for big rewards.
What Are the Risks of Playing Progressive Slots?
The main risk is higher volatility, which means you might go longer stretches without winning. Always manage your bets and be prepared for dry spells.
How Can I Maximize My Chances of Winning Progressive Jackpots?
The best approach is to play consistently and responsibly. Progressive jackpots require luck, but playing with patience and understanding the game’s mechanics can help you enjoy the process.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand the role of progressive features in new casino games, the next step is learning about the role of AI in game development—because AI is becoming a key player in optimizing gameplay, balancing features, and enhancing the player experience.
Next Article: How Developers Use AI to Create New Casino Games (Article #14)
Next Steps
If you want to start with the basics, read The Complete Guide to New Casino Games (Article #0).
If you want to go one step deeper, read Why Some New Casino Games Target High Volatility Players (Article #20).
If your goal is to understand payout structures, use Why Some New Games Focus on Higher Payout Frequency (Article #29).
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