Key Insights
Quick Answer
New games often launch with highly volatile math models to offer larger payouts, more thrilling gameplay, and the potential for huge rewards, while keeping the game exciting for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward experiences.
Best Way To Get Better Results
If you enjoy high volatility, look for games with progressive jackpots, cascading symbols, and multiplying bonus rounds. These features often align with high-volatility games, offering big rewards at higher risks.
Biggest Advantage
You’ll understand how high-volatility games create excitement by offering massive potential payouts and why they are favored by players looking for thrilling, unpredictable gameplay.
Common Mistake
Expecting frequent payouts in high-volatility games. While the rewards can be large, the payouts are typically fewer and less predictable, so be prepared for extended dry spells.
Pro Tip
Manage your bankroll carefully when playing high-volatility games. Set a budget for each session, as these games can lead to larger fluctuations in winnings and losses.
Why Do Developers Choose High-Volatility Models for New Games?
1) Attracting High-Risk, High-Reward Players
High-volatility games are designed for players who enjoy taking risks and are excited by the potential for big rewards. These players thrive on the thrill of larger payouts and are more willing to accept the infrequent wins that come with high volatility. For developers, offering games with high volatility appeals to this player segment, who are eager to experience the adrenaline rush that comes with high stakes.
- Large jackpots: High-volatility games often feature progressive jackpots or large prize pools, which can attract players who are chasing the big win.
- Excitement factor: The unpredictable nature of high volatility keeps players engaged and excited, even if they face long periods without a win.
2) Differentiating New Games in a Crowded Market
The casino industry is highly competitive, and developers are always looking for ways to stand out. By offering highly volatile games, developers create something different and thrilling that catches players’ attention.
- Unique experiences: High volatility offers an experience that is markedly different from low-volatility games, which can help a new game stand out in the market.
- Appealing to thrill-seekers: High-volatility games attract players who love the rush of high-risk gambling, which sets them apart from more casual players who prefer low-volatility games.
By creating games with high volatility, developers cater to a niche market that seeks out intense gaming experiences.
3) Enhancing Game Mechanics with High-Risk Features
High-volatility games often include game mechanics that are designed to trigger massive payouts, though not as frequently. These include:
- Multiplying wilds: Wild symbols that multiply wins by a factor, often triggering big payouts during bonus rounds.
- Cascading reels: A feature where symbols that form winning combinations disappear, making way for new symbols to land and potentially create additional winning combinations.
- Bonus rounds with large potential rewards: Bonus features that offer a chance to win multiplying bonuses, free spins, or jackpots that significantly increase the payout potential.
- Riskier features: Some high-volatility games feature gambling bonuses or other high-risk, high-reward mechanics that allow players to double their winnings or increase payouts.
These features enhance the game’s risk and reward dynamic, keeping players on the edge of their seats.
4) Increasing Session Length for Players
High-volatility games can often lead to longer sessions since players tend to keep playing in the hope of hitting a large win. Although the game may not pay out frequently, the potential for massive rewards encourages players to continue playing longer than they might with low-volatility games, where the wins are more frequent but smaller.
- Engagement: The excitement of potentially triggering a huge win keeps players engaged, even during dry spells when there are no payouts.
- Investment: Players often feel invested in high-volatility games because they are on the edge of a big win, making the gameplay more immersive and compelling.
How High-Volatility Games Are Designed
1) Big Payouts at High Risk
The hallmark of high-volatility games is that they offer larger payouts at the cost of less frequent wins. Developers design these games with the following mechanics:
- Higher payout potential: The big wins in high-volatility games are designed to be substantial, often in the form of jackpots or large multiplier bonuses.
- Unpredictable rewards: Players can go through extended periods without hitting a big win, but when they do, the payouts can be huge, which increases the overall excitement.
2) Bonus Features and High-Stakes Mechanics
Many high-volatility games include bonus features that trigger rarely but offer large rewards when they do. Common features include:
- Free spins with multipliers: Free spins with multipliers can create huge payout potential when combined with expanding wilds or other bonus features.
- Bonus buy options: In some games, players can buy into a bonus round or buy extra spins for an upfront cost, knowing that these bonuses come with high-risk, high-reward mechanics.
These features encourage players to take risks for the chance of massive payouts.
3) Customizable Volatility Settings
Some developers are experimenting with games that allow players to adjust the volatility. For example, players can choose between different levels of volatility, adjusting their win frequency and jackpot potential:
- High volatility for players who prefer bigger risks and rewards.
- Low volatility for players who want more frequent, smaller payouts.
This customization allows players to tailor the game experience to their personal preferences.
A Simple Example With Numbers
Let’s compare two games:
Game A (Low Volatility):
- Bet range: $0.10 to $5
- RTP: 96%
- Volatility: Low
- Features: Frequent small wins, simple bonus round
- Payouts: Frequent but small, with low risk
Game B (High Volatility):
- Bet range: $0.20 to $10
- RTP: 95%
- Volatility: High
- Features: Cascading symbols, progressive jackpot, multipliers
- Payouts: Rare large wins, with high risk and huge potential rewards
Game B has high volatility, meaning the rewards are less frequent but much higher in potential value compared to Game A, which offers consistent but smaller payouts. Game B is perfect for players who enjoy thrills and big risks, while Game A is suited for players who prefer consistent play with moderate payouts.
Common Traps To Watch For
Common Traps To Watch For
Trap one
Expecting frequent wins. High-volatility games can have long dry spells between wins, so be prepared for extended periods without big payouts.
Trap two
Focusing solely on big wins. While high-volatility games offer huge rewards, make sure to understand how the game’s mechanics and features work before committing to large bets.
Trap three
Ignoring bankroll management. High-volatility games require a solid bankroll management strategy to avoid running out of funds during dry spells.
Quick Checklist
Step 1: Understand the volatility of the game before playing.
Step 2: Play with a budget that aligns with high-volatility gameplay.
Step 3: Test the game with smaller bets to get a feel for the win frequency and risk level.
Step 4: Look for bonus features that align with your risk tolerance.
Step 5: Always practice responsible gaming and know when to take breaks.
FAQs About High-Volatility Games
What Is High Volatility in Casino Games?
High volatility means the game offers larger payouts but with less frequent wins. Players may go through long periods without winning but have the chance to trigger big rewards.
Why Do Developers Choose High Volatility for New Games?
High volatility creates an exciting and dynamic experience that appeals to players looking for a high-risk, high-reward game. It also helps differentiate the game in a competitive market.
Can I Win Consistently in High-Volatility Games?
No, high-volatility games offer big wins but are unpredictable. You can experience long dry spells with few payouts, but the rewards are larger when they do come.
Should I Play High-Volatility Games?
If you enjoy thrilling gameplay and the chance for big wins, high-volatility games are ideal. However, make sure you’re comfortable with the risk and longer dry spells.
How Do I Know if a Game Is High Volatility?
Check the game’s RTP and volatility rating. High-volatility games often have higher jackpots and bigger payouts but lower RTP rates and less frequent wins.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand why new games often launch with highly volatile math models, the next step is learning about how new payline systems and ways-to-win mechanics are invented to keep gameplay exciting.
Next Article: How New Payline & Ways-to-Win Systems Are Invented
Next Steps
If you want to start with the basics, read The Complete Guide to New Casino Games
If you want to go one step deeper, read How New Slot Mechanics Are Invented
If your goal is to understand volatility, use Why Some New Casino Games Target High Volatility Players
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