Archives for January 2024

The original video game generation has grown up to become parents themselves, and, truth be told, many of them still love gaming – even if there’s much less time for it. The world’s leading gaming software providers have a keen understanding of this, and as a result, online video slots are packed with more exciting and potentially rewarding special features than ever before.

This is good news for players who enjoy the entertainment offered by video games. In addition to the action that unfolds when they trigger special features such as Wild symbols and mini-games, players can enjoy additional opportunities to win real money in ways that don’t necessarily involve spinning the reels. Ready to learn more? Let’s delve into the thrilling world of online video slot special features.

Wait – What’s A Video Online Slot?

Video slots online are like slot machines with video screens that display animated scenes and special features you’ll find in gaming destinations around the world. The biggest difference is that online slots are available to play on the worldwide web – and you can do this whenever it suits you, in the comfort of your own home.

The first video slot appeared in 1976, when the Fortune Coin Company unveiled Fortune Coin, a slot machine that incorporated a nine-inch Sony TV monitor. Rather than appearing on mechanical reels, the game symbols appeared on the screen.

Video slots continued to develop over the next decade, but the real revolution came in 1994, when software provider Microgaming played a pivotal role in launching the world’s first web-based gaming destination with a collection that included the first video slots online. Since then, leading providers and startups have taken these games to new heights by constantly improving graphics, sound, mechanics, and of course, special features.

Popular Video Online Slot Special Features

In most video slots online, special features are triggered when various conditions are fulfilled. Generally, players do not need to do anything other than spin the reels to trigger bonus features, although in some games, specific features can trigger randomly at any point in the game. The most popular features included in video online slots include:

Autoplay

Rather than being a special feature that adds to the entertainment, Autoplay makes playing online video slots more convenient. After accessing the feature via the button on the interface, you can set the game to play itself automatically for a set number of spins or until a specific stop condition is fulfilled, such as by winning a certain amount of money.

After activating the feature, the game will place bets of your preferred size and spin the reels until the game stops, or you stop the feature earlier.

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols are one of the most popular and common of all special features you can trigger when playing video slots at sites such as Grand Eagle casino. These symbols are so popular that they even appear in some classic and progressive jackpot slots. Wild symbols behave the same way Wild cards do in card games, that is, they can substitute for most if not all other reel symbols when they land in a position in which they can complete a winning combination.

In some of the slots with these symbols, the Wilds go beyond their basic function described above. They can also act as Multipliers to increase the payouts they help create, remain in one position for several spins, move to other positions, or expand to fill a reel while remaining active, potentially participating in several winning combinations.

Scatter Symbols

Not as common as Wilds, Scatter symbols do different things in different games. In some video slots, their only function is to form winning combinations regardless of the position they land in. They do not need to land on a payline or in consecutive order to create a paying combination.

In other games, Scatters can perform the above function and/or trigger a Free Spins round. If you trigger a Free Spins round, the game will play a set number of spins at a bet of the same size as the one that you placed on the triggering spin. However, as this is a bonus round, the bets won’t come out of your bankroll. Free Spins rounds often have additional features, such as a Multiplier Trail or special Wilds.

Bonus Rounds And Mini Games

If there are any video online slot special features that most closely resemble video gaming elements, those features are the bonus rounds and mini games. These features are usually triggered by themed bonus symbols, although in some games, they’re triggered by the Scatter or Wild symbol.

Bonus rounds and mini games can take many different forms. Some of the most common include Pick and Win games, Bonus Wheel spins that award multipliers, coin prizes, or additional spins, Virtual Board Games, and Bonus Spins or Re-Spins on different sets of reels.

Gamble Feature

Some online video slots have an optional Gamble feature. Rather than being triggered by a specific symbol landing on the reels, the feature becomes available to activate whenever you land a win. If you choose to play the Gamble game, you can stand a chance to double or even quadruple your total winnings.

Most of these double-or-nothing games take the form of a simple card game. Your goal is to guess the color and/or suit of the hole card (the face-down card next to the face-up card). If your first guess is correct, your total winnings will be doubled. If your first and second guesses are correct, your already-doubled winnings will be doubled again.

Action-Packed Gaming Online

There are plenty of other great reasons to give the reels of video slots a spin online. Some of the other features you can find in some games include reels that pay both ways, cascading reels that replace winning combinations with new symbols for chances to create another win, and 243 or more ways to win instead of traditional paylines. With so much packed into video slots online, it’s not surprising they are the most popular of all reel-based games, especially among players who played (or still play) video games.

Learning to play a musical instrument is so much more than just discovering a wonderful pastime or hobby. It’s one of the most rewarding activities you can do that extends far beyond just making music. In fact, studies show that playing an instrument provides a wide variety of benefits that extend far beyond entertainment. If you’ve been considering starting to play a musical instrument, then here are some benefits you can anticipate.

Increased Cognitive Abilities

When you learn to play a musical instrument, studies show that you have dramatically increased cognitive functions. Musicians compared to non-musicians tend to have much better memories, and in many cases advanced problem-solving skills.

This is likely due to reading sheet music. The intricate dance between reading notes and executing them with your mouth and fingers stimulates the brain in a unique way that other activities don’t. Not to mention, maintaining rhythm at the same time, which requires a considerable amount of cognitive ability. In other words, there’s never been a better way to get smarter!

Emotional Release

Music has the ability to release a wide range of emotions through the power of sound. Whether you blow into a trumpet or tap gently on a piano, music can provide the perfect relief. Not to mention, engaging with your instrument can be a form of connection with your inner self. The sounds you can make with your mouth or your hands are often feelings that we cannot necessarily put into words. So, expressing these through sound allows us to tap into feelings we might not have ever even known existed.

Increased Discipline

Learning to play and mastering to play requires a significant amount of self-discipline. If you hope to get good at your instrument, you’ll need to practice regularly. And although playing itself may be enjoyable, practicing isn’t always necessarily a musician’s favorite part of being a musician.

However, the journey of music-making means consistent effort and practice, which can in turn affect other areas of our life. With the self-discipline of learning to play an instrument comes the realization that we can apply this same discipline to any area of our life. As such, it opens up doors to all sorts of new opportunities we may not have been willing to try.

Social Connections

One of the most wonderful parts of playing music is that it can be done alone or with others. If you’ve been looking for a way to make social connections, then look no further than a jam session. Playing an instrument allows you to connect with other musicians, whether it’s through creating a band of your own, or attending other musical events.

Sharing the joy of music with other musicians creates a unique camaraderie and shared passion. When you spend time with people who have the same interests as you, it gives you a unique sense of belonging.