Nested Bonuses and Persistence Trends in Slot Games

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Nested Bonuses Emerge as a Slot Game Trend

One emerging trend in slot games is the use of nested bonuses, such as a hold-and-spin feature within another hold-and-spin or a nested wheel. These features combine bonuses vertically, building one feature inside another rather than having multiple pots interact horizontally.

IGT’s Enchanted Unicorn Returns is one example. Based on a legacy game, the modernized version includes a hold-and-spin feature with a nested pick bonus that augments the original bonus. These combinations offer many possibilities, and the industry may only be scratching the surface.

Triple pots and perceived persistence also remain strong. Both are common across casino floors, while true-persistence games can rise quickly on performance charts before falling off.

The distinction between true and perceived persistence comes down to whether the return to player changes from one spin to the next. With perceived persistence, the size or fullness of a pot does not affect the likelihood of triggering a bonus on the next spin. Even if the graphics make a pot appear ready to burst or close, the odds remain the same.

This is similar to seeing a sequence of red results at a roulette table. That history does not mean the next result will be black. Likewise, a large pot that has not hit recently does not mean it is more likely to hit on the next spin.

True persistence often includes a visible number or physical counter that can indicate its status. Buffalo Link was cited as an example of a game displaying a counter on the screen. However, suppliers are beginning to hide some of these indicators, and newer innovations are making the line between true and perceived persistence less clear.