How the slot market has changed with this feature
The arrival of the Buy Feature was a watershed moment for the online slot industry. If earlier bonus rounds were perceived as a random event for which players played the drums for tens of minutes, now they have become available in one click. This changed not only the behavior of the players, but also the strategy of the providers, as well as the structure of the entire market.
Before Buy Feature
Bonuses fell out only by accident when scatters fell out.
Players were forced to spend time and money waiting.
Providers focused on the base game, and bonuses were only a "rare event."
The main difference between the slots was the visual theme and simple functions.
With the advent of Buy Feature
1. Shifting focus to bonuses.
Players got the opportunity to immediately get into the main round. As a result, it was bonus mechanics that became the key criterion for choosing a slot.
2. Rise in popularity of high-volatility games.
Previously, such slots were less in demand, as bonuses were too rare. Buy Feature has made them affordable: now even the rarest bonus can be bought.
3. Changing player strategy.
Classic gameplay (long sessions) has become less in demand.
Players began buying series of bonuses to see the result faster.
A new format has appeared - Bonus Hunt, where several bonuses are collected and opened at once.
4. Growth of entertainment and attractiveness for streamers.
The purchase function was perfect for streaming: the audience sees only bonus rounds, without empty spins. This increased the promotion of slots and made them viral.
5. Increased competition between providers.
Studios began to compete in who would offer a more unique implementation:
6. Emergence of hybrid models.
Many games now offer the choice of playing the classic way or buying a bonus. Mystery and Random options also appeared, where the purchase itself determines the level of the bonus.
7. Regulatory changes.
Some markets (for example, the UK) have limited the function of buying a bonus, considering it too risky. In other regions, on the contrary, the demand for such games is growing.
How player perceptions have changed
The bonus became a product. Players perceive the purchase of a bonus as a separate "bet," and not as part of the game.
Rising expectations. Players want to see bright mechanics, large multipliers and unique symbols.
Changing psychology. Instead of long gaming sessions, short and intense ones are increasingly chosen.
Impact on casino market
Casinos began to allocate separate sections of "Bonus Buy Slots."
The number of promotions and tournaments has increased in slots with this function.
Games with Buy Feature increased player retention time and conversion of new users.
Result
The advent of Buy Feature radically changed the slot market. This feature turned the bonus from a rare event into a core gameplay element, shifted the focus towards highly volatile games, and made the industry more dynamic and competitive. Today, slots with the purchase of a bonus are not a separate category, but a full-fledged standard that determines the development of the entire market.
Before Buy Feature
Bonuses fell out only by accident when scatters fell out.
Players were forced to spend time and money waiting.
Providers focused on the base game, and bonuses were only a "rare event."
The main difference between the slots was the visual theme and simple functions.
With the advent of Buy Feature
1. Shifting focus to bonuses.
Players got the opportunity to immediately get into the main round. As a result, it was bonus mechanics that became the key criterion for choosing a slot.
2. Rise in popularity of high-volatility games.
Previously, such slots were less in demand, as bonuses were too rare. Buy Feature has made them affordable: now even the rarest bonus can be bought.
3. Changing player strategy.
Classic gameplay (long sessions) has become less in demand.
Players began buying series of bonuses to see the result faster.
A new format has appeared - Bonus Hunt, where several bonuses are collected and opened at once.
4. Growth of entertainment and attractiveness for streamers.
The purchase function was perfect for streaming: the audience sees only bonus rounds, without empty spins. This increased the promotion of slots and made them viral.
5. Increased competition between providers.
Studios began to compete in who would offer a more unique implementation:
- Nolimit City - extremely expensive and highly volatile bonuses (San Quentin, Tombstone RIP).
- Relax Gaming - mechanics with collectors and progressive multipliers (Money Train).
- Pragmatic Play - mass slots with an available Buy Feature (Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus).
6. Emergence of hybrid models.
Many games now offer the choice of playing the classic way or buying a bonus. Mystery and Random options also appeared, where the purchase itself determines the level of the bonus.
7. Regulatory changes.
Some markets (for example, the UK) have limited the function of buying a bonus, considering it too risky. In other regions, on the contrary, the demand for such games is growing.
How player perceptions have changed
The bonus became a product. Players perceive the purchase of a bonus as a separate "bet," and not as part of the game.
Rising expectations. Players want to see bright mechanics, large multipliers and unique symbols.
Changing psychology. Instead of long gaming sessions, short and intense ones are increasingly chosen.
Impact on casino market
Casinos began to allocate separate sections of "Bonus Buy Slots."
The number of promotions and tournaments has increased in slots with this function.
Games with Buy Feature increased player retention time and conversion of new users.
Result
The advent of Buy Feature radically changed the slot market. This feature turned the bonus from a rare event into a core gameplay element, shifted the focus towards highly volatile games, and made the industry more dynamic and competitive. Today, slots with the purchase of a bonus are not a separate category, but a full-fledged standard that determines the development of the entire market.
