Ask me anything (about slots)!

[slotmaster]

No. Even if we ask what the RTP of the slot is, they will not show us it at land based. All we know is that they can't at least for me in the province of Ontario be lower than 85% RTP.

And they don't even pay that as today for an example, It was defo at the 85% or lower, It was sad. This casino has been caught multiple times not paying what they're supposed to be paying.

 

[trancemonkey]

And they don't even pay that as today for an example, It was defo at the 85% or lower, It was sad. This casino has been caught multiple times not paying what they're supposed to be paying.

I believe it's still that as a minimum but most will be in the low 91 to 93 region I would guess.

 

[slotmaster]

I believe it's still that as a minimum but most will be in the low 91 to 93 region I would guess.

It was brutal either way,lol. Could not even play Elephant King again as they took it out already.

 

[BabylonBear]

Okay @trancemonkey I have a new one for you.

True or false: The result of any online slot spin on a given machine is independent of any other spin.

If not, what does it depend on? If yes, how is it possible to have features which span across multiple spins?

For example, Jurassic Park. It has a "T-Rex Alert" feature which activates "randomly". When that happens, you get a bonus for the duration of several spins. How is that possible? How can you fit this sort of persistence into what is normally a stateless system? Not from an implementation point of view, but I mean in terms of calculating RTP, as well as maintaining the notion of randomness and fairness. Because if you have a feature which lasts several spins, you can no longer claim that different spins are independent.

 

[dionysus]

id think it was still independent but with either different reel strips or added symbols and that rtp is factored in with all potential outcomes same as with fs, features, etc - but im not the expert

 

[BabylonBear]

id think it was still independent but with either different reel strips or added symbols and that rtp is factored in with all potential outcomes same as with fs, features, etc - but im not the expert

You can calculate the value of a set of free spins, and add it to the value of an individual spin. But that feature is still contained within a single spin in the original game.

Whereas the "T-Rex Alert" spans across multiple spins.

 

[trancemonkey]

You can calculate the value of a set of free spins, and add it to the value of an individual spin. But that feature is still contained within a single spin in the original game.

Whereas the "T-Rex Alert" spans across multiple spins.

Its actually quite simple.

Each spin is (and must be) independent to all previous spins.

The Jurassic Park one is an easy answer, and it also works for Wish Master and other games with persistence...

The chance of triggering the "feature" (I.e T-Rex mode) must be constant on the press of the start button. Once the "T-Rex" mode is triggered, all the spins in that mode must be independent but because the T-Rex mode is active, it is probably picking from a different set of reel bands.

The reason it is allowed is because the feature starting was still randomly determined, and the spins in the feature are still randomly determined. The important thing to remember here as well us it's not hiding it from the player... it is clear the game mode has changed and therefore it is fair to assume the player would expect different reels to be used.

Regulators dont like (and dont allow) it where things like this are done and hidden.

 

[snorky510238]

What triggers a random feature? There must be something built into the software that does this. I mean like say the Napoleon random features.

 

[trancemonkey]

What triggers a random feature? There must be something built into the software that does this. I mean like say the Napoleon random features.

A chance. Plain and simple.

For example, when you press start there might be a 1% chance of a random feature or a 99% chance of a normal reel spin.

The important thing is that that chance is always the same. It must remain constant.

There are exceptions of course, for example in a T-Rex mode you could make it so there are no random features. You would have to specify this in the rules.

But in normal play, you would always have to have the same chance (1% for example).

 

[snorky510238]

Yeah obviously there is a chance I get that but what determines if that chance comes to fruition? Is it just a different way of giving free spins that would of occurred anyway should that spin of played out normally. In that 3 bonus symbols would of landed anyway.

 

[mcgameboy]

Its actually quite simple.

Each spin is (and must be) independent to all previous spins.

The Jurassic Park one is an easy answer, and it also works for Wish Master and other games with persistence...

The chance of triggering the "feature" (I.e T-Rex mode) must be constant on the press of the start button. Once the "T-Rex" mode is triggered, all the spins in that mode must be independent but because the T-Rex mode is active, it is probably picking from a different set of reel bands.

The reason it is allowed is because the feature starting was still randomly determined, and the spins in the feature are still randomly determined. The important thing to remember here as well us it's not hiding it from the player... it is clear the game mode has changed and therefore it is fair to assume the player would expect different reels to be used.

Regulators dont like (and dont allow) it where things like this are done and hidden.

It is a different set. Basically, while the T-Rex Alert "featurette" is active (almost always for exactly 6 spins, but in the odd rare case, 12 spins),
there are 35 wilds added to the reels.
I am presuming that this is to replace all of the scatters that would normally be present within the standard base game reel set,
as well as chucking in a few extra wilds in isolated spots.

I am presuming this is because....

1. I've never seen a scatter land while T-Rex Alert is active.
2. I've seen a wild land in isolation on the middle row during T-Rex Alert, but have never seen it happen in the base game.

Also, while T-Rex Alert is active, you cannot increase your bet size, as there is a small padlock beside the word "bet".
Again, I am presuming that this to prevent the player trying to exploit the game by hiking his/her bet while it temporarily has "enhanced reels" active.
Because while the chance of landing a full screen of wilds remains exactly the same (as the stacked wilds remain 3 rows high),
the chances of a getting a wildline do increase, as there are likely to be 7 extra wilds per reel (assuming the 35 extra wilds are distributed evenly).

But all of this is clear for all players to see. So I don't see an issue here.

 

[BabylonBear]

It is a different set. Basically, while the T-Rex Alert "featurette" is active (almost always for exactly 6 spins, but in the odd rare case, 12 spins),
there are 35 wilds added to the reels.
I am presuming that this is to replace all of the scatters that would normally be present within the standard base game reel set,
as well as chucking in a few extra wilds in isolated spots.

I am presuming this is because....

1. I've never seen a scatter land while T-Rex Alert is active.
2. I've seen a wild land in isolation on the middle row during T-Rex Alert, but have never seen it happen in the base game.

Also, while T-Rex Alert is active, you cannot increase your bet size, as there is a small padlock beside the word "bet".
Again, I am presuming that this to prevent the player trying to exploit the game by hiking his/her bet while it temporarily has "enhanced reels" active.
Because while the chance of landing a full screen of wilds remains exactly the same (as the stacked wilds remain 3 rows high),
the chances of a getting a wildline do increase, as there are likely to be 7 extra wilds per reel (assuming the 35 extra wilds are distributed evenly).

But all of this is clear for all players to see. So I don't see an issue here.

Cheers, thanks for the insight. Curious, does the T-Rex mode still stay active if you close the game after a couple spins and come back the next day?

 

[BabylonBear]

Its actually quite simple.

Each spin is (and must be) independent to all previous spins.

The Jurassic Park one is an easy answer, and it also works for Wish Master and other games with persistence...

The chance of triggering the "feature" (I.e T-Rex mode) must be constant on the press of the start button. Once the "T-Rex" mode is triggered, all the spins in that mode must be independent but because the T-Rex mode is active, it is probably picking from a different set of reel bands.

The reason it is allowed is because the feature starting was still randomly determined, and the spins in the feature are still randomly determined. The important thing to remember here as well us it's not hiding it from the player... it is clear the game mode has changed and therefore it is fair to assume the player would expect different reels to be used.

Regulators dont like (and dont allow) it where things like this are done and hidden.

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

Speaking of regulators, I've done a considerable amount of analysis on a few slots and I've found that the actual RTP doesn't match what it says in the help section. How accurate does the stated RTP have to be?

In my data I'm looking at a slot which claims to be a generous 97.5%, but is actually closer to 96.1%. I have another game from the same company that calls itself 97%, but I'm getting around 95.7%

Is it possibly the case that they are allowed a 1.5% error margin and these fine gents are just making the most of the situation without breaking the law?

(I know you're thinking that my sample size is too small and the error is on my side, but I have done similar analysis on other slots and the RTP matched to within 0.1%, and 0.01% in one game. )

 

[mcgameboy]

Cheers, thanks for the insight. Curious, does the T-Rex mode still stay active if you close the game after a couple spins and come back the next day?

To be honest, I have no idea. I've never found myself in the unfortunate position of busting out while T-Rex Alert is active.
I would imagine that it does remain active, but I could not say that with absolute certainty.

 

[trancemonkey]

Yeah obviously there is a chance I get that but what determines if that chance comes to fruition? Is it just a different way of giving free spins that would of occurred anyway should that spin of played out normally. In that 3 bonus symbols would of landed anyway.

What determines the chance? The RNG of course...

When you press start, the game will go through all the decision paths it needs to.

For example, on a simple game, this could just be getting 5 reel stop positions. In a game with some random features, there may be a decision before that - I.e 1% chance of random feature A, 3% chance of random feature B, of 96% chance of normal reel spin.

It is all randomly determined.

 

[snorky510238]

What determines the chance? The RNG of course...

When you press start, the game will go through all the decision paths it needs to.

For example, on a simple game, this could just be getting 5 reel stop positions. In a game with some random features, there may be a decision before that - I.e 1% chance of random feature A, 3% chance of random feature B, of 96% chance of normal reel spin.

It is all randomly determined.

So if a game has random features do they come at the expense of the normal bonus round coming in less often? I assume that has to be the case.

 

[BosjeR]

Speaking of regulators, I've done a considerable amount of analysis on a few slots and I've found that the actual RTP doesn't match what it says in the help section. How accurate does the stated RTP have to be?

In my data I'm looking at a slot which claims to be a generous 97.5%, but is actually closer to 96.1%. I have another game from the same company that calls itself 97%, but I'm getting around 95.7%

(I know you're thinking that my sample size is too small and the error is on my side, but I have done similar analysis on other slots and the RTP matched to within 0.1%, and 0.01% in one game. )

How do you run a RTP analysis without having the actual math model? We're talking billions of spins to measure the RTP correctly. So if your spin count is not in the billions, then yes, your sample size is too small, and your similar analysis was on much less complex games maybe.

 

[trancemonkey]

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

Speaking of regulators, I've done a considerable amount of analysis on a few slots and I've found that the actual RTP doesn't match what it says in the help section. How accurate does the stated RTP have to be?

In my data I'm looking at a slot which claims to be a generous 97.5%, but is actually closer to 96.1%. I have another game from the same company that calls itself 97%, but I'm getting around 95.7%

Is it possibly the case that they are allowed a 1.5% error margin and these fine gents are just making the most of the situation without breaking the law?

(I know you're thinking that my sample size is too small and the error is on my side, but I have done similar analysis on other slots and the RTP matched to within 0.1%, and 0.01% in one game. )

You haven't really though have you - you've probably played a few thousand games...
Even if you've played 10,000 to 100,000 games, you're still nowhere near enough.

Think of it like this...

A 1000x win, that happens every 100,000 accounts for 1% of the RTP.
So if you don't get that win, you are automatically 1% under the RTP. And a 1 in 100,000 win could easily take 1m games to happen - if not more, due to randomness. So unless you've done millions, if not billions of games, you could be miles off.

 

[VismundCygnus]

Trance, you mentioned a few times that BTG wasn't the first to do megaways and that it's been done in land-based before.

Do you remember any titles of these games at all or could you perhaps describe the difference (if any) it is from the basic megaways mechanic of having a varying amount of symbols landing on each reel in ways game?

Thanks in advance sir!

 

[Spikie]

Can you explain a bit about the actual process of game design ?

I know you have touched on this previously , say you have an idea or theme and high / low volatility etc...

So when you come into work on Monday morning do you say to design office to create some visuals , sound guy makes some sounds, so what happens then ?

If you have to wait weeks for some sort of coherent theme , how do you fill your day ? Do you have some in house slot simulator, or as you have mentioned before Excel spreadsheets ?

Is a lot of slot maths fairly similar, in that you could have some sort of starting template?

And how do you visualise the excel to make it more true to the final product ?

It is probably too much to ask , but would yourself and your company be willing to do a “behind the scenes “ or “day in the life” video ?

I have seen similar videos for other companies which are obviously good marketing but also very interesting without giving too much away.

Cheers. I would find it very interesting and I’m sure others would too.

 

[trancemonkey]

Aristocrat did a few land based ones - Buffalo Stampede, Superman, and The Walking Dead to name a few where certain reels could change size and add more symbols to them. They were ways games.

They didn't do this super often though... certainly not every spin.

 

[BabylonBear]

How do you run a RTP analysis without having the actual math model? We're talking billions of spins to measure the RTP correctly. So if your spin count is not in the billions, then yes, your sample size is too small, and your similar analysis was on much less complex games maybe.

You haven't really though have you - you've probably played a few thousand games...
Even if you've played 10,000 to 100,000 games, you're still nowhere near enough.

Think of it like this...

A 1000x win, that happens every 100,000 accounts for 1% of the RTP.
So if you don't get that win, you are automatically 1% under the RTP. And a 1 in 100,000 win could easily take 1m games to happen - if not more, due to randomness. So unless you've done millions, if not billions of games, you could be miles off.

I can see why you would say that. Even if I tell you I have far more than just a million samples, or that I've ripped the client apart and found the reels and run billions of simulation offline... Even then you could (rightly) say the data may wrong or my computations are wrong.

You don't have to believe me; I wouldn't trust the work of a random person on the internet either.

HOWEVER, based on my data and analysis, I would bet a month's salary that this company is over-reporting its RTP by about 1.5%. I am curious as to whether or not that is legal. I imagine it may be like the speed limit, you can do up to 77 in a 70 zone without getting a ticket..

I say this because I've looked at data for other companies and the RTP matches to within 0.01%. This one is off by a massive 1.5% on more than one game.

These are really simple games too; one of them has a reel size of just 12 and has no bonus features, so only 248,832 possible outcomes for a spin.

 

[trancemonkey]

I can see why you would say that. Even if I tell you I have far more than just a million samples, or that I've ripped the client apart and found the reels and run billions of simulation offline... Even then you could (rightly) say the data may wrong or my computations are wrong.

You don't have to believe me; I wouldn't trust the work of a random person on the internet either.

HOWEVER, based on my data and analysis, I would bet a month's salary that this company is under-reporting its RTP by about 1.5%. I am curious as to whether or not that is legal.

I say this because I've looked at data for other companies and the RTP matches to within 0.01%. This one is off by a massive 1.5% on more than one game.

These are really simple games too; one of them has a reel size of just 12 and has no bonus features, so only 248,832 possible outcomes for a spin.

I wouldn't be able to comment on whether the work you have done is valid or not without seeing the data AND knowing what game it is AND having access to the original maths so you can work out the stddev for the number of spins you have.

If a company was purposely stating an RTP that is higher than it says it has, then of course this is not legal - and you should report this to the casino / provider if you believe you are right - although they will want to know how you got that information, so as long as you haven't done anything illegal...

 

[trancemonkey]

Can you explain a bit about the actual process of game design ?

I know you have touched on this previously , say you have an idea or theme and high / low volatility etc...

So when you come into work on Monday morning do you say to design office to create some visuals , sound guy makes some sounds, so what happens then ?

If you have to wait weeks for some sort of coherent theme , how do you fill your day ? Do you have some in house slot simulator, or as you have mentioned before Excel spreadsheets ?

Is a lot of slot maths fairly similar, in that you could have some sort of starting template?

And how do you visualise the excel to make it more true to the final product ?

It is probably too much to ask , but would yourself and your company be willing to do a “behind the scenes “ or “day in the life” video ?

I have seen similar videos for other companies which are obviously good marketing but also very interesting without giving too much away.

Cheers. I would find it very interesting and I’m sure others would too.

I will try and give you a decent answer to this in the next week or so - apologies, i'm busy at the moment but please poke me by PM if i haven't done it by next week!

 

[BabylonBear]

I wouldn't be able to comment on whether the work you have done is valid or not without seeing the data AND knowing what game it is AND having access to the original maths so you can work out the stddev for the number of spins you have.

If a company was purposely stating an RTP that is higher than it says it has, then of course this is not legal - and you should report this to the casino / provider if you believe you are right - although they will want to know how you got that information, so as long as you haven't done anything illegal...

That's cool, I'm not asking you to check my work.. and I haven't done anything illegal (opening a cached file on my computer and digging through it is perfectly legal...)

Basically I'm asking if you know the allowed error margin for the RTP on the tin.

Why would I report them? Snitching is not the path of honor.

 

[brianmon]

That's cool, I'm not asking you to check my work.. and I haven't done anything illegal (opening a cached file on my computer and digging through it is perfectly legal...)

Basically I'm asking if you know the allowed error margin for the RTP on the tin.

Why would I report them? Snitching is not the path of honor.

What you see client-side, isn't necessarily, exactly the same as what is on the server-side

 

[BabylonBear]

What you see client-side, isn't necessarily, exactly the same as what is on the server-side

OK. Like I said, I don't expect to persuade anyone. Was just pointing out that I didn't do anything shady.

 

[brianmon]

OK. Like I said, I don't expect to persuade anyone. Was just pointing out that I didn't do anything shady.

I wasn't insinuating you were doing anything shady.
I was just pointing out that if you've based your calculations on what you've found client-side.
They may not be completely accurate

 

[Siohmy]

Why would I report them? Snitching is not the path of honor.

That’s an odd line to take if what you have posted is correct. Almost like protecting the guilty at the expense of the innocent.

 

[BabylonBear]

That’s an odd line to take if what you have posted is correct. Almost like protecting the guilty at the expense of the innocent.

But we don't even know if they're guilty yet. Maybe they're allowed a margin of error. In which case they could just be playing within the rules of the system. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

 

[trancemonkey]

That's cool, I'm not asking you to check my work.. and I haven't done anything illegal (opening a cached file on my computer and digging through it is perfectly legal...)

Basically I'm asking if you know the allowed error margin for the RTP on the tin.

Why would I report them? Snitching is not the path of honor.

The allowed margin of error depends on many factors... the volatility, whether it has progressives or not (and are they linked), etc...

There is no one size fits all approach. A highly volatile game with a large max win could be a few % off after a million of more games. This is why we run very long tests to determine what expected RTP ranges are after X number of games.

 

[VismundCygnus]

To be clear though, the allowed theoretical discrepancy is 0 or maybe <0.001. So if a slot is stated to run 96.54% and runs 96.53% in the testing institute, it wont pass. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

[trancemonkey]

It normally has to be accurate down to about 5 or 6 decimal places - can't remember off hand. Someone (@BosjeR) may correct me here?
Depends on the testing house and jurisdictions.

 

[mack341]

Trance, just curious out of the slots you play, what is your favourite [or played most] top five if you don't mind me asking ?

 

[BosjeR]

I actually don't know how many decimals, it's 0 or super close to it in my limited experience of actually dealing with this myself. What is for sure though is that there is no case where you can go to a testing house, say you have 97%, and where they find you have 95.5%, and everybody parts happily.

 

[trancemonkey]

Trance, just curious out of the slots you play, what is your favourite [or played most] top five if you don't mind me asking ?

Currently...
Bruce Lee (Money Burst)
Montezuma
Genie Jackpots (Megaways)
Danger High Voltage
Jammin Jars

Mainly as those are the ones I've had the biggest wins on

 

[mack341]

Currently...
Bruce Lee (Money Burst)
Montezuma
Genie Jackpots (Megaways)
Danger High Voltage
Jammin Jars

Mainly as those are the ones I've had the biggest wins on

That's a nice mix of games, I've been playing raging rhino far too much need to broaden my horizons... At a guess in order of variance I'd say: jammin jars, danger HV, bruce lee, genie jackpots, and then montezuma

I quite like cleopatra plus [from yourselves at IGT] out of the lower variance type games, I wonder if a higher variance, sticky wilds cleo game could have legs ?

 

[trancemonkey]

I do sometimes go for lower variance games...
I also used to play Rocky (the MG version) and Gold Factory a fair bit. And Casper, by Blueprint.

Other HV games i played:
Flamebusters
Raging Rhino
Extra Chilli

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I would like to know who came up with the idea of the random feature animation when nothing happens.

Like on Genie Jackpots when the genie pops up and then goes away, does anybody think this is any good?

Is there some sort of psychology thing going on? It bugs me so much that if it happens 2 or 3 times in short succession I have to quit the game.

 

[Playford7]

Currently...
Bruce Lee (Money Burst)
Montezuma
Genie Jackpots (Megaways)
Danger High Voltage
Jammin Jars

Mainly as those are the ones I've had the biggest wins on

Bruce lee is a superb slot, had the 20 free once, from memory paid about 800x
Was a superb feeling getting it.
Never had a single decent one on monte, love the game!.. also danger hates me more than my ex!.

 

[mack341]

I would like to know who came up with the idea of the random feature animation when nothing happens.

Like on Genie Jackpots when the genie pops up and then goes away, does anybody think this is any good?

Is there some sort of psychology thing going on? It bugs me so much that if it happens 2 or 3 times in short succession I have to quit the game.

I thought blueprint was naughty with these until I played a few red tiger slots, now they really do troll with the random teases, I don't understand the thinking behind it, like you it just enrages me and I close the game and don't return.

 

[Playford7]

I thought blueprint was naughty with these until I played a few red tiger slots, now they really do troll with the random teases, I don't understand the thinking behind it, like you it just enrages me and I close the game and don't return.

Totally agree mate. The constant teasing with it never landing put me off totally, even that ninja ways with its achievable potential I won’t play anymore, red tiger from personal experience is a provider i never ever seem to get a lucky bonus under ten spins. Even bonanza I’ve done this, and novo’s

 

[mack341]

Totally agree mate. The constant teasing with it never landing put me off totally, even that ninja ways with its achievable potential I won’t play anymore, red tiger from personal experience is a provider i never ever seem to get a lucky bonus under ten spins. Even bonanza I’ve done this, and novo’s

I think it would be easier for me at the ripe old age of forty...something to retrain to become an actual ninja than getting a bonus on that game, it's friggin ridiculous.

 

[brianmon]

I would like to know who came up with the idea of the random feature animation when nothing happens.

Like on Genie Jackpots when the genie pops up and then goes away, does anybody think this is any good?

Is there some sort of psychology thing going on? It bugs me so much that if it happens 2 or 3 times in short succession I have to quit the game.

I would say it's along similar lines to the psychology of 'near-misses'
Apparently a near-miss makes a game more compulsive and has a greater psychological effect than an actual win.

I've watched a few (quite serious) videos on youtube about gambling psychology.
The last one I saw, they had a guy who was addicted to slots, sat in front of a computer playing a simulated slot game. where they could control the number of near-misses , losses and wins, and monitor his brain activity, with whatever piece of equipment it was they used.
And, yeah he did respond more from a near miss than an actual win.

BUT, I wonder if any of these gambling psychologists have ever tried studying 'normal' players, playing with their OWN MONEY?
They may find that rather than making a game more compulsive from near-misses and 'phantom features'. They actually just piss players off.

 

[mack341]

I would say it's along similar lines to the psychology of 'near-misses'
Apparently a near-miss makes a game more compulsive and has a greater psychological effect than an actual win.

I've watched a few (quite serious) videos on youtube about gambling psychology.
The last one I saw, they had a guy who was addicted to slots, sat in front of a computer playing a simulated slot game. where they could control the number of near-misses , losses and wins, and monitor his brain activity, with whatever piece of equipment it was they used.
And, yeah he did respond more from a near miss than an actual win.

BUT, I wonder if any of these gambling psychologists have ever tried studying 'normal' players, playing with their OWN MONEY?
They may find that rather than making a game more compulsive from near-misses and 'phantom features'. They actually just piss players off.

I noticed that, the brain researchers use some basic slot game and pretend money, and then write papers on the back of it, whereas the results would be much stronger in real life tests. A game that is hard to bonus, say like bonanza or vikings, does increase the compulsive thoughts but blatant trolling is very off putting, there's no subtlety, might as well have an animated big hand appear sticking two fingers up at the player.

 

[Playford7]

I think it would be easier for me at the ripe old age of forty...something to retrain to become an actual ninja than getting a bonus on that game, it's friggin ridiculous.

I’m not far off that benchmark of life all males aspire to!.. how’s it treating you lol

 

[mack341]

I’m not far off that benchmark of life all males aspire to!.. how’s it treating you lol

I'm investing in flat caps and corduroys by the day, and I think it's safe to say overall that John wayne bobbit's had more luck than me...

 

[AdamBetsMax]

Not in the slightest - it would be illegal, difficult to do without errors (IP addresses change regularly unless you have a fixed IP) and most importantly not in anyone's interest (from the casino / provider) point of view!

If that was the case, how does Cleopatra Plus remember what level I am on or Egg-O-Matic remember how many eggs I have no matter who's house I log in as? It MUST be user-aware, no?

 

[trancemonkey]

I would like to know who came up with the idea of the random feature animation when nothing happens.

Like on Genie Jackpots when the genie pops up and then goes away, does anybody think this is any good?

Is there some sort of psychology thing going on? It bugs me so much that if it happens 2 or 3 times in short succession I have to quit the game.

I believe it was Blueprint that started it on Worms or thr original Genie Jackpots... somewhere around there.

It's basically a tease ... some people like it, some hate it. It's like Marmite

 

[trancemonkey]

I would say it's along similar lines to the psychology of 'near-misses'
Apparently a near-miss makes a game more compulsive and has a greater psychological effect than an actual win.

I've watched a few (quite serious) videos on youtube about gambling psychology.
The last one I saw, they had a guy who was addicted to slots, sat in front of a computer playing a simulated slot game. where they could control the number of near-misses , losses and wins, and monitor his brain activity, with whatever piece of equipment it was they used.
And, yeah he did respond more from a near miss than an actual win.

BUT, I wonder if any of these gambling psychologists have ever tried studying 'normal' players, playing with their OWN MONEY?
They may find that rather than making a game more compulsive from near-misses and 'phantom features'. They actually just piss players off.

Oh they have... it's the same. Of course not everybody reacts the same way, but games that have these in used to perform really well. Centurion by Inspired for example...

The important thing is balance... if I ever put a tease in like that, I never do it more than 50% of the time...