Regular new releases with inventive features and formats have kept the Zeus brand relevant over the years. The first Zeus slot made its debut in brick-and-mortar casinos way back in 2003. At the time, online slots were still in their infancy. WMS Gaming recognized the rise of online play, gradually making their slot content available on the web throughout the 2000s. Releasing Zeus slots for online play exposed the games to a wider audience. It also allowed for innovations that complemented the online experience. For example, Zeus began offering more elaborate features like pick bonuses and interactive free spin rounds. The transition to online kept the Zeus brand viable in the internet age while also providing expanded scope for innovation.
Innovative bonus features
The original only had basic free spins, but bro138 login later versions added much more depth. For example, Zeus II introduced the new ‘Wild Lightning Respin’ feature, where wilds lock in place for a re-spin chance at more big wins. Zeus III built on this with the ‘Wheel Blast’, giving players a random chance to spin a wheel of fortune after any win. The 2020 Zeus – Ancient Fortunes took free spins up a notch with its ‘Fortunes of Ancient Greece’ round. Here, players select different Greek gods to determine the free spin bonuses. These new features provide fresh excitement while still fitting the Greek mythology theme. They keep the gameplay feeling new compared to classic land-based Zeus.
Jackpot variations
Another way Zeus slots have innovated is through the addition of progressive and wide-area jackpot features. 2012’s Zeus – God of Thunder introduced four-tiered progressive jackpots seeding at set amounts. Ancient Fortunes added global adventure jackpots with a mega jackpot starting at over $2 million. Lightning Power Reels has four rapid-hit jackpots that regularly pay out smaller mystery prizes. These jackpot features cater to the excitement of winning a life-changing payout. It expands the classical Zeus gameplay into the popular jackpot sub-genre.
Skill-based elements
Some newer Zeus titles have included light skill-based elements rather than just relying on chance. Ancient Fortunes has players select a Greek god bonus during free spins, adding an element of skill. Similarly, the Wheel Blast in Zeus III has skilled players timing their stop button press to reach the highest rewards. These innovations appeal to players seeking a bit more involvement than just pressing spin. The skill components are still limited, retaining the slot genre’s essential randomness. They do refresh the pure chance nature of classic Zeus slots.
Reinvented math models
As highlighted earlier, several modern Zeus games have adopted new math engines like Megaways and Power Reels. These provide exponential ways to win compared to fixed paylines. For example, Ancient Fortunes uses the popular Megaways system for over 100,000 ways to win. Lightning Power Reels employs the Power Reels model for big-paying cluster combinations. Adopting these new engines injects huge variance into the Zeus gameplay. The potential for bigger, more frequent payouts makes these titles stand apart from lower-volatility classic Zeus slots.
