Big Time Gaming
Q&A w/ Katya Machuganova, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming: Are trademarks really worth it
More and more studios are trademarking mechanics. What has led to this situation?
Momentum has been building behind studios trademarking mechanics for some time but undoubtedly the success of Big Time Gaming’s Megaways has been a catalyst for more developers getting in on the action. Megaways introduced a unique, highly engaging mechanic that has become a slot format in its own right and has now been licensed by hundreds of studios, taking its success to the next level. Other developers want to replicate this success by creating and trademarking unique mechanics of their own. This in turn has seen more focus put on mechanics and the impact they can have on the game in terms of ensuring a slot stands out from others stocked in the operator’s lobby. Another driver is the desire to monetize IP within the slot provision space and to prevent rivals from copying mechanics and features that developers believe give them the edge.
What are the upsides to a studio trademarking a mechanic?
By trademarking a mechanic, the studio can legally protect its intellectual property and prevent others from creating slots that use a similar mechanic without their permission. This can prevent the dilution of their brand and the potential loss of revenue that could result from competitors using their IP. This has become surprisingly common in recent years due to the highly competitive nature of the market and the need for developers to come up with engaging gameplay that appeals to players and drives them to their slots over those of their rivals. Those who opt to licence their trademarked mechanics can open up new, lucrative revenue streams. Beyond that, a trademark can establish a studio as an innovator which can help secure operator partnerships and premium lobby positioning.
What challenges do studios face when it comes to trademarking a mechanic?
Trademarking is not a straightforward process and the legalities around it are often complex. In some cases, it might not even be possible for a studio to secure a trademark if the mechanic features components that are already being widely used by other developers or if it is deemed to be too generic. Trademarking is often costly and draws resources away from the studio’s primary focus, which is to develop slots that players want to play. This can make it tough for a studio to determine if trademarking is right or not – if the studio has invested heavily in developing a unique mechanic, then it might be worth protecting its IP through trademarking. But this still doesn’t guarantee success – if the game doesn’t hit the mark with players, it will flop regardless of whether it uses a trademarked mechanic or not.
What does a mechanic need to include in order to be trademarked?
For a game mechanic to be eligible for trademark protection, it must meet certain legal requirements. It must be distinctive, so the game mechanic needs to be unique or different from other mechanics used in the industry. It must be non-functional, which means it can’t be essential to the functioning of the game or necessary for gameplay. It must be used as a trademark or a source identifier for the studio, such that consumers associate the mechanic with that studio or its products.
In addition to meeting these legal requirements, a game mechanic should also provide value to the gameplay experience in order to be worthwhile for the studio to trademark. A successful game mechanic should enhance the gameplay experience, provide a unique and engaging challenge for players, or otherwise contribute to the game’s overall enjoyment.
The decision to trademark a game mechanic should be based on a variety of factors, including legal considerations, the unique value of the mechanic to the game, and the studio’s overall business strategy. By carefully considering these factors, studios can make informed decisions about which game mechanics to trademark and how to use them to enhance their products and protect their intellectual property.
Is this push for trademarked mechanics ultimately benefitting players?
Yes and no. In some respects, the push for developing mechanics that can be trademarked has forced studios to invest more heavily in this area of the game and this has resulted in new player experiences hitting the market that have proved to be popular. In particular, NetEnt’s Cluster Pays, Reel Play’s Infinity Reels, Yggdrasil’s GIGABLOX and Nolimit City’s xWays and xNudge. But in some cases, studios have developed mechanics solely for the purpose of trademarking without giving much consideration to whether players will actually enjoy the experience they provide or not. Another consequence is a potential rise in legal disputes and ultimately the hindering of the sharing of ideas and innovations across the industry. If studios become super protective over their IP and are less willing to collaborate with others, innovation and progress become stifled.
What is Silverback Gaming’s approach to trademarking?
We do have a trademarked mechanic, ClockWaysTM, that will debut on our soon-to-launch title, Mega Fishing Deluxe. During one of our brainstorming sessions, we came up with the idea of a unique game mechanic that would completely change how a traditional slot works. After some further discussion, we came up with a game-changing concept that is super simple and easy to understand – we want players to be pleasantly surprised rather than startled. With ClockWays, the player always wins. On every few regular spins, paylines are evaluated and wins are paid. All the external symbols that have landed on the reels and form a kind of frame will rotate i.e. will change their relative positions with a number of places clockwise or counter-clockwise in search of new winning combinations. After the first rotation, paylines are evaluated again with the new symbol positions and new pays are awarded. Reels will rotate as many times as needed to form a guaranteed winning combination.
This is a good example of being innovative for the players’ benefit. Our feature guarantees wins which adds anticipation, fun and value to the player’s play. However, it also protects players from potential large balance losses and keeps the balance reasonably stable while still eligible to win big. Everything we do at Silverback is about delivering experiences that players actually want to enjoy, and we have taken the exact same approach with ClockWays.
Players, get ready to pass GO and chase monumental wins in MONOPOLY MEGAPOTS
, the latest blockbuster from Big Time Gaming. Launching exclusively with Gamesys before going live to the wider market on April 9th, this is MONOPOLY like you’ve never experienced it before.
Step onto the reels and watch the board come alive, where every spin builds momentum and every feature carries the potential for game-changing rewards. The excitement peaks when six or more Coins, Houses, or Cards land anywhere, triggering the electrifying Hold and Spin feature.
Each symbol transforms into a mini reel, revealing additional Coins, Houses, or Cards. New symbols reset the respins to three, keeping the tension high as values and opportunities soar. Collect four Houses to upgrade them into a Hotel, combining all Coins on screen and unlocking random multipliers of up to x200 to supercharge wins.
Matching Card symbols raise the stakes further, merging into Mini, Midi, or Mega Megapots. Land three matching icons and the corresponding Megapot is yours.
Free Spins turn the game into a multiplier-fueled frenzy, with a starting x1 multiplier that grows with every Coin, House, or Card, with no limits. Hold and Spin can even trigger during Free Spins, layering excitement onto already growing wins.
For instant action, Bonus Buy allows players to dive straight into Hold and Spin for 35x the stake or trigger 10 Free Spins for 100x the stake.
With 117,649 ways to win, very high volatility, and a maximum exposure of up to 98,850x the stake, MONOPOLY MEGAPOTS delivers the signature big-build, big-boost gameplay BTG fans love.
Nik Robinson, Founder and CEO of Big Time Gaming, said: “MONOPOLY is one of the world’s most iconic brands, and MONOPOLY MEGAPOTS lets us amplify that board-building thrill with escalating multipliers, dynamic features, and massive Megapots. It’s all about momentum, excitement, and delivering unforgettable wins.”
The post BTG brings iconic board game action to the reels with MONOPOLY MEGAPOTS™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The legendary Megaways home is now active and eager to greet a new wave of players.
The official Megaways Casino has returned! SkillOnNet has reintroduced MegawaysCasino.com, reaffirming its position as the ultimate destination for the Megaways mechanic with an innovative new platform, a revitalized identity, and a brand centered entirely on a single commitment: ‘Play the Mega Way.’
Megaways changed online gaming dramatically when it was launched in 2016. The original casino focused on the mechanic is now reimagined as a vibrant, entertainment-driven venue crafted for contemporary players.
Megaways Casino debuts featuring hundreds of Megaways titles, such as Monopoly Megaways, Rasputin Megaways, Extra Chilli Megaways, and Bonanza — the original game that brought Megaways to the public.
Alongside its extensive Megaways collection, the platform offers more than 8,000 games, encompassing top-tier slots, crash games, table games, and live casino — providing a wide range of options.
Created by Big Time Gaming, Megaways transformed slot design by unveiling a flexible reel-modifier system that provides as many as 117,649 winning combinations on each spin. The breakthrough transformed the trajectory of the online gaming sector and evolved into one of the most identifiable and extensively licensed mechanics in contemporary iGaming.
Megaways Casino is currently the sole official online casino brand entirely focused on honoring that heritage.
Within the SkillOnNet framework, the brand re-emerges with a contemporary, performance-enhanced platform, unique content, a striking visual identity, and a commitment to long-term investment in the UK market.
Giordana Anticoli Kalifa, Country Manager Emerging Markets at SkillOnNet, said: “Play the Mega Way” is more than a tagline. It captures the DNA of Megaways — the high-energy pace, thrilling variety and unpredictability of the mechanic — and injects it into the entire brand world.Megaways has always been one of the most powerful and recognizable mechanics in online gaming. With this relaunch, we’re not just bringing back a brand, we’re building an entire entertainment ecosystem around it.
“‘Play the Mega Way’ reflects our ambition to transform the energy, scale and unpredictability of the Megaways mechanic into a full brand experience. We are made for players who expect more.”
The post Megaways Casino Is Back: Built to Play the Mega Way appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Step into the Hot Seat and chase life-changing wins in Millionaire Megapots, the latest prime-time release from Big Time Gaming.
This isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. Players take centre stage on the studio floor, facing the electrifying reels where every spin could change everything.
The tension ramps up when six or more Coin symbols land anywhere on the reels, triggering the thrilling Hold and Spin feature with three respins to start. Each symbol position becomes its own reel, revealing additional Coins holding prize amounts, multipliers, or coveted Megapots icons. Every time new Coins land, respins reset to three, keeping the stakes high as the total prize climbs. At the end of the respins, total prizes are multiplied by all revealed multipliers. Collect three matching Megapots icons to win the corresponding jackpot.
For the ultimate thrill, if every reel position reveals a Coin, the Hold & Win bonus doubles the total prize—delivering a show-stopping finale. The Mini, Midi, and Mega Megapots, displayed above the reels, showcase dynamic jackpots that change with every spin and can only be won during the Hold and Spin feature.
Inspired by the iconic Hot Seat from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble replicates the same heart-pounding risk-versus-reward excitement. Players can climb the ladder for up to 50 Free Spins, with unsuccessful gambles risking lost spins. Rungs two and seven act as safety nets, guaranteeing 10 and 20 Free Spins, while classic Lifelines—50:50, Phone a Friend, Ask the Audience—offer support at every stage.
Free Spins are triggered by landing three or more Millionaire Scatters, awarding 10 spins and entry to the Hot Seat Gamble ladder. Each Scatter moves players up the ladder, and during Free Spins, win multipliers start at 1x and increase with every Coin that lands. Additional Scatters extend spins, building tension and potential.
For instant intensity, Bonus Buy offers direct access: Hold and Spin for 65x stake, 12 Free Spins for 125x, or 20 Free Spins for 250x. Power Play, available for 8x stake, guarantees at least 10,000 Megaways per spin.
With up to 200,704 Megaways, high volatility, and a maximum win of 91,000x the stake, Millionaire Megapots delivers the drama, spectacle, and life-changing ambition of the Hot Seat—all powered by BTG’s signature gameplay innovation.
Nik Robinson, Founder and CEO of Big Time Gaming, said:
“With Millionaire Megapots, we wanted to capture the raw, edge-of-your-seat tension of the Hot Seat. By combining our Megaways engine with Megapots and the Hot Seat Free Spins Gamble, players truly feel the heat of the studio floor. It’s all about the big risk, rising stakes, and life-changing reward.”
The post BTG Launches the High-Stakes Thriller, Millionaire Megapots™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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