Best Microgaming Slots
Microgaming is one of the most popular online game providers within the online gambling industry. The firm has been responsible for creating some of the most popular slot games around such as Immortal Romance, Mega Moolah and their sequel Mega Moolah Isis.
The provider has been around for several years and has been leading the online gambling industry since its founding back in the early 1990s. But who exactly are they, what popular games have they released and where can you play these games? It’s time to take a look and find out.
Some of the Top Microgaming Slots
Immortal Romance
Release: 2011
Type: Video
Layout: 5×3
Paylines: 243
Min. Wager: £0.30
RTP: 96.86%
Immortal Romance boasts several special features including free spins, multipliers and four bonus games.
Mega Moolah
Release: 2006
Type: Jackpot
Layout: 5×3
Paylines: 25
Min. Wager: £0.25
RTP: 88.12%
Mega Moolah has several special features which include free spins as a progressive jackpot bonus game.
Romanov Riches
Release: 2018
Type: Video
Layout: 5×3
Paylines: 20
Min. Wager: £0.20
RTP: 96.08%%
Romanov Riches features mystery stacks to help you make winning combinations, a free spins feature and a fun bonus round.
Thunderstruck II
Release: 2010
Type: Video
Layout: 5×3
Paylines: 243
Min. Wager: £0.30
RTP: 96.65%
Thunderstruck II features six different bonus games, each offering you different prizes and rewards.
Who Is Microgaming?
Microgaming first launched back in 1994 and while not much is known about the firm’s original founding members, it’s thought that Martin Moshal, a man from Durban, South Africa, was the mind behind the company. The firm was originally based in South Africa and claims to have been the company to develop the world’s first true online casino software in the same year Microgaming was founded, effectively becoming an online casino operator.
As other casino game developers began launching their own products, Microgaming was developing a real money online slot game. The company released Cash Splash in 1998 and it became the very first game in history to feature a progressive jackpot, something that was unheard of back then. The slot became popular and was a huge success for Microgaming.
Other casino game providers began releasing their own games, but nothing was as popular as Microgaming’s slots. As this continued, the firm realised that the online gambling industry needed regulating and it banded together with several other companies to form the Interactive Gaming Council; an organisation dedicated to regulating the online gambling industry and making sure games were fair.
However, Microgaming was hit with several lawsuits around this time. Back then, any operator wanting to offer Microgaming’s Cash Splash and other games would have to agree to be hosted on Microgaming’s servers, giving the firm complete access to the operators’ customers. However, several operators accused Microgaming of breaking their agreements and stealing their customers. The accusations led to lawsuits but, according to reports, nothing ever happened.
In 2003, Microgaming continued pushing for online regulation and it became one of the founding members of eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), an organisation that ensures player protection, that games are fair and operators behave responsibly.
A year later, Microgaming made another giant leap when they released their first-ever mobile gaming software. Their innovation only continued over the next few years as they launched the first branded Tomb Raider slot, launched popular jackpot slot Mega Moolah and they became the first company to launch a slot with one hundred paylines, an all-time high back then. As this happened, Microgaming attempted to break into the poker market and launched the Microgaming Poker Network, a subsidiary of the firm which developed poker games, tournaments and rooms. These poker games are still available today and can be found at online casinos such as 32Red, Grosvenor Casino, Guts, Betsson and so many more sites.
While Microgaming was a huge hit in Europe and the UK, they were also well-known in the United States. However, when President George Bush signed-in the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act in October 2006, a bill which prohibits gambling, Microgaming were forced to shut down the US-based business. This didn’t harm their success, however, as Microgaming continued to develop revolutionary games including Wheel of Wealth, one of the first-ever multiplayer slots, Thunderstruck II and Immortal Romance as well as several more licensed games including Terminator 2, Game of Thrones and Jurassic Park. Microgaming is still releasing new games to this day and some of their latest releases include Crystal Rift, Showdown Saloon, Icy Gems and Astro Legends.
Microgaming’s Achievements
Microgaming have worked tirelessly to get where they are now and to develop their huge reputation. Along the way, the firm won several awards and broke some world records too. At the time of writing, Microgaming has won 15 EGR B2B Awards including Poker Network 2018, Mobile Gaming Software 2017, RNG Casino Supplier 2012 and Innovation in Slot Provision 2011. The firm’s won eight awards for excellence, the Spark the Change Award in 2017, four Global Gaming Awards, three International Gaming Awards, two ReB Awards and one BEGExpo Award.
In addition, Microgaming set the Guinness World Record title in 2015 for the ‘Largest Jackpot Payout in an online slot machine game’ after a UK-based player won £15,611,388.44 (€17,879,645.12) from a 25p spin on Betway with one of Microgaming’s progressive jackpot slots. More recent reports suggest that Microgaming’s Mega Moolah jackpot has given away a total of €855,674,738.82 (Around €980 million).
Game Selection
Slots
Microgaming is well-known for its collection of games, most of which are slots. Some of the most popular games include those mentioned above as well as games such as Playboy, Avalon II, Battlestar Galactica, Jurassic World, Halloween, Wicked Tales Dark Red, Side Wonder, Fortunium, Poke Guy, Highlander, Sugar Parade, Phantom of the Opera, Pretty Kitty, Pollen Party, Lost Vegas and so many more.
Meanwhile, they’ve released several more progressive jackpots including Mega Moolah ISIS, Lotsaloot, Fruit Fiesta, Mega Moolah Summertime, Lotsaloot Three Reel and Mega Moolah Five Reel Drive.
Table Games
However, their collection doesn’t stop there as they’ve also released several table games including Bonus Pai Gow Poker, Multi-Player Roulette, All Aces Poker, Baccarat Gold Series, Roulette, High-Speed Poker, Vegas Single Deck Blackjack, Three Card Rummy, American Roulette, Premiere Blackjack Hi-Lo, Multi-Wheel Roulette, Vegas Craps, Atlantic City Blackjack, Casino War, Poker Pursuit, Super Fun 21, Premier Roulette, Classic Blackjack, Red Dog, Roulette Royal, Spanish Blackjack, Three Card Poker and so many more.
Live Casino
On top of all that, Microgaming has its own collection of live casino games all based in global studios. The live casino games Microgaming offers include Blackjack, Baccarat, Bonus Baccarat, Roulette, Casino Hold’em and Sic Bo. However, Microgaming also has several Playboy-themed live casino games such as Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat.
Virtual Reality
One thing to note is that Microgaming has been working on virtual reality online casino games. Back in February 2016, the firm demoed its award-winning virtual reality Roulette game at ICE Totally Gaming 2016. Since then, Microgaming has been working on developing games with the use of virtual reality, wearable tech and augmented reality.
Bingo
What many people don’t realise is that Microgaming isn’t just a slot developer, it’s also launched a handful of online bingo games. Right now, the selection includes Super Bonus Bingo and Pharaoh Bingo. However, both bingo games feel somewhat outdated compared to modern-day bingo games.
Top Microgaming Online Casinos
LeoVegas
Slots: 556
Table Games: 61
Live Casino: 61
Welcome Offer: 100% up to £400 + 100 spins
Wagering: 35x
Casumo Casino
Slots: 1,253
Table Games: 60
Live Casino: 20
Welcome Offer: 100% up to £300
Wagering: 30x
Mr Green
Slots: 971
Table Games: 39
Live Casino: 62
Welcome Offer: 100% up to £100 + 100 spins
Wagering: 35x
Grosvenor Casino
Slots: 370
Table Games: 21
Live Casino: 35
Welcome Offer: 100% up to £20
Wagering: 5x
Studios, Subsidiaries and Partners
Microgaming has a huge presence in the online gambling industry, but they couldn’t have achieved this feat alone. Instead, Microgaming partnered with several independent studios who help the firm develop and launch unique, exciting and fun slot games. The most well-known studios Microgaming has partnered with include Slingshot Studios and Fortune Factory Studios, both of which have made some popular games.
Switch Studios
Microgaming announced a partnership with Switch Studios back in November 2018. Based in Ipswich, the independent game studio is comprised of a group who all share a passion for online gambling and are committed to developing games featuring the latest technology to create exciting and unique gameplay mechanics. Their first game under Microgaming was Roulette, a modern take on the classic game everyone loves and the studio is expected to continue developing and releasing modern-day table games.
Fortune Factory Studios
Microgaming partnered with Fortune Factory Studios back in October 2018. The firm is an independent studio committed to developing games that are player-centric and focus on providing engaging gameplay experiences that resonate with users. Since being acquired by Microgaming, Fortune Factory Studios have released Romanov Riches, Showdown Saloon and Holly Jolly Penguins for Microgaming.
Slingshot Studios
Independent games studio Slingshot Studio was also snapped up by Microgaming. Developers at the firm are passionate about creating slots with fresh new ideas, gameplay mechanics and vibrant player experiences. Slingshot Studios released their first and only slot, Cash of Kingdoms, under Microgaming back in October 2018 but are expected to release several more over the next year.
Stormcraft Studios
Microgaming announced its partnership with Stormcraft Studios back in June 2018. Several developers at Stormcraft Studios are actually the minds behind Microgaming’s popular slots Jurassic Park, Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck and Immortal Romance. However, they launched a new studio and have begun creating games for the leading game provider. They’ve already released two slots under Microgaming including Fortunium and Agent Jane Blonde Returns. It’s expected they’ll release more.
Triple Edge Studios
Triple Edge Studios partnered with Microgaming back in February 2018. Outside of their deal with Microgaming, the independent game studio had already launched several slots including Oink: Country Love, Halloween and 108 Heroes Multiplier Fortunes. Under their deal, the three slots were acquired by Microgaming and the firm later released popular games such as Action Ops Snow & Sable, Playboy Gold, Wicked Tales: Dark Red, Diamond Empire and Book of Oz.
Quickfire
Quickfire is a games content platform owned by Microgaming. It allows casinos to do not run on Microgaming’s sever access to the firm’s games. It also gives casino operators access to Microgaming’s network of progressive jackpot games including Mega Moolah.
What’s more is that the Quickfire platform is compatible with Flash and on smartphone devices, which means anyone can use it. It was originally launched in 2010 and was quickly adopted by numerous online casino operators. Today, you’ll be able to spot Quickfire at most online casinos offering Microgaming slots.
Microgaming Poker Network (MPN)
Microgaming Poker Network, which started out as Prima Poker, is an online poker network that consists of 30 different poker rooms, also known as skins. Each room, or skin, offers different games or tournaments and are connected to popular betting sites and online casinos such as 32Red, Grosvenor Casinos, Guts, Bets10, Betsson, Coolbet, Red Star, Redbet, Tou Tou and many more.
Through the MPN, you’ll be able to play games including games such as Omaha Pot Limit, Hold’em Free Play, Blaze, Hold’em No Limit, Omaha Tournaments, Hold’em Tournaments and quick Omaha Sit’n Go games. As just mentioned, you’ll also have access to tournaments, allowing you to win larger sums of money.
Microgaming’s Future
Microgaming are scheduled to release several more unique and exciting slots over the next few months, all of which are expected to be shown during ICE 2019 at the ExCeL Centre in London. Part of its lineup includes Fortune Factory’s Village People, a slot with a 70s disco theme as well as a new Lara Craft video game to celebrate Microgaming’s 15-year anniversary with Square Enix, the company behind Lara Croft.
Slingshot Studios are expected to showcase their Banana Odyssey, a new slot set in space, and Switch Studios will be revealing their upcoming Blackjack table game. Doesn’t that sound exciting?
Summary
It’s easy to see why Microgaming is as popular as it is right now. The provider has developed and launched dozens of enjoyable games with special features and gameplay mechanics and the firm continues to do so to this day, ensuring that there’s always something new its fans can try. It’s also clear that Microgaming, despite their alleged lawsuits, has also worked hard to protect players, keep games fair and regulate the online gambling industry.
They’ve constantly helped revolutionise the online gambling industry and remain one step ahead of their competition, all the while providing fans with exciting games to play. What’s not to like?