Can Other Studios Make Megaways Games or Is It Only Big Time Gaming?
Megaways has become one of the most renowned slot mechanics in recent years, recognizable by its dynamic grid and thousands of paylines. But there’s often confusion around who can create Megaways games. Is this exclusive to Big Time Gaming, or have other studios joined the party? Today, we’ll unpack the licensing model behind Megaways, explore how other providers like Blueprint and MrQ are involved, and touch on the broader context of slot structures, mobile play, and cascading features.
A Quick Reminder About Slot Structures and Software Freedom
Before diving into Megaways, it’s worth recalling how software https://xn--toponlinecsino-uub.com/what-is-a-ways-to-win-slot-and-how-is-it-different-from-paylines/ transformed slots. Machines once lived in cabinets with fixed reels and paylines. Software untethered these limits, allowing studios to experiment with variable grids, unique paylines, and complex features. This flexibility let slots evolve beyond static formats, leading to innovations like cascades after wins, dynamic reels, and multi-level bonus rounds.
By enabling browser-based mobile play and optimized iOS experiences, developers now design games that shift seamlessly across devices without hardware constraints. This freedom has paved the way for mechanics like Megaways.
What Exactly Is Megaways?
Megaways is a dynamic reels mechanic patented and owned by Big Time Gaming (BTG). Unlike fixed paylines, Megaways changes the number of symbols on each reel every spin, creating hundreds to tens of thousands of potential winning combinations. For example, a 6-reel Megaways slot might have anywhere between 2 and 7 symbols on each reel in any given spin.
The Megaways system also often comes paired with cascading wins (or avalanches), where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones from above, allowing multiple wins from a single spin.
Is Megaways Exclusive to Big Time Gaming?
Technically, yes. The Megaways mechanic is patented, so only Big Time Gaming can produce original Megaways design without a license. However, Big Time Gaming licenses this mechanic to other developers under controlled agreements.

This licensing scheme means the so-called "Megaways" title and exact mechanic are Big Time Gaming’s intellectual property, but other studios can become licensees and create official Megaways slots. This has broadened the availability of Megaways-style games.
Blueprint Gaming and Megaways Licensing
Blueprint is one of the studios licensed by Big Time Gaming to create Megaways slots. They have released several successful titles under this agreement, combining their own themes and bonus features with the Megaways dynamic grid and cascading spins.
Blueprint’s adoption of Megaways confirms that it's not just BTG that can produce these games, but that the mechanic operates more like a brand or standard distributed under license.
MrQ and Other Platforms
Platforms like MrQ showcase Megaways slots from multiple studios, including BTG and Blueprint. Their browser-based mobile play is a perfect example of how the mechanics work seamlessly across iOS and Android without needing app installs or limitations posed by physical hardware.
MrQ’s incorporation of Megaways games stresses that the mechanic isn't tied exclusively to one studio’s ecosystem and thrives via aggregator platforms, licensing arrangements, and software optimization.
Mechanic Adoption and Variations in the Market
- Standard Megaways: The classic BTG model with 6 reels, 2–7 rows, and up to 117,649 ways to win.
- Branded Megaways: Some licensed studios add their own flair while maintaining dynamic reel counts and cascading features.
- Megaways-Like Mechanics: There are also many non-licensed dynamic grid slots using a similar idea but with variations — these are often mistakenly called “Megaways” by marketing but are different mechanically and legally.
It’s crucial to argue against conflating every variable grid slot with Megaways. That term specifically refers to Big Time Gaming’s patented design in licensed games. Independent studios have created dynamic reels but under different names and configurations.
Cascading Reels and Post-Win Behavior
Cascading reels are an important element often bundled with Megaways. This feature removes winning symbols and replaces them with new ones falling from above, possibly creating consecutive wins in a single spin.
This behavior increases volatility and excitement by rewarding chains of wins, not just lone symbol matches. Both Big Time Gaming and licensees like Blueprint integrate cascades sensibly to complement the dynamic reels.
From a UX perspective, cascade animations are optimized in browser-based mobile play environments https://enyenimp3indir.net/why-do-some-slots-stack-mechanics-like-megaways-plus-cascades-plus-multipliers/ including iOS — ensuring smooth, responsive action that doesn’t slow down gameplay or drain batteries.
Summary: Other Studios Can Make Megaways Games — With Licensing
Aspect Explanation Patented Mechanic Owner Big Time Gaming Licensing Availability Yes; BTG licenses to selected studios like Blueprint Gaming Studios Making Megaways Big Time Gaming, Blueprint, others via licensing Platform Examples MrQ features licensed Megaways games optimized for browser and iOS play Mechanic Features Dynamic reels, cascades, multiple paylines, post-win replacementFinal Thoughts
To sum up, Megaways is not an exclusive BTG-only product in distribution, although it is their patented mechanic. Other studios like Blueprint have rights to develop Megaways slots through licensing deals with Big Time Gaming. This has expanded the mechanic’s presence in many operators’ game libraries, including mobile-friendly platforms like MrQ that deliver a smooth browser-based and iOS user experience.
Understanding the licensing model is key to recognizing how Megaways has grown from a single studio’s innovation to a broadly adopted standard in modern slots — without confusing it with loosely similar dynamic grid mechanics unconnected to BTG. Neither visuals nor platform have any impact on RTP or volatility, but well-designed cascading systems and randomized dynamic reels are core to what makes Megaways beloved by players and developers alike.

If you want to try Megaways slots, look for officially licensed games from BTG or their agreements like Blueprint titles; these reflect the true mechanic and quality standards established by the patent holder.