Microgaming Review
By Dirk Smit
Verdict
One of the first casinos listed at Casinomeister was a Microgaming casino in 1998. The folks at Microgaming and Casinomeister have always had a pretty good relationship over the years. Our team met their CEO and administrative staff in London in January 2001. They have a strong ethical approach to gaming and always strive to do the right thing.
Back in the day, when they were strictly a downloadable casino, they had a very close relationship with their operators. If things went awry with any of their operators, they could step in and make corrections. But as the years went by, they had to step back a little and take the stance of being the software provider.
A few years ago, they invited the Casinomeister himself and several other persons directly involved with players to their offices in the Isle of Man, where the day was spent discussing this thread: Meeting with Microgaming: What do players want?
That was in 2010; unfortunately, the business has changed a bit. For various reasons, most software companies have distanced themselves from player communities like Casinomeister. We’d love to see this change, and it would be great to see them getting involved again like they used to. Microgaming has some of the best games – period. Their video poker releases are second to none, and their slots can be just as great. We feel they would benefit from being more involved with our community.
Microgaming Software: A Review
Microgaming was among the first software providers to enter the online gambling market. They developed their first Online Casino Software as early as 1994! They have many products, including casino software (Multiplayer, Mobile, Poker, Bingo, Land-based, Sportsbook, Live Dealer), Business Solutions, and the Quickfire Platform. They are also expected to be pioneering in the Virtual Reality realm – this is where their main focus is aimed at the moment, at least if we are to believe the press releases in the last few years and many interviews with their C.E.O. Roger Raatgever.
Currently, Microgaming is still one of the world’s largest and most widespread Online Casino Gaming software providers. For almost 20 years now, Microgaming has been developing reliable and, at times, innovative software solutions featuring a large selection of Online Casino Games (850+).
Microgaming slots and online casino games are some of the most popular around. They’ve produced some of the most popular slots in history, with titles like Immortal Romance, Mega Moolah, and Thunderstruck II becoming iconic in online casinos. The UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, and other regulated markets license Microgaming’s classic slots, new slots, and everything else.
Microgaming List Of Casinos
Blackjack Ballroom Casino
Del Oro
Tried to bamboozle our forum with shills, then confiscated winnings with no justification
Bob Casino
Accepts US players but won't pay out
Accepts US players but won't pay out
Microgaming Online Casinos: Viper Software
Microgaming’s Quickfire platform is a game-changer in the online casino world. Launched in 2010, Quickfire allows casinos to integrate Microgaming’s extensive library of games easily and quickly. The platform is designed to be user-friendly for both operators and players. It’s a breeze for casino operators to set up, requiring minimal technical know-how. It offers a range of customizable options that let operators tailor the gaming experience to their audience.
For players, Quickfire means more game variety and smoother gameplay. The platform supports slots, table games, poker, and even bingo. One of its major perks is that it’s compatible with mobile devices so you can play on the go, too. Quickfire also ensures that games load fast, reducing the time you must wait to dive into your favorite casino games.
The platform also allows for integrating games from other developers, making it a versatile choice for any online casino looking to expand its game offerings. For example, many leading game developers like Big Time Gaming (BTG) push out their games through the Quickfire platform, so it’s not just for Microgaming games.
Downloadable Software Client
Microgaming casinos have always been famous for their desktop client. The software client offers players more than 45 languages to choose from, and they can open and play multiple Games at once. Players can either jump back and forth in multiple tabs (whereby you can run them in Auto-play mode, with various adjustable variables) or by un-docking them into separate windows. The Casino lobby is available in two modes. Here, you can view the best Microgaming slot games, current progressive jackpots, and more.
The lobby also offers various Account Management options: Players can fund their account with ‘Casino credits’ in the Cashier Section, update their Account details (if needed), and take a gander at all the current promotions in the ‘Home’ and ‘Promotions’ section, which are also announced through pop-ups.
There is a unique PlayCheck™ function where you can review your online gambling transactions and game history in one place. Then, you’ve got the CashCheck™ function where you can view all your financial transactions. Downloadable Microgaming casinos also allow players to quickly view their loyalty status, check their loyalty points, and exchange these points for bonus funds.
Unfortunately, the online gambling industry has moved on from downloadable clients. Few casino sites offer downloadable Microgaming software, and the online gaming world has pivoted to mobile casino games and slots. Any new Microgaming slot is made using HTML5, so there’s no need to download or install any software.
A Shift To HTML5 and Mobile Casino Games
As mobile casinos and HTML5 gaming became more popular, Microgaming faced the monumental task of porting their games from Flash to HTML5. They were far from the fastest at this, and Microgaming’s first online casino game for instant play came far later than most software providers.
Like their downloadable software client, Microgaming’s instant-play casino lobby supports many languages and offers various online slots, jackpot games, and branded slots.
However, few online casinos use Microgaming’s software anymore. Back in the day, Microgaming powered the first online casino. At one point, they had live casino games, the most popular video slot titles in the world, and a solid online bingo history – as well as sports betting and poker. However, Microgaming has been somewhat left behind with the rise of new game developers and state-of-the-art mobile casino software. This is a real shame, as their video slots were the absolute best in their heyday.
Microgaming’s Independent Game Studios
In the last ten years, Microgaming has shifted its strategy from primarily developing its games to acquiring smaller independent studios. This move is a wise business decision that allows the company to diversify its portfolio and tap into fresh, innovative ideas. Microgaming has always been a big name in the online casino industry, but the competition has become fierce. Newer studios have pushed the envelope in game design, graphics, and features. Microgaming tried to stay ahead of the curve by acquiring these smaller studios.
One of the key benefits of this approach is that it allows Microgaming to offer a broader range of games. Smaller studios often specialize in niche markets or unique game mechanics that Microgaming might not have explored otherwise. This means players get more variety and a richer gaming experience. For example, when Microgaming acquired studios like Just For The Win and Triple Edge Studios, it added many innovative slots and table games to its lineup that differed from its traditional offerings.
Other game developers acquired by Microgaming include Foxium Games, Alchemy Gaming, Neon Valley Studios, Pulse 8 Studios, Stormcraft Studios, Switch Studios, All41 Studios, Slingshot Studios, and Gameburger Studios. Most of these companies focus on video slots, but a couple offer popular games in the casino niche, including Roulette titles and blackjack.
While it may appear to be an intelligent idea, these companies haven’t seen that much success. Compared to other game providers like SG Gaming, who’ve taken a similar route, we haven’t seen the same levels of success. Microgaming slots provide a fun experience, and that’s just not often the case with these partner studios.
Microgaming Slots
Microgaming has over 850 Casino Games, of which there are over 1,200 versions, including 40+ well-known Progressive Jackpot Games, 35+ Multiplayer Games, and 350+ Mobile Games. Their games also support over 45 languages and are available in over 25 currencies. It is safe to say that Microgaming offers multiple options with plenty of variety to cater to different types of players.
Below, we will look at some of the top Microgaming slots. You will find these games at the best Microgaming casinos, and we’ll include a look at new games and older games. We will also show you some of the top progressive games, bonus features in slots Microgaming develops, and more!
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Microgaming’s Mega Moolah Slot
Mega Moolah is a legendary name in online slots due to its progressive jackpot potential. Set against the backdrop of an African Safari, this five-reel, 25-payline game is visually appealing and offers life-changing jackpots. What sets Mega Moolah apart is its four-tier progressive jackpot system – Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega – each with its accumulating prize pool.
The largest jackpot win in online gambling history was paid more than $30 million on Mega Moolah! There are two bonus features in Mega Moolah, too, as there’s a free spins bonus in addition to the progressive jackpot round. The game was so successful that Microgaming launched several spinoffs, sharing the same pooled jackpot as the main Mega Moolah video slot.
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Immortal Romance
Immortal Romance is a slot game that has captivated players since its release. Arguably the most well-known non-progressive Microgaming slot ever made, this game takes you into a world of vampires and forbidden love, offering a compelling storyline and exciting gameplay. With five reels and 243 ways to win, the slot was one of the first to do away with paylines.
The graphics are top-notch, featuring gothic elements that perfectly match the theme. The soundtrack adds another layer of immersion, making you feel like you’re part of this mysterious world.
However, the best thing about Immortal Romance is its bonus features. The Chamber of Spins is the main feature, triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols. This feature offers four free spin rounds, each tied to a character in the story, and each offering unique rewards like multipliers and free spins.
The Wild Desire feature also triggers randomly during the base game. When it does, it can turn up to five reels wild, allowing you to win more than 11,000X of your bet!
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Game of Thrones
Microgaming’s Game of Thrones slot is a treat for fans of the iconic TV series and newcomers. Game of Thrones comes in two versions: one with 15 paylines and another offering 243 ways to win. Both versions contain features echoing the series’ power and fortune themes. The graphics and sound effects are designed to immerse you in the world of Westeros, complete with the show’s original soundtrack.
The game offers four free spin features, each representing a major house from the series: Baratheon, Lannister, Stark, and Targaryen. These features offer varying combinations of free spins, multipliers, and stacked symbols, allowing you to choose the one that fits your playing style.
The gamble feature, styled as a journey through a map of Westeros, adds another layer of excitement. You can double your winnings by choosing heads or tails on a Braavosi coin. Game of Thrones remains one of the most successful branded slots from Microgaming. It’s still widely played today, although the 15 payline version isn’t as popular. Like Mega Moolah, Game of Thrones was one of the first video slot releases from Microgaming to be ported over to HTML5.
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Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is another branded video slot from Microgaming. It’s built around a five-reel, three-row format and uses 243-ways-to-win. It brings the iconic 1993 movie to the world of online gaming. The game’s visual appeal is immediately noticeable, featuring realistic dinosaur symbols and lush jungle backgrounds. The soundtrack, directly inspired by the film, adds to the immersive experience.
The game is packed with features, most notably the five different free spin rounds. Each round is themed after a specific dinosaur, like the T-Rex or Velociraptor, and offers unique benefits such as wild reels, split wilds, or multipliers. The T-Rex Alert Mode is another exciting feature; it adds 35 extra wild symbols to the reels for six spins, increasing your chances of a big win.
Jurassic Park also uses Parallax Scrolling effects, making the background come to life as you spin the reels. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular releases from the online gaming giant.
That’s just a small selection of the Microgaming slots you will find at online gaming sites today. Iconic releases like Mega Moolah and Immortal Romance continue to be some of the most popular video slots today despite their dated look and feel. What do you think the best Microgaming slots are? Head over to the Casinomeister forum and let us know!
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Thunderstruck II
Thunderstruck II is another masterpiece from Microgaming that has stood the test of time. Inspired by Norse mythology, this slot game features gods like Thor, Odin, and Loki across its five reels and uses a 243 ways to win mechanic. The crisp graphics and soundtrack are fittingly epic and available at all of the best Microgaming casinos.
What sets Thunderstruck II apart is its Great Hall of Spins feature. Triggered by three or more hammer symbols, this bonus round offers four levels, each associated with a Norse god and offering unique rewards. For example, the Thor level gives you 25 free spins with a rolling reel feature, increasing your chances of consecutive wins. The game also has a Wildstorm feature that can turn up to five reels wild, creating massive winning opportunities. Sure, on paper, it’s pretty similar to Immortal Romance, but it’s made in a way that makes it unique.
Avalon II
Avalon II from Microgaming is a sequel that takes the original Avalon slot to new heights. This five-reel, 243-ways-to-win game offers a rich Arthurian legend theme with high-quality graphics and an immersive soundtrack. The game stands out for its eight bonus features, the Grail Bonus. These features range from free spins to interactive games like forging Excalibur and spinning the Wheel of Fortune.
Like many popular slots from Microgaming, there is also a random base game feature called the Merlin Bonus. When it triggers, a wizard can appear randomly to award you cash prizes or multipliers. Another random feature is the Lake of Legend, where you reforge Excalibur for a big win. The game also includes expanding and trailing wilds, adding more ways to win.
Microgaming’s Online Casino Games
In addition to its vast selection of innovative slot titles, Microgaming is also well-known for its wide variety of high-quality video poker and classic casino table games. Microgaming offers popular variations like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and All Aces for video poker enthusiasts. Players can enjoy single-hand and multi-hand options with great graphics and smooth gameplay. Features like double up and gamble add further excitement, allowing players to potentially double payouts after a win.
On the table game front, Microgaming delivers authentic versions of casino favorites like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. Multiple variations are available, like European, French, and American roulette, blackjack switch, multi-hand, and classic. Microgaming games are readily available today, although they’re not as popular as Microgaming slots.
Live Casino Product
Microgaming’s entry into the live dealer casino arena was an ambitious venture to bring the excitement of land-based casinos to the digital realm. While their live dealer casino software was once a pretty successful product, it is now defunct. The software once allowed players to enjoy table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more, with real human dealers streaming from professional studios.
Microgaming’s live dealer platform was known for its high-quality streaming, immersive gameplay, and interactive features. The ability to interact with live dealers and fellow players in real-time created an authentic casino atmosphere, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a more social gaming experience.
However, the landscape of the live dealer casino industry has evolved, and Microgaming’s live dealer software couldn’t keep up with industry leaders like Evolution (previously Evolution Gaming) and NetEnt. All live Microgaming games were retired, unfortunately.
Microgaming Poker Network
In 2020, Microgaming decided to shut down its Microgaming Poker Network (MPN) after more than 16 years of operation. This move came after an in-depth internal review of the company’s product lineup and overall strategy. MPN has been an award-winning platform, offering players a variety of unique and entertaining poker experiences, including a range of tournaments, promotions, and cash games.
It was a classic casino poker platform, once powering some of the world’s largest poker rooms. It was known for fair gaming, and players could open up slots and real dealer games alongside poker; it was state-of-the-art when it was released. Unfortunately, it wasn’t able to compete.
John Coleman, the CEO of Microgaming, stated that the network model for poker no longer aligned with the company’s strategic vision. The closure was part of a broader plan to redistribute critical resources and personnel across different business areas. While this marked the end of MPN, it didn’t signify the end of Microgaming’s involvement in poker.
According to Coleman in a 2020 press release, Microgaming is exploring a new strategic direction for its poker vertical, which will be disclosed in the future. Even though the network has closed, the company assured that this move would ultimately help them achieve their vision of offering top-notch gaming experiences. However, we have yet to hear any more about this, and, like many Microgaming products, it looks like they’ve lost their “spark.”
Unique Features
Microgaming has always strived to think outside the box, whether it’s their branded slot games, progressive jackpots, or mobile gaming products. While they’ve lost traction in the last few years, they’re still iconic in the online gambling world. Below, we will look at some unique features that made their games iconic.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
Microgaming’s progressive jackpot network is one of the most iconic parts of their business. Launched in 1998 with the introduction of Cash Splash, the network has since paid more than $1.5 billion in winnings! Microgaming’s progressive jackpot games are unique thanks to their interconnected nature; multiple games across various online casinos contribute to a single, ever-growing jackpot. This means the prizes can reach astronomical amounts, often turning players into instant millionaires.
This network’s most famous online jackpot game is Mega Moolah, the “Millionaire Maker.” It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest online slot payout, a staggering $18.9 million. The game features a wheel-of-fortune-style bonus round where players can win one of four progressive jackpots. Other popular titles in the network include Major Millions and King Cashalot, each offering substantial payouts.
Many of the best Microgaming slots contain jackpots. However, Microgaming understands the importance of giving players winning opportunities without needing to win a jackpot. That’s why most of their jackpot games also have free spins and “Pick Me Bonus” features.
Branded Games
Microgaming’s branded games are popular, well-known, and respected, like their jackpot slots. Microgaming has partnered with significant entertainment franchises, allowing players to enjoy themed video slot releases. Games like Playboy, Jurassic Park, Game of Thrones, and Terminator 2 are casino classics and have all been made into mobile slots.
These branded games often come with exclusive video content, high-quality graphics, and original soundtracks, making them a hit with fans of the franchises. Making a branded slot isn’t as easy as some would think, and the fact that Microgaming was able to develop so many shows how well-respected and connected the company is. These video slot games continue to be popular years after their initial release.
Multi-player
Microgaming was also one of the first game developers to offer multiplayer functionality, which brings players together playfully and interactively and is available on all platforms. These games allow players to play and chat – side by side – in shared Game rooms. It is possible to upload custom avatars, and players can use a single alias system available on all platforms.
Connected to this are Microgaming’s tournaments. Again, these can also be played on all platforms. Here, players can compete in various ways, using coins purchased for cash (Buy-in/Entry-fee) or free tournaments, known as freerolls.
Unfortunately, Microgaming’s tournaments appear to have pretty much stopped in the last few years. While their video slot games are widely available, most other parts of their business appear to have faltered.
Pros
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Huge selection of High Quality Video Poker and Table Games, specifically in their Download Casinos.
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Huge selection of Quality premium titles available - 850+ Games, supporting 25+ currencies and 45+ languages - on three popular platforms.
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Some of the biggest Progressive Jackpots available online, often reaching several millions.
Cons
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Have been accused of 'Cloning' various of their successful Slots Engines.
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Aren't really open to feedback or suggestions from players.
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Have announced that in the near future, their Classic Download Clients will disappear, which is a blow in the face to many fans, who swear by the software, especially the premium range of VP Games (CM's own cheermeister being one of them)
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