Wild Shootout Slots
One of the easiest ways to change things up a bit on a slot machine is to play with the format. Companies routinely change the number of paylines, the number of reels, or how many symbol positions appear on the screen. This can lead to some interesting combinations that are way different than the standard 3x3 and 5x3 layouts.
A great example of just how far this customization can go is Wild Shootout, a game developed by WMS. Available at many social online casinos through the Play4Fun Network, this machine uses six reels, each one larger than the last. Combine that with a Western theme, and you have a game that can generate plenty of excitement for lucky players.
Shoot ‘Em Up
Wild Shootout was created using the Reel Boost engine, a platform you may recognize from other WMS games like Zeus III. The game consists of six reels and 192 potential paylines. Each reel is a different size, however: the first one has two symbol spots, the next has three and so on until the final reel is seven spots long.
While the format is a little odd, the object of the game is the same as any other slot you may have played. You’ll want to make matching combinations from left to right across the screen on your paylines, with longer combos leading to bigger wins. You’ll have the chance to win by hitting different icons, starting with the traditional card game symbols like spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds. Bigger wins are attached to cowboy hats, money bags, and bandits, among other recognizable icons you’d expect to see in any Western movie.
One of the interesting features in this machine is the presence of not one but two substitute symbols. The poker hand acts like a typical wild – hit it, and it can fill in for anything you need to make a winning line. An even better find, however, is the sheriff. If you should be lucky enough to land him while he partially covers any reel, he will expand to fill the entire column, potentially helping make you a winner on every single payline!
Free Spin Firepower
If you manage to find three badge symbols anywhere on screen during a single spin, you’ll be treated to a free spins game in which you’ll get a minimum of 10 free plays (with more possible if you triggered the round with even more badges).
Interestingly, this game takes the screen format and throws it in reverse, placing the seven-symbol reel at the left. This is actually a big help for players, as it is much more likely you will land the sheriff on the larger reels, which means you’re much more likely to score wins (and big payouts) during this special feature.
The Quick and the Rich
Wild Shootout is the kind of game that manages to be attractive to a wide range of players. The theme is universal enough – even outside of the United States – to appeal to most gamblers, and the stacked symbols lend themselves to highly volatile play with occasional huge payouts. This is especially apparent in the free spins feature, where it’s far from rare for players to win tens of thousands of credits by the time they get back to the main game. Whether you’re just a fan of the Western motif or you love the interesting screen layout, this is definitely a machine that’s plenty of fun to those who want to play for real money and social casino players alike.
