The Golden Empire slot machine has been a staple in many Las Vegas casinos for over two decades. First introduced to the market by IGT (International Game Technology) in 2003, this slot has undergone several transformations and updates since its inception, making it one of the most recognizable and Golden Empire play for free beloved games among casino enthusiasts.
Theme and Design
The Golden Empire slot is set against a majestic backdrop of an ancient temple, complete with pyramids, sphinxes, and other Egyptian-inspired architectural elements. The game’s theme revolves around Ancient Egypt’s mythology and legend, transporting players to a world of mystery, power, and grandeur. The design itself exudes opulence and richness, making it visually appealing to those who appreciate historical and cultural themes.
The symbols used in the game are intricately designed, showcasing various depictions of Egyptian deities and mythical creatures. These include scarab beetles, mummified pharaohs, sphinxes, pyramids, and other symbols that reflect the era’s rich mythology. The high-quality graphics and immersive sound effects contribute to a captivating experience for players.
Symbols
The Golden Empire slot boasts a standard 5×3 reel configuration, with five fixed paylines and various ways of landing winning combinations. There are numerous symbols in play here:
- Scatter Symbol: Depicted as the Golden Ankh, it serves multiple purposes: triggers free spins, activates bonus rounds, and functions as an additional wild symbol.
- Wild Symbols: Represented by both the Pharaoh’s Face (standard wild) and the Scarab Beetle (wild with a higher payout potential), these can substitute for any regular symbols to complete winning combinations or enhance payouts.
- Regular Paying Symbols: These include various Egyptian-inspired motifs, such as Sphinxes, Pyramids, Ankh Staffs, Mummified Pharaohs, Scarabs, and Royal Emblems (Ace through 10). Each has its unique payout potential.
Payouts
The Golden Empire slot follows standard slot machine rules when it comes to payouts. Winning combinations are triggered by landing the specified number of matching symbols along a payline or specific symbol patterns on adjacent reels. The game offers various bonus rounds and features, which we’ll cover in more detail below.
Some notable payout structures include:
- Matching three Scarab Beetles awards 1,000x the total bet.
- Landing five Mummified Pharaohs rewards 5,000x the total wager.
Wilds
As mentioned earlier, both the Pharaoh’s Face and the Scarab Beetle serve as wild symbols in this slot. They can substitute for regular symbols to form winning combinations or enhance payouts:
- Standard Wild (Pharaoh’s Face):
- Can appear on reels 2-5.
- Does not pay separately; only substitutes other symbols when part of a win combination.
- Wild with Higher Payout Potential (Scarab Beetle):
- Appears only on reel three, acting as an additional wild symbol.
Scatters
The Golden Ankh Scatter serves multiple purposes:
- Triggers Free Spins: Landing at least two scatters anywhere on the reels activates up to 30 free spins.
- Activates Bonus Rounds: Scattering in specific configurations or with a Wild involved, can unlock unique bonus features (such as the "Select-a-Win" feature).
Bonus Features and Free Spins
The Golden Empire slot comes equipped with several engaging bonus features:
- Wild Streak Bonus:
- This is triggered by hitting two scattered Golden Ankhs on reels 3-4.
- Five free spins are awarded, during which one reel transforms into a completely wild reel for the duration of the round.
- Select-a-Win Feature (Bonus Round):
- Activated when three Scattered Golden Ankh symbols appear anywhere on the reels.
- Players select from four randomly offered instant prizes or choose to keep playing the free spins feature.
Free Spins
As mentioned earlier, landing two scatters will grant up to 30 free spins. During this time:
- Wild Multiplier: All regular Wilds have a multiplier of x5 when appearing in these bonus rounds.
- Wildcard: Ankh Scatter Becomes an Additional Wild: The Golden Ankhs now also act as additional wild symbols during the free spin feature.
RTP and Volatility
IGT’s Golden Empire slot boasts a Return to Player percentage (RTP) of 95%, indicating its moderate payout potential in both short- and long-term gameplay. Considering IGT is known for balancing slot volatility, Golden Empire falls into the medium to high range of this spectrum. This translates to:
- Higher payouts: More frequent, but generally smaller, wins can occur.
- Big Hit Potential: Although rarer than with very volatile slots, substantial wins are achievable due to its moderately aggressive betting ranges.
Betting Range and Max Win
Players have a wide range of betting options available for Golden Empire:
- Min/Max Bet per Line: The minimum bet allowed is $0.01, while the maximum is $5.
- Total Minimum/Maximum Betting Range: From a total wager of $0.05 (the minimum with one line activated) up to an impressive $25 when all five paylines are in play and at their max stakes.
The Golden Empire slot’s Max Win stands at 50,000x the player’s Total Bet or $1,250,000 if playing at its highest stake setting ($25 bet).