From blistering highs to Earth-shattering lows, a good, hearty Bonus Hunt has long been a popular weapon in a slot streamer’s armoury, with each one possessing the capability of rocketing balances to the moon, or plunging emotions to the very depths of despair.
Although not a concept too dissimilar to the tradition of spinning up slots with the hope of bonus rewards, the core contrast of a Bonus Hunt is simply that; as many games are played within a specific balance limit as possible, with every bonus game triggered being saved into a collection to be opened at the end, in the hope of achieving profit.
It really doesn’t get more simple than that yet, actually, the complexities beneath the surface are what truly make a Bonus Hunt stream stand out to our viewers, with plenty of planning required and the importance of needing to adapt to ever-dynamic and progressive circumstances.
Whilst audiences kick back and relax in the hope of a productive slot session, on the other side of the screen, there is so much more going on than meets the eye, with the method behind the madness making for, not only the best possible chance of a positive outcome balance-wise, but also the most rewarding for our viewers.
Here is an exclusive, behind-the-scenes insight into what factors are considered when Fruity Slots decides that the chase is on…
Slot Selection
Whilst it may sound completely obvious, we are slot streamers after all, no Bonus Hunt can begin without a healthy list of potential game selections, yet it isn’t merely as simple as heading from one to the next without some careful consideration.
The first block, more than able to cause a stumble from the get-go, is the best online casino chosen for hunting.
With every casino out there offering up a wide range of tempting offerings, a slot studio has to be deemed “Bonus Hunt Friendly” before their games can be selected, simply meaning that when a bonus feature is saved, it allows us to pick up where we left off at a later stage of the stream.
There truly is nothing worse than grafting for hours on end, only to re-open a game to find that the Bonus has automatically paid out without getting to watch it, and studios can vary in friendliness from platform to platform.
Once we are confident in our list of potential providers, the action can begin…
Risk vs Reward
The key to a more, potentially productive Bonus Hunt is, of course, a respectable number of bonuses in the collection at the end of it.
That means weighing up the risks of playing slot games of varying volatility levels, with the expected returns they’re likely to bring as a result.
Playing too many high-volatility games, Nolimit City being a prime example, can quite easily lead to lengthy spells of balance-bashing with little to show for it, although you also need to account for the hunt-making potential that even one successful bonus can bring.
On the reverse side, finishing up with a strong, double figure list of saved bonuses might look the part, yet if they’re all low in volatility, as to can be expectations.
Finding that perfect balance is one of the most important factors, yet can often be difficult to assess through such a dynamic style of gameplay.
Ever-Changing Dynamics
Following on from the Risks and Rewards, we all want to see hoards of exciting bonuses triggering one after another, who wouldn’t?…but what happens when they don’t?
The ability to swiftly adapt is a trait much-needed during any Bonus Hunt session, arguably during any slot stream, and finding yourself half-a-balance in with little to show for it can be a daunting prospect.
Situations often occur where a list of slot games is completely scrapped in favour of new, lower-volatile ideas in order to try and catch back up, or perhaps to even risk it all with a small handful of potentially hunt-saving, balance boosters.
It can work both ways too, and getting off to a ferocious start, or finding yourself receiving hearty base game wins, can open up ample opportunities for a little more risk taking.
The important thing to consider is that a Bonus Hunt stream is a treat for our viewers, not something that is always done on a regular basis, and should therefore be as entertaining for everyone as possible without sacrificing the end product.
Viewer Involvement
Having been on both sides of the spectrum, there is nothing better than the feeling of getting yourself involved in a slot stream, as a viewer.
Being present in the chat is one thing, but offering up your own slot suggestions during a Bonus Hunt is great…especially if that game brings home a bonus!
A Bonus Hunt always provides a perfect opportunity for us to fully utilise well-established, community platforms, from the Fruity Slots website forum to our Discord channel, opening up a means for viewers to play along at home.
Better still, what good is a hunt if we can’t involve a little healthy competition?
On-stream giveaways always take a high priority during any Bonus Hunt stream, whether it’s a “Guess the return” or simply a viewer’s game selection paying dividends, there is always the chance for rewards!
The Opening
So it all comes down to this…
After grinding for hours, spinning countless reels, battling through the highs and the lows of Bonus Hunt mortality, the time has finally arrived to sit forward and admire the fruits of your labour.
Opening a list of pre-saved bonuses brings with it little challenge, other than praying to the slot Gods up there for this to finally be our night.
The beauty of it, really, is the excitement and apprehension that comes along, knowing that even when falling behind target returns, one bonus truly can change everything!
The reality, however, is that even through such hard work during the stream, there is always a likely chance that results don’t play out in favour.
Bonus Hunts are not taken on primarily with the expectation of huge profitable returns and, with Fruity Slots at least, our hunting history has been somewhat shaky in recent times to put it positively, yet we always have great fun trying…not just the streamers, but everyone involved.
This style of slot gaming combines the laid-back atmosphere between viewer and channel, as found in any stream throughout the week, with added elements of exhilaration and enthusiasm from all involved.
It’s a funny old thing really, that such a simple concept can bring with it so many added layers of enjoyment.
Remaining just as popular as they always have done, it’s safe to say that Fruity Slots shall continue to wade through the emotional tides of Bonus Hunting for many times to come, simply in the hope that this could finally be the one…
