Megaclusters Megaclusters
A cluster mechanic created by Big Time Gaming in 2020. Winning symbols split into 4 smaller symbols, which increases the number of cells on the grid and keeps chain wins going.
| English | Megaclusters |
|---|---|
| Classification | Game Features |
| Developer | Big Time Gaming |
| First game | Star Clusters Megaclusters (June 2020) |
| Core principle | Winning symbols split into 4 smaller symbols |
| Grid size | Starts at 4×4, cell count grows with chains |
| First license | Relax Gaming (November 2020, 12-month exclusive) |
| Games on AI Slot | 7 |
Overview
Megaclusters is a slot mechanic created by Big Time Gaming. It builds on cluster pays, where matching symbols that touch each other win. The difference is that winning symbols don’t disappear. They split into 4 smaller symbols. The more they split, the more symbols appear on the screen, so chain wins can run for a long time.
It debuted in June 2020 with Star Clusters Megaclusters. Big Time Gaming protects the mechanic with a trademark (™), much like Megaways.
How symbols split
Megaclusters games start on a small grid such as 4×4. When enough identical symbols connect horizontally or vertically, they win, and what happens next is the key part.
- Each winning large symbol turns into 4 small symbols (2×2) within the same cell.
- If the new small symbols form clusters with each other or with nearby symbols, they win again.
- When small symbols win, they pop and new symbols fill their place. This repeats until there are no more wins.
So the grid starts with 16 cells, but it grows a lot as the chain continues. For Star Clusters, Big Time Gaming says the base game grows from 4×4 up to 8×8, and free spins grow up to 16×16 (256 cells).
| Step | Symbols in one cell | Whole 4×4 grid |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 1 large symbol | 16 |
| 1st split | 4 small symbols | Up to 64 |
| 2nd split | 16 smaller symbols | Up to 256 |
The table above shows the maximum, assuming every cell splits. In practice, only winning cells split, so you end up with a mix of large and small symbols.
How it differs from standard cluster pays
| Category | Standard cluster pays | Mega Clusters |
|---|---|---|
| Symbols after a win | Disappear, and new symbols drop in from above | Split into 4 small symbols |
| Grid size | Fixed (e.g., 7×7) | Cell count grows as the chain continues |
| Chain method | Tumbling | Splitting + tumbling |
Most Megaclusters games also include a multiplier or multiplier wilds that grow with each chain. Because splitting extends the number of chain steps, multipliers tend to build up easily.
Licensing and expansion
In November 2020, Relax Gaming became the first to get a license to use Megaclusters. It was a 12-month exclusive deal, and its own studios and Silver Bullet partners could use it too. The result was Kluster Krystals Megaclusters in January 2021.
Big Time Gaming has tweaked the mechanic over time. Diamond Fruits mixes large symbols, groups of 4 small symbols, and empty cells on a 5×5 grid, and new symbols enter from all four directions (top, bottom, left, right). Millionaire Rush and Vegas Rush add a 12-step Mega Trail on top of up to 100 symbols.
Megaclusters games on AI Slot
| Games | Providers | Release | RTP | Max win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Clusters Megaclusters | Big Time Gaming | 2020.06 | 96.57% | 18,000x |
| Cyberslot Megaclusters | Big Time Gaming | 2020.12 | 96.36% | 31,364x |
| Kluster Krystals Megaclusters | Relax Gaming | 2021.01 | 96.49% | 9,921x |
| Diamond Fruits | Big Time Gaming | 2021.11 | 96.24% | 6,650x |
| Millionaire Rush | Big Time Gaming | 2022.06 | 96.45% | 14,542x |
| Vegas Rush | Big Time Gaming | 2023.05 | 96.45% | 47,200x |
| Star Clusters 2 | Big Time Gaming | 2025.09 | 96.63% | 34,500x |
RTP and max win are based on the AI Slot game info. Star Clusters 2 starts on 4×4 and grows to an 8×8 grid in free spins, and symbols in groups of 5 or more split and chain when they win. You can try them all as free demos with no sign-up.
