From Prose Edda to Reels: The Evolution of Rise of Ymir

Introduction to Norse Mythology and Hacksaw Gaming

In the realm of online casinos, few games have captured the essence of Norse mythology as vividly as Hacksaw Gaming’s Rise of Ymir . This slot, launched Rise of Ymir in October 2024, is more than just a game; it’s an immersive journey through the legends of the Prose Edda. In this article, we delve into the evolution of Rise of Ymir , exploring its unique features, bonus rounds, and the company behind it, Hacksaw Gaming.

The Company Behind the Game: Hacksaw Gaming

Hacksaw Gaming is a relatively modern but highly successful online casino game producer. Founded with a vision to create engaging and innovative games, Hacksaw has already launched an extensive library of online slots. Their games are known for their rich themes and intricate mechanics, making them stand out in the competitive world of online gaming.

The Game: Rise of Ymir

Rise of Ymir is a 5×4 slot with fourteen paylines, designed to offer a thrilling experience for players. The game boasts a high variance, with RTP settings ranging from 88.23% to 96.31%. This variance ensures that while some players may experience longer dry spells, others will be rewarded with significant wins.

Gameplay and Features

Symbols and Payouts

The game features a variety of symbols, including the 10 to A royals, which pay out x1 for five-of-a-kind combinations, and the six image premiums, which produce wins ranging from x3 to x10 when five identical tokens stop in view[2].

Wild Multipliers and Mega Multiplier

The Ymir symbol is central to the game’s mechanics. Acting as a wild multiplier, it can substitute for other paying symbols. When part of a winning combination, the win is multiplied by the symbol’s displayed value. If multiple Ymir symbols contribute to a win, their values combine before being applied to the payout. Each Ymir symbol can have a multiplier value ranging from 1x to 100x, and if multiple Ymir symbols appear, their multipliers combine[1].

The Mega Multiplier feature adds all the Ymir multipliers into a global multiplier, affecting all wins while it’s active. This feature also triggers a respin, during which any new Ymir symbols that land will add their multipliers to the global multiplier[1].

Bonus Rounds

Rise of Ymir offers several bonus rounds, each designed to enhance the gaming experience.

• Ymir’s Conquest Mode : This mode is triggered by landing three scatter symbols. It awards ten free spins, during which the Ymir symbol and Mega Multiplier features are active. Additional spins can be earned by landing two or three scatter symbols within the bonus round[2].

• Fury of War Spins : Similar to the Ymir’s Conquest Mode , this round is triggered by landing four scatter symbols. It also includes the Ymir’s Conquest and Mega Multiplier features, with the option to earn extra spins by landing two or three scatter symbols within the round[2].

• Fall of Ymir Mode : This is the most complex and rewarding bonus round. Triggered by landing five scatter symbols, it includes dead tokens, Volcanic Ymir symbols, and Asgardian Orbs . The player begins with three lives, consuming one per spin. Each non-dead symbol refills the life meter to three. The bonus concludes when there are no more refills. Volcanic Ymir symbols can have values up to x100, and Orbs interact with the global multiplier, adding value to some Volcanic Ymir symbols. The combined value of all Volcanic Ymir symbols is awarded at the end of the bonus[1][2].

Unique Features and Mechanics

One of the standout features of Rise of Ymir is its unique mechanics, which set it apart from other slots.

Ymir Symbol Mechanics

The Ymir symbol is not just a wild symbol; it’s a wild multiplier. When it forms part of a winning combination, the win is multiplied by the symbol’s displayed value. If multiple Ymir symbols contribute to a win, their values combine before being applied to the payout. Each time a Ymir symbol appears, it remains fixed in place and receives a multiplier from one of the following values: 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x, 75x, or 100x[1].

Giant Ymir Symbol

If four Ymir symbols land on the same reel, they combine into a giant Ymir symbol. The total value of the multipliers from the four symbols is added together and applied to the entire giant symbol, boosting any winning combination it’s part of[1].

Megamultiplier Feature

The Megamultiplier feature is another unique aspect of the game. When a Megamultiplier symbol appears alongside Ymir symbols on the grid, all their multipliers are summed up into a global Megamultiplier that affects all wins while it’s active. This feature also triggers a respin. During respins, any new Ymir symbols that land will add their multipliers to the global Megamultiplier , which remains in play until the start of the next round[1].

Volcanic Ymir Symbol

The Volcanic Ymir symbol is a unique multiplier symbol that can grow in value. When it lands, it stays in place and is assigned one of the following multipliers: 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 20x, 25x, 50x, 75x, or 100x. When a Megamultiplier symbol appears, all Volcanic Ymir multipliers on the grid are added together into a global multiplier, while the individual Volcanic Ymir symbols maintain their multipliers[1].

Asgardian Orb Symbols

Asgardian Orb symbols increase the value of Volcanic Ymir multipliers. Green Orbs enhance all Volcanic Ymir symbols on the reel where they land, while Golden Orbs boost every Volcanic Ymir symbol on the grid. Once this happens, the global multiplier resets to 0, but landing new Megamultiplier symbols rebuilds it. At the end of the bonus, the total value of all Volcanic Ymir symbols is added up and multiplied by the bet for a final reward[1].

Impact and Reception

Rise of Ymir has made a significant impact in the gaming community, particularly in regions like Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, the UK, Argentina, India, and others. While it may not be charting in the top one hundred rankings, it is doing well in the top two hundred territories in these regions[2].

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rise of Ymir is more than just a slot game; it’s an immersive experience that combines rich Norse mythology with intricate game mechanics. The unique features and bonus rounds make it a standout in the competitive world of online gaming. As Hacksaw Gaming continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what a slot game can offer, Rise of Ymir stands as a testament to their commitment to quality and creativity.

Technical Specifications of Rise of Ymir

Bonus Rounds and Features Summary

• Ymir’s Conquest Mode : Triggered by landing three scatter symbols, awards ten free spins with active Ymir symbol and Mega Multiplier features.
• Fury of War Spins : Triggered by landing four scatter symbols, includes Ymir’s Conquest and Mega Multiplier features with the option to earn extra spins.
• Fall of Ymir Mode : Triggered by landing five scatter symbols, includes dead tokens, Volcanic Ymir symbols, and Asgardian Orbs . The player begins with three lives, consuming one per spin. Each non-dead symbol refills the life meter to three. The bonus concludes when there are no more refills.

Unique Mechanics and Symbols

• Ymir Symbol : Acts as a wild multiplier, substituting for other paying symbols and multiplying wins.
• Giant Ymir Symbol : Combines four Ymir symbols on the same reel, applying their combined multipliers to the entire symbol.
• Megamultiplier Feature : Adds all Ymir multipliers into a global multiplier, affecting all wins and triggering respins.
• Volcanic Ymir Symbol : A unique multiplier symbol that can grow in value and interact with the global multiplier.
• Asgardian Orb Symbols : Enhance or boost Volcanic Ymir symbols, resetting the global multiplier but rebuilding it with new Megamultiplier symbols.

Impact and Reception

Rise of Ymir has made a significant impact in various gaming markets, particularly in regions like Canada, Finland, Ireland, Norway, the UK, Argentina, India, and others. While it may not be charting in the top one hundred rankings, it is doing well in the top two hundred territories in these regions[2].