3 Oaks Gaming Expands Hold & Win Framework

3 Oaks Gaming Expands Hold & Win Framework

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3 Oaks Gaming

Rated 90.47/100%

101 Casinos | 0 Games

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Number of games

Country

Isle of Man

Founded

2021

• Slots
• Tournaments

3 Oaks Gaming has added a new chapter to its Hold and Win portfolio with 3 Aztec Temples. This title builds on traditional symbol lock mechanics while introducing a trio of modifiers designed to influence outcomes within a more layered structure. The slot retains the classic 5×3 format but integrates multiple systems that influence progression and determine the value potential across different stages of gameplay.

Set in an imagined representation of an Aztec-inspired environment, the game builds its primary rhythm around the accumulation of Bonus Symbols that serve as keys to the Hold and Win round. Once six or more Gold Coin Bonus Symbols appear in a single spin, they activate the locked-reel bonus mode. Players are then allocated a limited set of spins to land additional Bonus Symbols, each successful spin resetting the counter and retaining all previously landed symbols.

95.14/100%

New

Play for free Play for real

RTP%

96

Volatility

High

Layout

5×3

Max Win

3 Aztec Temples

Gold

9 plays

10/04/2025

3 Oaks Gaming (Booongo)

While this format is consistent with the established Hold and Win model used across many titles in the market, 3 Aztec Temples introduces several structural additions that shift its dynamic. Central to this shift is a system of three separate meters—each tied to its own symbol color and associated feature. These meters are charged in the base game through the appearance of specific Red, Blue, or Green Feature Symbols. Once fully charged, each meter enables a unique modifier during the next Bonus Round. These modifiers' presence alters the bonus phase's reward mechanics and adds variability to each playthrough.

The Red Temple meter activates a Boost function. When this modifier is in play, one value is applied across all symbol positions during the Hold and Win round, effectively elevating the minimum return from that point onward. The Blue Temple introduces a Collect feature, which tallies all coin values visible on the reels and combines them into a consolidated payout. Meanwhile, the Green Temple unlocks a multiplier function, applying a fixed multiplier to the entire set of accumulated values on the board. These mechanics serve not only to modify the outcomes of the Bonus Round but also to create a level of pacing that requires player engagement across multiple spins and sessions to fully activate.

What adds further dimension is the inclusion of a Mystery symbol within the bonus sequence. This symbol acts as a variable modifier, capable of transforming into any of the color-coded feature symbols or into one of the tiered Jackpot icons—Mini, Minor, or Major. The use of the Mystery symbol serves both as a randomizer and as a mechanic for retroactive feature unlocking. Even if a Bonus Round begins with only one active feature, the presence of the Mystery symbol can trigger the introduction of additional modifiers mid-round, increasing the structural complexity of the session.

An additional mechanic, the Lucky Spin, provides another possible entry point into the bonus round. This function may randomly activate to offer entry with at least one modifier already enabled. It operates as a soft shortcut, bypassing the base game accumulation requirement under certain conditions.

For those looking for more immediate access to the enhanced bonus structures, 3 Aztec Temples includes two separate Buy Bonus features. One provides standard entry into the Bonus Round, while the other guarantees that all modifiers—Boost, Collect, and Multi—are active from the outset. These options offer flexibility in session duration and pacing for users who prioritize direct access to the feature-driven portion of the game.

According to 3 Oaks Gaming's Head of Sales, Krasimir Pankovski, this release is part of a broader direction that aims to evolve the structural capabilities of the Hold and Win format. Instead of overhauling the mechanic, the approach focuses on adjusting the reward pathways through symbol-based modifiers and meter accumulation. This aligns with recent trends in slot development that prioritize modular bonus rounds and integrated pacing systems.

Visually, the game remains tied to its Aztec theme through consistent design choices—stone-carved reels, jungle backgrounds, and stylized symbols that loosely allude to mythological constructs. However, the thematic elements are largely a framework for a feature-led design. The symbols function less as narrative elements and more as tools for progression, with modifiers and Jackpot tiers determining the tempo and flow of the round.

Rather than introducing a story-driven format, 3 Aztec Temples focuses on how structured volatility and symbol dynamics can influence the rhythm of a session. Integrating three separate meters, the strategic use of a shape-shifting Mystery symbol, and the multiple access points to bonus content result in a game that aims to recalibrate how outcomes are shaped across repeated play cycles. It avoids over-reliance on visual storytelling or expansive animations, instead anchoring its offering in calculated feature sequences and symbol-based modifiers.