Book Of Dead
Let’s follow and examine the high-variance adventures of Rich Wilde.
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead remains a top-shelf choice for players worldwide, especially here in Canada, where folks appreciate a high-octane slot experience. Provider Play’n GO really hit the sweet spot back in 2016, giving us an Ancient Egypt adventure that stands up against any new release, no problem.
The setup is simple, yet the potential winnings are massive. It’s what keeps players coming back for another shot at finding the golden artifact. If you enjoy chasing huge multipliers, you’ll feel right at home with this one.
Written by: Alex Ivanov
Fact Checked by: Martin Hansen
Game Specs
Provider: Play N’Go
Release Date: 2016-01-16
Theme: Ancient Egypt, Adventure
Layout: 5 Reels, 3 Rows
Paylines: 10 (Adjustable)
RTP%: 96.21% (Note: RTP can vary by casino/jurisdiction, sometimes listed lower)
Variance: High
Player Suitability: Recommended for experienced players
Minimum Bet: C$0.09/spin (covers all 10 lines)
Maximum Win Potential: Up to 5,000x your bet
Technology: HTML5, JS
Minimum OS: iOS 11+ // Android 6.0+ (Marshmallow)
Game Size: ≈ 7.8MB
Last Update: N/A
Key Gameplay Features You Should Look Out For
he game drops you straight into the sandals of adventurer Rich Wilde, exploring an Egyptian burial site. The symbols are fantastic: Rich Wilde, Pharaoh masks, Anubis, and the Book itself. The Book symbol is the true star. It works as both the Wild (substituting for all other symbols) and the Scatter (triggering the bonus round).
Landing three or more Books grants you 10 free spins. Before these spins begin, the game selects one standard symbol at random to become the Special Expanding Symbol. If enough of this symbol lands during the free spins, it expands to cover the entire reel, paying out across all 10 paylines – even if the symbols aren’t adjacent. This is where the magic happens!
The high variance rating means that hitting the free spins can take a while. It challenges your bankroll, but that patience can really pay off with massive hits. It’s not a slot for someone just looking for small, steady wins; it’s for folks who appreciate the thrill of huge potential.
Getting the Rich Wilde symbol to expand across all five reels is how players land the highly sought-after 5,000x maximum prize. The main target during the bonus is getting the Rich Wilde symbol chosen as the Expanding Symbol. A full screen of Rich Wilde icons pays out 500x the bet per payline. Since there are 10 lines, this delivers the 5,000x total multiplier.
- Example: If a player wagers the minimum of C$0.10 per spin and hits the full screen of Rich Wilde symbols, the payout is C$500.00 (5,000 x C$0.10).
- High-Roll Example: If a player wagers C$5.00 and hits the full screen, the payout is C$25,000 (5,000 x C$5.00).
The second-highest paying symbol, the Pharaoh mask, is also a highly desired expanding symbol. A full screen of Pharaoh symbols awards 2,000x the bet (200x per line across 10 lines). Wins like this are celebrated as excellent consolation prizes!
Top Wins Reported by Fans
The official data and game mechanics for the Play’n GO slot do not support multi-million Euro wins.
- Fixed Maximum Win: Book of Dead is a fixed-pay slot, not a progressive jackpot slot. Its maximum win is consistently confirmed by the developer and all gaming reviews as 5,000x the total bet.
- Maximum Theoretical Payout: Given that the general maximum bet across most online casinos is typically capped at around €100, the maximum theoretical cash payout on a single spin is approximately €500,000 (€100 bet 5,000x multiplier).
- The Conflict: Some shady online casino affiliates reported wins of €10.9 million, €12.8 million, €14 million, and €15.6 million are 20 to 30 times larger than the game’s confirmed maximum payout.
NB! Jackpot vs. Slot: In some land-based casinos, a non-progressive slot might be linked to a local in-house progressive system managed by the casino itself, allowing for larger, though usually smaller than €10 million, prizes. However, Book of Dead is predominantly an online slot.
Graphics & Sound
Setting: The reels are framed by towering golden sandstone pillars carved with detailed hieroglyphics, suggesting you are deep inside a pharaoh’s opulent burial chamber or temple. The colour palette leans heavily on rich gold, deep blue, and stone grey.
Symbol Design: Symbols are split into low and high value:
- High Value: These are the centerpiece of the design, featuring the famous explorer Rich Wilde (the highest-paying symbol), the Pharaoh mask, the ancient Egyptian gods Anubis and Osiris, and the Book of Dead artifact. They are rendered with sharp, detailed artistry.
- Low Value: The standard 10, J, Q, K, and A symbols are given an Egyptian makeover, styled with gold accents and intricate hieroglyphic patterns to match the setting.
Animations: The game uses impressive visual effects, especially during the Free Spins feature. When the special expanding symbol lands, it stretches dramatically to cover the entire reel, often accompanied by golden flashes and effects that really celebrate the potential win.
Soundtrack: A dramatic, suspenseful melody plays constantly, reminiscent of an action-adventure movie exploring a secret location. It has an eerie, captivating quality that keeps the tension up.
Sound Effects: Sounds are carefully chosen to enhance the theme. Wins are punctuated by triumphant fanfares, and the reels spin with satisfying, weighty sounds. The reveal of the Book symbol is often accompanied by an audio cue that gets the heart pumping, signaling the potential for big rewards.
Immersion: The overall design – from the golden tomb backdrop to the high-definition symbols and captivating soundtrack – succeeds in making players feel like they are truly joining Rich Wilde on a high-stakes expedition.
Recent News
Play’n GO continues to move and shake the industry, and Book of Dead remains central to their strategy. Recent activities show strong moves into North America and continued product development:
- North American Expansion: Play’n GO joined the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) in 2024 and secured a supplier license for Pennsylvania. These moves signal a big push into the Canadian and US regulated markets, making it easier for players in those regions to find the game.
- New Tech and Gameplay: Play’n GO launched a new game mechanics system called FuseWays in 2024. While not part of Book of Dead, it shows the developer keeps innovating its core product line.
Final Verdict:
Book of Dead earns its reputation as a definitive, must-play slot. It’s a simple game that executes its single, powerful bonus feature to perfection.
It may not have the massive paylines or intricate mechanics of newer video slots, but its design is precisely why it remains a favourite. It took the well-loved “Book of” format and polished it with excellent graphics, a gripping Rich Wilde theme, and a high-risk engine.