Donut Division

Hacksaw Gaming’s Donut Division is a 6-reel, 5-row video slot with 19 paylines. This game features a cop-and-donut theme. While it might seem like a run-of-the-mill slot at first glance, Donut Division offers a unique blend of features that set it apart.

Bonus Features and Special Symbols

Donut Division offers not one, but two distinct bonus features, each with a “Super” variant, providing a total of four unique bonus experiences. Let’s break down these features in detail.

The Gooey Guns and Gooey Wilds are central to the gameplay. When a Gooey Gun symbol appears (it can land anywhere except reel 1), it fires Gooey Wild symbols to the left, across the entire row. The Gooey Gun then transforms into a Gooey Wild itself. What makes these wilds special is that they can carry multipliers ranging from 1x to a whopping 100x. These multipliers are not just applied individually; they add together on each row and are then applied to any winning combinations that include Gooey Wilds from that row. This additive multiplier effect can lead to substantial wins, especially when multiple rows are involved.

The Bonus Choice feature is triggered by landing 3 or 4 FS (Free Spins) scatter symbols. Three scatters let you choose between the Warehouse and Stakeout bonuses, while four scatters unlock the Super Warehouse and Super Stakeout options.

The Warehouse bonus is a unique take on the Hold & Win concept. It starts with 3 refilling lives and introduces a grid filled with dead symbols and special symbols. Two flashlights scan random positions on the grid, revealing symbols. If a dead symbol is revealed, a flashlight charge is consumed. Once both charges are used, a life is lost.

However, revealing a special symbol refills the lives to 3 and triggers its specific effect without consuming a charge. Special symbols include:

• Adding Multipliers: Add values from 1x to 100x to the Total Multiplier.
• Multiplying Multipliers: Multiply the Total Multiplier by x2 to x10.
• Battery Symbol: Expands the flashlight’s beam to a 3×3 area, revealing all symbols within.
• Light-Switch Symbol: Illuminates the entire grid, revealing and collecting all symbols.

The bonus ends when all 3 lives are lost, and the accumulated Total Multiplier is awarded. If you are not completely sure about the value of the Battery or Light-Switch symbols in this bonus – just run the demo version of the game and open the built-in help of the game by clicking (i).

The Super Warehouse bonus elevates the excitement by guaranteeing that all Adding Multipliers are at least 5x. In a bonus game where collecting multipliers is key, this boost can dramatically increase your winnings.

The Stakeout bonus, on the other hand, enhances the base game mechanics. It increases the frequency of Gooey Gun symbols and the chance of landing higher-value multipliers. Landing 2 or 3 FS symbols during this mode awards 2 or 4 additional free spins, respectively.

The Super Stakeout bonus takes this even further. After a Gooey Gun symbol lands on a row for the first time, a Gooey Gun is guaranteed to land on that same row on every subsequent spin. This can create rows filled with multiplier wilds, maximizing your win potential.

Theme, Atmosphere, and Style

Donut Division features a cartoonish, comic book-style aesthetic that perfectly complements its humorous take on the police theme. The game’s colorful visuals, combined with its upbeat soundtrack and quirky sound effects, create a lighthearted and engaging atmosphere.

The slot’s setting changes depending on the game mode, transitioning from the streets outside a pizza and donut shop to a dimly lit warehouse. The character symbols, depicting the four detectives – Harry, Tom, Burt, and Roger (the Chief) – are full of personality, with their exaggerated features and donut-loving expressions. The visual contrast between the bright, sugary world of donuts and the gritty, crime-fighting theme is a stroke of creative genius.

Hacksaw Gaming has paid attention to the details, adding small touches that enhance the overall experience. For example, the way the detectives are animated to react to wins and bonus triggers adds another layer of charm to the game.

Slot Mechanics

Donut Division utilizes a 6-reel, 5-row grid with 19 fixed paylines. Wins are formed by landing 3 or more matching symbols on a payline, starting from the leftmost reel. This is a fairly standard setup, but the Gooey Guns and Gooey Wilds introduce a unique twist to the base game.

The game’s medium volatility (rated 3 out of 5 by Hacksaw Gaming) strikes a balance between frequent smaller wins and the potential for larger payouts. The RTP (Return to Player) is variable, with a top rate of 96.30%, but operators can also offer lower rates of 94.29%, 92.26%, and 88.24%. The hit frequency is around 24%, meaning that, on average, players can expect a winning combination roughly every four spins.

The betting range is quite flexible, accommodating bets from €0.10 to €100 per spin. This makes Donut Division accessible to both casual players and high rollers alike.

Symbolism and Its Relation to the Game

The symbols in Donut Division are not just there for show; they are carefully chosen to reflect the game’s theme and mechanics. The low-paying symbols – donuts, walkie-talkies, light beacons, cones, and coffee cups – represent the everyday items associated with police work, albeit with a humorous slant.

The high-paying symbols – the four detectives – are the stars of the show, each bringing their own unique style and payout potential. The Gooey Gun and Gooey Wild symbols are central to the game’s mechanics, representing the “gooey” element that the developers have emphasized. The way the Gooey Guns fire wilds across the reels is a clever visual representation of the “lock, load, and glaze ’em up” tagline.

The scatter symbols, represented by police badges, are the key to unlocking the bonus features, fittingly symbolizing the detectives’ authority and ability to initiate special operations. In the Warehouse bonus, the flashlights, batteries, and light-switch symbols are all thematic elements that tie into the idea of searching for clues and uncovering hidden prizes.

Unique and Interesting Features

Donut Division stands out from the crowd thanks to several unique and interesting features:

1. The Gooey Guns and Gooey Wilds with Additive Multipliers: This mechanic is the heart of the game, providing a fresh take on expanding wilds. The additive nature of the multipliers is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for significant win potential even in the base game.
2. The Warehouse Bonus with Its Flashlight Mechanic: This is not your typical Hold & Win bonus. The flashlight mechanic, where players must reveal symbols to collect prizes and refill lives, adds an element of suspense and interactivity that is rarely seen in similar features. The Super Warehouse bonus, with its guaranteed minimum 5x Adding Multipliers, takes the excitement to a new level.
3. The Super Stakeout Bonus with Guaranteed Gooey Guns: The promise of a Gooey Gun on every spin after the first one lands on a row is an enticing prospect. This mechanic guarantees that players will experience the thrill of multiplier wilds on a regular basis during this bonus round.
4. The Bonus Buy Options: Donut Division offers four different Bonus Buy options, allowing players to directly purchase access to the various bonus features. This caters to those who prefer to skip the base game and jump straight into the action. The inclusion of both regular and super versions of the bonus rounds in the Buy Bonus menu is a thoughtful touch.

Interesting Facts and Deep Analytics

• Maximum Win Potential: The maximum win of 12,500x the bet is achievable in all bonus rounds, showcasing the game’s high payout potential. This is a significant figure, especially considering the slot’s medium volatility.
• RTP Ranges: The fact that Donut Division offers multiple RTP settings is something that players should be aware of. While the top rate of 96.30% is excellent, the lower options can significantly impact the long-term returns.
• Hit Frequency: The 24% hit frequency suggests that players can expect a reasonable balance between dry spells and winning spins. This, combined with the medium volatility, makes for a balanced gameplay experience.
• Gooey Gun Multiplier Distribution: While the game information states that Gooey Guns can have multipliers up to 100x, it would be interesting to know the frequency distribution of these multipliers. Are higher multipliers exceptionally rare, or do they appear often enough to make a real difference?
• Super Bonus Trigger Rate: The Super Stakeout bonus, with its guaranteed Gooey Guns, is arguably the most desirable feature in the game. It would be valuable to know the average number of spins it takes to trigger this bonus organically.

Game Comparisons

Donut Division shares some similarities with other slots, but it also carves out its own niche. The Gooey Guns mechanic is reminiscent of the Wild Laser Cats in Hacksaw Gaming’s own Beam Boys, but the addition of multipliers in Donut Division adds another layer of complexity. The concept of expanding wilds with multipliers can also be found in some NoLimit City slots.

The Warehouse bonus, with its flashlight mechanic, is perhaps the most unique aspect of Donut Division. While it shares the Hold & Win label with many other bonus features, its gameplay is quite distinct. The closest comparison might be the bonus rounds in Money Train series by Relax Gaming.

Donut Division is a well-crafted slot that combines a playful theme with engaging mechanics and the potential for substantial wins. The Gooey Guns and Gooey Wilds, along with the four unique bonus features, provide plenty of excitement and variety. While the game does share some similarities with other slots, its unique blend of features and its charming presentation help it stand out from the crowd. Hacksaw Gaming has once again demonstrated its ability to create innovative and entertaining slots, and Donut Division is a worthy addition to its portfolio. I would definitely recommend this game, and particularly Super Stakeout mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)