Book of Dead Version 3 – Play'n GO
Book of Dead Version 3 is a high-volatility slot by Play'n GO set in ancient Egypt, featuring Rich Wilde — the adventuring archaeologist at the centre of the series. The game uses a 5×3 grid with 10 paylines and is built around a single defining mechanic: the Book symbol acts simultaneously as both wild and scatter, and triggers a free spins round with an expanding symbol. Version 3 uses the same mechanics as the original with an RTP of 94.2% and a bet range of €0.10–€50.
Game Information
| Provider | Play'n GO |
|---|---|
| Reels / Rows | 5 × 3 |
| Pay Lines | 10 |
| Volatility | High |
| Wild Symbol | Book (also scatter) |
| Scatter Symbol | Book (also wild) |
| Special Features | Free Spins, Expanding Symbol |
| Min Bet | €0.10 |
| Max Bet | €50 |
| Jackpot | None |
Theme and Setting
Book of Dead takes place in ancient Egypt — temples, hieroglyphics, sarcophagi and the desert sun form the visual backdrop. Rich Wilde, Play'n GO's travelling archaeologist, is the central figure and appears as the game's highest-paying symbol. Other symbols include the god Ra, Anubis, Osiris and classic Egyptian artefacts. The visual identity of Version 3 is consistent with the original.
The thematic continuity between versions means players already familiar with Book of Dead will recognise the setting immediately. The meaningful change in Version 3 is parametric — not visual.
Wild and Scatter — The Book
The Book is the central symbol of the game and performs two roles simultaneously. As a wild it substitutes for all other symbols to complete winning combinations across the 5 reels. As a scatter it triggers the free spins round when three or more Books appear anywhere on the grid — regardless of paylines. This dual role makes the Book the most valuable symbol in the base game as well as the bonus trigger.
In the base game, landing multiple Books on a payline pays on its own as a high-value combination; their additional scatter value simultaneously triggers the bonus round if three or more are present anywhere on the grid.
Free Spins and the Expanding Symbol
The free spins round is triggered by 3 or more scatter Books and awards 10 free spins. Before the round begins, one symbol is randomly selected as the "expanding symbol" for that specific bonus. Every time that symbol lands on a reel during the free spins, it expands to fill the entire reel — regardless of its position.
The largest wins occur when the expanding symbol covers multiple reels in the same spin, creating winning combinations across multiple paylines simultaneously. The expanding symbol also acts as a wild during expansion. The round can be retriggered by landing 3 or more scatters during the free spins.
Volatility
Book of Dead Version 3 has high volatility. Base game value is limited — the game is designed so that the greatest concentration of value appears during the free spins round, particularly when the expanding symbol covers multiple reels. Extended periods of low returns in the base game are a normal and expected part of this structure. Always set and respect a session budget before playing.
How to Play
- Set your bet using the controls. The minimum bet is €0.10 and the maximum is €50 per spin.
- The game has 10 fixed paylines. Wins are evaluated automatically from left to right.
- Press Spin. The 5 reels spin and stop to reveal symbols.
- The Book wild substitutes for any other symbol to complete winning payline combinations.
- Landing 3 or more Books anywhere on the grid triggers the Free Spins round.
- Before the free spins begin, note which symbol was randomly selected as the expanding symbol — it determines the dynamics of the bonus round.
- During free spins, the expanding symbol fills the entire reel whenever it lands.
- Autoplay is available with adjustable loss limits and single-win stop conditions.
Book of Dead Version 3 and Other Versions
Players familiar with the original Book of Dead will find Version 3 mechanically identical: the same 5×3 grid, the same 10 paylines, the same Book wild-plus-scatter logic, and the same expanding symbol mechanic during free spins. The difference is parametric: Version 3 has an RTP of 94.2% (versus approximately 96.21% on the original) and a maximum bet of €50 rather than €100. For players who prefer a lower maximum bet per spin, Version 3 covers that need without any change to the familiar gameplay.
Neither version is objectively superior — the choice depends on the parameters that match each player's style and session budget.
Related Games
The following titles are available at ElaBet and share mechanics or thematic similarities with Book of Dead Version 3:
- Book of the Fallen — A dark expanding-symbol slot with Norse mythology from Pragmatic Play. Shares the randomly-selected expanding symbol mechanic during free spins.
- Gates of Elabet 1000 — ElaBet-exclusive Pragmatic Play slot with a 6×5 cluster pays grid and a 1,000× accumulating multiplier mechanic. Different mechanic, similarly high volatility.
- Gates of Olympus 1000 — High-volatility Pragmatic Play slot with cluster pays and a 1,000× multiplier during free spins.
- Gates of Olympus Super Scatter — Gates of Olympus series variant that distributes more value into the base game through the Super Scatter mechanic.