Book of Dead — Play'n GO
Book of Dead is a high-volatility slot by Play'n GO and one of the most recognised titles in the history of online casino gaming. First released in January 2016, it follows the adventures of Rich Wilde — an intrepid archaeologist exploring the tombs of ancient Egypt in search of a legendary artefact. Nearly a decade after launch, it remains a benchmark for the "book-style" mechanic that has since inspired dozens of sequels and imitations. Its formula is deliberately simple: a 5x3 grid, 10 adjustable paylines, one dual-function symbol that acts as both Wild and Scatter, and a Free Spins round built around a single expanding symbol that defines the entire session. Book of Dead is available at Elabet under ΕΕΕΠ Type 2 licence HGC-000033-LH.
Game Overview
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | Play'n GO |
| Release Date | January 2016 |
| Grid | 5x3 |
| Paylines | 10 (adjustable) |
| Volatility | High |
| Free Spins Trigger | 3+ Book (Scatter) symbols anywhere on reels |
| Free Spins Awarded | 10 (retriggerable) |
| Gamble Feature | Yes — double or quadruple any win |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes — HTML5, iOS and Android |
How Book of Dead Works
Book of Dead is played on a classic 5x3 grid with 10 adjustable paylines. Wins are formed by landing 3 or more matching symbols from left to right along an active payline — with the exception of Rich Wilde, who pays from just 2 symbols on consecutive reels from the leftmost position.
The central symbol is the Golden Book, which serves a dual function: as a Wild it substitutes for all other symbols to help complete winning combinations; as a Scatter it triggers the Free Spins round when 3 or more land anywhere on the reels, regardless of paylines. Landing the Book as a Scatter also pays up to 200x the total stake for 5 on screen.
The Gamble feature is available after any win. Players can choose to risk their win by guessing the colour or suit of a hidden playing card — a correct colour guess doubles the win, a correct suit guess quadruples it. Incorrect guesses forfeit the win entirely.
Symbols and Paytable
Symbols are divided into two tiers — high-value Egyptian icons and lower-value card royals:
| Symbol | Type | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rich Wilde | High Pay | Highest-paying symbol — top payout when 5 land on a payline |
| Pharaoh | High Pay | Second highest payout |
| Anubis | High Pay | Third highest payout |
| Horus (Falcon) | High Pay | Fourth highest payout |
| A, K, Q, J, 10 | Low Pay | Lower win values, land more frequently |
| Golden Book | Wild + Scatter | Substitutes for all symbols; triggers Free Spins when 3+ land anywhere |
Free Spins
Landing 3, 4, or 5 Book symbols anywhere on the reels triggers the Free Spins round. Before the feature begins, one symbol is chosen at random to become the expanding symbol for the entire round. This symbol expands to fill its entire reel whenever it contributes to a winning combination during Free Spins.
| Scatters Landed | Free Spins Awarded |
|---|---|
| 3 Books | 10 Free Spins |
| 4 Books | 10 Free Spins |
| 5 Books | 10 Free Spins |
The expanding symbol is the defining mechanic of the entire game. If Rich Wilde is selected as the expanding symbol and lands in a winning combination, he can fill entire reels across all active paylines. The Free Spins round can be retriggered by landing 3 or more Books during the feature, awarding an additional 10 spins each time with no limit on the number of retriggers.
Related Play'n GO Titles at Elabet
Book of Dead sits at the heart of Play'n GO's Rich Wilde universe. If you enjoy the adventure slot format, the following titles continue the story and expand on the mechanics:
- Legacy of Dead — set in the same ancient Egypt world, Legacy of Dead builds on the book-style mechanic with a higher-volatility model and deeper Egyptian mythology.
- Rich Wilde and the Tome of Madness — Rich Wilde's most ambitious adventure. A cluster-pays engine replaces traditional paylines, with a 3x3 portal mechanic and multipliers that carry between features.