Crash games are a new but historic development in the modern online casino world. The concept has only been around for just over a decade. They began with a simple Bitcoin betting game that evolved over the years into what people know and love today. Fast-paced, exciting, and with plenty of winning potential.
We’re going back to the very beginning and looking at the history of crash games. Learning exactly where these fan-favourite games come from and how they evolved since their conception in 2014.
How Did Crash Games Begin?
So, what exactly kicked off the crash game industry?
Crash game origins are closely linked to the early days of Bitcoin gambling. One of the earliest well-documented examples comes from July 2014. A developer named Eric Springer launched a social Bitcoin gambling game called MoneyPot on the Bitcoin Talk Forum. And it basically worked the same way as crash games work now.
The concept of MoneyPot was to place a wager, watch the value increase, and cash out before the game ended. The design of the game was fairly simple compared to the more exciting and detailed animations and graphics we have now. That said, it was a groundbreaking formula that stuck around.
2014–2015: MoneyPot and the Birth of Bustabit
The original game, MoneyPot, didn’t keep its original name for very long. And so came the birth of Bustabit.
MoneyPot was acquired in April 2015 by a new developer, and it announced that it would be rebranded as Bustabit. Regardless of the name, this Bitcoin game served as the foundation for modern-day crash game mechanics. In fact, it’s still around today and is effectively known and branded as “the original crash game.”
2016–2018: Crash Games Spread Through Crypto Casinos
Once the original crash game formula took off, it started making more headway in the cryptocurrency gambling scene. The developers had decided to make the original game code available to the public, so anyone could use it. As the format spread, more crypto gambling sites began experimenting with the same idea.
At this stage, crash games were very much associated with Bitcoin and crypto casinos, not the mainstream casino industry. Even SPRIBE, which would later become known as one of the leading crash game developers, credits the format’s origins to the crypto market before traditional online casinos got hold.
Speaking of SPRIBE, they were the ones who released one of the most exciting crash games in modern-day history. Ever heard of a little game called Aviator?
2019: Aviator Takes Off in the Crash Game Mainstream
That was a trick question. Almost anyone who’s ever played a crash game knows about Aviator.
SPRIBE was founded in 2018 and launched the Aviator crash game in 2019. This was the first big change for crash games in terms of aesthetics, mechanics, and other features. Instead of a plain graph, players got to watch a small plane take off as their multiplier increased and try to cash out before it flies off with their cash.
The concept of the game may not have been new, but the new design really took the industry by storm. Plus, it was accessible. Aviator was designed for both desktop and mobile and has new features like live bets, in-game statistics, an in-game chat, autoplay, and auto cash out.
Aviator undeniably took off quickly, because by the end of 2020, SPRIBE reported that the game had launched with over 300 operators. This really helped the crash game format shift far beyond the crypto casino market toward more traditional online casino operators.
2020 and Beyond: How Crash Games Evolved After Aviator
Now that crash games had finally reached a wider audience, game operators began experimenting with new features, mechanics, and themes. Crash games now go much further than simply watching a multiplier increase and cashing out. Here’s a quick breakdown of some new developments.
More Themes and Characters
Of course, the first thing providers started to experiment with was the theme of their games. After all, if you’re going to be looking at the crash game the entire time, then you want it to look as good as possible.
Crash games have started moving onto more recognisable and fun themes. Pragmatic Play, for example, launched Spaceman in 2022, which replaced the traditional plane with an astronaut flying through multipliers in space. Then there’s Big Bass Crash, which transformed characters from its popular slot series into a crash game. There are games themed around football, the circus, hot air balloons, and so much more.
Of course, Aviator-style games, like High Flyer and Skyward, are still available with new and improved graphics and designs. But still, there is something for almost anyone.
More Game Features
As game designs grew more innovative, so did the cash-out features. Spaceman, for instance, introduced a 50% cash-out feature that lets you collect part of your wager while leaving the rest in play. Most newer crash games also have an Auto Cash Out feature that allows you to set a multiplier where the game automatically crashes out for you.
Other games introduced things like multiple bet positions at a time, even more detailed statistics, leaderboards, and newly designed live chat modes.
So, while the core of crash games has remained the same, players now have a little bit more to think about while they’re watching that multiplier climb.
New Mechanics and Gameplay: Arcade-Style Gameplay
Not that there’s anything wrong with the crash game formula (there isn’t), but there is usually this desire for developers to keep up with modern times. There’s always something new and exciting in the works, and so some providers have started to try to branch away from the traditional rising-multiplier screen.
The biggest example of this comes from Pragmatic’s Chicken+ crash game, which was released very recently in March of 2026. Instead of simply watching as the multiplier rises, your goal is to help the chicken cross the road safely. With each multiplier, you’re prompted to either cash out or move to the next lane, thus risking the chicken crashing.
Not only that, but Chicken+ introduced the option to select one of four risk levels, each with different levels and multipliers available and higher or lower risk factors. That’s certainly a leap from the simple graph and continuous flight mechanics.
Play Crash Games on playTSOGO
From the familiar flight of Aviator and Skyward to the space-themed Spaceman and even the cute retro-style Chicken+, the crash game options are endless. Each game has a different take on the original formula, with new and exciting features being added at every turn.
Whether you’re new to crash games or you’re a seasoned pro, playTSOGO has everything you could ever need. Simply visit our crash games page and discover what all the hype is about.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where did crash games get their name?
Crash games get their name from the whole concept of the game. The point in the game where the rising multiplier suddenly stops is called the “crash.” Players need to cash out before the “crash” point to lock in their winnings.
When were crash games first invented?
The first crash game was called MoneyPot (later rebranded to Bustabit) and invented in the crypto casino scene in 2014. It was developed by Eric Springer and launched on the Bitcoin Talk Forum.
Why did crash games become so popular?
Crash games are so popular, partly because of their simple rules, quick rounds, and real-time cash out decisions. It’s a format that’s stuck around for over a decade and will likely continue into the future, for good reason. Plus, with their various themes and features being introduced, the industry is becoming more exciting than ever.
What are the best crash games to play on playTSOGO?
There are plenty of amazing crash game titles out there to choose from. But if you want some variety, try games like Aviator, Big Bass Crash, Chicken+, and Circus Launch. These games have some different themes and mechanics, so you can find what works best for you.
How do you win in crash games?
There is no dedicated crash game strategy to beat a crash game, as they are inherently designed to be fair and unpredictable. However, there are a few things players should avoid. These includes going over your bankroll limits, chasing wins, and not using game auto cash out features.
