Slot machines that gamblers play like Sweet Bonanza oyna did not use to be like that. They were not as modern and complicated as the slots today. They were crude and rudimentary at their best. Today, you will find all sorts of features in slot machines—features that players seem to consider as basic requirements for a game. As such, it is worth taking a look at the evolution of the online slot.
Online Slots in the 1990s
It was in the mid-1990s when the first online casinos officially launched for operation. At that time, you would see that the graphics of the games were really basic, similar to the graphics of console games.
The launch of the first online casino included the first iterations of the first digital slots. However, make no mistake. Video and electronic slots already existed at that time, but they were inside gaming casinos found in land-based casinos.
Fast-forward to the late 1990s, companies introduced newer video slots. This time, they used animations, similar to what computer games did. They realized that this was the start of a revolution in the iGaming space. People loved what they saw, and those began the never-ending race to produce better and more innovative gaming solutions.
Online Slots in the 2000s
In the early 2000s, we witnessed a shift in technology, particularly when the PS3 was released. It was a sophisticated software, and many companies developed game engines that also allowed slot machine creators to diversify their gaming portfolios.
It was this time when developers incorporated the most beloved slot features that we now commonly see in slot machines. These are:
- Wild Symbol – typically a symbol that randomly lands on the grid. It acts as a joker, replacing any kind of symbol, providing the player with the symbol they need to make a winning line.
- Bonus or Free Spins – free spins are usually awarded if you land three scatter symbols on the grid in the same round or spin. If you trigger this bonus, the slot will spin several times, free of charge. It means that you do not have to place wagers and yet you could
- Interactive Features – stacked, sticky, expanding symbols, and others.
At this point, the graphics were not that great yet. However, by the mid-2000s, the graphics of slots began to change. The game developers started producing slot machines that used 3D graphics, making the user experience more colorful, vibrant, and exciting.
Then, in the late 2000s, mobile casinos came into the picture, especially when Apple released the first iPhone. The late 2000s was the most revolutionary time in the casino space, and game developers took this as an opportunity to develop slot machines that worked perfectly on mobile devices.
Online Slots in the 2010s
By this period, the online casino industry started to experience heavy regulations. Government entities promulgated laws and enacted them. As such, game developers and casino operators had to implement what we call RNGs.
RNG stands for random number generator. It is a software program ensuring that all results in slot machines are truly random and that the probability of winning is the same among all the players. The goal here was to standardize the principle by which the game works.
Then, some companies released new and better slots that offered something fresh. One of the biggest things that happened in this period was the trademarked Megaways. It is a kind of slot machine that offers players thousands of ways to win, unlike traditional slots, where you only have a few paylines.
It was in the same period when slot creators introduced a colossal slot—it had big symbols. Some used two sets of slot machines in one. Others used a different concept, where you had to make blocks in a grid, not a payline, to win.
By this time, it was a basic expectation for slot machine players to have wild and scatter symbols. The absence of these two features made some players think twice. It was because of this demand that most slots today have at least a wild symbol and a free spins bonus round.
Online Slots in the 2020s
Slot machines are still evolving. Now, you can find games that you can play with cryptocurrency. You can also find titles that you can play on a VR device. Slot games today are also accessible on many devices like gaming consoles and smart TVs.
The most anticipated development is virtual reality, not just in terms of the device but also in terms of the virtual world. With the introduction of technologies and games like Decentraland, many companies are now looking into the possibility of building online casinos inside a virtual world.
In it, a person who has an avatar can walk into a virtual building, similar to how you would walk into a physical building, and then choose what to play. The players can interact with others, and they can also interact with the dealers.
Then there is the augmented reality thing, which some game developers are looking into. Right now, the AR thing is mostly restricted to haptic feedback. Perhaps there will come a time when online casinos can integrate a real one into a computer.
Imagine walking into a real, physical casino, but you are at home doing it with your virtual headset. The things you see on the screen are real people, but these people are in an actual casino somewhere. That is how AR and VR can merge to give players a better experience.
Final Thoughts
The casino industry is at the forefront of new technology. In a situation, where there is new tech that the casinos did not develop, they still are open to using new devices, programs, and other techs to develop new slots that will enhance customer experience.
Slot machines, particularly online ones, evolved dynamically. Every few years or so, we do see advancements being made for this classic favorite. In the end, players can expect better gameplay, better pay, and more options.