Online slots have taken the world by storm. Since the first slot game was made available to online gamers, until now, the online gambling industry has undergone massive change. However, the one thing that has remained pretty consistent is the popularity of these wonderful games.
In the 2+ decades since online slots were first introduced to the public, they’ve changed quite significantly. In this article, we’d like to take a deep dive through the history of online slots, and examine where they stand today. But, in order to do that, we have to talk about how we got to where we are.
History of the Slot
In the late 1890s, Charles Fey, a well-known German-American inventor, came up with the idea for an arcade-like game, where the players would spin a reel and get appropriate prizes. Thus, the slot machine was born. First sold to a bar, the mysterious machine became a huge hit, and many other businesses demanded something like it.
Pretty soon, establishments all over the country had a slot machine, or even more. However, gambling laws became stricter in the 20th century, and a lot of businesses had to close down their slot machine. Some, however, found a work around. They had converted their slot machine to “gum dispensers.” The popular “fruit machine” emerged from this period, with all of the different fruits representing a flavor of gum.
Eventually, the slot machine became a staple of casinos around the world, and for most of the latter half of the 20th century, that was all there is to it. However, everything changed in the 90s, when Megaways released the first ever online slot. To this day, playing top-rated Megaways titles is possible at most online casinos, and gamblers have a blast trying to hit the jackpot.
What are Online Slots?
Now that we know the history of the slot machine, it is time we discussed online slots themselves. Namely, what are they? As you might be able to guess, online slots are a video version of the popular casino staple. But, how did game developers translate the slot to a digital landscape?
The main way they did so was by incorporating a Random Number Generator software. The algorithm’s job is to create random outcomes every time somebody spins the reel somewhere. In doing so, online casinos ensure that no two outcomes will be the same, even if two players spin the reel at exactly the same time.
With the randomness of slots recreated, the only thing left to do is give the games a wide audience appeal. Indeed, they’ve succeeded. In Great Britain, and especially in England, online slots have a huge following. In the next section we will explore how video game developers have used themes to appeal to their customers.
How Themes Attract Customers
Fruit slots are fun. But, let’s be honest, for the most part, they are a bit passé. While some people are still attracted to the retro style, most modern audiences want to see something new, exciting, and just plain cool. That is where the “theme” of online slots comes in.
For the uninitiated, most online slots rely on the RNG and little else for their mechanic. That means that the game itself is not actually all that exciting. So, developers need an element that will attract a crowd. That is what we would call the “theme” of the slot.
In simple terms, the theme is little more than the visuals the slot incorporates. The most popular themes among slots right now are science fiction, fantasy, history, and super heroes. With the boom in super hero franchises, as well as the Star Wars revival, it is no surprise that these themes are a hit. On the other hand, fantasy and history have always dominated the slots market.
Mini Games and Jackpots
As we said, slot games don’t involve much gameplay. That is why for some gamblers, they can get boring, fast. In order to combat this stereotype that slots are uninteresting, game developers have begun inserting new mechanics, that boost the game’s entertainment value.
There are plenty of slots that feature mini-games now, for example. More often than not, these mini games are nothing too special or complicated. Тhey mainly involve pressing a button or solving a fairly easy puzzle. However, they are certainly effective in keeping players engaged in the game.
Of course, there is also the promise of a grand prize. The jackpot as most gamblers know it, is the grand prize in some slot games. By attempting to reach the jackpot, many gamblers pour a significant amount of time into these slots, and come back for more.
However, it is fair to mention that the jackpot is very difficult, some would say nearly impossible to achieve. If you are a newbie, we’d recommend you stick to making simple and small bets, and just have fun exploring the different games.
Bonuses & Promos
Finally, we have to talk about bonuses and promotional offers. The main reason that online casinos draw in huge crowds is because of the bonuses that they promote. Gamblers who are eligible for these bonuses can use them to explore different games, minimize their losses, and maximize their chance for a win. For those who don’t know, let us take a look at the most popular bonuses that online casinos offer.
- Match Deposit: the match deposit bonus is certainly one of the most popular options. As you can probably guess, casinos that offer match deposits will actually match the amount you choose to pour into your account, as long as it is within a certain range. Usually, match deposit bonuses are only valid for one deposit.
- Free Spins: you spin the reel, get nothing and have to wager again. Can’t that get frustrating? With free spins, that is no longer an issue. Free spins bonuses let you spin the reel one extra time, resulting in a renewed opportunity to get your hands on a prize, without risking your funds.