Now an established feature of any casino or amusement arcade, slot games have been around for more than 100 years. The first, invented in the late 19th century, were three-reeled machines activated by a lever – known informally as “one-armed bandits”.
Over the next 50 years, the main physical change to slots was the addition of fruit symbols to the reels. This earned the increasingly popular games a new nickname, one that is still used today – “fruit machines”.
The next big evolution for slot machines arrived in the 1960s with the new technology of the electromechanical era. This allowed game-makers to implement enhanced functionality by incorporating electrical components to add light, sound, and more payout lines.
In the 20th century’s final decades, the digital revolution removed the constraints of mechanics and allowed imagination to flourish. Digital displays replaced physical reels allowing more complex graphics, ever-changing themes, new features, and extra bonuses.
Then, just as it seemed slot games couldn’t become any more adaptable and advanced, the internet arrived. From the very early days of the World Wide Web, programmers began experimenting with ways to move slots online.
As both internet and computer capabilities developed, the digital world created a new landscape and endless possibilities for slot gaming. Over the last two decades, each element of slots has grown and diversified more than ever experienced before.
How Has the Digital World Changed Slots?
Increased Variety
One of the most obvious impacts of bringing slots into the digital world is the huge increase in game diversity. Building new machines or updating existing ones was costly and time-consuming, while online slots are limited only by creativity.
Today, players can choose between a vast and continually updating range of online slots offered by platforms like Virgin Games. From traditional three-reel fruit machines to those with hundreds of thousands of ways to win, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Complete Adaptability
An additional benefit of the increased variety that digital play makes possible is the flexibility to adapt and theme games. This means collaborations with brands, musicians, movies, and cultural trends can be formed and updated far more quickly.
As AI and data processing become more powerful and efficient, they open the door to incredible levels of personalisation. Slot platforms can monitor individual player behaviour in real-time, and tweak products to provide customised gaming experiences.
Unparalleled Accessibility
Slot games have traditionally been found in physical locations designed for able-bodied adults, such as casinos and arcades. By moving these games online, anybody of legal age can access them in the comfort of their own home.
As mobile and internet technology has developed, this has extended to portable devices like phones and tablets. The result is, today’s slots can be played anywhere, anytime, with games available at the touch of a button.
Increased Transparency
While slots have always been regulated to ensure fair payouts, this was always difficult for in-person players to check. Digital slots, on the other hand, are required to publish Return To Player (RTP) percentages and ensure they are met.
Social Play
It might seem strange to say moving a game from physical spaces to personal devices has made it more social. In the case of slots in the digital world, however, there are many ways in which this is true.
In-game chat rooms and messaging systems allow payers to interact without the restrictions of borders or social barriers. With constantly improving video and virtual reality technology, the social possibilities for online slot players are only set to increase.
An All-Round Improved Experience
For all these reasons and more, bringing slot games into the digital world has been a beneficial change for players. Today, slot enthusiasts can play the exact game they choose, when they wish, using whatever device suits them best.
Players have the freedom to dedicate specific spaces to immersive gameplay or to ‘pick-up-and-play’ in short bursts of spare time. Games are being continually adapted, improved, and personalised, meaning slots now exist to suit every taste, no matter how niche.
The combination of convenience and choice offered by online play has made slots more appealing to more players than ever before. This is evidenced by the continuing growth in popularity of digital slots across widening demographics all over the world.
As technology continues to develop, particularly surrounding AI, VR, and AR, this improvement in the offered experience will only grow. The digital world has changed slot gaming immeasurably in the last 20 years, who knows what the next 20 hold?
One thing’s for sure, there are exciting times ahead for online slot players who embrace the possibilities of technological innovation.
