Slot games have been around for over 130 years, so it’s not unexpected that this form of entertainment has seen many changes throughout its development. The producers of these games always follow and apply the latest technological developments.
This way, players constantly get something new and exciting on the reels. If you want to know more about the history of slots, stay on this page.
The Dawn of Slots: The 1890s
It may sound incredible to some, but the first slots appeared at the end of the 19th century. From this period, there are well-known symbols that we still find in many titles, such as diamonds, the Liberty Bell, four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, bar icons, etc.
Users immediately accepted them primarily because of their simplicity and the possibility of profit while having fun. Of course, in terms of appearance and functionality, these machines can be described as outdated today. But still, they were a good background for what came next.
The Appearance of Video Slots: The 1970s
In the first half of the 20th century, some changes took place in physical slot machines, such as the appearance of electromechanical slots and improvements in the appearance of the games. However, a real revolution took place in the 1970s with the appearance of the first video slots.
For the first time, players saw symbols displayed on the screen. This kind of thing became possible thanks to the development of computer technology. The whole look became more compact, and players also enjoyed simple animations.
With the increase in popularity of these games in land-based casinos, more significant investment in new titles with better graphics and gameplay began.
The Rise of Online Slots: The 1990s (and beyond)
Around the mid-1990s, the first online casinos appeared on the market. The most numerous games in their offers (same as today) were the online slots, i.e., internet versions of the video slots.
Interestingly, some of the first software providers offering online slots are still active today. The online variant has undoubtedly brought these titles to a new level in multiple aspects. Given that, we will analyze the main aspects of it below:
Appearance
Compared to the first slot machines, online real money slots are light years ahead. Some of them, for example, use 3D graphics that make the experience more impressive and realistic. Today’s games are much more vibrant thanks to the many colors, shades, and animations used in the visuals.
Here, we primarily think of symbols and background images that have become a significant part of the phenomenon. In the background, you can often “read” the whole story behind the game.
In addition, online slots often have animations not only after winning rounds. Animations can run continuously even when the reels are stationary. The main character is frequently present next to the matrix and is involved in various activities.
Finally, for the impression to be complete, there is also the music and sound effects. In many cases, we have original tunes that match the theme.
Themes and stories
Almost every topic you can think of is covered in modern slots. This should not surprise you, considering that thousands of active slots exist. Software providers must be innovative and include titles with different themes.
Of course, ancient civilizations and their mythologies, such as Rome, Greece, Egypt, and China, are still among the most numerous. However, you can also find more modern and futuristic themes like cyberpunk and space exploration.
Furthermore, there are many games where animals and nature are the main stars. There are also titles with abstract themes and those that try to imitate classic slots with well-known symbols and elements.
The stories often come with a lot of details. For example, when we have a game with a theme related to Ancient Egypt, we may find characters like Cleopatra, Tutankhamun, etc. We also have releases with iconic fictional main characters. Finally, you can find unique options like ones inspired by the Korean culture for example. In any case, online slots bring constant freshness thanks to their stories.
Game mechanics
There is also a great variety of mechanics used in online slots. For example, the first slot machines had 3 reels each. Their online counterparts usually have 5 reels, but there are also those with 1, 3, 4, and 6 reels. In the past, there were slots exclusively with paylines. Even today, this is the leading way of generating profits in these games, which usually have between 10 and 25 paylines.
However, in the meantime, there are so-called winning ways. So, you will find titles with 243 winning ways or 1,024 winning ways. In addition, there are branded winning mechanics, such as the popular Megaways, which often have up to 117,649 ways to win.
Finally, the bonuses in online slots should be mentioned. In the past, they were mainly down to Wild and Scatter symbols and jackpots. Today, their choice is enormous. For example, many games have free spins with extras like multipliers.
Some games offer re-spins. Among the more exciting options present in some slots are the mini-games. Some of them require interaction, that is, the players’ participation, for example, through the selection of objects.
