Slot machines have experienced an enormous evolution from their humble beginnings as being just fruit machines. Today, they are perceived as a digital piece of art that attracts millions of players daily. As a result, this remarkable feat has reshaped the landscape of the gambling industry.
However, this progress would not have been possible without the foundation provided by retro slots. In addition, they have inspired many titles, such as 40 Super Hot slot, Sizzling Hot, Book of Ra, etc.
The Cornerstone of Slot Machines
The first slot was introduced in the late 1800s and was named One-Armed Bandit. The simple design featured 3 reels. Moreover, the symbols were fruits, which gave the name for the most popular theme today.
As a result of its straightforward rules and effectiveness, it became popular among people in a very short time. Despite its simplicity, the physical machine had its drawbacks. Due to the extensive playing time, they often required expensive maintenance, paving the way for the digital versions to take over.
Welcome to the Digital Age of Video Slots
When the microchip was invented in the 70s, gambling slots received a chance to thrive once again. The new digital version required much less space and maintenance, thus replacing the physical machines.
The ability to add visual effects to the already exciting gameplay received positive feedback. In addition, it paved the way for bonus rounds, different themes, and eye-pleasuring animations.
However, for fair gameplay, a new system had to be introduced. Therefore, the Random Number Generator (RNG) was introduced, which provided the required safety and eliminated the chance of cheating by manipulating the software.
How the Internet Expanded the Reach of Slot Games
The creation of the World Wide Web allowed online casinos to become a place where players could enjoy their beloved titles. The concept remained unchanged while improving the design, graphics, and bonus levels.
An example of evolution in rewards was the progressive jackpot. It’s a system in which a small amount of the wage contributes to a prize pool, which increases exponentially based on the number of players. One such game is the 40 Burning Hot slot. Consequently, this led to a rising wave of interest among players, new or old.
How Smartphones Revolutionized the Slots
The constant technological development of mobile devices allowed the slots to reach their pinnacle. Smartphones provide easy access to every title within a single click. Nowadays, every game is based on the HTML5 platform, which makes them compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows devices.
The slots are optimized to work smoothly on the smallest displays. Moreover, mobile data provides network connections from everywhere, thus making the games even more accessible than ever.
Evolution of Bonuses
After overseeing the progress that slots have come through, it’s time to talk about bonus rounds. Once developers saw the imminent success of the games, an improvement in the reward system had to be made to secure future and active users.
For instance, the free spins were increased significantly. Modern games have between 8 and 20 rounds. In addition, some of them implement an increased multiplier. Moreover, the bonus can be re-activated during the session by landing 3 additional Scatter symbols.
The pattern of the paylines was improved as well. While older versions had only vertical and horizontal, the newest include various forms. However, developers believed this was not enough. As a result, the Megaways were introduced. Instead of having up to 100 lines, those versions provide up to 200,000.
