The Evolution of Online Slots: From Classic to Modern Games

Slot machines were introduced a surprisingly long time ago, and they've rapidly evolved with the times since their original inception. The slot machine has had many eras and makeovers. They began as a simple fruit based machine you played at a land casino, and nowadays you can practically play online slots on any device as long as you have an internet connection. In this article, we're going to discuss the fascinating evolution of online slots, diving into their inception, along with their progression and even capping it off with discussing the future of the slot machine!

The Start of It All

One armed bandit was the beginning of the slot machine. This nickname was given upon its creation in the late 19th century. Considering we're sitting here, discussing slots and their evolution nearly two centuries later, it's pretty phenomenal how this game has adjusted with the times, especially since the game relied heavily on mechanics and machinery even upon its original inception. This humble one armed slot machine paved the way for online slots. The original slot machine was played on three rotating reels, and the symbols within the game were designed with different fruit symbols. These games were often referred to as fruit machines. These games feature orange symbols, grapes, lemons, and cherries. They might also feature lucky numbers and bar symbols. In the 20th century, fruit machines were growing in popularity at a rapid rate. These machines were found in casinos and sometimes pubs, depending upon where you were playing the fruit game anyway. These games were simple yet effective. However, there were downsides to the earliest incarnations of slots, for example these games were more easily manipulated because they relied solely on mechanics.

Video Slots

The next step in the evolution of the slot game is thanks to personal computers, which were introduced to the world in the 1970s. This was an important moment in the history of slot games. Personal computers were a key factor in inspiring the creation of video slots as a whole. These slot machines used screens instead of the mechanical reels that had been heavily relied on previously. This was an exciting change for the industry, and really opened the games for developers to create games with more variety. Advanced animations, distinct and playful themes and new types of bonus rounds were all born from this development. With video slots, came the invention of the Random Number Generator, which is a tool that generates random numbers to guarantee the fairness of every spin, and ensure every spin of the slot machine is different from the last.

The Internet Revolution

The 70s may have been the invention of personal computers, but they were normalized or even found in households until the 1990s. In the late 20th century, the Internet was gaining popularity and the first internet casinos launched. Some of these platforms and companies associated with these casinos are still seeing success to this day. Home computers allowed players to access a casino from the safety and comfort of their own home. Players can mess around with their favorite slot games, 24/7 without worrying about time restrictions, or transportation. These slot machines were pioneering, and available 24/7. While these games were not yet portable, there was something very exciting about the fact players had access to slots around the clock. With online slot machines came progressive jackpots, too. Progressive jackpot slots are still one of the most popular slot options around, because a small percentage of every wager placed is stored in the prize pool. Players from across the globe were able to participate in creating these massive jackpots, and the few lucky players who won them were grateful!

Mobile Slots

The next evolution in online gambling with thanks to our smartphones. We all know cell phones changed the way we operate as a whole, but smartphones really revolutionized the way we do everything, from ordering food, to picking up groceries to communicating with loved ones. Smartphones have changed how we think, and how we date. Smartphones even help decide who becomes famous these days. It's only natural that smartphones also impact how we gamble. With these mobile gadgets, passionate gamblers can enjoy a full floor of casino games wherever they choose to roam. You can now gamble outside while walking your dog, or at the laundry mat. You can gamble at a bus stop or in a restaurant. There are no more restrictions on the possibilities thanks to our smartphones. Most games are streamlined for playing on mobile devices, so the mobile gambling experience is effortless. Players can use touchscreen navigation to play slot machines on their iPads or smartphones with little to no effort. You can spin for hours on end. Many players with a job based around a computer prefer to spin slots on their smartphone at the end of the day!

The Future of Slots

Technically is becoming increasingly more life-like and realistic. VR and AR are predicted to be the future of online casino trends, and it's easy to see why. With live casinos already being a staple in most casinos, VR and AR technology is the natural next step. You can have a realistic gambling experience, similar to visiting a real casino without leaving your house, and for many users in a post pandemic world, that's the most comfortable way to gamble. You don't need to worry about transportation, safety, or being forced to socialize in a way that makes you uncomfortable. Modern problems require modern solutions, and the way we interact with each other is changing. What's ideal about VR and AR technology is unlike live casinos, which are limited to only offering live streamed versions of game shows and table games, VR and AR can offer a realistic simulation of a slot experience unlike any other. On top of that, AI will also play a major role in the evolution of online casinos because AI can help customize the online slot experience to the individual players' tastes.

Summary

We've come really far since the earliest days of clockwork mechanic based slot machines. Slot machines were first invented by a Bavarian born American inventor named Charles August Fey in San Franciso. He invented the first coin operated game in 1984. In the beginning, he established slot cliches we all know well, such as the fruit symbols, the lucky numbers and the bells that often appear in classic games. The original slot game only has a singular pay line! Nowadays, it's common to find games with hundreds of pay lines! We certainly have come far.

Nowadays, virtual reality and augmented reality games are dazzling players from all around the world, and more and more are people relying on their smartphones to gamble rather than leaving the house. The graphics and themes are becoming more elaborate by the day, and there's a slot game at this point available to fit every niche. Best of all, you aren't limited to playing only the slot games at your nearest casino. Instead, you have access to pretty much any game you can possibly imagine!