How the Internet Changed the Slot Game Landscape
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Our daily lives are significantly influenced by technology, and over the past two decades, the capabilities of this have surpassed expectations.
Creating more cutting-edge tools has meant gaming developers could craft some of the latest and most unique online slot games. This includes the introduction of themed games that have transformed gameplay with new features and special rounds such as Fishin Frenzy the Big Catch and Gold Cash Freespins, for example.
In contrast to the late 19th century, when slot machines first emerged, today’s Slots clearly show the impact of technology on the industry, as there are now more diverse ways to play in the modern-day than ever before.
The timeline of Slots
The initial slot machine, dating back to 1887-1895, operated on a simple lever and spring mechanism. Following milestones from this include the introduction of the first electromechanical slot in 1964 and the debut of the first video slot just over a decade later.
Even once digitalised, Slots kept the feel of the lever mechanism for familiarity, but it didn’t take long for this to be replaced by a button to make way for even more features.
Fast forward again to 1996, when a groundbreaking moment occurred – the release of the first video slot featuring a bonus round. Years later, the emergence of the first online casino sites catapulted the popularity of slot games further.
Nowadays, the spinning games of chance take up the majority of a casino’s floor, both online and at land-based venues.
Introducing the internet
The birth of the Internet on January 1st, 1983, marked another transformative moment for casino games.
Before this, computer networks existed but lacked the intercommunication capabilities needed for games of chance to work as we know them today.
Households rarely owned computers, and if they did, these were shared and unreliable connections were common.
Thanks to the introduction of the Internet, 1996 saw the opening of the first online casino sites, initially featuring fairly simple gameplay. While table games like Roulette and Blackjack took the lead in digital adaptation, it didn’t take long for video Slots to make their online debut.
Time for technology
The further evolution of technology helped pave the way for gaming developers to produce even more slot varieties.
Though the first smartphone appeared in 1992, it wasn’t until 2001 that phones gained internet access. This development fuelled the demand for greater bandwidth and faster internet speeds. This meant online casino games could also evolve, bringing more enhanced features, vibrant graphics, and extra rounds.
The modern-day
Now, in the present day, technology continues to greatly evolve. Live casino gaming has taken centre stage, featuring real-life dealers hosting a variety of games in real-time, directly from purpose-built studios.
Virtual Reality (VR) has entered the online casino scene, expanding Slots to incorporate more features and unique mechanics. Megaways Slots, Jackpot King progressive jackpot Slots, cascading reels, and innovative hybrids like Slingo (a blend of Bingo and Slots) have become increasingly popular.
With all this in mind, will you be trying your chances at some of the many online slot games and seeing the input technology has had within the casino industry?
