How Slot Machine Technology Evolved Through the Ages

Ever since the inception of online slot games in the late 1990s, they have experienced rapid growth, with new and innovative game mechanics introduced each year. Online slots continue to grow thanks to technological developments that enable higher-quality graphics, smoother gameplay, and other improvements. Over the years, innovation has been at the heart of online slots, making them such an important part of the iGaming industry.

Slot games were first created in the 1800s and were played on physical 3-reel machines, which highlights how far they have come. When online slots were not as prominent in the iGaming industry, classic table games such as Roulette and Blackjack had a larger player base and a greater reputation. However, as online slots have gained traction in recent years, these classic table games saw player numbers decline as many gamers turned to slots instead. In this article, we will cover the growth of online slot games and what keeps them fresh and unique over the next 20 years.

The Early Days

Slot games in their early stages were very primitive in comparison to what is seen in the multi-billion-dollar industry today. The first true slot machine was created by Charles Fey and was titled ‘The Liberty Bell’, which featured many elements that remain popular to this day. Charles Fey designed this slot game with a 3-reel layout and symbols such as diamonds, hearts, and spades, which remain popular today.

Traditional slot machines became a notable figure in the iGaming industry, a role they would maintain for decades. After restrictions on gambling in the early 1900s, fruit machines became popular, offering payouts of gum or candy with no cash rewards. The developers of these games incorporated fruit imagery, such as cherries, lemons, plums, and others, into the games that are often used in modern online slots.

Electromechanical slot machines were introduced in the 1960s, marking one of the most important technological leaps in slot machine history. These machines combined mechanical reels with electrical components, unlocking new game features previously deemed impossible. These electromechanical slot machines set the foundations for what was to follow, with slots featuring unique gameplay features that elevated the experience and their popularity.

The Rise of Digital Slots

The rise of digital slots marked the shift from traditional electromechanical slot machines to fully electronic, video-driven games. As a result of implementing digital slots, Random Number Generator software was developed, ensuring that the outcome of all spins was fair. Random Number Generators ensured that slot games were now coded and no longer determined by mechanics, removing all doubt regarding the fairness of slot mechanics.

The first video slot game was released in 1976, labelled ‘Fortune Coin’ and developed by The Fortune Coin company. To demonstrate the success of this title, the game was later acquired by IGT, which today is an industry giant and a huge contributor to online casino growth.

The Evolution of Online Slots

By the 1990s, slot games had gained a notable reputation and were a mainstay in most bookmakers, casinos, and pubs. With the increase in popularity of slot games, Microgaming was launched with the ambition to create a fully functional online casino platform, which was completed in 1994. Microgaming released one of the first online slot games, Cash Splash, in 1998, featuring 5 reels and a progressive jackpot. As technology evolved during these times, new interesting game features were introduced, including expanding wilds, scatter symbols, and free spin bonus mechanics.

Throughout the 2000s, online slots grew rapidly as internet speeds improved and slot designs evolved. The inclusion of bonus features such as free spins was extremely popular, and many slot developers experimented with higher payline counts. Additionally, game development studios began to incorporate interesting slot themes into the gameplay of their releases at this time. Rainbow Riches is one of the pioneering online slot titles, featuring a theme that set the standard for the industry, with a detailed design and interesting bonus features that align with it.

The Recent History

In recent history, online slots have experienced notable growth in popularity, partly due to the mobile revolution and the constant drive to innovate. The mobile revolution brought HTML5 software, enabling slot games to be played seamlessly on smartphones and other devices with no loss in quality or play features. The HTML5 software, alongside touchscreen-friendly interface designs for online slots, underwent significant growth, and online slots became the industry leader.

As the industry was growing to new heights, Big Time Gaming released the ‘Megaways’ mechanic, which transformed the industry. The Megaways mechanic brought new gameplay experiences to the playgrid, with a dynamic reel setup enabling all spins to feature a different symbol count. In addition to the Megaways mechanic, the Cluster Pays mechanic was also implemented during this period, enabling symbol combinations to form when identical symbols land in clusters.

These recent innovations have combined to elevate online slots, helping them stand out from the likes of blackjack and roulette, cementing their status in the industry, which can be found on Boyle Games.