How Has the Technology of Slots Machines Changed Over the Years?

Slot machines did not start with the advent of online casinos. They date back to the 1800s when the Internet, as we know it, did not exist. Still, the one-arm bandits of yesterday remain relevant to date. In other words, what you find in land and online casinos in the twenty-first century bears semblance to the very first slot machine. It's all about reels, paylines, and 100% unpredictable results at the end of each spin. So, it's safe to say that the title you consider one of the best slots you can try in a casino today wouldn't exist were it not for Charles Fey's 1894 Liberty Bell. That sure sounds unreal, especially if you take the immense potential characteristic of modern releases into account.

If you want to see how slot games have evolved over the years, this is the perfect article for you! It highlights the aspects of these games and how the creators have developed them over time. You can also read about fast payout casino websites to see how some online casinos make instant or same-day withdrawals possible. Let's get to the first trait without further ado.

○ Mode of Playing

Before the dawn of the Internet, anyone intrigued by slot machine entertainment had to visit a gambling establishment in person to experience it. Luckily, those days are long gone. The introduction of online casinos means that someone can play slots from wherever they are, provided they have an internet connection.

○ Outer and Inner Design

The earliest creations dating back to the 1800s were pretty basic. They came with just one payline, three reels, and a lever getting the reels to spin after a pull. Intriguingly, everything was mechanical, with drums rotating inside to reveal your combination.

More than a century later, manual drums replaced integrated circuits, and video slots were born. These machines featured brighter lights, meaningful & clear sound effects, and more intricate designs. This technology also introduced electronic visual displays to display a playing area consisting of a background, reels, and a UI.

○ Symbols or Icons

Back in the day, icons were simply cards with fruits, numbers, poker cards, or random items such as bells printed on them. A combination of three bells or sevens was typically the highest-paying combination.

Today, icons are computer-generated. The possible designs are unlimited, with graphic designers in the space appealing to the masses with intriguing themes such as Marvel, ancient civilizations, and sci-fi. Special symbols such as wilds and scatters have also been introduced. While the latter is responsible for triggering special features such as the bonus round, the former can take the place of any regular symbol.

○ Placing a Bet

With the earliest releases, placing a bet involved inserting a nickel inside a hole typically labeled "insert here". Some slot machines even require gambling establishments owners to collect the bets and monitor players so that they don't exceed the rounds they paid for. Real cash, usually all coins, would be dished out after a win. Some games would even require the person in charge of the establishment to confirm a win and hand you the payout.

Today, it is possible to come across a gaming cabinet accepting real cash, usually notes only. A withdrawal is, however, issued as a cashable ticket. In online casinos, players can deposit using a wide range of banking methods besides cash. These range from direct deposit & credit cards to e-wallets and cryptocurrency. Using some of these methods may, however, result in delays, especially when withdrawing.

○ The Gameplay

As already mentioned, early creations were as simplistic as they got. That is, less than five paylines and rows and no features whatsoever. Things, however, changed when the computerization of a slot machine became possible in the 80s. The release of advanced games with multiple paylines, bonus rounds, fixed & progressive jackpots, and other creative features started. Some of the special features you can come across today include tumbling reels, expanding reels, disappearing symbols, as well as fascinating grid layouts such as the popularized Megaways, to mention a few.

○ The Use of Random Number Generators

RNGs did not exist pre-video slot era. That means games made in those days could have been biased or not truly random, as their creators claimed. Not that it matters now because all casinos are now required to integrate RNG from credible and independent providers to ensure fairness at all times.

○ Diversity

In the early slot days, releases had zero diversity. Themes were meaningless, with random symbols being the order of the day. The opposite is true about today. Players can find over a million unique titles in both online and land casinos, with each featuring a fascinating theme, as mentioned earlier. The number of developers has also increased, with companies such as Microgaming, NetEnt, and No Limit City releasing at least one innovative slot every month.

○ Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

The use of virtual reality and augmented reality has been explored for several years now. Once launched mainstream, these technologies will allow players to experience and adopt a more immersive way of gaming. And this could be the year we see that happen. Who isn't excited to wear that VR kit finally for a spinning session?

Conclusion

Overall, the technology behind slot machines has changed dramatically over the years. We came from simple arm-operated mechanical slot machines to advanced, computerized ones featuring more exciting and engaging gameplay. That is not to mention you can play from the comfort of your home, courtesy of online casinos. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how slot machines change in the future.