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Exploring the Evolution of Slot Machines Through Art & Design
Modern casino players love to experience a slot game that has some flair and can live up to the grandeur of its theme. Earlier iterations of slot machines didn’t allow the same degree of creative artistic freedom. They were designed to be poker machines, and the symbols needed to reflect that. To this day, the classic design remains popular, and players actively play titles that resemble old-school slots.
It’s not too hard to see why. Slots require low stakes to participate, and the potential payouts can go above 10 million in some cases. Because most casino gamers prefer this content, gambling brands have tailored their model around it. Today, there are even more $5 deposit online casinos that allow players to claim a promo for a small payment. So, let’s see what the journey has been like to this point and how these games will evolve moving forward.
Mechanical Slot Machines and Classic Design
The first slot machines were introduced in the 1890s and were considered mechanical marvels of their time. These early machines, like the Liberty Bell machine, created by Charles Fey, had simple designs with 3-reels and not many symbols. These often included playing card suits, bells and, of course, horseshoes.
Some of the key aspects of early slot machine design included:
- Cast-iron construction;
- Lever-operated mechanism;
- Basic (mostly primary) colours;
- Limited number of symbols (typically 5-10).
These classic machine designs established the iconic look we have and play today. The clunk of the lever and the spinning of physical reels created an experience that punters in the 1890s found irresistible.
In a short period the machines became a controversial topic and had to be modified. The functionality that pays out coins was removed and replaced with other rewards, specifically fruit-flavoured gum. The symbol design at this time was centred around these rewards, so you had images like lemons, cherries, and other fruits. In essence, symbols communicated the types of gum flavours players could get as a reward.
Artistic Innovation in the 1960s and 1970s
In 1964, a new type of slot machine was introduced: Money Honey. This was the first electromechanical slot created by Bally. The machine had its own coin reserve and could pay out up to 500 coins to winners.
13 years after the arrival of Money Honey, there was another big breakthrough in the slot industry. In 1976, a Las Vegas company called Fortune Coin Co developed the first-ever video slot machine. This has changed how slots work and are made, opening up new possibilities in terms of aesthetics and game mechanics.
Even the first video slots didn’t experiment much with symbol design. The focus remained on symbols associated with luck, riches, and iconic fruits.
Video Slots and New Design Horizons
Not many know this, but some of the most popular features, like progressive jackpot and bonus rounds, were introduced during the 80s and 90s. It just tells you how much of an impact the digitalization had on these games. Megabucks was the name of the first progressive jackpot game, and its creator was International Game Technology (IGT). Like today, the jackpot kept growing so long as players inserted coins into the machine. If someone were to win the jackpot, then it would reset to its starting value.
From the 1990s onward, companies have already started working on online slots, and a slew of new features have been introduced. But it will take another 15 years for these games to become available on mobile. This shift to online and mobile has made both the creation and distribution of slots a lot easier.
Role of Art in Modern Online Slots
The digital shift didn’t only make the distribution and development of these games easier. It also opened up more possibilities for artistic expression. They design environments that take the players to a different time and space, be it the old world Egypt, space, or the fantasy world.
Manufacturing companies recognized that the industry is becoming more competitive, and they set out to create more memorable player experiences. One way to do this was to tweak the math of the game and balance the hit frequency. The other way was to go with different and recognizable themes.
Ancient civilizations like the Egyptian and Mayan and fictional characters like Indiana Jones and James Bond resonated well with players. So, many newer releases were inspired by these concepts, let’s say. Symbols like buffalo, eagle, wolf, totems, ancient temples, fedora-wearing adventurers, and mystical symbols became more common in subsequent video slots.
While the primary idea is to create an aesthetically appealing game, designers are also considering sustainable and responsible gaming. Further development of the slot design will open even more potential for creativity, making future slot games even more immersive works of digital art.
Stunning 3D Graphics
Today’s leading software developers, such as NetEnt, Microgaming, and Playtech, are gradually starting to master their releases in bright 3D glory. This means adding lifelike textures, parallax scrolling, and motion picture scenes between two bonus rounds.
Innovative Reel Configurations
Designers are also creating one-of-a-kind reel settings to keep the visual experience engaging. These include angled reels, hexagonal patterns, and dynamic reel expansions that can grow to huge sizes.
Retro-Modern Fusion
Today, many releases have a nostalgic feel with retro elements. This approach is warmly welcomed by both long-time fans of the series and newcomers who enjoy antique-style elements merged with modern gameplay.
Future of Slot Machine Design: VR, AR, and Beyond
The advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are to redefine the slot experience again. The changes that we will most likely see include:
- VR Slots: Players could just enter fully 3D casino environments and play against slot machines as if in person. This could mimic the environment of a Las Vegas casino readily from the comfort of your home. These projects are already taking place in museums and galleries like the Virtual Reality Renaissance: The Birth of Venus. Here, you canstep into the 3D rendition of the Botticelli artwork.
- AR-Enhanced Physical Slots: AR may be used in physical casinos where, instead of having purely physical slot machines, overlays may be created to form an augmented reality experience that combines the physical slot machines with digital games.
- Personalized Art and Themes: AI could use a player’s preference list to generate custom themes for a unique look and feel. This can greatly impact the player's experience since they can play the games according to their preferences.
