The slot machine has certainly withstood the test of time, appearing on the many floors of land-based casinos across the world, as well as dominating the online casino scene. And one thing’s for sure, Slots aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, since they’re a firm favorite among casino gaming fans. But what really does the future hold for the humble slot?
The future of gaming is exciting, with new technologies being released all of the time, making our experiences more immersive and entertaining than ever. And Slots are no exception! With the arrival of new variants of the game like Slingo, and with online sites adding new themes all of the time, you’ll be sure to be kept on your toes by these riveting reels.
Where it all began…
Before we look forward, let’s first take a trip to the past, to where it all began in 1894 — when Charles August Fey built the world’s first slot machine. The American inventor was completely unaware of how well it would be received by its players and soon had to open his own factory to keep up with demand.
His first machine was extremely popular, but Fey still wasn’t satisfied and decided to return to the drawing board to improve on his gaming creation. This led to the invention of the Card Bell machine, which is similar to the slot machines that we know and love today.
The Card Bell consisted of three reels and in order to play, you were required to pull the lever to set them in motion. The card suits would subsequently line up on the reels to form a poker hand. If the reels lined up in your favor, you would win a prize — although this wasn’t dispensed from the machine itself. Instead, you had to collect it from the bar.
The birth of online Slots
The world of casino gaming was brought into the 21st century with the invention of the world wide web and the emergence of online casino sites. Microgaming and Playtech were the first providers to introduce the slot machine to the online gaming world, but initially, they were only available to play in their most traditional form — three-reel fruit machines.
Today, Slots are almost unrecognizable from their predecessors, and although you can still play a classic, retro fruit machine online, you’ll be spoilt for choice, for there is almost every theme imaginable on an online platform. Whether you’re in the mood for a spot of bank robbery in a heist-themed slot or fancy being the star in a gameshow-themed number, the choice is yours.
If you want the ultimate futuristic experience then you could even sample a spot of 3D slot machine action, since some online providers have included these modern variants in their online Slots offering.
What does the future look like for Slots?
Of course, the future isn’t certain, but with the incorporation of virtual reality (VR) in video games and ongoing technological advancements, the future looks exciting for the humble slot. It turns out that land-based casinos in Las Vegas have already entered this futuristic gaming age, and in some establishments, slot games take place on large screens and use high-spec speakers to immerse players within the game. Players have claimed that they can feel the floor shake when the reels come alive and the speaker’s boom, providing a thrilling slot experience like no other.
So, it could only be a matter of time before you’re donning your own VR headset and feeling like you’re living inside your favorite slot game. Since this technology is becoming increasingly accessible (and affordable), you soon could be entering the casino without having to leave your living room.
