Slot machines have evolved a lot, even in the space of just a few decades. The advancement of technology has changed the way that Slots work, turning them from mechanical games into digital ones.
The rise of online casino platforms with the advent of the internet has seen Slots continue their evolution, adapting to a new medium. Online games like Gold Cash Free Spins only developed thanks to changes in technology that let developers try new things.
To understand modern slot games, we’re taking a look back at how they developed alongside the rise of online casinos.
The earliest days of Slots
Charles Fey is credited with the creation of the first true slot machine – the Liberty Bell. This debuted in 1895, featuring three spinning reels and a single central payline. It proved an instant hit with players, spreading across the United States and spawning plenty of imitators.
One spin on Fey’s design swapped out his original set of symbols – horseshoes, bells and playing card suits – for a variety of fruits. This is where the fruit machine name came from, with plenty of modern Slots still using these retro symbols as part of their design.
By the 1970s the purely mechanical designs were being switched out for electromechanical ones, allowing for more complicated game mechanics and designs. But then the physical reels were swapped out for a TV screen, marking the beginning of the shift to digital Slots.
The birth of online Slots
Video Slots had quickly outstripped mechanical designs within a couple of decades. This meant that by the end of the 20th century the majority of Slots in land-based casinos were video Slots, with digital reels rather than physical ones.
This helped to pave the way for the rise of online Slots. The rise of the internet saw the debut of online casinos during the 1990s, with Slots being one of the first games to make the jump to online play.
As slot games were already driven by software, it wasn’t such a leap to port them to online casino platforms. But those early online Slots were still limited by the technology of the day, with more basic graphics and designs compared to the games in land-based casinos.
The evolution of Slots online
Without the physical limitations of a land-based game cabinet, and with broadband and home computer technology quickly advancing, it wasn’t long before online Slots evolved.
Developers were able to create new designs for online casinos, adding more reels and new gameplay mechanics that took advantage of their new platform. The number of online Slots quickly increased, growing to hundreds of different variations as demand grew.
Mobile platforms also spurred changes for slot games, as developers needed to consider mobile optimisation and smaller screen sizes. Now, many online casinos offer dedicated apps for players to access games from their smartphone or tablet, provided they have a solid internet connection.
Changing technology could drive even more changes for slot games in the future, particularly with the rise of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tech. Who knows what differences we could see in Slots over the next couple of decades?
