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Where Could Slot Games Go Next?
Public Group active 7 months, 2 weeks agoAs one of the first forms of online casino games to hit digital shelves, slots have gone on to become the industry’s most important component. Acting as the backbone to most modern services, these games consistently draw in new players, appeal to old ones, and ensure websites are up to contemporary standards. The journey getting here wasn’t an easy one, however, on a long path that leveraged each technological leap as it came. Though this journey is an interesting enough story by itself, it also raises implications as to slot gaming’s future. So, how have these slot games become the force they are today, and what’s likely to come next?
An Evolved Form of Gaming
When they first appeared in online casinos around 1996, slot games were little more than simple interpretations of mechanical machines. Matching symbols was still the name of the game, but the reels were simple, graphics were limited, and bonus systems were often non-existent. Keeping pace with the technological improvement of home computers and internet speeds, slots would develop significantly over time to an almost unrecognizable state.
Today, the best online slot casino in the UK is one that leans on the collective progress of two and half decades of online slot evolution. This doesn’t just mean including some of the most famous slots of all time like Starburst and Book of Dead, it also means relying on advanced HTML, and best-in-class UI design. Modern slot game casinos need to be varied, they need to be accessible over mobiles and desktops, and thanks to the work of hundreds of dedicated individuals, they are.
The Next Step
One of the largest hurdles that slot games faced on their journey was the move onto mobile devices. Originally running off of the now-defunct Macromedia Flash, this issue was overcome through the adoption of much more flexible and lightweight HTML5. Since this point, the games are doing so well that many spectators are wondering what worlds could be left to conquer.
Perhaps the most logical next step could be the integration of virtual and augmented reality technology. Though there are a few slot titles such as Gonzo’s Quest which have already made the move into this territory, the use of these systems is still vastly underrepresented.
As for how these technologies could be implemented, that’s a much more difficult question. Though it would be fun to be able to virtualize an entire slot casino to walk around in and play, the tools for this level of implementation don’t yet exist. Instead, a more likely route is growing modification of existing titles into the VR framework, at least until VR becomes popular enough that larger efforts become economically viable.
In AR, it’s likely the arrival of advanced and lightweight headsets that could make all of the difference. With these systems, full slot machines could be superimposed into your actual home, meaning each player could create a dedicated corner in which to play their favorite titles. Again, this tech might be a few years from ubiquity, but it is coming.
Looking at potential timeframes for the next big leaps in slot games, that’s a difficult question to answer. Though advanced AR and VR are getting cheaper and more accessible than ever, they’re still not exactly household items. However, this could be just one killer app away, and there’s no telling when this app could arrive. Ultimately, the next step is just a matter of time, and who knows, online casinos might provide the last little push this tech needs to reach the mainstream.