(Sponsored) Slots have always been a popular part of the casino, whether online or in a brick-and-mortar venue – and slot developers are making the most of technological innovations to make slots even more attractive.
Back at the beginning of the 20th century, the earliest slot machines were simple machines, where you pulled a handle to reveal matching card suits (and later, symbols).
Slot machines became a staple in casinos, bookmakers, and even in pubs and bars – but thanks to the internet and extra connectivity, you can now play slots from the comfort of your home, too.
Aside from these new online slot games like Jackpot Kings, there are several trends that you will start seeing in your play that could make the whole experience better.
Platform Availability
Aside from the already mentioned online casinos, getting online to play slots means that you are not tied to visiting a physical location to play – and the omni-platform experience means that whether you are playing at home or on the go, you can expect a consistent gaming experience.
This consistency is mostly found in the seamless connection between the online and mobile slots – you can use your usual account for both and see all your games, actions, and even your balance on both, too.
You can access the best slot games online, using a tablet, a laptop, or even a smartphone.
Accessibility
Related to the above, accessibility has improved massively. Thanks to the widespread rollout of 5G, smartphones and tablets can now get access to the internet (and play games), which means that not only can you play slots without going to a casino or the pub, but you can even play while you are waiting for a bus or for an appointment.
This accessibility also means that people who don’t own a PC or a laptop can also play.
Global access is something that the biggest online casinos are working towards, and while regulation and licensing will have an impact on where you will be able to play (not all countries allow online casinos or gambling).
VR/AR
While virtual reality (VR) is still in its infancy, the potential for slot gaming (and other casino games) is massive. With the right equipment, you could immerse yourself in a casino, and feel like you are really pulling the handles on the one-armed bandits.
Augmented Reality (AR) is already a big part of the mobile gaming landscape, and there is potential for that to travel into slots as well.
Interactivity is an important part of the gaming landscape and helps to make all games more immersive – so you will enjoy it so much that you will want to play for longer.
Machine Learning and AI
AI keeps making the headlines, but there are some ways that this technology, specifically machine learning, can make your gaming experience better.
The online casinos can learn the type of games you enjoy (so they can suggest new slots that you might like) and learn more about how you play, your strategies, and what will help you stay and play for longer.
It also allows the online casino you are playing at to collect data about you – which means that you are more likely to get personalized offers relating to your gaming.
Social Gaming
Gaming at home might, at first glance, seem like a lonesome activity. However, thanks to the chat technology available, players can interact while playing, building a community of like-minded people that some might even consider friends.
Blockchain
Blockchain applications are becoming increasingly important in online life, with everything from secure databases to increased privacy being managed by blockchain.
While blockchain is not completely tied to cryptocurrency, they share some similarities related to the slot gaming world.
Blockchain is decentralized, which means that any transaction that takes place is not owned or managed by any one person or entity – which means that the games played are demonstrably and provably fair.
It also offers the option for tokenization – another prize that can be offered to players.
Branding
Branding is the last point to make – and one that is all about personal feelings. Developers are creating more and more slot games under license from various brands.
This includes movies and TV shows, famous sports stars and musicians, and themes covering basically every genre possible.
The link between gaming and other popular culture has always been strong, with popular games being turned into movies or TV shows quite regularly and games being developed based on TV shows and films.
When it comes to slot games, movies and TV shows are popular choices of theme. You can find Tomb Raider, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and TV game shows like Countdown and Who Wants to be Millionaire.