The technology driving the slot experience
Casino gaming is one of the most popular and famous gaming genres. Within casino gaming, there are three main categories.
These three categories are gaming machines, table games and random number games.
Slot gaming is arguably the most popular random number game on the market.
Slots are extremely popular thanks to their great visuals, unique themes, and exciting chance-based mechanisms.
But how has the technology behind slots evolved over time? What does the current technology driving the slot experience look like?
How does it work?
This article will explore some of the key technology driving the slot experience.
The evolution of the technology driving the slot experience
Here is a timeline with the evolution of slots technology.
1881-1894: the first slot machines
The technology used to make the first slot machines in the late 19th century looked very different than it does now.
However, there are some similarities in the mechanisms used. Let’s take a closer look at these first slot machines.
In 1891, two inventors called Sittman and Pitt revealed their creation, a machine called ‘The One Armed-Bandit’.
This machine was based on a poker game, but it soon became the ancestor of the modern slot machine.
To play it, gamers had to insert some coins and pull a lever. The machine would spin a deck of cards used for poker games.
It would then stop randomly on some cards. Depending on the cards shown, gamers would either win a beer or go home empty-handed.
Another slot machine was released shortly afterwards. The ‘Liberty Bell’ was invented by Charles Fey and released in 1894.
This machine had a similar manual mechanism as the ‘One-Armed Bandit’. Players had to insert some coins and pull a lever for the reels to spin.
However, instead of using a deck of cards, the ‘Liberty Bell’ machine used symbols like modern slot machines now do.
To win at the ‘Liberty Bell’, players had to land three bell symbols on the reels.
1976: the first video slot machine
Fast forward to 1976, when the first video slot machine was invented. This first video slot machine was called Fortune Coin and was created by the California-based, Fortune Coin Company.
Instead of using mechanical reels, Fortune Coin relied on a 9-inch Sony TV to display its reels. This TV was built directly into the slot machine.
It was also the first slot machine with an in-built microprocessor and a Random Number Generator (RNG).
A Random Number Generator is an algorithm or software now found in most land-based and online slot machines. It helps generate a random number to make sure that there is no fraud or bias.
This helps ensure that a player's odds are truly luck-based.
Fortune Coin was a success. It was first offered exclusively at the Hilton Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip before being acquired by other land-based casinos.
The technology behind Fortune Coin paved the way for online slot machines and helped game developers improve slot gaming technology.
1998: the first online progressive jackpot slot game
In 1998, the first ever online slot game was released. It was developed by Microgaming which had also created one of the first online casinos, ‘The Gaming Club’, back in 1994.
This first online progressive jackpot slot was called ‘Cash Splash’. Players loved the game’s five reels, 15 paylines, and homage to the iconic Vegas fruit machine slots.
Shortly after its release, the game became a hit. Most of the online casinos operating at the time bought it so they could include it in their online game selection.
This game paved the way for other online slot machines and online slots with real money.
21st century slot technology
Nowadays, game developers and slot machines use even more advanced technology. For example, many online casinos now rely on artificial intelligence.
They use AI chat assistants for customer service. They also use bots for gamers to play with.
Some of them also offer Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR). They make sure that games are compatible with these technologies for a more immersive and realistic gaming experience.
Gamers can then purchase VR and AR headsets to make the most out of the game.
To make sure that online casinos and online games are safe to play, many providers rely on security tools. The security technology they use includes encryption (SSL certificates) and a variety of payment options.
For example, some operators accept e-wallets through third-party companies like PayPal or Lydia.
Final thoughts
In this article, we discussed the evolution of the technology driving the slot experience. As shown above, slot machines have improved quickly since their creation in the late 19th century.
They have changed with the technology of their time, offering different mechanisms and improved visuals. Nowadays, modern technology helps make online slots even more immersive and realistic than ever before.
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