Their core gameplay is still the same, but modern online Slots have still come a long way from the designs of their mechanical predecessors. So, how have modern slot games changed compared to the earliest slot machines?
Games like Gold Cash Free Spins showcase how modern slot technology has evolved and expanded. So, let’s explore the key features that define the online slot games of today.
Graphics and soundtracks
One of the most noticeable changes if you compare modern Slots against mechanical slot machines is the use of high-definition graphics and unique soundtracks. Unlike the Liberty Bell and old slot games, modern Slots can make use of computer animations and graphics to create more detailed symbols on the reels and themes.
Early slot machines also had very limited sound effects, if any. The only real sounds were the movement of the mechanical parts, which is very different from modern slot designs. Now, games feature a variety of sound effects and even music, adding to the wider theming of the slot.
Expanding paylines and other combination mechanics
Traditional slot machines typically featured a fixed number of paylines, as few as one or perhaps a handful. The most common payline was the central horizontal line, with some games adding in other horizontal or diagonal lines as options.
Modern Slots can feature dozens or even hundreds of potential paylines. As well as horizontal, diagonal and vertical lines there may be zig-zags or other alternative lines included in the design.
Some games have even done away with the concept of paylines entirely, in favour of new combination mechanics. In these games, matching combinations are formed when a set number of matching symbols land adjacent to each other on the reels. This varies the way modern online Slots work.
Mobile compatibility
Even since the move to online play, there have been further developments for Slots. The rise of mobile devices has led to developers making sure that their games are properly optimised for mobile access.
Designing games for mobile compatibility has also seen the inclusion of touch-friendly controls, smoother performance and streamlined user interfaces.
Progressive jackpots
Another feature that sets modern Slots apart is a newer form of jackpot. Old slot machines only ever had fixed jackpots, with a consistent value over time. Progressive jackpots grow over time, as a portion of every wager goes towards the total pool.
This allows for jackpots to rise to even higher values, although the odds of landing a jackpot combination are also lowered on these types of game.
Random number generation
Once Slots started to digitise and incorporate computer elements, the use of physical reels faded. Instead, reels are shown on a screen, allowing for an algorithm known as a random number generator (RNG) to determine the outcomes of every spin.
RNGs generate strings of thousands of numbers in a second, with each number corresponding to a symbol on the reels. This allows the game to determine what combinations will land completely randomly and in a way that can’t be predicted.
Modern Slots are a lot more advanced in design compared to those early mechanical designs. Computer technology has allowed for an even greater variety of slot games for players to choose from, as well as entirely fair and unbiased outcomes for every spin.
