Casino games have been a popular pastime with a rich history dating back to the 17th century, though they have since undergone a monumental evolution. For centuries, brick-and-mortar casinos were dominated by popular card games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette. This trio of casino games dominated the industry for what seems like forever; however, in recent years, with the growth of technology, online slots have emerged as a clear favourite.
Although online slots have gained much popularity in the casino industry in recent years, they have been around for some time, with the first slot machine created in 1894. Since its early days, slots have undergone a revolutionary transformation, excelling with the advent of online casinos and technological advancements. In this article, we will cover the growth of online slot games and some of the pioneering titles that have launched the iGaming industry to what it is today.
The Early Years of Online Slots
Online slots were first launched in the 1990s, transforming play from traditional fruit machines into online games and setting the standard for what was to come. The gameplay in these early online slots was extremely simple and aimed to replicate that of physical fruit machines. The invention of online slots was unpredictable, transforming from a basic 3-reel game into the unique, high-quality games we see today. Online slots in the 1990s were very basic, featuring simplistic visual elements with no clear themes available to elevate the gameplay.
When comparing the design of early online slots to the games released today, it is a testament to the evolution and innovation of games and developers, with a diverse array of themes. In addition to the lack of detailed visuals in these early years, they also lacked bonus features and used mechanics considered standard in today’s industry. The birth of online slots in 1990 saw the inception of Microgaming and NetEnt, two notable slot developers who remain popular figures in the industry today.
The Evolution of Online Slots
Since the first release in the 1990s, online slots have undergone monumental changes, driven by technological innovation. The evolution of online slots came alongside technological advances, with games becoming more detailed and introducing new game mechanics. As online slots gained traction in the iGaming industry, many game development studios shifted their focus from traditional slot games to their online counterparts.
As the iGaming industry developed a strong reputation, new and innovative slot games were released, among them the Rainbow Riches. Barcrest released the Rainbow Riches slot in 2009, during the rise of the iGaming industry, and was one of the first titles with a clear theme, drawing on the popular Irish theme. Additionally, Barcrest introduced unique and innovative bonus features into the Rainbow Riches slot, which contributed to its success and timeless popularity.
The Megaways Phenomenon
Over time, online casino UK slots grew steadily, with no clear innovations until the introduction of the Megaways mechanic, which would change the industry forever. The Megaways mechanic remains an extremely popular feature in modern online slots, thanks to its ability to create dynamic play grids. Until the implementation of the Megaways mechanic, online slot games lacked a sense of surprise, with all featuring simple, structured play grids.
The introduction of the Megaways mechanic brought something new to online slots, enabling dynamic playgrids with varying numbers of symbols on each row. The slot game that introduced the Megaways mechanic was the Bonanza release, which was developed by Big Time Gaming in 2016. The title remains a popular slot and an overall well-recognised title in the online slots market, largely due to the Megaways mechanic; it also features Free Spins and Multipliers.
Final Thoughts
The evolution of online slots is remarkable and has ultimately made them one of the most popular online casino games, surpassing roulette and blackjack. Part of their monumental growth can be attributed to the changes in technology the world has encountered, which has played a large part in numerous industries out there. The growth of technology has propelled the iGaming industry into a multi-billion-dollar sector, home to numerous innovative developers. When looking back at the early years of online slots, which were extremely simple in mechanics and unpopular, the change is astronomical compared to the dynamic games we see today.
As technology advanced, online slots became a stronger force, and the public’s perception of them would change, with people soon preferring them to fruit machines. It was the interesting themes and game mechanics that let online slots stand out from other games, in addition to their increased accessibility. As we mentioned, the iGaming industry was in a steady growth period before the Megaways mechanic debuted, changing the industry forever. Many modern releases have implemented modernised game features such as the Megaways mechanic in their titles, showcasing the impact it has had on the industry. As time goes on, we expect online slots to continue to grow and remain a leader in the casino industry.
