Online slots are some of the simplest games to play, offering fast-paced action that anyone can get into. Even with the addition of bonus rounds and special features, the basic gameplay is the same: hit the spin button and watch the reels as symbols land across paylines.
While slot mechanics are straightforward, there’s a lot that goes into designing the perfect slot. We took a look under the hood of some of the most popular slots to examine what makes them tick and the design elements that players rarely notice.
How Are Slots Made?
The very first slots were mechanical machines, where players would pull a lever to spin a drum that displayed playing cards on a reel. Over time, these machines were developed and innovated on, as new technology like electronics and video displays allowed them to become more complex.
Today, online slots are the most popular way to play these games. Online slots differ from traditional slot machines in that the outcome is determined by a random number generator (RNG) software. Each time the player spins the reels, the outcome is completely random and is decided by the number that the software generates.
Slots are made by software developers, who combine game design and mathematics to create games that are fun and fair to play. Most games use pre-existing slot mechanics or frameworks, which allows developers to innovate on existing ideas, using what works and discarding the things that players enjoy the most. For example, the Megaways format is a successful slot framework that’s been adopted by multiple developers to create games like Madame Destiny Megaways.
Symbol Design and Colour
Most online slots can be grouped into a specific category or theme, which makes it easy for players to find them and also allows them to appeal to specific demographics. For example, a player who enjoys fishing might like to play fishing slots like Big Bass Bonanza.
The design and colour of symbols in each slot are an important part of the development process. With the right design, the game will fit into its theme and appeal to the right players. However, poorly designed or out-of-place symbols could mean the game fails.
Symbols are, of course, an integral part of any slot, and are designed to catch the eye with bright colours, unique shapes and fun patterns. The game designers behind each slot spend a lot of time making sure that these symbols are just right. In some cases, they may even be designed to look similar to other popular slots in the same category.
Sound and Music Design
While sound and music might not feel like an important part of the slot-playing experience, a lot of thought goes into the design of these elements. Sounds are powerful memory tools, and we often associate certain sounds with specific feelings.
Chill background music helps a player feel relaxed and comfortable, but as you land wins, the tempo and volume of the music get louder, making the game feel more exciting. Sound effects also come into play when you land wins in a slot. The jingle of coins, the sound of celebratory trumpets and drum rolls can all build anticipation and excitement as you play, often without you even realising it.
Reel Timing and the Near Miss Psychology
Another interesting mechanic in online slots that players sometimes overlook is how the reels move. Whenever you press the play button, the reels will spin before they come to a stop, displaying the symbols. The way that reels spin can vary a lot between games, with some opting for fast spins and others slowing down the pace. The timing can make a big difference in how players feel, with anticipation and excitement of the outcome building.
Many slots also use the near miss effect to encourage players to keep spinning. This is where the reels will show that a big win or bonus symbols nearly landed. In reality, there are no near misses in slots, as the outcome is simply determined by software. However, the near miss effect makes players feel like their spin nearly succeeded, and gives them motivation to keep playing.
Techniques like the near miss effect have to be used carefully, because it could be seen to be encouraging irresponsible play. Licensed and regulated casinos have to promote responsible gambling and offer tools like deposit limits and reality checks to help players keep their habits in check.
Payout and Bonus Trigger Animations
The spinning of the reels isn’t the only animation that you’ll encounter while playing online slots. Each time you land a win, the game highlights this with an animation of some kind. These normally consist of the winning symbols being highlighted on the reels, but some games have animations that cause the symbols to explode or animate a character on the side of the reels.
Animations also play when a bonus round is triggered. These effects all help to make the game more visually appealing and make the prospect of landing wins and bonus features even more fun. While these little animations might not seem like much, they do make a big difference in how players enjoy the game.