Since their inception in the late 19th century, slot machines have transformed the gambling industry in many ways. They evolved from simple fruit machines with basic mechanics and printed symbols on the reels to modern video slot games with cutting-edge features and even VR capabilities.
What is more interesting is that modern slot machines offer gamified gameplay. You can understand their basics only after reading the full paytable and introduction notes from the help menu of each game, as they can be very complex. Yet, this is just the latest leap in modern video slot production.
Timeline of Slot Games
To help you understand the evolution of slot games, we would like to present you with a timeline of the most important moments, from classic spins to gamified systems.
Late 19th Century – The Beginning of the Classic Spins
It all began in 1891 in Brooklyn, NY, when the first Sittman and Pitt reel machine was created. It featured a total of 50 card faces on the reels, and its rules were based on poker. The gameplay was simple – insert a coin, pull a lever to spin the reels, and hope you will land a good poker hand.
The Sittman and Pitt machine became popular very quickly and it was offered by many bars in the city. As there was no direct payout back then, the prizes included various physical rewards like a free pint of beer, cigars, and others.
The Invention of the Liberty Bell Slot Machine in 1895
A few years later, Charles Fay invented the Liberty Bell slot machine with just three reels and mechanically determined payouts. It was the first “modern” step in the evolution of this type of game machine and that’s why it is widely popular as the first slot machine.
Liberty Bell also included some of the most popular symbols like diamonds, horseshoes and bells, which are used in modern games to this day. The goal was to pull the lever, spin the reels, and land the same symbol on all three reels.
Early “Electronic” Period in the 1960’s
The first electronic slot machine was like a modern marvel back in 1963. It comes to Bally’s “Money Honey” slot, which used the same mechanics of the machines with classic spins but with modern digital computing algorithms.
Just the fact that the reels were powered by electricity was one of the most important reasons for revolutionizing the gaming industry in that period. Also, Money Honey offered larger payouts, as it was designed to hold more coins.
This led to the development of the first video slot machine by Fortune Coin in California in 1976. It used a modified Sony TV display that allowed players to enjoy a completely different gameplay experience.
Another industry milestone was conquered in 1996 when WMS Industries launched “Reel ‘Em In”, featuring a specially dedicated second screen for the bonuses. This was basically the introduction of slot gamification standards for casino establishments around the world.
Digital Revolution of Slot Games in the New Millenium
Without a doubt, the boom of modern video slots was anticipated after the introduction of online casinos in the early 2000s. Players could access and play hundreds of slot titles in real-time, thanks to the Internet.
This was the next major transformation of the gambling industry, which also led to a wide variety of evolutionary steps towards gamified rewarding systems. For example, players were offered the opportunity to collect points when playing games and redeem them for special prizes.
Also, many casino operators in countries where online gambling has been legalized started using common gamification methods. For instance, players at slot sites in the Philippines could take advantage of promotions from online slot casinos that quickly became popular with their unique, rewarding schemes.
Transition Towards Mobile Slots in the 2010s
Playing video slots from mobile devices was the most advanced experience in the early 2010s when 4G technologies provided higher data transfer rates and introduced advancements in mobile remote gaming performance.
Developers like NetEnt and Microgaming (now Games Global) created responsive and mobile-first slots that offered special features like tournaments, jackpots, and bonus systems. Big Time Gaming introduced the “Megaways” mechanic (in 2015) in slots with dynamic reels and thousands of ways to win.
Modern Gamified Slot Experiences in the 2020s
Modern slots offer the most advanced gamification elements, such as missions, achievements, and social features. These have become very important components, and today, players enjoy the most immersive gaming sessions.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) games and features offer interactive gameplay with more realistic environments and personalized experiences. For example, they allow you to select a bonus level simply by pinching your fingers or initiate the “gamble feature” by looking at a specific Scatter symbol.
Conclusion
The evolution of slot games has been fascinating for just about a century and a half. Initially mechanical, with simple symbols and gameplay, they progressed to electronic versions in the 1960s, featuring video screens and digital payouts. Today, online slots offer unique themes, bonuses, jackpots and the ultimate immersive gamified experience.
