Ever since their advent in the 1990s, video slots online have become extremely popular among players around the world. Video slots are more popular than many other casino games. In fact, video slots have turned off visual extravaganzas, with the help of high-quality graphics, catchy background scores, and colourful animations, all of which entice the player to spend more time at the games.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the basics and popularity of video slots online today.
Key moments in the rise of video slots
1975 – Fortune Coin Company introduced the Fortune Coin video slot. This was the first machine which was played on a video screen.
1979 – SIRCOMA releases its first video poker game. Video poker became the first widely accepted video game by casino players.
1994 – Bally Technologies introduces the Bally Game Maker, the first machine to put multiple games on the same unit.
Mid-1990s – Aristocrat Technologies introduces games with five reels and bonus events.
1996 – Silicon gaming gives a preview of its Odyssey video slot machines. Odyssey was a high-tech marvel, with a high-quality screen and some bonus features.
1997 – WMS Gaming rolls out Reel ‘Em In, the first big hit video slot in the US.
Video Slots and the Random Number Generator
The modern slot machines with mechanical reels work in the same way as video slots. The numbers generated by the Random Number Generator (RNG) are translated into symbols that appear on the reels. However, there are some important differences between video slots and slots with mechanical reels.
Video slots use computer algorithms that enable them to have far more winning combinations as compared to slots with mechanical reels.
Video slots strips take no space and can be as long as a programmer needs.
Video slots have more paylines as compared to mechanical slots.
Just like online slots, almost all video slot games feature bonus events where the player gets to win prizes.
Multiple paylines
A Payline, also known as a betting line or winning line, is a combination of symbols that results in a win, on a slot machine. For slot players, the multiple payline make up an important part of the overall slot gaming experience. With technological advances, slot machine developers have made it possible for players to win on more than one payline. Also, players now have a chance to win by getting the same symbols on multiple paylines.
Wild symbols
A wild symbol is a slot symbol that can fill in for any other symbol in video and mobile slots. The wild symbols substitute for all other symbols on the reels to complete winning paylines that otherwise wouldn’t result in a win. Usually, the wild symbols can’t replace scatter symbols, free spins, or other wild bonuses. In some slots, the wild has no individual value of its own, but in others, it serves as the highest-paying symbol.
Scatter pays
Scatter symbols are typically one of the highest paying symbols in video slots and are represented by a specific graphic that is unique to the theme of the slot title. Scatter symbols vary from other symbols in two ways. First, they can appear in any position on any reel to reward you with a win. Second, they cannot be replaced by a wild symbol. The rules for scatter symbols vary from game to game, so it’s worth checking the paytable before you play. You can try video slots at our site Winissimo as the scatter symbols in these games make for the best payouts.
The popularity of video slots today
Slot machines have been around for more than a century. Though the modern video slots are quite different from the classic three-reel slot machines of the early 20th century, the basic principle has largely remained the same. All you need to do is place your wager, spin the reels of the machine, and hope for a favourable payout. Despite the similarities, many things have changed with the representation of slot machines over the years.
Today, millions of players around the world love spinning the reels of their favourite slot machines in online casinos. When playing these slots games in an online casino, players get to experience high-quality graphics and immersive soundtracks, which improves the whole gaming experience.
The addition of more paylines has also contributed to the increased popularity of video slots. Traditional slot machines were typically limited to one payline. Many of today’s video slots offer multiple paylines, which make it more exciting to see all the ways you might win.
Also, many players prefer playing video slot games because they’ve improved significantly on the visual experience of playing. With games encompassing themes like the oceans, cats, ancient Egypt, and many more, players can easily find games that appeal their interests.