The online slots market is one of the fastest-growing gaming sectors in the industry. Because of the sheer amount of competition among online casinos, developers have to keep innovating if they want to stand out from the competition. 2022 saw a rise in new gaming mechanics that were spawned after the success of the Megaways engine from Big Time Gaming. What could be the main areas of progression in slots in 2023?
Themes to the Fore
Themes have always been a key feature of online slot games, and they are likely to continue to be the primary focus of developers. This is because they help players zone in on their preferred game type quickly, which is handy when they are faced with hundreds of different games to choose from. A platform like 888, a top online casino Canada, now arranges slots based on their themes. For instance, there is a Hollywood section with film-based games, an Egyptian section, and a diamond section.
Ever since the early days of the online slots industry, certain themes have been more prevalent than others. For instance, safari is often used to draw players in as animals can have a global appeal to a range of playing demographics. Ancient Egypt is also everywhere in online slots lists, with some of the most famous games including Secret of Dead and Temple of Iris.
There’s no doubt that these themes will continue to be used in 2023, but studios could take new approaches to them. For example, there has been a recent rise in game franchises that are linked to one another. These help players recognise titles they have enjoyed in the past and show them the way to the sequels. Therefore, there may be more safari and Egyptian game series coming this year.
Slots based on television series and films are also expected to remain popular in 2023. Some of the most loved television series of all time have their own slot games, with The Walking Dead being a prime example in recent times. The Walking Dead franchise is set to have three new releases in 2023, all of which could potentially be accompanied by slot games. Fans of the series will be able to see Maggie and Negan in Dead City, Daryl in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, and Rick and Michonne in an as-yet-unnamed series.
Norman Reedus discussing his spinoff series.
There could be more slots based on hit films as these are a great way for blockbusters to gain more attention. Some of the most notable movie-themed reel spinners include Mad Max Fury Road Megaways and A Nightmare on Elm Street Megaways. A prequel to Fury Road is set to be released soon, with reports suggesting Furiosa could drop in 2024. This new title may also get the slot treatment to help with promotion.
New Technology to Have an Impact?
For some time now, there has been uncertainty about how emerging technology like virtual and augmented reality will affect the online casino industry. Slot developers have always adapted to new inventions, and they are usually integrated seamlessly into the market. Therefore, it’s wise to assume that when VR and AR become mainstream, they will push slots into a new direction. The question is, will 2023 be the year that this happens, or will it come much later?
VR and AR have been pushing to become household items for over six years now, but they have thus far failed to take off on a widespread scale. It feels like something big needs to happen for the technology to enter the mainstream, and 2023 could be the year for this to occur. That’s because, according to a variety of reports, Apple is getting prepared to release its own VR and AR offerings.
A video discussing the potential of Apple’s VR device.
When Apple got into the smartphone market in 2007 with the iPhone, the American tech giant completely transformed the industry. Within ten years, smartphones had taken over the world and now they are used by more than 90 percent of adults globally. Many people are hoping that Apple could have the same impact with VR and AR. However, it may take a few years from the initial release of its headsets for them to become ubiquitous.
Some slot developers have already experimented with VR, in anticipation of it hitting the market. NetEnt made Jack’s World VR and Gonzo’s Quest VR as examples of how the games could look in the future. Players would be in a fantasy world, face to face with giant reels. These games are unlikely to become widespread in 2023, however.
New Mobile Enhancements?
For the last decade, slots have been an integral part of the rise of the mobile industry. More players access these games from portable devices than they do from desktops nowadays. Developers, therefore, have to consider mobile technology and how their games will fit on the smaller screen when they create their titles.
The rise of foldable smartphones could have an effect on the way studios design slot games. If the devices become popular, developers may decide to consider how they could be used to enhance the slot experience. It could mean that new engines and features are possible, with the extra space allowing for additional visuals outside of the traditional slot playing surface. 2023 will most certainly bring about improved graphics on mobile slots, along with a more streamlined user experience. This is because developers know that players value ease of playing and visual attractiveness highly when they search for games.
Last year, slots underwent many changes, and it feels like 2023 could lead to even more. Now that different engines have come to the fore, there isn’t one clear direction for the evolution of these games. That means that there is a lot of potential for studios to innovate.
