The mass entertainment form of online slot games has always been one of innovation, imagination and passion. It seems like we are currently in a golden generation of online slot games, but could this just be the beginning?
Rules to Creating Hit Online Slot Machines
For those looking to play and master some of the most innovative slot games, finding out the facts and stats of them is key. The NerdBot team has taken a look so that we can create a list of what we regard as the five most immersive and innovative slot machines which can be played online.
Let’s delve into the heart of the niche world of online slot games, we will guide you through the important rules which the slots developers abide by when they create, develop and finally release a hit online slot.
Rule 1: Be Original
First and foremost, be original and don’t simply copy and paste the dynamics of another game.
There are literally tens of thousands of different slot machines available online. As you can therefore imagine, it takes a lot for any new game to stand out from the crowd. Perhaps unsurprisingly, any new slot game which manages to be original will usually receive some sort of exposure or headline as it unfortunately very rarely happens.
However, this presents a fantastic opportunity for developers to actually create something unique. A great example of a recent slot which has been credited for its uniqueness, originality and daring is a slot game called Space Donkey by developers NoLimit City. Described as “one of the most interactive slot games of all time”, Space Donkey has three bonus games (most have just one) whilst the bonus games themselves showcase aliens and monkeys.
Rule 2: Graphics and Visuals ARE Important
It is easy to think that slot game gamblers don’t care about aesthetics or design, all they care about is trying to win. However, that is far from the truth.
There are plenty of video slot aficionados who play for the fun of playing, and an important characteristic of a fun slot game is its presentation and appearance. For anyone who is spending their time playing a game, whether it’s for 30 minutes or three hours, they want to play something which is aesthetically pleasing and slots players are no different.
Furthermore, the technology available to developers in modern times allows them to create some sublime looking games. Yggdrasil is one of the top slot developers creating extremely eye pleasing slots.
Rule 3: Exciting and Immersive Features
Features are the heart and soul of any slot game. Features are the elements of slots which excite players.
The newest slot games are the ones which are invariably fitted with the most modern and usually the most exciting features. These include things like cascading reels, respins, unlimited wins and cluster pays mechanics among dozens of others. Features are designed so that when they are triggered, they increase the likelihood of larger payouts.
In addition, the best quality features will automatically make players feel more engrossed into the game. The aforementioned Space Donkey is an incredibly immersive game due to its modern features.
Rule 4: Replayability
All of the great video games have a replayability element to them and there’s no reason slot machines shouldn’t also contain this element.
This is arguably the most difficult element for developers to implement into their games. Compared with AAA games, online slot machines are extremely simple, which means that it is difficult to ensure that one stands out from all of the rest. However, the best games are able to nail this element.
Some of the most simple slot games are also the most replayable. Take Starburst as an example, this is an extremely simple slot, with minimal features, but it also happens to be one of the most popular of all time. In fact, Starburst goes against the majority of the rules on this list.
Rule 5: Availability
Due to laws surrounding online gambling, slot developers must have specific licences from the countries in which they would like to operate in.
It is the simple case that the more widely available a slot machine is, the more popular it is likely to become. Japanese citizens love playing slots, as do Brits and South Americans. Any developer which can ensure that their game is fit for purpose in all of these markets, is more likely to become a hit.
Developers such as IGT, NetEnt and Red Tiger are licensed to operate in markets across the world, so unsurprisingly, their games will reach a bigger audience.
In Summary
A lot of work goes into designing, developing and launching an online slot game. Whilst the mechanics of a slot may look easy and repetitive, adding elements to separate the wheat from the chaff is challenging, especially when you consider that hundreds of slots are launched on a weekly basis.
Experts do not believe that slot players should take these games for granted.
“It is easy to criticise a slot game, and plenty of them probably deserve criticism. However, even the simplest of slots consist of complicated mechanisms and technology which the majority of us may not even be able to understand.”
