Towards the end of the 19th Century, August Fey, an automotive engineer who had moved from Bavaria to America, changed the face of gaming forever. He saw the potential for an automated game that would deliver a prize to the winner and created the first slot machine.
Fey didn’t come up with the original idea – there were already poker machines around that had cards attached to spinning wheels and players could claim a prize if they managed to get a winning hand. However, they needed an attendant to check the cards and hand over the prize.
These machines were popular among players, who loved the chance to win a drink, cigarette, or cash prize while they were out at a dance hall or bar. But they were victims of their own success as additional staff had to be hired to distribute prizes and monitor the machines, and that’s where Fey’s brilliance came in.
The automation of the prize dispensing was key to the long-term success of slots, and what has made them a perennial favourite in the decades since they were first conceived. Today, slots are one of the most popular online games and a favourite with gamers all over the world.
Why are slots so popular?
There are a number of factors that contribute to the enduring popularity of slot machines, and these combine to form a game that has millions of fans all over the world:
Simplicity
While there are various variants of slots that have more complex ‘plot lines’, internal minigames, and other features, the basis of the game is very simple. The idea of matching symbols on spinning reels hasn’t changed much since it was first introduced and the potential for every spin to be a winner keeps people coming back for more.
Engagement
While the original slots were based on card games, August Fey introduced the idea of alternative symbols. His slots featured the Liberty Bell, after which they were named, and which still features on some modern slots today.
WHen slots went digital, it allowed designers to get even more creative, coming up with themes to appeal to fans of everything from popular music to Greek mythology and everything in between. Without the limits on space that traditional casinos have, there are so many different themed slots, such as Cleopatra Slots, that anyone can find one to suit their interests, making them instantly familiar and appealing.
Timing
Unlike a game of poker, which can take a long time depending on how things go, slots are short and sweet. The reels spin and you know whether you have won or not instantly, so players can get the excitement of a game without having to commit more than a couple of minutes to playing.
Fun
As the games have developed, slots have become more and more visually appealing, sometimes with studio-quality sound-tracks and additional features that make them a sensory treat. From colourful graphics to entertaining animations, there are plenty of aspects of the game that catch players’ attention and draw them in for a quick game.
The appeal of mobile slots
All the factors that have made slots so popular for decades have contributed to the rise in mobile slot gaming. The format makes slots the perfect game for playing on the go as players don’t need to invest a huge amount of time or attention to the game and so won’t suffer from having their concentration broken if they are playing on a busy train or while waiting for a bus.
While some games rely on the immersive nature of the graphics and sound to engage players, you can enjoy slots on a small screen without having to wear a headset without feeling as though you are missing out on any of the important action.
Once it became apparent that slots fans were keen to play on the go and wherever they happened to be, developers began designing games with mobile players in mind. This made mobile slots even more appealing as gamers could play one-handed and use simplified menu options to make things as easy as possible for those playing on a mobile.
The future of mobile slot gaming
As mobile gaming becomes more popular generally, technology companies are embracing gamers’ appetite for more options and creating dedicated phones that are designed to make gaming on the go even more fun. The features included on these phones may be designed to accommodate more complex games, but they also make slot gaming even more fun and enjoyable.
Players can get together with friends and play their favourite games wherever they happen to be. With the quality of technology improving so rapidly, and game design continuing to break boundaries, mobile slot gaming looks set to continue its popularity and appeal.
