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Slot machines have come a long way in the span of a little over a century. It was only around the end of the 1800s that the first ever slot machines started to roll out of the factories, and now players can access Slot games online.
Over time, slot machines have evolved significantly, in large part thanks to the development of newer technologies that have replaced the mechanical workings of older designs. It’s an interesting journey, so let’s take a look at just what makes online Slots different from the original slot machines.
Changing technology
Obviously, the single biggest difference between slot games then and now is in the technology that powers them. The earliest slot machine designs were entirely mechanical in nature, using a system of levers and gears to spin the reels. These days, even the physical slot games present in land-based casinos don’t use a mechanical setup.
Instead, modern Slots are almost entirely digital in nature. Rather than using gravity and physical components, online Slots utilise computer algorithms to determine their results. Random number generators (RNG) work to ensure that each spin is made entirely independently, so players can rest assured that the result of a spin is completely random.
The user interface is naturally quite different now too, with players tapping the screen or clicking on a button rather than pulling on a physical lever.
Theming and variety
The original slot machines were invented at a time when theming wasn’t really an aspect of casino games. That’s why the oldest sets of symbols on the reels were largely based on card suits and numbers, rather than any unique designs.
But as there is now a much wider variety of slot games available, you’ll find that many have chosen to focus on more detailed themes. From ancient civilisations and mythology to animals and TV shows, online Slots come in many different themes that set them apart from older slot machines.
As online casino platforms can host a large number of different slot games – rather than being restricted by the physical floorplan of a land-based casino – developers continue to create new themes and varieties.
Features
As you might expect, the oldest designs of slot machines were the simplest. The Liberty Bell – considered the true father of modern Slots – only used three reels and a single payline, as well as a small selection of symbols.
This is very different to modern online Slots, which can have as many as seven or eight different reels in play and up to hundreds of potential paylines. In addition, online slot games may feature additional symbols and mechanics, such as cascading reels or wilds.
Accessibility
Another clear difference between online Slots and the original slot machines is the fact that players no longer need to go to a physical location to play a game. Online Slots are accessible from any suitable device with a solid internet connection, whether that’s a laptop, tablet, desktop or smartphone.
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Online Slots have developed on the framework created by the original slot machine designs, helping these games to become an ever-present staple of the modern casino.
