Addictive design of slot games explained

We know that gambling can be highly addictive. However, most of the studies to do with addictive gambling focus more on the psychological profiling of people who are addicted to gambling. These studies essentially try to find a link between personality types and gambling addiction. The question is – are we focusing on the wrong thing? 

Gambling is known to be addictive – gambling games are designed to make you want to play more. In this regard, slot machines are notoriously addictive by design. Slot machines, be it land-based or online slot machines, encourage players to keep betting and push them beyond the budget they had in mind.

If you look at alcohol addiction or substance addiction, we not only study the psychological profile of the addict but also pay attention to the type of alcohol or substance in question. Perhaps it is time to think along similar lines when it comes to gambling addiction to. Let’s dig a bit deeper and explore how slot games are addictive by design.

How are slot machines more addictive than other forms of gambling?

All forms of gambling have the potential to be addictive. Slot games are designed with fun, exciting and attractive themes which pull you in and offer a sort of escape.

Another issue is the fact that we consider slot machines to be a light form of gambling without really giving it much thought. Slot machines generally allow you to play with lower stakes, and they’re very easy to play. This is precisely the combination that makes it harmful in terms of addictiveness.

There are a few other aspects about slot machines which adds to their addictive design –

1. Playing on slot machines is a solo experience – When you sit at a slot machine, the game is meant for one player unlike a lot of other table games and casino games (where at least there is a dealer).
2. The game is quick and continuous – There are not really any pauses or interruptions in a slot machine. There is no waiting for cards to be dealt – you can just spin the reels over and over again
3. Bonus rounds – It is seldom you see a player walk away from a slot during a bonus round. And with slots triggering bonus rounds at just the right intervals of time, you could get hooked for way longer than you imagined. Let’s look at an example, one of the world’s most popular games, Wolf Gold has three progressive jackpots, free spins rounds, and a bonus coin feature. Such bonus features have become very common in online slot machines.
4. You lost but narrowly missed – This is one of the most subtle elements of slot machine design. They are designed in such a way that while you didn’t win, you narrowly missed out on striking a payout. It’s all about the position of the symbols and how they land on the reels.

In such a setting, you really don’t get the chance to even step back and assess how much you’ve played. You merely see the lever and keep pulling it over and over again.

What is a slot machine at its core?

If you really strip down a slot machine, it is essentially an algorithm called the RNG (Random Number Generator). This algorithm has computerized the odds calculator and lets game designers control the variability of a slot. Effectively, a modern slot machine is just this – an algorithm which continuously loops through millions of numbers. When a player hits the spin button, the RNG just stops at a particular number to determine the outcome. Everything else you see at a slot machine – the theme, the bonuses, the interactive elements, the background music, etc. are all just bells and whistles to keep you engaged and to hit the spin button for as long as possible.

The introduction of skill-based play

Introducing skill into the equation is something that has come about in the last five years or so. Designers have introduced a twist in game-play where bonus rounds offer skill-based play. You could end up moving around in a plane to shoot aliens, blasting robots to pick up a higher score or race against competitors in a bid to pick up a bigger prize. This is arcade-style gaming that’s been cleverly introduced in a slot machine to keep you engaged and coming back for more.

It’s about finding the sweet spot

Slot machine designers and developers have also found the sweet spot which results in a player playing for the longest duration. Over the years, they have understood that when the slot machine rewards are rare, a player tends to lose a few spins, gets frustrated and quits. If the machine pays too often, the player will probably quit and not spin the reels often either. With just the perfect balance, they can keep a player at the reels for the longest time and most of the modern slot machines we play today have this built into its system.

Now take all of these addictive features and put them into an addictive smartphone and you have the envy of nearly every consumer product industry in existence. You have the perfect, addictive concoction which keeps reeling in the profits.

The next time you play a slot, keep in mind – everything you see, feel and touch is designed to get you hooked! Be aware, know your limits and play safe.