Slot machines have a long and interesting history but how have they remained so popular for so long? This is an example of an industry where adding some solid design principles has helped it stay on top.
A Clear Theme
The latest slot games are easily recognizable as being inspired by the classic machines that you might have seen in land-based casinos in the past. However, the introduction of fresh new themes has helped to add a new dimension to the online version of this casino game. While some slots are based on retro themes like fruits and bells, others bring in completely new ideas.
When playing online slots for fun, you’ll see titles like Mustang Gold Megaways, Big Bass Splash, and Luck of the Lamp Cashlink. Each of these games has a clear theme that’s designed to make them attractive to as wide a group of players as possible. The Godfather Megaways and Musketeers Heroic Spins show how famous characters and stories from popular culture have been seamlessly integrated into slots.
Interesting Symbols and Backgrounds
Following on from the decision on which theme to use, the slot designers need to decide what image to use as their symbols and background. This is a crucial point, as it’s what players will be looking at most of the time. The most important symbols are generally linked to the theme, so once that’s been agreed the majority of the symbols should fall into place.
As for the lower-paying symbols, they often hark back to the early days of slot machines with fruits, bars, playing cards, and bells among the timeless images that have been around since the beginning. The background gives designers another chance to get their ideas across. For example, the Musketeers slot mentioned earlier shows the three swashbuckling heroes created by Alexandre Dumas standing beside the reels while a flaming torch flickers above them.
Easy to Follow Gameplay
While the previous points suggest that the slots category is getting more varied and complex, there’s still an element of the design that allows these games to remain simple to play. That’s because the gameplay in most cases carries on with the simplicity that has always been a big part of the slots world. The Godfather slot is a good example, as it includes numerous images from the legendary mafia movie but the gameplay is easy to understand.
Even someone who has never played slots before is unlikely to take more than a few seconds to get to grips with the basics. These games all have a clearly marked section where you can adjust the bet amount. The next step is to press the big spin button and wait to see which symbols fall into place. The best slot designers use the theme and on-screen design to ensure that this simple gameplay is entertaining and easy on the eye.
The solid design principles we can see in online slots have helped them to retain their position as hugely popular casino games that appeal to many different kinds of players. As the genre continues to evolve, we’re likely to see new themes and features, but these basics should stay in place.
About the Author
Mirko Humbert
Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.