Since the early days of casino gambling, slot machines have drawn more attention than classic tables. When players shifted to online platforms, that divide became even more apparent — over 70% of all online casino players prefer online slots.
Today, you can take your pick from hundreds of online slot machines and enjoy a variety of themes and features. Did you know that even the most simple online slot may take well over a year to develop? From conceptualisation until publishing, each game goes through a complex cycle involving multiple specialised teams.
Want to learn more about how online casino slots are made? Read on!
FIRST STEPS — THE CONCEPT
Like any project, a game begins with an idea. That light-bulb moment is all that’s needed to kick-start the process, which involves game designers, developers, graphic designers, testers, mathematicians and other specialists. The marketing team is the first to take the bull by the horns, running market research to determine whether the concept is likely to succeed or fill a niche.
If the answer to the above is a firm “yes”, development is set in motion. Designers spearhead asset creation, code gurus take care of the back-end ops, and project managers tackle the logistics.
THE GAME — BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
If you’ve tried your hand at playing online slots, you must have noticed that most slot games fit the same 5×3 mould. For game designers and developers, that means reusing the same templates and tinkering with the result to deliver something new and unique. This way, they don’t need to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel every time a new idea is introduced.
That’s not to say that the wheel doesn’t get reinvented! Providers like Big Time Gaming, Microgaming, Red Tiger, Hacksaw Gaming and Play’n GO are known to shake things up with innovative features and new ways of playing, particularly evident in games like Star Clusters Megaclusters™, Immortal Romance™, Laser Fruit, Cubes, and Gold Volcano.
THE IDEA IS CARVED INTO STONE
Game developers and designers must pay close attention to every little detail, especially when it comes to the slot’s bonus features. From symbol design to the soundtrack, every element of the game must reflect the theme. Are we exploring the hidden depths of the Atlantic, paying homage to a TV classic or perhaps venturing on an unforgettable expedition through the Amazon? Now is the time to throw together the assets; fonts, symbols, sounds, animations and win screens all work together to immerse the player into the game’s theme.
Once the details are finalised and the roadmap is set in stone, the paths diverge as multiple teams take on various facets of the project. For example, it’s not unusual for marketing campaigns to go underway in tandem with the game’s final stages of development.,
THE MATH BEHIND ONLINE SLOTS
Now on to the good stuff. How do online slots actually work, and what goes into determining the outcome of every spin? The short answer is math; the long is a complex algorithm that processes seeds to generate a sequence of numbers that approximates random number generation.
Similar to reusing the game’s reel template, providers and devs often use the same RNG software during the game’s development. Some of the considered elements are RTP and volatility, which often differ from game to game and may vary within the slot itself — specifically in bonus features. This process ensures that every spin’s outcome is independent of the previous spin and is as close to true randomness as possible.
RTP AND VOLATILITY IN ONLINE SLOTS
The online slot’s RTP and volatility are determined relatively early in the game’s development. The go-to values are 95%+ for the RTP and one of three variance settings: low, medium or high.
While definitely the norm, these numbers are certainly not the rule. Jackpot slots, for example, often have a lower RTP — which is heavily outweighed by the chance to win the game’s ultimate prize. Similarly, volatility doesn’t have to fit the mould; many online slots offer low-medium or medium-high volatility, and some may even allow the player to set their own volatility preferences.
TIME TO TEST
When the numbers are in, it’s time to put the slot to the test. Providers and studios go through a rigorous testing and quality-assurance phase — everything must run smoothly and guarantee that every player stands an equal chance of winning.
Another vital element to consider is where the game will launch; regulations differ from one jurisdiction to another, and some features may be banned altogether. For providers, that often means going back to the drawing board to develop new features or selectively adjust them across different market-tailored versions.
This directly affects operators as well, like EnergyCasino. To comply with licensing requirements and local regulations, every market we operate in must feature games that have been approved for release in said jurisdiction.
WHAT DETERMINES A SLOT’S SUCCESS — THE PLAYERS’ VERDICT
At the end of the day, a game is as good as its fan base. Every provider aims to deliver an online slot that will keep the players entertained; in the age of gamification, that often means creating elaborate bonus features and new ways to enjoy the same slot-machine gameplay. Hundreds of games flood the market every year, but only dozens survive the players’ scrutiny.
At EnergyCasino, you’ll find nothing but the best online casino slots around, including all the latest hits from top providers like Red Tiger, NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, BF Games and Big Time Gaming. If you’re looking for a dash of competition, you’ll find that too! We host regular slot tournaments where you can win bonus funds, cash and free spins to use on your favourite casino games. Have a look!