Constantly evolving since their inception in 1996, online slot games are often underestimated in what they accomplish. Seemingly simple at a glance, the complexities of a modern slot run deep, on all sides of the development spectrum. From graphics to sound, QA testing, and more, this industry has grown an enormous framework to continue its existing success. One of the more complicated aspects of these games, the story, is also one of the more interesting.
As a secondary component of what slots games have become, stories act as contextual containers for the rest of the game. Strictly not necessary, these none-the-less serve an important purpose for the game and the overall goal which the developer wants to achieve.
Those That Turn to Simplicity
The most basic online slot games tend to be those which lean the most on slot physical history. This appeal to history is why the games include traditional symbols like playing cards and fruit, both of which were popular graphics used in the early days. Probably the most famous example of this was the Liberty Bell slot machine, first released in 1895. As noted by Thoughtco, this machine relied on card symbols as a base, existing long before anyone thought of adding more complex themes.
The Liberty Bell succeeded for two reasons. The first was that the technology was still so young at the time as to be ground-breaking. It was fascinating to see, and this alone guaranteed it some degree of success. The second reason, much more relevant to online slots, was that the idea of slots is entertaining enough to not always require story implementation.
This cornerstone of simplicity forms an ongoing basis for many slots today. Those players who want to jump straight in are still given a broad selection, but among this selection are many which effectively emulated the path set by the Liberty Bell. Reels, spins, matches, and no elaborate bonuses to get in the way. While not appealing to everyone, this corner of the market has always proved strong, and thus it always has online casinos willing to deliver the goods.
“Fruit Machine” (CC BY 2.0) by garryknight
Caption: Even the simplest fruit slot machine games still perform well.
The More Complicated Slot Experiences
The first major step in complexity in slot games started to occur in the early 2000s, as the market grew from niche to mainstream. Before this point, the limited hardware and software of 2000-era PCs meant that slots were limited by necessity. Relying on the now-defunct Macromedia Flash or downloadable programs, there wasn’t a lot of processing power or bandwidth to work with. In fact, according to Computerhope, 2000 was the year of Internet Explorer 5.5 and a standard 56k dialup modem; systems which are unusably slow by today’s standards.
When the potential for these games started to open up as supported by better technology, developers were left questioning how they could get ahead. Better-looking games were a great way to do this, but they only scratched the surface of slot game potential. To really push forward, slots would take a similar route to what video games had taken years ago. In other words, from Space Invaders, they’d have to become the Legend of Zelda.
To find a path forward, many slots borrowed from existing media in other mediums. Films were a popular calling point, where properties already had established and well-known stories. Understanding this, slots could place themselves either around an entire film or within specific scenes, to push players forward with simple goals.
Limited at first, these types of games would evolve considerably over the years as the slots on websites like 888 online casino Canada represent. Here, titles like Mad Max Fury Road take from modern blockbusters, both relating to the story of the film and trying to push the player to feel more involved. The Mad Max property acts as a particularly strong example in this regard because of how little the film relies on dialogue, and how much it relies on visuals to convey its message. Few other games might match this level of implementation, but the same concept holds.
“Mad Max 29” (Public Domain) by Shadowslip71
Caption: Mad Max lends itself well to other mediums, including interactive entertainment
Leaning on a Zeitgeist
Going a step further from licensed properties are other games that either work from greater mythologies and culture, or which operate as original IPs. Of these, those that work from culture and mythologies undoubtedly have the easier task. Just as with movies, these lean into existing stories, taking what they want and adapting aspects that work best for their slot.
For an illustration of this, games based around classic Greek mythology often involve monsters and heroism, like with Perseus and Medusa. Since stories like these are known so well in western culture, very little introduction needs to take place. With the inclusion of magic, the addition of specialized bonuses becomes simple. In this instance, having Medusa create sticky-wilds seems like a no-brainer, where Perseus decapitating the dreaded Gorgon could be the result of a high-level win.
Working with original IPs is much more challenging, though still possible with the right approach. The Gonzo’s Quest slot games from NetEnt are strong examples of this done right, where each game acts as a step on Gonzo’s greater adventure. Through both the main slot game and the bonus stages, this can then grow into an overall canon, with his continual seeking of new treasure perhaps even indicative of his clumsiness between games.
Caption: Gonzo’s Quest stands as one of the most popular original slot series of games
A story in a slot game is not a necessity, but it is an increasingly important tool in gambling’s repertoire. For some players, a simple game along the lines of the Liberty Bell is all they need, but for others, a more involved theme, story, and graphical layout is what makes the difference. It’s a balancing act, and not one that can be taken lightly. In the busy market that constitutes the current slot game world, finding the right story means looking at what has everlasting appeal, and what might be best suited to cover right now.
Going forward, as the casino game market continues to grow, it seems reasonable that continuous evolution should occur. While we’d expect the classic simple slots and movie properties to continue, we’d also not be surprised to see a pattern of more original IP storylines begin to blossom. Slots have developed considerably, but in many ways, this arm of the industry is still in its infancy, and there’s no telling what the market might look like in another 25 years.