Simon Cress
The iGaming industry, pivotal to developing the slot games we see in both pubs and online casinos today, has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, as visual design continues to play a pivotal role in attracting and engaging players.
Long gone are the days of clunk machines that would collect dust in the corner, with enhancements in technology ensuring all physical venues are equipped with the latest software, however, the majority of development has seen games transition away from land-based venues into the online vertical. These digital platforms mean the latest releases can reach a wider variety of players and receive the latest features.
Central to grabbing the player’s attention is how the game is designed. But how do developers in the industry make so much progress in so much time? Let’s take a look at slot game artwork throughout the last ten years and assess the key changes made to grow the industry. Read on to find out more.
Traditional Slot Game Art
During the early 2010s, classic slot games dominated both land-based casinos and online platforms, with some of the most popular including Wheel of Fortune and Vegas Hits. These traditional slots featured familiar symbols such as fruits, bars, and lucky sevens, timeless icons that were simple yet effective in conveying winning combinations while leveraging familiarity from players and evoking a sense of nostalgia.
The art was predominantly two-dimensional, with minimal animation. The focus was on clarity and readability, ensuring players could quickly identify winning lines and understand the game’s bonus features, throwing in an occasional element like fire or the ocean.
Many early digital slot games drew inspiration from their mechanical counterparts found in brick-and-mortar casinos. The goal was to replicate the feel of a trip to the casino, albeit with less advanced graphics, while embracing the digital medium.
Transition to Digital Platforms
As online casinos and mobile gaming platforms gained prominence, slot game art underwent a facelift, adopting several changes that got the ball rolling in the digital world. Developers moved beyond the traditional fruit machine themes, like, mythology, pop culture, and fantasy. There was also the return to Vegas as a popular choice but with more elements incorporated to do with features. These themes allowed for more creativity and variety.
More advancements in technology led to higher graphic quality and resolution. Vibrant colours, detailed symbols, and smoother animations enhanced the visual appeal.
Basic Animations and Sound Effects: Developers began incorporating basic animations like spinning reels and sound effects to enhance the player experience.
Nowadays, you look at the best-rated slot sites in Ireland and the UK and you will find popular themes like the ocean with Fishin’ Frenzy and elements like Fire Coins that use new mechanics like Jackpot King multipliers and Hold and Win bonuses to keep players coming back.
Innovations and Future Trends
In recent years, slot game art has taken a quantum leap, creating immersive worlds for players. While we already mentioned popular series, some developers have made their own characters within the world of casino games, each with their unique art style. King Kong cash is another title synonymous with slot games, and the yellow bananas and jungle theme is redolent of popular video game character Donkey Kong.
Studios have also begun using 3D animation and rendering techniques to bring characters and environments to life, while also collaborating with licensed movie studios, renowned artists, and celebrities to elevate the artistic quality of slot games with recognised characters.
In terms of reaching more players, game art has leveraged gamification elements, such as storylines, quests, and unlockable content. This is a trend that is set to massively expand in the coming years, with a number of companies collaborating to optimise their content for gamification. Xtremepush has become one of the pioneers of gamification and CEO Tommy Kearns has spoken about its potential to shape the industry.
“It’s worth reminding ourselves and our partner operators that players are demanding hyper-personalised experiences. There’s always the expectation that platforms understand their preferences, offer tailored recommendations, and provide personalised engagement across all channels where and when relevant.
There is a lot of value in instant gratification for players. This is why casino games, slots, and similar products are so important to have as an operator. Players want live betting opportunities, and the ability to place bets while a match or game is taking place is integral to matching those expectations.”
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