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Slot machines are a captivating thing. The rings of machines reverberate through the halls of Vegas and Atlantic City. Slot machines were designed to be enjoyable and online slots are no different. In 2024 though, the styles, designs, and expert artistry of online slots are at a completely different level to the old-fashioned one-armed bandit. In this article, we’ll discuss these popular trends, types of online slots games, and who the industry leaders are in this fast-moving world of excitement.
There’s still a place for the iconic one-armed bandit and its classic nostalgic symbols with the fruits, bars, bells, and 7s. Despite some breathtaking graphics in some of the modern games, some people just prefer the look and feel of a classic retro slot because it’s simple: if you get three 7s in a row then you know you’re in for a big win. There are no fancy bonus rounds, no minigames where you have to select a number or an object, just good old-fashioned slots. Popular games include Fruits & Jokers, blazing 777, and Reel King.
Megaway slots feature a huge amount of lines where each spin can have more than 100,000 permutations. Probably about as far away as you can get from the classic one-armed bandit, a Megaway slot can be highly exciting given the unpredictable nature of this type of slot. More often, symbols come in all shapes and sizes creating the chances for extra rows, multipliers, and bonus rounds. The way it often works is that after a winning spin, the symbols vanish and new ones appear, meaning that you can be on a long winning spree from just a single spin. Megaways slots come in various graphics and games with popular choices including Bonanza, Extra Chilli, and Secrets of the Phoenix.
It’s not just 2D generic symbols anymore. Thanks to more powerful graphics cards and a more widespread fast internet, video slots nowadays offer a highly irresistible experience bringing players on a journey with virtual worlds, characters, animations, and concerningly fun bonus rounds. Industry leaders include Betsoft and NetEnd where visually impressive games make it feel like playing a modern games console rather than a traditional slot machine. Popular games include Gonzo’s Quest and Book of Dead.
Guns and Roses, Jurassic Park, Batman Begins, Motorhead, what do all of these things have in common? They’re all examples of branded slots that many modern gambling platforms offer. The games feature familiarity with fans with licensed imagery, characters, and music to provide an enjoyable experience. Companies that make such branded slots include Playtech and Microgaming. These slots are highly appealing to superfans, offering recognizable content and a good bit of fun.
One theme that’s certainly on trend in the online slots industry is the use of cartoon and comic book-style imagery. These types of games often feature bold POW and KAPUSH colorful graphics and awesome animations drawing inspiration from the comic book strips of old. Such games feel less serious than the highly vibrant video slots, and possibly more interesting than the classic retro-style slots. Rich Wilde and Esqueleto Explosivo are popular games that incorporate these types of graphics into their games.
Everybody loves a fantasy adventure series, film, or book, and online slots are no different. These graphics transport layers into imaginative worlds with epic quests, weird and wonderful creatures, and of course, heroes. Some games tell elaborate stories as players spin the reels. It particularly gets interesting during bonus rounds and these games are designed to keep players playing to reveal more. Vikings Go Berzerk by Yggdrasil Games is a popular example of this type of slot game, with familiar TV titles such as Game of Thrones also offered, further enticing die-hard fans.
The luck of the Irish is a familiar concept and many operators have cottoned onto this offering a whole array of online slot games taking inspiration from Irish culture and mythology. You bet you’ll see a leprechaun and a pot of gold. Throw in some pints of stout, horseshoes, and shamrocks and you’ve got yourself an Irish-themed slot. You would be amazed how many of these there are!
The other cultural icon of folklore and mythology that seems to inspire many an online slot is that of ancient Egypt. Many slots incorporate pyramids, mummies, pharaohs, and mysterious hieroglyphics to spice things up in the game. Why there are so many of these types of games is a bit of a mystery but it’s obviously a popular theme with players with many operators offering a whole host of games such as Legacy of Dead, Sisters of the Sun, and Eye of Atum.
