From the humble fruit machine through to the video slots we’ve become accustomed to today, the gaming industry has come a long way in a relatively short space of time. Slot games are now comfortably the most popular games played at both online and mobile casinos and it’s easy to see why as they’re all generally packed full of fun and excitement, but just how are successful slot games made? Read on to find out.
One of the first things to be aware of is that developers often have their own unique style which makes their slot games stand out from the competition. This also helps players to recognise exactly who made the game too. mFortune, for example, create all their content in house, and have been quite successful with creating classic games like Fruit Machine as well as unique titles like Burger Man. It is exactly this exclusive range of games that keep the brand appealing to their members.
The theme of the game is one of the biggest draws for players and one of the first things they’ll notice when deciding on a slot to load up and play. If the theme is generic or if it’s one that has been covered numerous times people may keep scrolling. Going with a unique or uncommon theme will catch the eye of a player immediately and draw them in, especially if it’s one that is relevant with the times.
Visually a slot game must be impressive, it’s not up for debate. If a slot is to be successful, this graphics box must be ticked. We’ve come a long way from the days of the ‘one armed bandits’ and now people expect stellar artwork and high definition visuals on any game they play, regardless of whether they’re spinning the reels on desktop, tablet or mobile. The visuals must be combined with good sound effects and music too, as these components combined will elevate the gaming experience to the next level.
All the above then need to be combined with the ingredients that make great gameplay, which is another key component when developing a successful slot game. Nailing down the reel structure and layout is vital early on, and this is an area where developers could experiment to change things up a bit. The reels, as well as the symbols that appear on them, are integral in the formation of the game and what the rest of the slot is built on.
Players spin the reels of slot games for fun and enjoyment but also in the hope of winning. Therefore, having an adequate number of paylines or ways to win is important, especially as many will decide on whether to play the game or not based on this. A strong RTP is just as vital too as players ideally want to get as much of their money back as possible while playing.
Last but not at all least, features. Features are a huge draw for players, especially unique and exciting ones, so putting time into getting them right is advantageous. Players love free spins features for example but adding some sort of unique twist could help take the feature to the next level. Thinking outside the box has proven to be successful in this area, with features also helping to finish off the successful development of a slot game.
