When you sit and think about gaming, you might focus on the fast-paced shooter games that fill the internet or the esports extravaganzas that are taking over the world. However, online slots are among the most exciting games out there, and it’s worth giving them your attention too.
Indeed, slots have been the cornerstone of entertainment for decades. They’re simple, colorful, and more fun-fuelled than any MOBA game around because they require very little from the player. We’re talking pulling a lever (or pushing a button) and hoping for the best.
That’s the joy in online slot games.
And what else makes them so appealing? The true essence of randomness. Each and every spin that happens will result in possibilities, with the jackpot seeming just one click or one pull away. This very element of unpredictability taps into human psychology, creating suspense and that rush of dopamine whether you win or lose.
In today’s blog, we’re going to take a look at how far online slots have evolved and why the idea of randomness is fuelling an entire industry, one new game at a time.
The Original Random Game
When the first mechanical slot machine was created in the 19th century, called the “Liberty Bell,” it changed entertainment as we knew it. Offering up an exciting, innovative game that focused purely on chance, it was something totally different.
Over time, though, slot games moved away from this original simple setup and were reborn on bright and high-tech online platforms. Modern digital slot games are packed with innovative features that change every few years. There are constantly new themes coming out, with tantalizing bonus games, and hidden jackpots to offer total randomness during gameplay.
These new versions of the classic slots go far deeper than the old ones did, mixing the art of tradition with an immersive video game experience. They’ve kept many of the basic concepts, but built on them in a myriad of ways, partly by borrowing ideas and inspiration from the video game industry. However, randomness remains firmly at the core, and we think it always will. The other elements add to the appeal of these games, but it’s randomness that gives them their true magnetism.
Modern video games
As of now, there are around 3.32 billion active video game players across the globe, meaning that video game designers have quite a broad audience to try to please with their creations. The one trick that works every time?
Randomness.
Nobody wants to continually play the same game over and over, so video game providers thrive on unpredictability. Just look at your favorite video game for instance.
Loot boxes, procedurally generated worlds, and surprise enemy encounters — all these elements use random number generation (RNG) to make sure that no two gaming sessions will ever be the same again.
In battle royale games or MOBA options, such as Fortnite or Apex Legends, there will always be randomized weapon spawns and safe zones in each game – so players can adapt their strategies and enjoy a fresh experience each time. Oh, and just as you have got to grips with one map or learned about a particular gun, they’ll throw an update in the mix and switch it up all over again.
Why? Randomness and chance create a returning customer and ensure a game remains appealing.
Skill vs Chance
Of course, not everything in gaming is left to chance.
Competitive parts of huge games like World of Warships, LoL, and Counter-Strike 2 are dominated by skill and precision. You can’t jump in mid-way and hope for the best – but even here, a dash of unpredictability can change a loser to a winner. There are random critical hits, unexpected spawns, and big environmental changes that force players to stay sharp and cope with a constantly changing environment.
Often, the best games strike a balance of these elements. Slots lean heavily into the randomness element, of course, but in some of today’s games, you might see strategy or skill creeping in – some features give you more control over how spins happen or what symbols stay on the page, letting you influence the outcomes. This is because it improves the gameplay and helps players feel invested and excited. Too much randomness can feel a tad unfair, but too little makes gameplay predictable and boring – and thus, slots and other games have evolved to seek a careful balance.
The psychology behind randomness
There’s a scientific reason behind why total randomness keeps players engaged with a game. Also known as a variable reward schedule, this idea is that when rewards are unpredictable, players are more motivated to keep playing. This is the same principle that makes both slot machines and randomized loot in video games so appealing, and it’s what game developers thrive off.
In the end, it’s the marriage of luck and skill that makes gaming what it is, and we can’t wait to see how this evolves as time progresses.
And if you’re not sure whether randomness really holds that much appeal for you, just watch these numbers spin and see how quickly you become invested in figuring out which it’s going to land on!
