The advancement in technology has revolutionized the gaming culture globally. Thanks to this technological evolution, players can now play online slots on their mobile phones in the comfort of their homes by installing online gaming applications.
These new advancements have propelled the online gaming slots industry into becoming one of the top-earning industries, with an estimated global revenue of $65 billion in 2021. Unlike their brick and mortar counterparts, online casinos in the UK can reach new markets and tech-savvy clientele worldwide.
Online slots are perhaps the most notable of the online casino games. In most instances, the games are created and modified to give you an authentic gaming experience that is even better than a physical gaming hub.
Have you ever wondered how online slots are created and the technology behind their success? Let’s take a deeper analysis of how online slot games are developed.
The Technology Behind Online Slot Games
Creating an online slots game is a labor-intensive task that requires the input of different team members.
Before embarking on the development process, casinos contract a team of programmers comprising of project managers, graphic designers, developers, animators, and game testers. In most cases, they contract the services of gaming software providers such as Microgaming and Playtech companies.
The team comes up with various gaming software components through programming technology. Here are some vital software technologies in online gaming slots.
Random Number Generator
Guaranteeing fairness is the biggest challenge to online gaming slots operators. The UK Gambling Commission checks out the game’s fairness before issuing operations licenses to casinos in the UK.
Online slot games use the random number generator (RNG) software to achieve fairness. RNGs can churn out numbers randomly and unpredictably on slot spins, guaranteeing all players a chance to win.
Therefore, RNGs are the heart of online gaming, and the software must be updated regularly to eliminate any bugs that may interfere with the randomness of the game.
Return to Player Rate and Game Volatility
Return to Player Rate (RTP) is the average amount of investment paid back to the players over time. The typical rate in most online casinos in the UK is 90%. However, you might also find some with 95% to 99% RTP. The higher the RTP, the higher your chance of winning in the game.
Game volatility refers to the frequency at which the game pays out money to winners. For example, online slot games with high volatility pay out less often but in large amounts, while low volatility games pay out frequently but in low amounts.
Online gaming slots use programmed software that dictates the RTP and volatility of online slot games. In most cases, players are asked to select their preferred RTP and volatility before they start playing.
3D Modeling technology in online games
Online casinos utilize 3D modeling to bring out realistic features, and the technology is critical in animations featured in all online gaming environments.
Think of characters such as Jack from Jack and the Rabbit online slot, the characters from Gonzo’s Quest, or the 1429 Uncharted Seas. All that would not be possible were it not for the 3D modeling technology.
3D creation involves many parties, including storytellers, programmers, and modeling artists.
Graphics design technology
Online slots feature a host of eye-catching graphic details. This is because graphic design is the first thing that captures the player’s attention and determines if they will play the game.
Therefore, graphic design is as essential in online gaming as the RNG and RTP functionalities. Graphic designers work hand in hand with 3D modeling artists to create visually appealing gaming features.
Online slots feature a host of eye-catching graphic details. This is because graphic design is the first thing that captures the player’s attention and determines if they will play the game.
Therefore, graphic design is as essential in online gaming as the RNG and RTP functionalities. Graphic designers work hand in hand with 3D modeling artists to create visually appealing gaming features.
Smartphone compatibility
With most people in the UK spending at least 24 hours every week on mobile phones, it is no surprise that the online gaming sector has invested heavily in smartphone compatibility.
Online slot games suit both Android, iOS, and Windows operating systems. This means that you can easily access the games wherever you are, whether on a train from work or at a restaurant during your regular break from work.
Additionally, these games require minimum smartphone specifications; hence are accessible even from low-end devices.
VR and AR technology in online slots games
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are the latest technologies in the gaming industry, with only a handful of online slots having VR capabilities.
VR technology provides a realistic, immersive experience. For instance, you experience an outer space environment while playing Starburst on VR headsets. Likewise, in Gonzo’s Quest, you go on a medieval adventure with a virtual Spanish explorer.
AR augments your actions and provides a virtual physical online gaming experience to players by allowing you to choose a background from your favorite casinos.
In-game features
In-game features are what make online casinos unique from the others. They include bonus rounds, multipliers, free spins, and jackpots.
These features must be explicitly knit for each game and may vary from one another. It, therefore, relies on ever-changing software programs.
Major Online Gaming Software Providers
The i-gaming industry has many software providers providing various technological features. However, only a handful have a proven track record of providing reliable gaming software.
Microgaming is the most reputable. It was the first company to create an online game in 1994 and has since created more than 800 online games with more than 500 variants.
Playtech is Microgaming’s primary rival. The company started in 1999 and is renowned for its creativity in developing some of the industry’s best games.
Online Payment Gateways
Online slots integrate different online payment technologies into their platforms to accommodate all classes of players. These payment channels must be safe and secure for the company’s and the players’ sakes.
Most online slots started with debit and credit card payment systems but became limited by legal limitations and security issues.
Since then, online payment merchants such as PayPal, Skrill, and Wise have become popular online payment options in top online casinos in the UK.
Technology in online slot games in the UK
The success of online slots in the UK is primarily attributed to technological advancement in the sector. As is evident, different gaming software is necessary to develop online slot games, all of which play a part in enhancing the games’ fairness, performance, and authenticity. So join your favorite online casino in the UK today and experience the wonders of the modern technology in online slots!