Slot games have evolved massively over the years, from their purely mechanical beginnings, to the technologically advanced games of the 21st Century, so much has changed, but the overriding principle of fun is still there. Be sure to check some of these games and play them at Wizard Slots. We can track the early stages of slot game development to the late 1800s, they started off extremely rudimentary but quickly evolved into something far more exciting. Let’s have a look at how the slot game has evolved over the years.
Humble Beginnings
The first slot machine is widely recognised to be developed by the New York company Sittman & Pitt in early 1891. It was a very simplistic poker gambling machine that used 5 drums with a total of 50 playing cards. Punters would pull a lever and then see if they were met with a winning combination of cards – if they won they would have to claim a prize at the bar (usually a free drink or cigar).
Charles Augustus Fey was developing his own slot game at around about the same time. He came up with the Liberty Bell, an invention that would form the basis of most modern slot games. Unfortunately for him he did not patent the design, and before too long the Liberty Bell as everywhere.
Arrival of the RNG
For a while after the first slot games had been developed they would remain very much mechanical creations operated by a lever that would in turn spin the reels. This all changed with the invention of the RNG (Random Number Generator) and subsequent fully electromechanical slot games.
The RNG allowed for a massively larger scope on these games meaning that multiple reels and pay lines could now be incorporated. It also changed the way slot machines looked – soon after the invention of the electromechanical slot many machines would completely lose their levers.
Video Slots
In 1976 the world’s first true video slot was developed using a modified 19” Sony TV as the display. The game was made by Las Vegas based Fortune Coin, and after some modifications and essential cheat-proofing, it went on to take the city by storm. The advent of the video slot meant that the machines were getting more and more popular, and casinos were beginning to take proper notice.
Things got even more exciting with the release of Reel ‘Em by WMS Industries – this was the first slot that had a completely different bonus screen that could enable even bigger wins. People loved it and the industry has not looked back.
Online Slots
One of the main ways in which the slot game has evolved over the years is with online slots through internet technology. Their invention in the early 00s has completely and utterly changed the game. The titles just get wackier and wackier, with graphical and thematic content that would be unbelievable to an avid slot gambler from 1960.
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