From the cogs and metal gears to today’s HD video slots, the journey of the slot machine is a strange one. The machines have come so far from their original design that it’s hard to believe they’re still called by the same name.
The Liberty Bell
In San Francisco during the late 1800s, Charles Fey created the first mechanical slot machine – aptly named “Liberty Bell”. With three spinning reels and different symbols, this prototype laid down what we know as a traditional slot machine today.
It was an immediate hit amongst saloons and bars, but in order to skirt anti-gambling laws, Fey had to change how it paid out immediately. Instead of giving out cash awards on every win, it instead gave players complimentary gifts like drinks or cigars.
Fey’s invention made waves across the industry. Not only did it help spark more creativity among manufacturers of gambling machines, but it also marked a big shift towards automated payouts and more diverse symbols thanks to electrical components being introduced into them.
The Electromechanical Era
After Fey’s creation came more advanced versions of his design. These machines were produced with electrical systems instead of manual ones, allowing for higher payouts and more complex games.
They also began featuring themed gameplay mechanics and interactive bonus rounds; these modernized designs caught the attention of many gamblers. But despite how complex these creations would become throughout the years, many referred to them as “fruit machines” or “one-armed bandits” due to their familiar look and user interface controls.
Money Honey
Bally Manufacturing released its first fully-electromechanical model in 1964: Money Honey. This was just another step up for mankind in terms of technology at that time, but for slots themselves… this was practically going from horse-drawn carriages straight into spaceships!
This new era brought about buttons replacing levers (although some still included levers to look and feel more familiar), progressive jackpots, and random number generators.
The Video Slot Revolution
Eventually, the computer age hit us. And when it did, manufacturers began incorporating video clips and digital reels into their machines. This turned the slot machine industry on its head and brought a completely unfamiliar face to young gamblers.
These new designs were so exciting that players didn’t want to leave their machines anymore – they didn’t even need any money in them! Instead of pulling a lever all day long, people could now choose from countless different games featuring dozens of mechanics and themes; it was truly a marvel.
This era also gave birth to what we know as progressive jackpots today. With each coin-in wagered by every player pulling at those one-armed bandits around the world, the prize pool would grow exponentially until someone finally won big.
As technology moves forward, so does the potential for slot games. Experts predict that artificial intelligence will take a front seat in the industry. Through AI, slot machines could begin to analyze player behavior and adapt to it on the fly. Players could potentially win more, struggle more or face new challenges based on how they play. All of this while maintaining security and fairness.
The Future
There’s no saying what will come next in the world of slot games. However, there are some plausible predictions regarding gameplay trends. For example, companies might create user-friendlier machines that run smoother than ever before. New forms of playing may also emerge, adding more interactivity and increasing engagement.
Innovation Over Time
The first transition from solely mechanical machines to electromechanical ones was an incredible step forward for slots as people knew them then. It separated players from having to deal with heavy coin buckets as they walked away from their machine into a more convenient paper ticket system. These tickets carried the value of winnings and were easy to use at other machines or redeem offsite.
At this time, manufacturers began making efforts to differentiate themselves from competitors through creative designs for traditional symbols like fruits or bells.
Eventually video slots would come around and change everything again by infusing excitement into every spin with bright graphics and fun themes.