Online gambling is one of the fastest growing niches. And even the pandemic has not been a barrier to its development, but rather an additional impetus to growth. However, along with the interest of users, their demand for what is on offer in the market is also increasing. And this stimulates the development of technology and the introduction of innovations that allow not only to enjoy the game, but also to do so in the most comfortable conditions.

All of the above has inevitably led to an increase in the number of game studios and a demand for valuable specialists in the development of different types of game slots. But how to create a successful slot game?

Basic steps in creating successful slots for non GamStop casinos

The number of game providers in the gambling niche exceeds 120 studios. But the rapid growth of the industry makes each one in demand in its own way. Experienced companies have long established the process of game creation, while newcomers have no choice but to learn from their competitors and add their own spin to the established system.

Creating a successful slot game that will be popular with players involves several key steps:

  • Creation of an idea
  • Market research
  • Prototype development
  • Writing the code
  • Testing.

Of course, the development of a new slot begins with an idea. The central concept – the theme of the slot – is built around the idea. At the same stage, the team thinks about functions and features of the future game, namely the number of reels, winning lines, bonus rounds, the presence or absence of special symbols such as scatters or wild. 

At Microgaming, for example, the former CEO was brainstorming in a contest format. Roger Raatgever ( ex-CEO of Microgaming) ran a contest called Idea Factory, in which each employee could come up with an idea. Interesting suggestions were paid for with generous rewards. 

Once the ideas have been selected, they are tested for potential success. Several tools are used to analyse the market:

  • Questback. It tracks players and helps identify current trends. Information is gathered not only through the casinos, but also through social media.
  • Loop11. Usability testing system. With her help assess the usability of the interface. You may test a new page or any competitor’s website, for example.
  • Social Mention. The tool is designed for tracking trends. It is used to identify topics being discussed on Facebook or YouTube.
  • FreeLunch. It is designed to gather financial, economic and statistical data. Tens of thousands of open sources are used for this. FreeLunch is used to determine the cost of game development.
  • SurveyMonkey. A tool for conducting surveys. They help to find out how interesting a potential slot is to the target audience.

Once you are convinced of the feasibility of an idea, you submit it for development. The following tools are used to create a working prototype:

  • Framer. The software is suitable for ordinary users who do not know anything about programming.
  • Marvel. A tool for creating animations. It supports JPG, GIF, PSD formats and allows you to download images from various storage, such as Google Drive.
  • InVision. This is an alternative to Marvel. This program will be useful for those who work with Photoshop.
  • Proto.io. This is a tool for creating game interface prototypes. No programming skills are required. Game designers and UX specialists will enjoy using it.
  • Unity. A popular engine for creating slots, mobile apps, and PC games.

In order to create a full-fledged game, you can’t do without knowledge of programming languages. The following tools are most commonly used here:

HTML5. About 70% of the slots are based on this language.

Angular. An open-source platform for creating single-page applications.

Node JS. The server-side part which is responsible for calculations, functions, etc.

Vert.x. An alternative to Node JS.

Vue JS. Another platform for creating one-page applications with support of many functions.

MongoBD. A database for collecting and processing betting information from online games. The obtained information is used for further support of the machine and the creation of new slots.

The final code consists of hundreds of lines that hide bugs. Bugs are unlikely to please players, so most are eliminated before the official launch. To polish the slot, it is run through several stages of testing:

Combinatorial. Multiple runs of a slot machine with different settings. Tester sets a different number of paylines, changes bet amount, etc.

  • Functional. Testing of payment gateways and compliance with specifications.
  • Cross-platform. Running the slot on different devices with different configurations.
  • Regression. Restarting the machine after errors have been corrected. The testers have to re-run the previous three steps.
  • Load testing. Testing of infrastructure and operability with hundreds of devices running simultaneously.
  • Gaming. Final evaluation and analysis of first impressions. Sometimes a slot is given to a focus group for a beta test.

Only after this stage is completed are the games offered to various non-GamStop online casinos accepting Brits where players can enjoy a detailed slot experience.

Technological trends in the online casino industry

A very large number of users nowadays prefer slot machines to the general mass of gambling entertainment. Modern slot machines based on classic slot machines have an improved gameplay experience that unifies each slot and adds a special atmosphere. 

It is the 3D animation that makes the gameplay unique and the game enjoyable.  The importance of the storyline in fruit machines should not be underestimated either. It is the storyline that motivates users to keep playing, getting involved in the action of the game. And 3D technology greatly enhances the effect of a well thought-out storyline. 

Virtual reality (VR)

The regular development of technology and its availability provides players with a new and unique level of gaming experience. Previously, virtual reality seemed unrealistic or extremely difficult to access. But today it is already possible and even actively used in the development of both online games for PC and consoles, as well as in online gambling.

The use of virtual reality in the gambling niche will allow players to maximise their experience at the best offline casino in the world! In addition, one can interact with the staff and other visitors in it. In other words, players become fully immersed in the world of gambling without having to leave their home. 

Blockchain

Online gambling, for obvious reasons, relies heavily on the trust of players – not only trust in the protection of payment information, but also in the privacy and protection of players’ personal data. This is where blockchain technology comes to the rescue, making the transaction process anonymous and automated.

Online game

Multiplayer gaming is the driving force behind the modern video game industry, and online gambling is no different. Interaction with other players adds to the immersiveness of online casinos and also means that players can team up for larger potential winnings. Online gambling requires minimal equipment to participate, and for this reason, online gambling is one of the most popular technological advancements in the industry.

Finally

The development of technology is a significant element in the development of various niches, gambling in particular. Moreover, the symbiosis of modern technology and gambling entertainment is essential to the success of this rapidly growing industry. The mentioned technologies are responsible both for integrating the new payment methods that are gaining popularity all over the world, as well as the casino games themselves. 

Thanks to these new technologies, developers are now offering their players more and more game play options, technical innovations, and eye-catching animations. This niche is indeed very promising for developers and will require more and more new talent!