In 1958, William Higinbotham created what is considered the first video game. Since then, the gaming industry has been on a whirlwind because of the advances in technology. Perhaps, though, no time in gaming’s history has been more tumultuous than the most recent decade, which ended with an estimated 2.7 billion video game players worldwide.
Over the last ten years, the narrative around games has changed. In video games especially, we’ve seen the rise of storytelling and the expansion of gameplay modes so that story is at the forefront rather than combat. This shift in thinking is all part of the narratology vs. ludology debate in game theory, where the former believes games are a powerful medium and should tell stories. Over the years, video games have started to increase storytelling and build emotional experiences, such as by using allegories in games like Papers, Please. At the same time, video games are trying to become more lifelike, which is why Call of Duty changed player movements to look more realistic.
On the other end of the gaming spectrum, there is the gambling industry, which, like video games, has changed. Casinos have moved online, resulting in traditional games like blackjack being revamped to have live features, and famous land-based fruit machines have been turned into online slots. Yet, despite the changes, the online gambling community is starting to resort back to the mentality that land-based gamblers had 20 years ago — that convenience and choice are the most important things. As a result, slot machines in online casinos have seen a resurgence in popularity.
Why Are Online Slots Still Popular?
One of the reasons slot machines still stand out is because we live in a fast-paced world fuelled by consumerism. We want endless choices, but we also desire convenience because we’re balancing so many other tasks daily.
There’s a convenience when playing a slot game in an online casino because all you do is log in and start the game. Meanwhile, slot sites release new titles almost daily, with more than 100 new games available every month. Top-rated slot sites will also offer bonuses and promotions, which feeds into the idea of consumerism and how consumers want their interests protected and promoted.
Additionally, online slots are engaging, and any gambler at any level can play them. Today, consumers and gamers are quick to get bored and to give up when things become difficult. However, this isn’t a problem with slot games because they are simple games that use eye-catching colours, sounds, and graphics. In addition, gameplay is suited to short bursts, which suits our contemporary, fast-paced lifestyle.
There’s no doubt the gaming industry will continue to change over the next few years, but we wouldn’t be surprised if players, at least in the gambling sector, continue to favour games that offer convenience and choice. After all, these are things consumers value in every other industry, so why not include them in games?
