All About Online Video Slots
Video slots are the most popular of all online casino games that offer players the opportunity to spin reels for chances to win payouts big and small. They also offer a whole lot more, thanks to bonus features, animated scenes that tell a story, and other elements inspired by video games.
Online video slots comprise the largest slot game category; a category that gets bigger and more innovative as top-rated providers release new titles month after month. Keep reading and find out what you need to know about this highly entertaining genre.
A Brief History
More than half a century passed after inventor Charles Fey launched the first slot machine before the games were electrified. Before Bally unveiled Money Honey, the first electromechanical machine, in 1963, they all used a similar mechanic to the one created by Fey.
In 1976, the Fortune Coin Co., a company headquartered in Las Vegas, used a modified Sony Trinitron colour monitor and logic boards to produce the first video slot machine. The reels and symbols appeared on the monitor, rather than as actual reels built into the machine, but it did not feature any bonus game.
Bonus games were included in a video slot for the first time in the Three Bags Full slot launched in Australia in 1994. In 1996, American players got their first taste of a slot with bonus games when WMS Industries launched Reel ‘Em In. At that time, the first online casinos appeared, and offered video slot games developed by software providers that are still active in the industry.
Basic Features
The majority of online video slots have 5 reels, although you can find titles that have 6 or more reels. You also can find slots that have base-game set of 5 reels that can expand or merge as part of a special feature.
Games in the category also have multiple paylines. Some titles let you select the number of paylines in play, while others feature fixed lines that are all active for every spin. You also can alter the size of the default bet by using the relevant controls on the interface to increase or decrease the credit value of the coins. In most games, you also can choose the number of coins you bet per payline.
A Plethora Of Special Features
The number and type of special features included in online video slots vary from game to game. Some titles offer a few of the basics, while others pack in a range of features, some of which may be quite uncommon.
Wild symbols substitute for regular icons when they can participate in winning combinations, and Scatters can form successful combinations from any position. They often also trigger a round of Free Spins. Multipliers, which may be attached to Wilds, multiply the payouts to which they are applied. Many video slots also feature bonus games played in a second screen. To play them, you may need to select images for chances to win prizes, collect icons, or complete a similar task.