A vital aspect of this evolution has been the slot game symbols which have changed a lot over time. From the simple fruits and bells of ancient machines to the complex, theme-based signs that can be found in today’s online slot version, these symbols alter appearance as well as meaning. This piece delves into the intriguing history of slot symbols and how they have influenced our gameplay to date.
The Birth of Slot Game Symbols
1. The First Slot Machines
Claiming its roots in the late 19th century alongside most other slot game symbols, today these are an integral part of every online casino. Despite inventing and producing a model of the first true slot machine in 1895—Liberty Bell by name, San Francisco mechanic Charles Fey is still given credit. It had three reels, and on these were horseshoes, diamonds, spades, and hearts which joined a Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell symbol was the most lucrative, and spinning three of these in a row would give out the largest payout: 50 cents at that time.
2. The Introduction of Fruit Symbols
Slot machines started gaining popularity in the 20th century, especially among bars and pubs. To work around anti-gambling laws, early machines were set up to pay out in candy instead of cash. These machines were altered to display symbols corresponding to the gum flavors, as lining up this particular combination would win a packet of that flavor: cherries, lemons, plums, and oranges. In so doing, fruit symbols would become forever linked with slot machines, a tradition that continues to this very day.
The Transition to Electronic Slot Machines
1. The Rise of Electromechanical Slots
The advent of the 1960s saw a turn in the design and manufacture of slot machines with electromechanical slots. The first machines like this were still using physical reels that spun, but they had an electric motor doing the spinning rather than mechanical gears. Because of this technological improvement, the designs became more intricate, and new symbols were added. Manufacturers, meanwhile, began to experiment with different motifs, including stars, bells, and even cars represented by currency signs.
2. The Advent of Video Slots
Video slot creations launched in the 1970s and 1980s made another notable step forward with slot symbols. The video slot replaced the physical reels of fruit symbols with virtual ones displayed on a screen, allowing for vast amounts more creativity in design when it came to symbols. This meant that game developers were no longer restricted by the mechanical limitations of reels, and in turn, could create new symbols or add paylines to their games.
Modern Slot Game Symbols
1. Themed Symbols
Most of the modern online slot symbols are heavily linked to their theme. Whether it is a slot related to mythology, fantasy, or anything else in popular culture, the symbols are well-thought-out so that players feel immersed in the game’s plot. An example of a slot game that would fit this theme is one set in ancient Greece, which might include symbols such as Zeus and the Parthenon, or another take on a pirate adventure where you have treasure chests with skulls displayed.
More than just helping set the tone for a fully built theme, these licensed symbols help identify games in an already overstuffed marketplace. Players tend to seek out games featuring symbols that will make them feel more drawn into the game theme.
2. Special Symbols: Wilds, Scatters, and Beyond
In modern slot games, a range of special symbols have been added that serve to enrich the gaming experience and improve your odds of winning. Today, wild symbols that can replace other paying symbols to form winning combinations are pretty much standard in all online slot games. These wilds also tend to have extra functionality, with the most common providing expanding symbols or a multiplier when appearing in any win.
3. 3D and Animated Symbols
The same goes for the symbols in slot games as technology progresses. Nowadays, online slots boast 3D animations for their symbols to articulate the theme of the game. These symbols have animations that affect them and then play around with each other, making it easier for the player to see. This means that in a game, for instance, one with superhero symbols, they might come alive when landed on, evoking interest as the element of action is highlighted.
Conclusion
So the development of game symbols also represents a reflection of these changes in technology and design. From the humble fruit and bar symbols of one hundred years ago to complex, thematic, interactive symbols that can be found in today’s online slots, these icons have undeniably shaped the player experience.
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