Seeing terms like “online slots” and “video slots” used almost interchangeably across casino lobbies creates understandable confusion. What distinguishes one format from the other given huge overlapping similarities? While seemingly appearing nearly identical in features and functions, some notable variances exist explaining why developers categorize slots under these sub-headings.
Lineage to physical machines
When slot play transitioned allure 168 online to allow convenient home access rather than traveling to brick-and-mortar casinos, initial games directly mirrored land-based slots replicating the controls, visuals, and features nearly identically. These pioneering online titles strongly resemble physical machines you’ll still find across Vegas and tribal casinos today classified appropriately as “online slots”. They focus on replicating tangible slots experiences virtually.
Video slots optimized purely for online play
As Internet speeds quickened and computers grew more sophisticated, developers recognized an opportunity to expand slots further than limited physical machine capabilities restricted by size and reliance on manual reel spins. Thus the distinction of “video” slots emerged, catering software and graphics purely for online play without physical counterparts. These games leverage digital advantages with animated worlds unavailable previously when confined by physical casino logistics.
Visual presentation significantly more vivid
The “video” clarification fittingly describes how much more dynamic and multidimensional visual aspects are portrayed within these specialized games. Richly animated intros, cut scenes unfolding storyline narratives, reactive soundtrack elements, celebratory flourishes for wins, smooth graphical transitions, and far more payline trajectories set video slots into a new league of immersion compared to relatively static classic online slots.
Wider array of thematic variety
Unlike physical machines, which require manual spins and scaled-down visual engines, video slots craft vastly more possibilities for creative theming than physical machines. Unique garlic slots stay generic or they cling to simplified motifs like fruits and bells. But fully digital video titles feature elaborate interactive worlds with specificity behind concepts like mythical legends, tropical vacations, futuristic space adventures, and celebrity culture icons carried out vividly throughout the features.
Increased interactivity and bonus event frequency
Given expanded software flexibility, video slots also upped interactivity through touch screen buttons, adjustable settings, and special skill-based bonus rounds requiring human input across features like select-until-collect reel modifiers, aiming arcader games and battle options operating completely distinctly from automated spins. Bonus rounds also hit more frequently on video slots with multiple features overlapping dynamically.
Exponentially more paylines and winning chances
Unbound by defined reel strips and limited payline paths physically possible on land-based machines, video slots introduced the “ways to win” format expanding symbols displayed on single reels from 3 icons to 7, 9, or hundreds more. This allows forming exponentially more winning symbol pattern combinations across an abundance of zig-zagging paylines numbering into the thousands in some cases compared to 20-line online classic slots.
Advanced RNG systems with frequent updates
Driving increased complexity behind video slots requires equally advanced random number generation handling billions more calculations per second to keep elevating odds layers balanced and unpredictable. Video slots RNG systems demand frequent updates to add new slot features while passing regularly mandated testing. Classic slots rely on proven and more basic RNG builds less prone to adjustments.