The iGaming industry has undergone massive changes over the last two decades. Starting with the first online casino in 1994, online slots have been at the forefront of the gambling scene. Most of these advancements have been for the better, with players benefiting from the increase in investment and development of modern games.
While gameplay has undoubtedly improved as new slot titles hit online casinos, this is only one area where these games have experienced incredible evolution. One of the more noticeable changes is the visual aspects of these games.
Image by Lukas Bieri from Pixabay
Below, we’ll look at the evolution of graphics in online casino games and how they have changed from basic slots with 2D graphics to incredibly immersive games with spectacular visuals that make them hard to stop playing.
Early Graphics
A game called Reel’ Em In was one of the first slots available to players who wanted to experience the thrill of gambling from the convenience of their homes. Developed by WMS Gaming in 1996, it had the advantage of being created by a studio known for its incredible physical slots at a time when the move to online gaming was just beginning.
Although a precursor to online slots, Reel ‘Em In perfectly depicts what early online slots and other casino games looked like. It featured 2D graphics far removed from anything players would consider acceptable today. The symbols (represented by various fruits and fishing paraphernalia) were decently detailed, but the game was incredibly straightforward in graphical terms.
Much like other casino games of the age, there were minimal animations while playing, with one of the most eye-catching features being the clunky spinning of the reels.
Although it was released ahead of its time, the game’s graphics were reminiscent of the look and feel of older operating systems such as Windows 95. Considering the era, this made sense even if it falls short of today’s expectations.
From 2D to 3D
With numerous online casino games flooding the market, developers faced the challenge of pushing the boundaries of slot graphics while creating uniquely fun games simultaneously.
One of the easiest ways to completely overhaul a game’s look and make it more immersive was to jump from 2D to 3D graphics. These newer 3D slots made symbols jump from the screen and opened a whole new world of visual development in the industry.
Among the first notable games launched using 3D graphics was the iconic game Mega Fortune, developed by renowned studio NetEnt. This game, which paid out a world-record jackpot in 2011, revolutionized the player interface underneath the central reels and used spectacular modeling to create an appealing backdrop upon which the reels sat.
The symbols on these reels were impeccably crafted and designed in 3D, giving the illusion that the ring, limousine, speed boat, or champagne used by the game was ready to jump off the screen. The animation of spinning reels, which appeared almost static until now, suddenly became fluid and offered a pleasing sight.
Many slots quickly adopted the new standard of 3D graphics, leading the industry into a massive boom of visually stunning and fun games. However, as good as these games were, the evolution of casino game graphics wasn’t over.
At the same time, many online slot developers and game studios began working tirelessly on themed games. These were created with graphics that would transport you anywhere from dense jungles with hidden treasures to the 1920s era when times were simpler and hunting down loot was relatively easy.
Modern-Day Immersive Graphics
The adoption of 3D modeling and graphics in slot games changed the industry. As advanced technologies and support for more computing resources became available, the next evolution of these games occurred.
Players seeking real money slots apps for secure betting were soon greeted with new games offering immersive graphics that were more than just images on a screen. These graphics perfectly balance detailed imagery, stunning animations, and video swatches that help enhance the game’s bonus features and rounds.
One of the best examples of these modern graphics is Raging Rex 2 by Play’n Go. Themed after the great T-Rex, the game puts you into pre-historic landscapes as you fight to win a fortune from the menacing dinosaur.
Aside from the detailed symbols used by the game, the various dinosaurs make the game immersive, with the T-Rex designed so that it appears to come out of its designated reel each time you win big.
With fluid animations and incredible visual effects on top of all this, this game and others like it are incredibly addictive.
Conclusion
Today, gamblers looking for online casino games have no shortage of incredible titles to choose from. For those nostalgic for the good old days when simple fruit machines were common, game developers ensure there are still plenty of great-looking games that aren’t overly fancy and nod toward a previous era.
However, the slot options are bountiful for players who enjoy the modern thrills of gameplay paired with spectacular graphics. With the adaption of slots to virtual reality and the implementation of artificial intelligence, which can help generate even more breathtaking graphics, these visual elements are still evolving.
From where slot graphics began to where they are today, players can continue looking forward to more intuitive games that look so incredible that stepping away from them will be challenging.