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What are the Main Features of a Video Slot?

October 12, 2021

You’ll be hard pressed to find a casino, whether online or brick-and-mortar, that does not have a wealth of slot machine offerings. This is especially true for online casinos, where platforms can list hundreds and hundreds of different titles in their casino game libraries.

Although at first glance each of these games may seem similar in their mechanics and features, casino fans who have any experience with slots know that video slots differ slightly in comparison with standard slots. So, what is the exact makeup of these versions and how can players differentiate them from the classic ones? Here we outline the main features of a modern video slot.

Layout: Typically Boast More than Three Reels

Most video slots on the market today contain at least four reels or more. With a higher number of reels and rows, video slots also tend to boast more paylines, with the average being anywhere from 30 to 40. However, it isn’t uncommon to find video slots with up to 100 paylines.

Some online slots use mechanics such as Megaways™ to produce games like Dynamite Riches Megaways™ and Divine Fortune Megaways™ which feature thousands of paylines.

Aesthetics: Enhanced Graphics, Themes, and Sounds

One of the most unique features of video slots are their graphics. They employ crisp and clear symbols set in front of detailed backdrops of a certain theme inspired by history, celebrities, films, music, and so much more.

When it comes to gameplay audio, a video slot’s soundtrack will match the theme at hand. For example, a slot based on a legendary ‘70s rock band will feature head-banging hits from the group’s most popular albums. Additionally, a video slot inspired by a cooking show on television will feature realistic-looking food symbols like juicy hamburgers, steaming seabass, and fudge-covered brownies.

Video slots also often depict historical time periods. This can be seen in the Rich Wilde slot series that is set predominantly in Egypt as well as other ancient temples and pyramids around the world.

Features: An Extensive Variety of Bonus Games

A large majority of video slots are built around bonus features. These take players away from the base game and transport them to separate scenes where they can obtain different rewards such as free spins, multipliers, jackpots, and more.

Video slots also contain wild and scatter symbols as standard, unlike some other classic titles that may only present fruit symbols spread across three reels. Sometimes certain video slots will feature the opportunity to trigger multiple bonus features, whereas others will contain just one.

Regardless, these additional game moments add value to the overall entertainment experience of a virtual slot machine and have actually become the norm for online gamers. With this contemporary slot genre always being taken to new heights by providers, who knows what video slots could offer in the future!