History of bonus games in slots
History of Slot Bonus Games: Evolution and Evolution of Bonus Features
Introduction
Bonus games in online slots are an important part of modern gameplay that makes the game more exciting and profitable. But how did it start? In this article, we take a journey through the history of slot bonus games, starting with their appearance in classic mechanical slot machines until today, when bonus features have become one of the main attractive features of online slots.
Early years: mechanical slots and simple bonuses
1. First slots and their limited capabilities.
The first mechanical slot machines appeared in the late 19th century and were called "poker machines" or "luck simulators." These devices did not have bonus rounds as we know them today. Players simply inserted coins and spun drums, hoping for matching symbols. Winners received cash prizes or game tokens.
2. The appearance of the Wild symbol and its impact on the game.
In 1907, the first Wild symbol slot was patented, which allowed other symbols to be replaced to form a winning combination. This was the first step towards more complex bonus mechanics, although at that time they were still quite primitive.
3. First power-ups in mechanical slots.
In the 1930s, with the advent of "bonus reels," slot machines began to offer more interesting winning options. Bonuses of that time were limited to free spins or additional prizes, but they were still not part of a separate bonus round, as we used to see today.
1980s: Transition to video slots and the start of bonus games
1. Appearance of video slots.
In the 1980s, the first video slots that used electronic displays instead of mechanical drums entered the market. This allowed the development of more sophisticated bonus mechanics, as computers provided the ability to integrate additional features. One of the first examples was the addition of "secondary games," which were activated under certain conditions, but still remained simple compared to modern bonuses.
2. Appearance of bonus rounds in 1986.
In 1986, Williams Electronics released the first slot with a real bonus round, which was completely separate from the main gameplay. This slot was called "The Video Slot," and it had a bonus round in which players could win additional prizes. This was a revolutionary innovation that marked the beginning of the development of bonus games as a separate feature.
1990s: Development of bonus rounds and the first "Pick-and-Click" bonus
1. "Pick-and-Click" bonuses.
In the 1990s, the era of more interactive bonuses began, and one of the first such bonuses was "Pick-and-Click," where players selected certain objects on the screen to open hidden prizes. These bonuses were independent of the main game and could include multipliers or cash prizes, adding an element of surprise and increasing interest in the game.
2. Plenty of bonus features.
With the development of technology, slot developers began to introduce more diverse bonuses. For example, some games have free spins with additional multipliers or the ability to reactivate the bonus. These changes significantly increased the attractiveness of slots for players and led to a significant increase in the popularity of games with bonus features.
The 2000s: online casinos and the exploit of bonus rounds
1. Online slot revolution.
With the beginning of the popularity of online casinos in the 2000s, slot games with bonuses experienced a real boom. Platforms such as Microgaming and NetEnt have begun releasing online slots with a variety of bonus features, such as progressive jackpots, bonus character selection rounds, and multi-level bonuses. Games have become more dynamic, with increased chances of big wins attracting millions of new players.
2. Complex and layered bonuses.
At this time, slots appeared with multi-level bonus games, where each new stage of the bonus opened up additional opportunities for winning. Such bonuses have become more interactive and complex, providing players with the opportunity to influence the outcome of the game. This led to games like Gonzo's Quest and Dead or Alive, which caught the attention of players with their exciting bonus modes.
Modernity: Innovation in Bonus Games
1. Interactivity and story bonuses.
With the development of technology, bonuses in slots have become even more diverse and complex. Now slots may include bonuses with mini-plots that continue depending on the player's choice. These games make the process more fun and increase engagement. Examples of such slots are Vikings Go Berzerk and Jack and the Beanstalk, where players can take an active part in the plot, influencing the outcome of bonuses.
2. Progressive bonuses and jackpots.
Every year, slots become more complex, offering bonus features such as progressive jackpots and multipliers that increase with each stage of the bonus round. These bonuses, such as in the Mega Moolah slot, allow players to rip off huge payouts, making them incredibly popular.
3. Hybrid bonus features.
Today, bonus games can combine mechanics ranging from free spins to symbol selections, multipliers and progressive jackpots, allowing players to enjoy the variety and increasing the chances of winning.
Conclusion
Slot bonus games have come a long way - from simple mechanical games with basic features to modern online slots with tiered bonuses, progressive jackpots and interactive plots. Today, bonus games remain an integral part of successful slots, providing players with a chance for large winnings and increasing engagement in the gameplay. In the future, we can expect even more innovative bonuses that will continue to entertain and delight players around the world.
Introduction
Bonus games in online slots are an important part of modern gameplay that makes the game more exciting and profitable. But how did it start? In this article, we take a journey through the history of slot bonus games, starting with their appearance in classic mechanical slot machines until today, when bonus features have become one of the main attractive features of online slots.
Early years: mechanical slots and simple bonuses
1. First slots and their limited capabilities.
The first mechanical slot machines appeared in the late 19th century and were called "poker machines" or "luck simulators." These devices did not have bonus rounds as we know them today. Players simply inserted coins and spun drums, hoping for matching symbols. Winners received cash prizes or game tokens.
2. The appearance of the Wild symbol and its impact on the game.
In 1907, the first Wild symbol slot was patented, which allowed other symbols to be replaced to form a winning combination. This was the first step towards more complex bonus mechanics, although at that time they were still quite primitive.
3. First power-ups in mechanical slots.
In the 1930s, with the advent of "bonus reels," slot machines began to offer more interesting winning options. Bonuses of that time were limited to free spins or additional prizes, but they were still not part of a separate bonus round, as we used to see today.
1980s: Transition to video slots and the start of bonus games
1. Appearance of video slots.
In the 1980s, the first video slots that used electronic displays instead of mechanical drums entered the market. This allowed the development of more sophisticated bonus mechanics, as computers provided the ability to integrate additional features. One of the first examples was the addition of "secondary games," which were activated under certain conditions, but still remained simple compared to modern bonuses.
2. Appearance of bonus rounds in 1986.
In 1986, Williams Electronics released the first slot with a real bonus round, which was completely separate from the main gameplay. This slot was called "The Video Slot," and it had a bonus round in which players could win additional prizes. This was a revolutionary innovation that marked the beginning of the development of bonus games as a separate feature.
1990s: Development of bonus rounds and the first "Pick-and-Click" bonus
1. "Pick-and-Click" bonuses.
In the 1990s, the era of more interactive bonuses began, and one of the first such bonuses was "Pick-and-Click," where players selected certain objects on the screen to open hidden prizes. These bonuses were independent of the main game and could include multipliers or cash prizes, adding an element of surprise and increasing interest in the game.
2. Plenty of bonus features.
With the development of technology, slot developers began to introduce more diverse bonuses. For example, some games have free spins with additional multipliers or the ability to reactivate the bonus. These changes significantly increased the attractiveness of slots for players and led to a significant increase in the popularity of games with bonus features.
The 2000s: online casinos and the exploit of bonus rounds
1. Online slot revolution.
With the beginning of the popularity of online casinos in the 2000s, slot games with bonuses experienced a real boom. Platforms such as Microgaming and NetEnt have begun releasing online slots with a variety of bonus features, such as progressive jackpots, bonus character selection rounds, and multi-level bonuses. Games have become more dynamic, with increased chances of big wins attracting millions of new players.
2. Complex and layered bonuses.
At this time, slots appeared with multi-level bonus games, where each new stage of the bonus opened up additional opportunities for winning. Such bonuses have become more interactive and complex, providing players with the opportunity to influence the outcome of the game. This led to games like Gonzo's Quest and Dead or Alive, which caught the attention of players with their exciting bonus modes.
Modernity: Innovation in Bonus Games
1. Interactivity and story bonuses.
With the development of technology, bonuses in slots have become even more diverse and complex. Now slots may include bonuses with mini-plots that continue depending on the player's choice. These games make the process more fun and increase engagement. Examples of such slots are Vikings Go Berzerk and Jack and the Beanstalk, where players can take an active part in the plot, influencing the outcome of bonuses.
2. Progressive bonuses and jackpots.
Every year, slots become more complex, offering bonus features such as progressive jackpots and multipliers that increase with each stage of the bonus round. These bonuses, such as in the Mega Moolah slot, allow players to rip off huge payouts, making them incredibly popular.
3. Hybrid bonus features.
Today, bonus games can combine mechanics ranging from free spins to symbol selections, multipliers and progressive jackpots, allowing players to enjoy the variety and increasing the chances of winning.
Conclusion
Slot bonus games have come a long way - from simple mechanical games with basic features to modern online slots with tiered bonuses, progressive jackpots and interactive plots. Today, bonus games remain an integral part of successful slots, providing players with a chance for large winnings and increasing engagement in the gameplay. In the future, we can expect even more innovative bonuses that will continue to entertain and delight players around the world.
