To most gamers, online slot machines and virtual reality represent two fairly niche categories. Both are undeniably popular within certain crowds, but neither is really at the centre of the gaming world. What’s interesting to consider in this regard though is that together, the two categories might be more formidable. In fact, there are a few reasons to believe that adapted versions of existing slot games might just thrive in VR.
No Genre Is King
There isn’t really a genre of games that stands out in virtual reality. Look at the best games of the year right now, for instance, and you’ll see a little bit of everything: a music-driven lightsaber experience, a golf game, some outer space adventures, a story about a goat, and so on. In a way, VR itself is more of a genre at this point, and these are the subjects of its games. This doesn’t mean that a given genre necessarily has to take over — but it does mean that an influx of slot games would be noticeable. If suddenly, alongside this random hodgepodge of terrific but utterly unrelated games, there is a whole collection of immersive slot arcades, said slot arcades are naturally going to attract attention. There’s value in being first.
Variety Matches Gamers’ Preferences
If there’s one thing the slot category has going for it, it’s variety. Online slots can revolve around just about anything, and accordingly, there seems to be a game about everything. In a span of minutes at a slot gaming site, you can try out a game about ancient Rome, spin slots alongside the “3 Musketeers,” and load up a reel with an authentic rock ’n’ roll soundtrack. And this variety, in addition to making the slot category arguably more exciting than it ought to be, matches what today’s gamers want. Our look at the most anticipated games of 2020 proves as much, highlighting games set in the past, games imagining futures, games with cute little characters, and more. Gamers like a wide-ranging selection, and that’s just what slots could bring to VR.
Bonuses Would Appeal To New Players
Most existing online casinos are aware of the fact that slot games are equipped with a variety of bonuses, which add fun (and sometimes extra earnings) to games. But casual gamers who don’t frequent online casinos are in some cases totally unaware of this gaming structure. It stands to reason then that bonuses would represent something new to a lot of gamers who would perhaps try slots for the first time in VR. A given gamer might head into an experience expecting a standard slot reel that happens to be in 3D. But he’d then encounter bonuses that make the games more exciting, and often help to establish thematic elements and mini-games. Essentially, these bonuses make the games deeper in a way that would pleasantly surprise first-time players in VR.
The Games Would Be Simple, But Enhanced
This may sound strange, but it actually makes for an excellent formula on VR. On the one hand, slot games would be fairly simple compared to other experiences in the medium. The gameplay isn’t particularly complicated, and the visuals — while key components of modern slots — are only so ambitious. That would seem to make these relatively easy projects for developers. On the other hand though, the games would also represent significant enhancements compared to ordinary slots, with 3D animations, immersive environments, and so on. So, all at once, the games would be simple for VR develops, but extravagant for their genre. They’d be excellent at being exactly what they were supposed to be.
With all of this in mind, we’re interested to see what ultimately comes of these simple yet alluring casino games in the age of VR.
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