The online casino and gaming industry is in a permanent state of evolution with platforms undergoing facelift after facelift to keep users engaged and entertained.
Recently, a new breed of online casino games has emerged in the form of skill-based slots. These new releases are breaking free of traditional formats and instead of relying completely on luck, skill-based slots instead fuse elements of video gaming with the thrill of the casino to offer players a fresh experience.
These hybrid gaming models are opening up new avenues for the industry, attracting a different profile of gamer, who ordinarily wouldn’t have taken a step onto an online casino floor before.
With dynamic graphic improvements and emerging tech starting to blur the lines between gaming and gambling, online casino gaming is heading in new directions. But what do these changes mean for the industry as a whole?
From Chance-only to Interaction-driven
As everybody knows, real money casino slots are games of chance where players pull levers – both literal and virtual – before waiting and hoping that symbols align.
However, a move towards skill-based slots would represent a massive paradigm shift with interactive elements and mechanics driven by player decisions having more of an effect on outcomes.
Instead of the usual passive spinning, players could be required to conquer mini-games involving puzzle solving or shooting targets to succeed in a form of diversified gameplay akin to the sort of rewards-based play seen in video games.
The bottom line here is that casinos are aiming to hit the perfect intersection between gambling and gaming, with greater engagement the ultimate goal.
Tech Trends Fuelling Evolution
This casino game evolution has already moved past the conceptual stage. Tangible tech advancements are already capable of meeting demand with skill-based slots set to become feature-rich:
- Gamification: Think leaderboards, achievements and unlockable levels of progression. Slot titles are set to include all of those traditional gaming elements and more.
- Mobile & crossplatform play possibilities: Mobile optimisation is a priority for casino sites, so seamless play across different devices is the norm.
- VR/AR Integration: We’re still in the development stage here, though VR and AR integration is coming with greater player immersion the target. Imagine playing online casino slots in a fully interactive 3D environment.
Audience & Revenue Streams: Widening the Net
The evolution of skill-based slots is intriguing from a technological perspective; however, they are just as compelling from an economic angle.
- The next generation of casino gamers will expect more entertainment and more polished platforms. The switch from standard, traditional formats to interactive mechanics will attract a new demographic.
- Already, casinos in the USA have reported considerable increases in revenues per unit with skill-based machines.
- Tech innovations make casino games more appealing to non-traditional slot audiences like women and college-educated players.
- Trends already suggest that blending skill and spin is a route to increased inclusivity and higher profits.
The Player’s Experience: A Changing Perspective
Casino gaming is all about player engagement and skill-based casino slots will continue to feel more like video games and less like typical, traditional machines.
- Control & influence: Luck will always be the most powerful determiner; however, the introduction of player-led actions will give a sense that decisions genuinely matter.
- Progression & rewards: Games with emotional payoff generally have better engagement. The addition of missions, levels and challenges has the power to keep players spinning for longer.
- Social dynamics: With a more game-like environment comes community and leaderboards, with tournaments and social interaction improving immersion and heightening engagement.
Challenges to Consider
While the list of pros for skill-based slots feels limitless, there are some complexities and possible drawbacks to consider.
- Regulatory issues: New gambling laws and regulations will need to be written around the impact skill-based slots will have on player habits.
- Fairness & integrity: Ultimately, slot games must still balance skill with randomness. Outcomes must remain random enough to comply with casino gaming standards.
- Design complications: The development of new casino games that include decision-led actions and bonus systems will require a huge number of resources from financial nous to programming skills.
Skill-based Casino Slot Games are the Future
The innovation and introduction of skill-based slot games marks a gigantic shift in direction for the online casino industry. The integration of gameplay mechanics and interactive frameworks will offer a more engaging casino experience than ever before.
For gaming operators, skill-based slots could trigger a landslide in fresh profits and while access to wider demographics will lead to bigger revenues, there are serious ethical concerns for casinos to consider.
