Casino gaming has become such a popular global market that its underlying subdivisions are experiencing substantial growth, too. We need to drill down a few levels before we get to video and classic slots. They’re part of the broader slot gaming industry, which has ushered in some of the most dynamic and groundbreaking changes the casino industry has ever seen.
This innovation has resulted in game designers and software developers attempting to slice off any part of the market they can. For those providers that can chisel off a piece of the market for themselves, whether they are aiming for classic slot games, video slots, live table options or whatever it may be, the returns could be enormous.
We’re looking at two of the stalwarts of the slot gaming world today: classic slots and video slots. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each, and hopefully, by the end of today’s piece, you will have a good idea of which slot gaming type most appeals to you.
What Are Classic Slots? Exploring the Appeal
No slot gaming genre can claim to have the longevity or stature that classic slots do. While they are a modern, digital version of the original design, which dates back over 130 years, and have experienced some tweaks, you only have to explore a list of online slots to see how popular they are in the modern market.
Casino gaming experts spend countless hours flicking through the latest classic slot games, and they use a range of criteria to decide which slots stand out above the rest. Classic slot games are more basic, though. It’s rare to see a classic slot game on a grid bigger than a 5×3. Usually, they’re on a 3×3 reel in the same spirit as the original design from the 1890s, when levers were used instead of buttons.
Classic games draw on the same inspiration for their symbol designs, too. You’ll see a range of fruit symbols, including cherries, lemons and blueberries. Those classic games that want to capture this essence will further replicate the original design, including liberty bells and the number seven.
They will usually exclude some of the more common features in the market, such as bonus rounds, free spins and standalone mini-games, and have a minimal amount of paylines, usually no more than five. Some games that fuse classic themes with more contemporary ideas may opt to include these aspects in their design.
Are You More a Fan of Video Slots?
Classic slot games dominated the market from the early 20th century until the mid-point of the century. Video slots were the next chapter in the evolutionary step, and were one of the first gaming designs in the world to incorporate a computerized display showing the reels.
Although they still used a lever in their early days, the design of the games moved from the 3×3 traditional reel to 5×5 expansive reels. It meant that it wasn’t only traditional game designers in the market, but those who specialized in making computer games and developing software were now the new entrants. Ultimately, this meant that the number of gaming opportunities soared, new genres entered the realm, and games with 20 or 30 paylines became more commonplace.
Video slots are more of a “second generation” slot design, so to speak. They harness the incredible innovations that computer technology brought to the world in the mid-20th century, and by the time computers came to the mass market in 1981, they were positioned to become the dominant technology in the world of slot gaming. Video slots rely on computer technology, often including free spins and other bonus features in their impressive game design.
Which One Do You Prefer?
The battle between online and video slots is whether you prefer the traditional style to the new computerized mechanics, which has resulted in a range of new slot genres.
While many argue that there’s a market for both, if you are a traditionalist who marvels at the original blueprint of the slot game and are upset by the fact they’ve now gone on to incorporate countless random themes, 12×12 grids, music, and TV and film adaptations, then classic slots are going to be your pick here.
Video slots are part of a swing toward a completely digital entertainment world. We have seen it with YouTube becoming the new dominant platform in streaming music and video, and online casinos becoming the leading force in the gambling industry.
Final Thoughts
The battle between classic and video slots is a tale as old as time. You’ll usually find these arguments in other entertainment fields, with older generations arguing their music was the best compared to newer artists, or that older movies and TV shows had a better, more authentic feel than the well-polished binge culture we now view via the big streaming sites.
Personally, we’d say there’s a market for both – but if you are looking to plant your flag on one side of the fence, it ultimately boils down to whether you are a traditionalist or whether you are somebody who prefers to embrace and lean into new technology rather than shy away from it. Both genres have high points and hit games, and plenty is on offer if you take the time to explore what both have to offer.