Undoubtedly the most iconic symbol of living high in the fast lane, slot machines have long been a staple in fantasy gaming. It is not just the simplicity of playing slots but also some memorable appearances in pop culture. In the classic Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever," Bond displays his prowess in a Las Vegas fantasy gaming venue, and has a go at the slot machines. In Rain Man, the unforgettable scenes of Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman navigating the fantasy gaming venues of Las Vegas prominently feature slot machines. The tension-filled atmosphere of the fantasy gaming in Ocean's Thirteen also captures the thrill of hitting the jackpot on a slot machine. These cinematic moments underscore the enduring fixation on slot machines. Read on and plunge into the mechanics and evolution of these iconic devices, and understand how slots paylines evolved alongside as well.
While not really changing in essence, slot machines have indeed undergone fascinating transformations - from their early days in the late 19th century to the sophisticated, feature-rich online slot games we find on platforms like Stake.com today. This history is marked by some salient milestones, each contributing to the development of slot paylines, an essential aspect of gameplay.
Early Beginnings
The slots story begins in 1891 with two guys called Sittman and Pitt coming up with a poker theme-based machine, which became a sensational hit in almost all New York City bars. And you know the best part? This nascent version didn’t even have any cash payouts but patrons did get to redeem their winnings for prizes like drinks or cigars, not bad at all. This approach laid down the groundwork for many future innovations.
The Beginning of Paylines with Liberty Bell
Charles August Fey's creation of the Liberty Bell slots game in 1899 was what truly kicked off the true coming of modern slot machines. Fey's design was the one that introduced automatic payouts, using three reels with symbols like horseshoes and bells. This breakthrough also introduced the concept of paylines, where matching symbols along a centre line determined a win.
Expanding Reach with Operator Bell
The early 20th century belonged to Herbert Mills' Operator Bell, which built upon Fey's innovations. By 1908, these machines were a feature of all public spaces in most of urban America. This really cemented the prominent role of slot machines in entertainment and culture.
The Electronic Age with Money Honey
A major leap in the slot story took place in 1964 with the introduction of Money Honey by Bally Manufacturing. This was the first fully electromechanical slot game, had far larger payouts and offered more engaging, complex gameplay. Of course, the iconic lever was still there, and players immediately knew how to pull it and play. The only thing they gained with the transition to electrical components were far more intricate payline structures and vaster amounts of money to be won.
Doing the Digital with Video Slots
The rise of video slot games happened in the mid-1970s, beginning with Fortune Coin's game that came out in 1976, simply rewriting slot gameplay forever. Using a modified television for display, this innovation provided even more flexible payline arrangements and greater visual appeal. This era also saw the introduction of the progressive jackpot in 1986 with IGT’s Megabucks, where payouts grew with each play, capturing the imagination of players with the potential for huge wins.
Going Online in the 90s
The 90s was a fantastic decade for many, and for slots, it ushered in online slots with Cryptologic and Microgaming’s pioneering efforts. The spread of online platforms let game developers experiment with payline configurations, ranging from traditional single-line setups to complex multi-line games. This period also marked the introduction of bonus rounds, further enriching the gameplay experience.
By 2005, improved mobile technology brought slots to handheld devices. Games like Pub Fruity, although simple, showcased the potential for on-the-go gaming. Seminal events like the launch of the iPhone in 2007 and later the App Store in 2008 expanded this market in an almost explosive manner, which made room for far more sophisticated and variegated slot games made exclusively for mobile play.
Modern Moves with Megaways and Beyond
The introduction of the Megaways engine by Big Time Gaming in 2016 marked a paradigm shift in online slot gaming. Unlike traditional fixed paylines, Megaways offered changing reels with varying symbol counts, creating thousands of possible winning combinations with every spin. This innovativeness not only increased potential payouts but also added a new dimension of excitement and unpredictability to the game.
Slotting in for the Future
Slots continue to evolve even today, with more advanced graphics, immersive soundscapes, and interactive features. Developers today lay more focus on creating holistic gaming experiences, often incorporating metagames and social elements that immerse and engage players like never before. The shift towards virtual and augmented reality slots is just around the corner, and slots lovers can look ahead to an even more immersive experience shortly down the line.
Understanding Slot Paylines
If you’ve never played a slot game, paylines are basically the glue that holds the gameplay together. Without them, players would have no direction or way of knowing how to win.
These paylines come in various shapes and sizes, originating from the classic Gaming world of old-school fruit machines, which had a centre payline to land or nudge matching symbols together.
How Do Slot Paylines Work?
Paylines are designed to sit in the background of a slot game and only come into effect when a player lands matching symbols in the same spin. In a way, paylines are a framework of rules, governing how players need to land symbols to win a payout.
A quick glance at the paytable of a chosen online slot will reveal the layout of the slot paylines, showing the patterns or lines needed to line up matching symbols. The paytable also shows the maximum number of paylines available. Players can decide how many to play with, as long as it’s a slot with adjustable paylines. Some slot games also have fixed paylines, meaning all paylines are permanently active, and players need to decide their bet per spin.
For more information, check out Stake.com guide to slot paylines.
Types of Slot Paylines
One of the main features that set different slots games apart from one another is their paylines. Today, they come in various shapes and sizes, and players have so much more to look out for as the symbols land on the reels.
● Horizontal Paylines: Inspired by old-school fruit machines, horizontal paylines run along each row. On a slot with a 5x5 reel grid, you can expect five horizontal paylines.
● Vertical Paylines: Some online slots have paylines that run from the top to the bottom of a reel. Matching symbols need to land vertically on a reel.
● Diagonal Paylines: These paylines can run diagonally from corner to corner on a reel grid, from the top left to the bottom right.
● Zigzag Paylines: Zigzag paylines create V-shape or W-shape patterns overlaid on the reels. Check the paytable for the exact zigzag patterns.
Maximising Potential with Slot Paylines
To maximise potential payouts on a chosen slot, it’s best to play with all available paylines. This strategy increases the chances of winning with each spin. The number of credits wagered doesn’t affect the RTP percentage or volatility of the slot. However, with all paylines active, winning opportunities are more frequent.
Payline Bonuses and Special Features
Paylines sometimes also offer special features in certain online slot games. For instance, a free spins bonus may be activated when landing three or more scatters on a specific payline. Additionally, some slots offer bigger multipliers if they land on a wild symbol on a payline with a winning combination.
Payline Volatility and Return to Player (RTP)
The number of paylines in a slot does not influence its volatility or RTP percentage. High-volatility games pay out less frequently but with bigger prizes, while low-volatility games offer frequent, smaller wins. RTP is determined by the win probabilities of the paylines, not their number.
The Slot Story Continues
From mechanical reels to digital displays, the evolution of slot machines and their paylines are symbolic of technological advancements and changing player preferences. Through history, each innovation has added complexity and excitement to the game, transforming a once simple mechanical device into a number of sophisticated online entertainment options available in many live games today.
As technology continues to develop, the future of slots promises even more innovative and engaging experiences. Leading online gaming and platforms offer thousands of slot games, with leading providers like Popiplay, Game Art, Limit City, Games Global, keep coming out with almost mind bending new versions and slot lines that are bound to engage and entertain players like never before.
Disclaimer: Gambling involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk. This post contains material that may or may not be legal in your country. Please play/not play subject to applicable law.