In an age when so much of what we do seems to be repetitive and online, it’s interesting to take a closer look at the specifics. We update our social status, we add new releases to our watchlists, and we look to level up our characters in a variety of computer games. All of this is, on the face of it, repetitive, and yet also free-flowing and continually evolving. The key point is that while our hobbies and interests may remain fixed for years at a time, the way we are able to enjoy them is now changing at a pace unseen at any other point in history.

By means of example, we’re going to be taking a closer look at the world of traditional slot machine play now that it has very much moved over to the smartphone.

Enhanced Trust In RNG Technology

The first point we need to touch on here, before we go near the finer points of mobile design, is the need to build trust in online platforms. What may look like a random sequence of events that plays out on the screen needs to be exactly that, and players need to believe that this is the case. In the past, the problem has been that dubious actors and those looking to make a profit could look to manipulate the odds in their favour. Greater regulation and audience education have largely put a stop to this, but it is something that those in the industry remain keenly aware of.

Regardless of the sophistication of the graphics and the intuitive nature of the immersive gameplay, a slot machine app needs to first and foremost be built on the right foundations. Random number generation is how it is done, and the promotion of the security aspects that protect the core of each game is central to building trust throughout the playing community. Only when this is done can the developers focus on the rest of the playing experience.

A Revolution In Touch-Based Play

Taking a look at emerging titles such as Sun of Egypt 2 teaches us a lot about the focus on mobile-first design. The way in which 3D touch and depth of touch capabilities are being used, alongside haptic feedback, allows players to dive into a whole new world of control. The phone then becomes a natural extension of the hand, rather than a screen that simply displays a virtual slot machine.

Sticking with the example of Sun of Egypt 2 for now, we can see that a natural and intuitive user interface is combined with strategically released bonuses and additional features. Things like additional free spins, bonus games, and new levels can all be accessed using the same core controls and activated at key points in the playing cycle. The point here is that the more seamless the connection with the game and the evolution of the game becomes, the more engaging it is as a result.

The Inclusion Of Immersive Sound

While sound could quite easily have been presented as a side note in the previous section, we want to draw your attention to it so that we can really highlight its importance. There used to be an entire industry of retro-style sounds and audio themes that were designed to work with the limited dynamic range of mobile speakers. Although many players will feel a certain affinity towards such modes of entertainment, the mobile-first approach now includes sound quality that is close to stereo level in many cases.

The fascinating thing about this is that players are increasingly using the cross-compatibility of casino apps and slot machine games to add their own layers of personalisation. Many apps now allow you to mute specific sounds or audio effects during gameplay so that you can then onboard their own playlists or favourite podcasts. This becomes particularly important for games that are short and sharp, like slots, that are often played while players are looking to screen out noise around them in public places.

A Shift To AI-Driven Content

One of the most interesting advances is the current shift towards AI-driven content, with many predicting a rise in personalisation in the world of app-based slot games. While some may think of AI as all about epic graphics and large-scale visual representations, it is fair to say that neither are particularly needed in a traditional slot game. Personalisation, on the other hand, allows everyone to shape their playing experience by doing nothing more than playing.

AI-driven content can learn from the habits and activities of individual players, offering them access to bonuses and rewards that reflect how they want to play. It can also be used to introduce new themes, different playing modes, and pull other options from a wider library of pre-built titles. The result is a more enjoyable, engaging spectacle that can help make the player feel like they are walking a real casino floor and constantly coming across new games. This is in contrast to the boxed-in nature of the first apps, where you felt like you were very much playing one slot over and over, risking becoming bored or overexposed in the process.

Provable Fairness With Blockchain Integration

We have already touched on the importance of fairness — particularly the perception of players that a game is fair — and there is more to it than highlighting the security of RNGs. The approach of sites like Bitcasino is certainly an interesting one, not least of all because it combines a new method of payment that some parts of society remain skeptical of.

The use of cryptocurrencies to make payments is something that is becoming increasingly mainstream, but it is also an industry that has had spikes of bad press in recent years. Issues with Binance and the SBF fraud trial have shed light on the issues within the industry, and yet, the addition of crypto payments is a viable way to build trust in a new slot app.

This is because of the integration of a blockchain that comes with it, and the rising public awareness of the level of security that this provides. Combine this with the artwork and graphics of titles like Sun of Egypt 2, and players can see that the developers are building the fundamentals of a safe and secure experience and then layering engaging gameplay on top.

Looking To The Future

The one element that we have not touched on here is the rise of mobile AR gameplay. If Meta’s RayBan tie-up is going to come into the mainstream, activities like playing slots could become even more immersive. Being able to look around a virtual casino and map it onto the world you see in front of you could well be the future of this part of the industry. That said, it will need to be done in a way that moves beyond the gimmick stage and into the realms of enhanced gameplay very quickly.

Stepping back and considering the landscape is also important. In an age when anyone can download an app and deposit money, it has never mattered more that users can trust the games they are playing. The rise of blockchain integration is already playing a major part in this, not least of all because it represents technical infrastructure that is already trusted in other industries.