Online gambling is changing. That much-touted, antiquated, two dimensional, screen based activity where one would simply click a spin button and wait for electronic reels to decelerate has begun to change significantly.
At the forefront of this change is Virtual Reality (VR) that will revolutionize the way human beings play slot games on the web. With VR, the concept of online slots evolves from being just a 2D space to actual worlds where the players can roam around and interact with things and do activities previously thought to be impossible.
Entering the Realm of Online Casinos
Classic online slots were by nature plain. The player would need to get to their account, spin, and win or lose without even stepping outside their home. But this experience lacked interactivity.
This is all supplied by VR technology, creating a virtual casino environment that almost exactly copies or even enhances what the real one is like. Wearing a headset, a person can walk around very realistic-looking 3D casino floors with ambient noises and other ‘real’ players who walk over to the slot machines.
In those settings, the term online slots begins to take on a new meaning. Players are indeed still playing slots online but in a virtual world that reflects real worlds. That allows for a much fuller, nostalgic experience, like visiting Las Vegas versus playing a tap-a-thon on your phone.
Less passive, players can now touch the levers that propel the game forward; buttons need to be clicked, waving at a person in the room. This physical manipulation, made possible by motion-tracking controllers, adds depth to the experience.
It feels different when the game is translated from passive gaming to live action. No longer standing idly by, now it’s a matter of doing something. Some VR slots offer treasure hunts or quests where the player can move around the casino and earn bonuses based on motion and activity. It is thus quite nicely presented as a game for those who would enjoy having more than luck-based rewards.
Adding a Social Element
Traditional virtual slots are solitary activities. But VR returns the lost social aspect of most digital versions. In online casinos, participants can observe and communicate with one another through personalized avatars.
They can talk to each other, psyche each other up to victory, and even trade tips, much like the trash chatter which often goes on between participants sitting next to each other at a real slot bank.
This social layer adds not only to the fun but makes the experience more human. Players may find themselves coming back not just for the game, but for the company. From VIP suites to private rooms, VR worlds unveil new ways of connecting and interacting.
Behind the Scenes of the Technology
VR relies on a combination of hardware and software. PC-based VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR are capable of high-resolution display and motion tracking. They provide a unified, coherent interface for the motion of the user and the virtual world.
On the coding front, advanced game engines are used by the developers to display 3D graphics in real time, mimic real-life slot machines and to create the atmosphere and appearance of a crowded casino.
All this is a technically demanding task, one which requires constant optimization to avoid lag, motion sickness, or even slowdown. Virtual Reality will transform online slots. Through realism, interaction, and social features, simple digital slot games become complete virtual experiences.
Ultimately
There still are challenges to be resolved, availability of hardware and cost of development and the requirement for smooth user experiences, but the potential remains strong.
What’s coming over the horizon is not only a new way of playing. It’s a new digital experience of entertainment combining the potential offered by mechanisms of random chance play with liberty to explore, engage, and play. As VR technology advances globally, so will future online slots be completely immersive.
