What are video slots, what are their features and how do they differ from classic slots

Video slots are the most extensive category of slot machines, which attracts users with variability themes and the presence of all kinds of mechanics and functions that add variety to the gameplay. Most providers are developing such devices, among which are NetEnt, Yggdrasil, Endorphina, Microgaming, etc. The main advantage of video slots is the presence of additional opportunities for winning. They make the process of spinning the reels more interesting and exciting.
- Differences between video slots and classic ones
- How they work
- Description of mechanics
- Examples of popular video slots
Differences between video slots and classic ones 705
Несмотря на общую суть классических и современных аппаратов, они имеют ряд существенных отличий, влияющих на игровой опыт пользователя. Для примера можно сравнить эти категории автоматов по нескольким критериям.
Indicator | Video slots | Classic slots |
---|---|---|
Interface | Разнообразный с большим количеством кнопок, яркими элементами и анимацией. | Maximum simplicity with basic keys and no complicated design decisions. |
Number of lines | Unlimited. It can vary from tens to hundreds of thousands. | Typically, from one toten paylines. Devices with a large number of them are rare. |
Symbols | Unlimited in terms of subject matter and visual display. They can have any shape. | Classic symbols in the form of cards, bars, flowers and animals. |
Mechanics | Free spins, bonuses, stacked symbols, sticky wilds, re-spins and cascading spins, expanding reels, jackpots. | Basic mechanics. In addition to regular spins, only wild symbols, free spins and bonus rounds are available to users. |
Thus, video slots are more modern and varied gambling entertainment with an abundance of various functions, as well as an increased number of ways to win.

How they work
Video slots are created by specialized companies AI, called providers. They supply the operator of gambling entertainment with software in accordance with the agreements concluded between the parties. The slots themselves are located on the developers' servers, which control their availability for users and their functioning according to the specified characteristics. The online casino acts as an intermediary between providers and players.

Slots are based on a random number generator. It determines the results of each individual spin. All the basic parameters of slot machines, such as RTP and volatility, are based on his mathematical algorithms.
The results of the spins are not related to each other, and the results of the spins are always random. A long series of failures does not increase the chances of receiving a payout in the future.
The main characteristic of the slot is RTP (Return to Player). This parameter determines the level of return of funds to users and is expressed as a percentage. Conventionally, if the RTP is 95%, then for every 1000 rubles, he will return 950 back. The rest will be the profit of the online casino and the provider. The scheme works only with a long game.
Modern video slots have an average return rate of 90% to 98%. Their volatility varies from low to high. This also distinguishes them from classic slots, where the risk is usually low.
Description of mechanics 900
Главным преимуществом видеослотов становится наличие большого количества дополнительных функций, вносящих разнообразие в игровой процесс. Среди них можно выделить следующие:
- Wilds. Wild symbols that replace any other image on the field and allow you to form paylines where they should not be. There are regular wilds, sticky wilds, multiplier wilds, etc.
- Free spins. A set of free spins with additional payout options that are activated when certain conditions are met. Most often, this is a collection of three or more scatters on the field in one spin.
- Bonus round. Similar mechanics to free spins. It is activated when a certain number of bonus symbols appear. The game goes to a new screen with different rules from regular spins. Here they offer to choose items, spin the wheel of luck, etc.
- Re-spins. Spins that are launched without spending money on the balance. As a rule, the condition for their activation is the collection of any paid combination on the field. Respins can be repeated until the next spin is unsuccessful.
- Jackpots. They can be cumulative and fixed. In the first case, the prize fund is formed by a small percentage taken from the bets of each user in the slot. Its size is not limited and can reach millions of rubles. The amount of the fixed jackpot is determined by the operator himself. The slot machine can have several levels of the prize fund with different activation conditions.
- Megaways. A popular expanding reel mechanic. Thanks to it, the number of paylines in each spin can be hundreds of thousands of combinations. In slots with the Megaways feature, the reels in different spins are expanding and include more cells.
- Cascading spins. When a combination is formed, the symbols that have played disappear and new ones from above fall in their place. This is a kind of analogue of respins. However, most of the field remains in place.
Gigablox mechanics can also be provided in video slots with large symbols for several cells, stacking wilds in which multipliers are summed up when calculating payouts, etc.

You can see what functions the machine supports and how they work in the machine's help or on the provider's website.
к оглавлению ↑Examples of popular video slots
Slots in online casinos are often sorted and divided into categories depending on the supported mechanics. The total number of devices in the operator's entertainment catalog can be several thousand. You can evaluate them by RTP parameters, volatility, number of lines and other characteristics. A few examples of popular slots can be found below.
Name | Provider | Returns | Number of Lines |
---|---|---|---|
The Dog House Megaways | Pragmatic Play | 96.55% | 117,649 |
Sakura Fortune | Quickspin 1067 | 96,58% | 40 |
Space Wars | NetEnt | 96.75% | 40 |
Gonzo's Quest | NetEnt | 95.97% | 20 |
Pink Elephants 1087 | Thunderkick | 96.10% | 4096 |
Legacy of Egypt | Play'n GO | 96% | 30 |
Most online casinos allow you to run slots in demo mode. This is a trial version with play money betting, designed to familiarize yourself with the machine.
You can see the full range of entertainment in the catalog of online casinos. At the same time, often the slots of one developer are similar to each other in terms of mechanics, so only a few of the thousands of releases are truly unique.