Connect with us

Latest News

The psychology of slot symbols: how iconography influences player behaviour

Published

on

 

 

Imagery has always been a central part of the slot gaming experience. Even manufacturers of the most primitive one-armed bandits knew the power that could potentially be harnessed by employing psychology to attract players and keep them playing. 

It remains no less true today that, through imagery, operators and developers know exactly how to push our buttons.

Nostalgia and imagery

Amongst the most potent of human emotions is nostalgia, a wistful yearning for a previous time, whether we lived through it or not. 

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Classic slot symbols, such as 7s, bars, bells and fruit, are all used to elicit a feeling of nostalgia for the time of traditional, physical machines in brick-and-mortar casinos. This has the effect of making us feel like we’re engaging with something wholesome and familiar, and this familiarity in turn serves to reassure us that whatever we’re doing is okay.

By evoking memories of a simpler time, whether on a conscious or subconscious level, and whether the player actually experienced those times or not, a zone of psychological comfort and safety can be created for the player.

Wealth

Slot players are often dreaming of those big, life-changing wins, and the iconography of slot machines feeds on this, providing reassurance that one’s big win is always just around the corner.

By employing images which suggest wealth, such as coins, dollar symbols and stacks of cash, slot machines continuously remind us that there’s real money on the table, and that this particular game offers a potential path to riches.

The power of colour

Colour psychology is a scientific field in its own right, and slot machines have been utilising the wealth of research on this topic since their conception. 

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The overall brightness of slot machines stimulates the player’s brain, keeping them engaged, whilst specific colours are used to create a unique ambience, giving each game an identity related to its colour palette. 

Certain colours can evoke certain emotions, and there are many colour-related patterns which can be seen across modern slot machines. For instance, greens are often used in the design of slot machines, to elicit a sense of nature and freshness. Similarly, golds are used to suggest wealth and prosperity.

Familiar themes

The iconography of recurring themes is another way that designers can create specific associations with their games in the minds of their players.

Popular themes include ancient Egypt (Cleopatra, Magic of the Nile), the luck of the Irish (Rainbow Riches, Pot o’ Gold), and many more. Recently, there’s been an upsurge in the number of games based on fishing themes (Big Bass Bonanza, Golden Catch).

Familiar symbolism also comes in the form of existing intellectual properties, such as TV shows (Deal or No Deal, Game of Thrones), musical groups (Guns N’ Roses, Kiss), and popular movies (Rocky, Beetlejuice, The Godfather). 

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

These slot games may be licensed, or they may simply refer to these IPs in an unofficial capacity. Either way, players enjoy the familiarity they offer, as well as the chance to engage with references to their favourite media.

Some games even allow operators to become the theme, customising the game as they see fit. For example, Fluffy Favourites can be adapted to reflect the theme of an operator’s website, reinforcing brand loyalty within the game. 

The psychology of winning

It’s the idea of a win that keeps players playing, and slot machine designers use this fact, along with established psychological theories and phenomena, to make their games gripping.

For instance, cognitive biases are thought processes which are often observed, according to which the human brain tends to follow certain heuristic paths, simplifying information and passing it through a system of mental filters. 

In terms of slot machine design, this means that, for example, a player who comes close to hitting a high-value combination of symbols is likely to interpret this as almost winning, which has the effect of making them more likely to spin again.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The psychological concept of conditioning can also be applied to slot machine design. Winning combos are often accompanied by celebratory sound effects and animations, including raining coins and victorious trumpets, creating positive associations in the minds of players, and encouraging them to seek this reward out again.

Psychology and ethics in gambling

There are, of course, moral and ethical implications of applying psychology to gambling. At what point does it become coercive? When is suggestion actually manipulation? The burden of answering these questions and monitoring appropriate slot machine design falls on the Gambling Commission. 

The Commission have already implemented several rules which seek to minimise problem gambling and the development of bad habits, such as banning auto-play functions, limiting the time between spins, and ensuring that players have access to safer gambling tools

However, it may be the case that more could be done to educate players on the psychological effects of symbolism in their favourite games.

Beating the system

Being aware of the psychological methods used by operators to keep a person playing is the first step in ensuring that one isn’t being manipulated. 

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Making good use of bonuses and promotions is a good way to enjoy better value gaming, and setting strict limits will help to ensure that players only spend what they can afford to lose.

Online casino free spins are a great way to try out slot games without risking real money. Customers can get free spin offers from no-deposit sign-up bonuses, or use the available demo versions to try games out for free.

Because many psychological methods operate on an unconscious level, and therefore cannot necessarily be noticed, good responsible gambling practices are a must if we are to ensure that gambling takes place in a healthy environment, and that players are not being taken advantage of.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Latest News

Thunderkick expands popular franchise with Midas Golden Touch 3

Published

on

thunderkick-expands-popular-franchise-with-midas-golden-touch-3
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Studio unveils Power Recharge and Retrigger Boost mechanics to enhance bonus round

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has launched Midas Golden Touch 3, the latest addition to its successful series that elevates gameplay to new heights with fresh features and greater player control.

The famous King Midas graces the opulent reels once more, where between one and five wilds on a payline boost wins with multipliers from 2x up to 32x. The Gift of Midas feature also returns in the base game, randomly distributing one to five wilds or scatters across the reels.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Similarly to its predecessors, landing three or more scatters in the new release activates the bonus round, this time with five free spins. However, in the third instalment, the number of triggering scatters determines the starting Epic Wild Multiplier: three, four, or five award a 2x, 5x or 10x base multiplier respectively.

Thunderkick has revamped the bonus round with an all-new Power Recharge mechanic, which is activated at the end of every respin sequence, increasing the Epic Wild Multiplier by 1x and adding two extra spins to the meter.

The studio has also introduced a Retrigger Boost, which resets the number of free spins to five and increases the Epic Wild Multiplier by between 3x and 8x when three to five additional scatters land, unlocking 15,000x win potential.

Thunderkick has continued to align with a trend toward heightened player control within gameplay, with the integration of six bonus buy and ante bet options catering to a variety of playstyles and further refining the user experience.

Johannes Polbring, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said: “It has been over half a decade since we launched the original Midas Golden Touch, and the brand has continued to resonate with players across the globe since.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Our goal was to push the boundaries with Midas Golden Touch 3 to make it the most entertaining release to date. By introducing two distinct ways to build the Epic Wild Multiplier, we have delivered a game that harnesses the popular aspects of the franchise while introducing refreshed gameplay to appeal to both new and existing players.”

The post Thunderkick expands popular franchise with Midas Golden Touch 3 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Australia

WATERHOUSE VC SECURES OPTION IN MAINCARD, THE “SHOPIFY OF ONLINE BETTING”

Published

on

waterhouse-vc-secures-option-in-maincard,-the-“shopify-of-online-betting”
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Waterhouse VC, an investment fund specialising in the technology layer of the global gambling industry, has secured an option in Maincard, a “Shopify of Online Betting” platform targeting the launch of fully customisable licensed online betting sites in under 30 minutes.

Maincard targets the $1 trillion iGaming market by replacing months of development work, cumbersome licensing and complex integrations with a subscription-style workflow. Crypto-native founders, influencers and digital communities can spin up branded betting sites, monetise their audiences and retain full upside ownership from day one.

“iGaming still suffers from high startup costs and significant technical and regulatory friction,” said Tom Waterhouse, Chief Investment Officer of Waterhouse VC. “We’re seeing strong potential in platforms that can streamline development, similar to how Shopify revolutionised e-commerce. The sector is ripe for innovation that allows new entrants to focus on player acquisition and retention rather than backend development.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Waterhouse VC’s deep domain knowledge and network will accelerate our go-to-market,” said Valerii Makovetskii, Founder and CEO of Maincard. “We’ve developed strong technical foundations with our crypto-friendly payments gateway already powering third-party casinos. The next step is to make launching a betting site as easy as launching an online storefront.”

The investment aligns with Waterhouse VC’s approach of identifying promising B2B technology companies serving the wagering industry and negotiating options to acquire stakes in these businesses.

Maincard platform vision:

  •     Launch in <30 minutes — drag-and-drop, no code required
  •     End-to-end compliance — licensing, KYC/AML, fraud, payments, customer support and marketing handled by Maincard
  •     15,000+ casino games & 1,000+ sportsbook markets out of the box

Maincard is currently raising USD $3M to scale its sales team and launch multiple brands from the waiting list by the end of Q3 2025.

The post WATERHOUSE VC SECURES OPTION IN MAINCARD, THE “SHOPIFY OF ONLINE BETTING” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Compliance Updates

CT Interactive Enters into Strategic Partnership with VIXIO

Published

on

ct-interactive-enters-into-strategic-partnership-with-vixio
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

CT Interactive, a leading provider of innovative online gaming content, has entered into a strategic partnership with VIXIO, a globally trusted provider of regulatory intelligence and compliance solutions for the gaming industry.

“We are excited to join forces with VIXIO, a partner known for their unmatched expertise in regulatory compliance. This partnership will empower our teams with the intelligence needed to stay ahead of regulatory changes, support our entry into new jurisdictions, and ensure we continue to deliver reliable, compliant solutions to our partners and players worldwide,” said Dimitar Gelev, Compliance Manager at CT Interactive.

“VIXIO is delighted to partner with CT Interactive. Our mission is to provide our clients with the regulatory clarity they need to grow confidently, and we look forward to supporting CT Interactive as they expand their global footprint,” said Mike Woolfrey, CEO of Vixio.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

This partnership represents a powerful synergy between technological innovation and regulatory intelligence, strengthening CT Interactive’s position as a trusted and forward-thinking leader in the iGaming industry.

The post CT Interactive Enters into Strategic Partnership with VIXIO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania