Many recent innovations in online casino gaming have centered around live dealer technology. Although live dealer casino games have been around for over a decade, we’re only now starting to see developers like Evolution play with convention and test new ideas. Indeed, the early days of live gaming focused on replicating the same experiences players had in land-based casinos. Today, there are two distinct strands to live casino software: traditional table games and game shows. The latter have been in vogue since 2020, and in 2023, the industry’s library of live game shows has increased significantly.
This continued interest in using RFID sensors and webcams to create interactive gaming experiences will certainly continue in 2024. However, while many industry analysts remain focused on this trend, there’s evidence that developers will be making interesting moves outside of the live dealer market. Slots have long been the most popular casino game online. The average casino app has well over 500 slots, all of which have a unique set of characteristics. The diversity of slots makes them ideal candidates for experimentation, which is why this could be the trend to look out for in 2024.
Hybrid Technology is Taking Slots in New Directions
Indeed, we’re already seeing new ideas filter through. The “coming soon slots” library at MrQ is always changing and one of the most interesting new additions to the lobby is Land O’Loot Lucky Tap. Despite being labeled as a slot, the game dynamics are different from what you might expect. The setting will be familiar to slot players. However, instead of a gameboard filled with reels and symbols, the rolling green hills of Ireland play host to a pot of gold. Your job is to flick coins towards the pot. If one goes in, you win a random prize.
That’s different from matching symbols, but we know Land O’Loot is a new variant of the online slot because it has a bonus feature. In the same way scatter symbols trigger free spins in a standard slot, the horseshoe starts a mini-game where you have to pick random symbols. Each symbol contains a prize which could be a fixed payout or one of three progressive jackpots. What you get with Lucky Tap games is a hybrid experience. Land O’Loot is part slot, part instant-win game, and part arcade game. This move towards crossover experiences could dominate the slot scene in 2024.
Spinning Online Slots into the Future
Indeed, we already know developers such as NetEnt are creating virtual reality versions of popular slots such as Gonzo’s Quest. There’s also an emerging market for live dealer slot games. Another interesting area software developers might explore in 2024 is in-game upgrades and add-ons. Gamers are already used to leveling up features and in-game assets from the social gaming sector.
Software companies could tap into this trend by developing slots with milestone rewards and special features you unlock after hitting a certain number of spins. These are just suggestions. The main point here is that slots have just as much scope to evolve as live casino games. So, while everyone is focused on the new wave of live game shows, it’s important to remember other trends that could develop in 2024—specifically, the ongoing gamification of online slots.
