Slots Software Providers Who Set the Trends in iGaming
Slot machines are by far the most popular form of casino gambling. They have been around since the 1800s and have seen many innovations over the years. One of the latest developments in the gambling industry is the invention of online casinos. Needless to say, slot machines have made their way in there as well.
Unlike slot machine manufacturers, companies that provide slot games to online casinos are known as software providers. Compared to physical slot machines, online slots shot through the popularity roof in less than 2 decades. Now, online casinos around the world are valued at over $95 billion!
Since the beginning, software providers have tried to approach software slots in a different way. Instead of using the same game mechanics and themes, they let their imaginations go wild. And it was one of the best things to happen to iGaming.
In this post, we're commemorating software providers that set the trends in online gambling. In fact, they continue to do so with their impeccable lineup of games.
Microgaming
iGaming fans know very well what Microgaming is. It's essentially the forefather of online gambling as it powered the first-ever online casino in the world. The brand is InterCasino and it's still in operation!
With over 800 games in its elaborate game library, Microgaming has been very influential in gambling trends. The game library is packed with diverse themes that cater to a wide audience. High-quality visuals complemented by top-notch sound design help Microgaming titles stand out.
Along with regular games, this slots software has also pioneered progressive jackpots for the online audience. For the land-based casino industry, the credit goes to IGT.
Microgaming's Mega Moolah is the most successful online progressive jackpot to date. Records show it has paid over $1 billion since its launch.
Fast forward to today, Microgaming has expanded its reach by partnering with independent studios. It releases fresh titles every month for both new and experienced players.
NetEnt
If Microgaming pioneered online gambling, NetEnt empowered the legacy. It launched in 1996, only 2 years after Microgaming's launch. Back then, the company was called Net Entertainment. It's our favorite slots software provider in terms of creativity. It only has 200 games in the library but each of them offers innovations to the industry.
NetEnt's primary powerhouse is its immersive themes. People love these games so much because their scope goes beyond the theme. Every single title weaves a story for players to uncover. Elaborate bonus rounds add to the story. When blended together, each game by NetEnt is not shy of a masterpiece.
Take Gonzo's Quest for example. It's one of NetEnt's crown jewels. The Spanish explorer Gonzo has been mesmerizing slot players since 2011 with lush forests and ancient mask symbols in the game.
Along with impeccable themes, NetEnt is also the creator of unique game mechanics such as Twin Reels, Avalanche Wins, and Branded games. It's one of the only slot software to adapt Jumanji, Vikings, and Planet of the Apes themes.
Big Time Gaming (BTG)
This Australian software company came live back in 2011 and is responsible for one of the biggest innovations in online slots. Yes, we're talking about the Megaways mechanic. Before Megaways, online slots mostly featured fixed paylines. Megaways titles still have a cap on the maximum number of ways you can win but the number is way higher than anything else we've seen.
It's been possible thanks to the unique 6-reel layout with up to 7 positions per reel. In most cases, these games feature up to 117,649 ways to win. But there are games with additional horizontal reels that can push the envelope even further.
Then there are the MegaQquads games. Instead of the typical layout, these games feature 4 different layouts working simultaneously! It's like playing four 5-reel games at once! As a result, the titles can push upwards of 16,777,216 ways to win!
Recently, BTG partnered with Future Anthem, a data science company. The partnership entails a new era of online gambling with AI-infused game libraries and mechanics!
Play'n Go
Since 2005, Play'n Go has been blessing the iGaming industry with impeccable games that push the traditional limits. Games by this provider are known for their visual appeal as well as malicious storytelling.
Online slots by Play'n Go are anything but boring. Even if you don't win anything, you'll cherish the experience. From the classic Book of Dead to funky Hooligan Hustle, the provider has something for all types of casino players.
The company has also pioneered mobile compatibility for slot games. It came out at a time when mobile technology was just taking off. It's safe to say Play'n Go managed to capture most of the hype with its quick decision-making to pursue mobile games.
Play'n Go also happens to be one of the first to introduce cryptocurrency bets in its library. Most popular titles like Book of Dead, Reactoonz, Agency of Hearts, Tome of Madness, etc. games are available across all crypto casinos.
Pragmatic Play
Big Bass Bonanza. The Dog House Megaways. Wolf Gold. Sweet Bonanza.
Do any of these names ring any bell? If you've been interested in online slots, you must've heard these names. They all belong to Pragmatic Play's library, a provider launched only in 2015. It's one of the newest software providers in iGaming and yet, it made our list of the most impactful slot software.
One of the main reasons behind Pragmatic Play's popularity is the simplicity of its games. Sure, there are all kinds of rules and mechanics but everything is clearly laid out for the players. All you have to do is launch a game and navigate to the paytable via the "i" button on the interface.
Apart from online slots, Pragmatic Play has also introduced live dealer games in 2019. Within a few years, games by Pragmatic Live have been mentioned alongside Evolution Gaming and NetEnt. In case you're not aware, these 2 are currently the giants in live dealer space.
Realtime Gaming
There is Realtime Gaming. Then there is Reel Time Gaming. Names of both these companies can be shortened to RTG. But in iGaming, RTG is Realtime Gaming, one of the pioneers in online gambling alongside Microgaming and NetEnt. The company was established way back in 1998 with the goal of providing innovation in slot games.
And RTG has surely delivered. It not only develops games but also casino software. Many well-known casinos in the US and the rest of the world boast RTG software thanks to its limited operation liability. To this day, RTG has kept its game library quite small, featuring around 170 slots in total. It focuses more on quality than quantity.
BGaming
Yet another software provider that's not a few decades old. BGaming was founded in 2018 and it already boasts over 70 games in its library. Elvis Frog is arguably the crown jewel of innovation. Titles like Elvis Frog in Vegas and Elvis Frog TRUEWAYS have turned into cult classics in very little time. Other popular games include Fruit Million, Aloha King Elvis, Aztec Magic Deluxe, etc.
One of the distinctive features of BGaming titles is their visuals. The graphics are impeccably sharp and the sound design complements the visual very well. BGaming is also a big advocate of crypto gambling as all of its games are crypto-enabled. Of course, the majority of games offer common bonus features such as free spins and multipliers to add a layer of excitement to the game.