Technology has been an essential part of gambling for as long as I can remember. In brick-and-mortar casinos, standing one-armed bandit machine models have been remodeled and their features advanced.
Their advancement became easier and done more regularly since the introduction of online casinos. Although I’ve found a long list of classic and modern video one-armed bandits on online platforms, certain elements make it easy to tell these apart.
In this article, I have highlighted the different elements that set old and new pokies apart. This article will also be of great help in figuring out your preference between the two types.
The New vs. The Old
The two types, old and new slot games, have a lot of similarities. After all, their differences mainly stem from developers seeking to improve features and address user needs. From the titles I’ve explored within the two types, the mechanics are generally the same.
Also, although old pokies remain the same way they were originally developed, most that are featured online I have realised have their graphics improved to ensure a fulfilling gameplay. But what are the qualities of these two main types of pokies?
When I was a new betting customer, I couldn’t tell classic and video pokies apart without checking the year. It doesn’t help that one online establishment can have over 1,000 titles. In 2021, over 1.063 million slots were recorded.
I use the following qualities to identify where each belongs.
New Slot Game Qualities
New titles are a built on old pokies. However, these are feature-packed and are made more vibrant by their cinematic features, interesting background stories and music. In exploring modern pokies, I found that technology is mostly used to keep them complex and more convenient for participants.
Qualities of new machines include:
- Five or more reels, some have a grid layout
- Many paylines
- Symbols are tied to features (wilds, scatters, multipliers)
- Cascading or expanding reels
- Cinematic graphics
- Bonus rounds (free spins)
- Relatable fun themes
Old Game Qualities
Although pokies are generally known for their simplicity, the traditional types are much more straightforward. My research and experience found that they mostly have three or fewer reels. Their symbols usually include fruit (e.g., cherries), a gold bell, and sevens.
Qualities of old machines include:
- Three reels or less
- Five or less paylines
- Feature spin button and bet amount
- Various paylines, with the largest being the jackpot
What Sets Them Apart?
Graphics and design layout are the two main elements that help easily differentiate between the two types of pokies. Once I noticed the difference, it became more accessible to select my favourite titles from the two types.
I like the fact that modern video pokies have 3D graphics. These capture the enticing background stories and fun themes exceptionally well. In addition to the cinematic gameplay, bonus features provide variety and a complex playing experience.
On the other hand, I like how simple traditional layouts are compared to their more modern counterparts. The former has fewer reels, symbols and paylines than the letter. This makes it easier to understand the rules and spot when the symbols have landed on paylines.
Are New or Old Slot Machines Better?
Traditional titles, which existed as far back as the 1800s, have paved the way for new ones. Although the new ones are created to address customer needs, improve players’ experiences, and provide fun gaming, some users prefer the old ones. Like me, they appreciate their design layout and straightforward mechanics.
Others prefer the cinematic graphics and engaging background stories included in video pokies. I also run to try a new one I’ve just heard about with a popular culture theme I enjoy. So, the question of which type is better depends on a customer’s individual preferences.
I prefer any title with a decent RTP and fun-filled features.
Very Little to Set Apart
I’ve come to realise that the two main types aren’t too different but have elements that set them apart. Their distinctions can be seen in the graphics and design elements. New pokies have 3D video graphics that help entice the theme and background story.
On the other hand, old pokies rely on simple 2D graphics. I enjoy these as they are straightforward with the simplest mechanics. The reel, payline, and symbol layouts increase from a few to multiple in classic and video pokies, respectively.
Although I experienced different qualities while playing new and old pokies, they fall under the same category in gambling establishments. Also, it’s easy to see that the new ones’ features are embedded in the old.
I can safely say new pokies are an improvement of the traditional online establishments. Some players still prefer the old though. They appreciate their design simplicity and fewer features. At the same time, others prefer the many features, entertaining graphics, and engaging bonuses of video pokies.