There was a time on the internet when a significant portion of media ran from the backing of a piece of software named Flash. From games to videos, Flash was once the king of delivering content that was more complicated than just text and images. Counted among the platforms which once embraced Flash were online video games, casino games, and even the first versions of YouTube.
Today, Flash is a distant memory, an obsolete piece of software not supported in the mainstream. It’s been an interesting story, and its effects are still felt in the world of online casino gaming.
Why Was Flash Used?
Flash became popular because it extended the potential of then-limited internet browsers, such as Internet Explorer. Running on older versions of HTML, these browsers by themselves couldn’t accomplish much more than display text and images. The technology was young, the internet was unproven, and humanity collectively didn’t know where it was going.
Each version of HTML at the time could be thought of as a foundation, upon which add-ons and extensions were built to support increased functionality. FutureSplash, released in 1995, was one such piece of software that supported animation and moving interactive displays. Over the years, this technology would continue to expand, and after some rebranding and buyouts, would become known by its modern name of Flash.
‘Museum Computer’ Rd. Vortex via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
How Did Flash Become Abandoned?
Flash always had a limited lifespan. The idea of allowing animations and powerful interactive elements was so useful that the internet of the future couldn’t avoid it. From online casino games to playing simple videos, every browser needed these abilities, so every browser needed the add-on. Flash was tacked onto a foundation after creation, however, so it could be buggy, and keeping it secure in an increasingly complex online landscape became untenable.
HTML developers eventually clued into the growing issue that Flash represented. Instead of taking this functionality on after release, it made more sense to include it within the foundation of online browsers and code, and thus HTML5 arrived. With HTML5, the abilities of Flash were extended without the need for third-party software. HTML5 implementation was more efficient and more flexible, and so Flash was left behind.
Source: Pixabay
Is the Death of Flash a Positive Development for Casinos?
To contradict Betteridge’s law of headlines, the answer in online casinos is a profound yes. Consider how a modern NJ casino app operates, and how its features work. Downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores, these services and software are now based on HTML5. This makes browsing websites more reliable, it makes games like slots and live titles more performant, and it improves accessibility and consistency over all HTML5 compatible devices. The move away from Flash did require the conversion of a huge number of older titles to HTML5, but this process more than paid off.
For better security and an improved all-around experience, the death of Flash is one of the best things to happen to the online casino arena. Flash wasn’t a negative force by any means; it played a crucial role in helping casinos reach where they are today, demonstrating their legitimacy and contributing to their popularity.
It was also just a temporary stepping-stone, and one which iGaming has to thank as it treks further into the future.
There’s a certain charm to the one-armed-bandits of yesteryear and their history as outlined by Britannica. The crank of the handle and tumble of the reels. The liberty bells and cherries. But, slot games have come a long way since then. It’s all about innovation and the mechanics driving your favourite slots have become (almost) as exciting as the themes themselves. We’re going to take a look at some of the most interesting and inventive mechanics of recent years, so that next time you’re playing a slot, you can point out exactly what’s going on!
Megaways
Let’s start with the big one. Megaways hasn’t just changed the game; it’s rewritten the rules entirely. You’ll regularly find that online casinos have whole categories devoted to the Megaways casino, that is, the go-to section for Megaways slots. This mechanic was developed by Big Time Gaming. The secret behind it? A dynamic reel system that allows over 100,000 ways to win. Every spin you make, the number of symbols on each reel changes, allowing – almost – endless winning combinations. If you like your games fast-paced and unpredictable, then you can count on Megaways slots to deliver.
Avalanche Reels
Why would anybody settle for just one spin when you could turn that one, single wager into a whole avalanche of wins? I’m not sure either! With Avalanche Reels, symbols don’t spin – they fall into place. If you make a winning combo, it disappears and the avalanche begins (sometimes called a cascade, or tumble). This keeps happening until you can’t make any more wins. It’s a great way of maximising winning potential – without any extra effort on your part!
Book Slots
Book slots are proof that sometimes the simplest mechanics can be the most enduring. These games revolve around a special book symbol made famous by Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, you know, the guy who looks like Indiana Jones? The book symbol (usually) acts as both a wild and a scatter. Land a certain number, and you’ll unlock a free spins round with an expanding symbol that can cover – entire – reels for colossal payouts.
Pay Both Ways
On the old-fashioned slot machines, wins counted from left to right, starting from the leftmost reel only. Not anymore! Pay Both Ways mechanics double the fun by letting you form combinations from right to left as well. It’s a simple tweak, but it adds something. Suddenly, those symbols lurking on the far-right reel don’t seem so useless!
Progressive Jackpots
There are jackpot chasers and slow and steady bankroll builders – progressive jackpots? They appeal to the former category. These slots pool a portion of every player’s wager into a growing prize pot. This keeps climbing until one lucky player strikes big. The only downside? It usually results in a much reduced RTP, but if you’re here for the big wins rather than the steady ones, then you can’t complain! To be in with a chance you’ll usually have to trigger a bonus round. Once you do, there’s a chance to win one of several jackpots, but we all know which one you’re shooting for – the big one right?
Introduction
Granny vs Zombies is an exciting online slot game developed by PearFiction Studios. The game features a grandmother fighting a zombie apocalypse with her arsenal of pans, cleavers, rolling pins, and Molotov cocktails.
The game is packed with unique gameplay features that offer a thrilling gaming experience. This article provides a detailed overview of the game’s features and what players can expect.
Gameplay
Players can collect useful symbols by spinning the reels, which can stop zombies and transform them into corresponding rewards. The card suits pay up to 1.5x, zombies pay up to 5x, and granny pays up to 10x. There are also classic Wilds and special symbols that trigger bonus features.
Bonus Features
This slot game features a couple of exciting bonus features, including the Walking Wilds, which moves up to 1 reel after each spin on reels 3, 4, and 5. The Free Spins Big Game is activated when players hit 3 Scatters, which allows them to choose the number of free spins and weapons they would like for the round.
Players can kill zombies and collect damage points, with which they can move to a new level and even more free spins. There is also a Lock n Win feature triggered by collecting 6 gold coins in one spin, and a Bonus Buy feature allowing players to buy all four bonus features with their credits.
Conclusion
Granny vs Zombies is an exciting slot game with a unique theme and a thrilling gaming experience. This slot game is also mobile-friendly and features high-quality graphics and animation. The bonus features are creative and offer multiple ways for players to win big.
The Granny Vs Zombies game is highly recommended for players looking for an engaging adventure that provides hours of entertainment. This online slot is a must-try if you love captivating video slots.
Red Tiger Gaming’s Ancient Disco is a slot game that blends the upbeat vibe of disco with the ancient world of Egypt. The game has a colourful and energetic appearance with the grid having a tilt, making it look like the player is at a dance party.
For an online slot game, the RTP of this game is 95.74%, which is a little low compared to some other online slots.
The game features 5 reels with 3 symbols each and 20 paylines that pay from left to right. The symbols include card ranks, ancient Egyptian symbols, and two special symbols – Ancient Disco scatters and Pyramid Spins.
Ancient Disco Slot Bonus Features
The Prize Ladder is linked to the Ancient Disco scatter symbols, with 6 or more symbols giving players instant win prizes. The Pyramid Spins feature is triggered by landing 3-5 Pyramid Spins symbols, which turn into locked Ancient Disco scatter symbols for the duration of the feature.
Ancient Disco also allows players to buy two features – a spin that guarantees at least 6 Ancient Disco symbols or Pyramid Spins for 90x the bet. With the ability to increase prize values and the lighthearted party atmosphere, Ancient Disco offers players a fun and potentially lucrative gaming experience.
Conclusion
The Ancient Disco slot features a unique theme and visually appealing graphics. While it boasts impressive win potential on paper, its low maximum stake and low RTP result in modest maximum wins, especially considering its high volatility.
We did, however, find it to be a very enjoyable slot to play and found that we won quite frequently.
It is a very colourful and upbeat slot and is bound to put a smile on your face even if it doesn’t fill up your bank account.