Slots are no longer just machines with lucky 7’s and everything fruit-themed. At least not since the Internet gave them a true 21st century makeover. The online slot industry is booming with more and more software developers competing for the infinite market that the Internet provides.
In order to stay relevant, they have to be creative, which is why they constantly come up with ingenious mechanics, gorgeous high-definition graphics matching their unique themes and much more. However, if you’re not familiar with the current trends concerning online slots, you might be surprised to hear that there are now even skill-based slots.
They are the focus of today’s article. We will tell you everything about this curious relatively new invention and we will evaluate its advantages and disadvantages. Is it worth it to bid farewell to the old luck-based slots? Read this article to find out!
What is a Skill-based Slot
First things first, let us explain what a skill-based slot is. The concept itself is easy to grasp – you rely on something more than luck; you need to earn your rewards. The way this is applied in the gameplay differs from slot to slot.
Usually, the skill-based part is in the bonus game where you need to think carefully how you play in order to grab a bigger reward. Not all of the gameplay is skill-based. The main game functions like a regular slot, relying on chance, with reels and rows.
Examples of Skill-based Slots
One of the most highly-anticipated skill-based games, Space Invaders, was developed by Scientific Gaming in 2017. The slot was inspired by the famous arcade game of the same name and it was the perfect way to revive it.
When you trigger the bonus round, you’re given a choice – a luck- or a skill-based game. If you choose the latter, you’ll have to shoot down aliens to earn coins. You have a limited number of shots, so you better make them worth it! The slot is available in both online and land-based casinos.
Another example of a new generation skill-based slot is She Ninja Suzu by Ganapati. The slot tells the fascinating story of a girl who becomes a ninja in order to avenge the murder of her parents. The bonus round sees her fight various mercenaries (you can choose which ones). Based on the attack and defense moves the player chooses while Suzu is fighting, they get different rewards.
Why are Skill-based Slots a Thing
As already mentioned, the market for slot games has been exponentially growing with the advent of the Internet. The target customers have changed as well. While simple graphics and a cutesy tune could get boomers and gen-xers excited, that’s not true for their children and grandchildren.
Millennials and zoomers have been playing video games since they were born. Video games that are so complex and rich that lucky 7’s won’t be of any interest to these new slot players.
The market had to adapt to their needs, which is why skill-based slots were likely introduced. These newcomers constantly seek ways to improve their gaming abilities, so skill-based slots are the perfect fit for them.
Advantages of Skill-based slots
Perhaps the biggest advantage to skill-based slots is fun. It’s simply fun to play games, especially if you know that when the game ends, you’d be a little bit richer. Skill-based slots usually have interesting themes, which is yet another reason why their bonus rounds are so enjoyable.
The next big advantage is that you can perfect your skills and earn more each time you play the coveted bonus round. There is something enticing about the sense of control over a casino game, and with skill-based slots, it’s not only a sense, but reality.
Skill-based slots are seen by some as the best of both worlds. You still risk and you rely on chance at the base game, but then you have the bonus game, which requires your skills to increase your winning potential.
Disadvantages of Skill-based Slots
It’s interesting that the biggest advantage to playing skill-based slots is the same as the biggest advantage – fun. This fascinating bonus round may be fun, but it might also be damaging because to have fun you need to spend money. Maybe way more money that you’d spend on a classic slot, which is precisely what casinos want you to do.
The other disadvantage is curiously again one of the advantages – control. Yes, you do have control over the bonus game, but this doesn’t translate to massive winnings. If you compare skill-based slots to traditional ones, you might discover that the bonus rounds offer similar rewards.
Moreover, the skill-based portion of a slot is only contained within its bonus rounds and we all know that you mostly spend your time in the main game, which is still luck-based.
Thoughts
Overall, skill-based slots don’t seem to have that much of an advantage over traditional slots. At the same time, they’re not worse than classic games. Really, it all depends on what you seek in a slot, so if you’re curious, feel free to check them out.