3D slots take players on a journey into another world, offering a more immersive experience as they play.

As desktop PCs and smartphones become more powerful, developers can offer impressive animation, better graphics, and bigger bonus features.

Let's take a closer look at how 3D slots have come to dominate the world of online casinos.

HOW 3D SLOTS TOOK OVER THE WORLD

Slot machines have been around for well over a century, and, as technology has improved, developers have been able to provide more sophisticated games to players.

Online slots have only been in existence since the mid-1990s but in a short space of time the graphics and gameplay have improved dramatically.

3D slots incorporate the same great five-reel gameplay of regular video slots but add something special: animation, unique bonus features, and a more immersive experience.

Betsoft was one of the first developers to bring in 3D video slots. Games like The True Sheriff, Whospunit, and More Gold Diggin' introduced animated characters that the player could connect with.

Through BetSoft's Slots3 platform, the developer was able to introduce unique bonus features not seen in other games.

Such is the complexity of their games that BetSoft have had to move away from Adobe Flash and develop its own platform, Shift, to cater for a growing mobile slot industry.

Common 3D slots features:

Video sequences: Powered by Adobe Flash, and more recently HTML5, 3D slots get players in the mood with expensive-looking intro and cutaway sequences.

Key characters in the slots would also be animated and stand alongside the reels during gameplay.

New bonus features: New slot features like transferring wilds and cascading reels wouldn't be possible without the introduction of 3D slots.

Slots like More Gold Diggin' or NetEnt's Gonzo's Quest feature a Cascading Reels bonus.

After any winning spin, the symbols involved in the combination disappear from view and are replaced by the symbols sitting above on the reels.

Skill-based bonuses: With more powerful Flash animation and gameplay, some slots now give the player the chance to use some skill when playing the bonus features.

These might involve a beat 'em up round between two characters or a shoot 'em up game where aliens must be blasted out of the sky.

Better sound effects and music: 3D slots don't just rely on HD graphics and slick animation. Often, the sound effects in the game are ramped up to give the player more atmosphere.

THE FUTURE OF 3D SLOTS

Not all developers are keen on filling up their new releases with 3D slots. The software may not work on all devices or might run slowly on older computers and mobiles.

However, that hasn't stopped some of the leading providers pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved.

VR technology: Some casino developers are beginning to experiment with Virtual Reality. NetEnt have begun showcasing a version of their 3D slot, Jack & the Beanstalk, which utilises a VR headset like the Samsung Gear VR.

In the VR version of Jack & the Beanstalk, players can enjoy 3D graphics and animation as they spin the reels.

They can also move their heads to capture a complete surround environment above and beyond the reels. Adjusting bets and spinning the reels is done with a simple wave of the hand.

"Real" 3D graphics: More recently, land-based developers have begun adopting special 3D effects in their video slots.

In 2018, Scientific Games began using "Pepper's Ghost" techniques. Pepper's Ghost is an illusion technique that gives a two-dimensional image the appearance of depth.

In 2018, US giant IGT also rolled out its brand-new Sphinx 4D slot. Boasting 'True 3D' effects, the giant touch screens give the illusion of 3D graphics without the need for special glasses.

Sphinx 4D also uses "haptic technology" that allows players to interact with the game by using physical hand gestures.

WILL 3D SLOTS LAST?

3D isn't reserved for cinema-goers these days, and VR isn't the preserve of PlayStation gamers. In 2018, immersive 3D graphics and "real" 3D gameplay are becoming more widespread.

The question remains, will 3D end up just being a gimmick and will it get in the way of what players love doing most: playing?

Only time will tell. But as technology becomes more advanced and accessible, competing slot manufacturers will keep pushing the boundaries.

Give some of our 3D slots a try at Betway Casino today.