Online slot machines that are commonly found on hundreds of fully licensed and regulated iGaming sites are distinctly different from traditional video games and offer players a fundamentally different digital entertainment experience.
However, in recent years, the major game development studios and software providers that specialize in crafting unique, computer-generated, feature-rich online slots have started incorporating video game elements into their latest releases, and video game studios have started incorporating online slot machines and other casino gambling elements into their latest releases.
With that said, let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at the main similarities and differences between online casino slot machines and some of the video game industry’s most high-end, graphically-demanding, triple-A video games.
How do online slots and video games compare these days?
Today’s most popular online slot machines are relatively easy to play, and most of them don’t require any skill to affect the outcome, unlike today’s most popular video games, which require skill and practice to complete tricky tasks and progress to new levels.
There’s no gambling involved in video games, unlike online slots, which people only play to try and win money, meaning you must be of legal age to play them, which is typically 18 but might be 19 or 21 in some countries.
In recent years, online slot machine studios have started making their games appear more like video games, with impressive 3D-rendered animated sequences, more engaging second-screen bonus rounds and thrilling in-play features that wouldn’t look out of place in video games, and they now have more immersive storylines and more likeable characters.
Similarly, in some of today’s most popular video games, companies have introduced gambling mechanics, where you can take a break from the main game to enjoy a casino gambling experience and play a range of casino games using in-game virtual currency (which has no monetary value in the real world).
You can find a list of the most popular free slots that are similar to the ones found in some of these hit video games right now on trusted iGaming review sites, such as the official DeadSpin website.
Many of these risk-free games can now be found on a handful of sweepstakes casinos, also known as social casinos or social gaming sites. You can play these slots using Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, and the beauty of sweepstakes casinos is that there is no gambling involved on these sites.
It’s like playing mini casino games in some of today’s best video games. You use a virtual/digital currency instead of gambling real money, and no purchase is necessary on these sites.
Which famous video games feature online slot machines and other casino gambling elements?
If you want to play a video game that features elements of online casino gambling games, such as online slots, poker, roulette, and blackjack, to name a few, here are some of the most famous titles you might like to try:
RDR2 (Red Dead Redemption 2)
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5)
Far Cry 3
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Yakuza Kiwami
Watch Dogs
Tales of Vesperia
Dragon Quest 11
Hard West 11
Unfortunately, video games don’t quite offer a true casino gambling experience, just like online slot machines and other casino games don’t offer a true video game experience. Instead, the crossover elements commonly used in both are designed to appeal to both types of players.
Final thoughts
When playing online slot machines on a legally permitted iGaming site, always remember to gamble responsibly by starting with a reasonable spending budget.
Where possible, try online casino games in the risk-free practice mode until you familiarize yourself with the rules, bet types, odds, payout structure, bet types, side bet options, and features, and remember to take frequent session breaks in between playing.
Never treat playing online slots as a job or video games as gambling. The two gaming formats are distinctly different, although the crossover elements being added these days are somewhat starting to blur the lines between the two.