The work of online slot game developers often goes unheralded. Players are exposed to the final product without considering the hours of graft behind the game, while many might consider that the origin of the game has little impact on its quality. While that may be demonstrably untrue in the world of video games, you could be forgiven for thinking that the differences between slot game developers are barely distinguishable.
However, it is worth becoming familiar with the biggest game providers for two reasons. The first is that it is useful to identify which game providers have the prestige and the repertoire to span across several online casinos. Many slot players are loyal to their favourite game, particularly as the array of slots available is now dizzyingly extensive. While it is reasonable to be loyal to a game, there is less sense in regularly playing that game with the same online casino.
Players can be confident that the work of leading game providers, such as NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech, will be available at all of the most popular online casinos, so there is a strong likelihood of being able to access the same game from a number of different hosts. This enables players to access attractive sign-up bonuses from different casinos while not having to compromise choosing their favourite game. This is where it is vital to consult the best casino reviews in the UK, as the casinos that are most well regarded are by far the most likely to work with the leading game providers as well as offering the most impressive sign-up bonuses.
The second reason why it is worthwhile to identify providers is that each developer has a distinct character in their games. While the core gameplay of an online slot rarely deviates, the addition of side games and the number of pay-lines available can vary from game to game. By becoming familiar with the feel and the style of a provider’s body of work, gamers can quickly identify what titles will most appeal to their tastes.
NetEnt are famed for their slot games that introduce more complex narratives than their competitors, with games like Gonzo’s Quest and Jackhammer deploying rich graphics to frame the reels. Microgaming are one of the veterans of online slots and have established a reputation for their substantial progressive jackpots, with their Mega Moolah slot offering prizes that exceed £1 million and Microgaming’s progressive jackpot network paying out over €150 million in 2018.
Many of Playtech’s offerings are renowned for their high-variance nature. A high-variance slot is one that offers less frequent wins, which is counteracted by those wins being much more substantial than a slot with low variance. Games like Buffalo Blitz and Desert Treasure II rank among Playtech’s most popular high-variance offerings.
While reputable online casino providers will only select games that are reliable, the logo of one of the heavyweight game providers adds an extra level of trust and prestige. Whether it is through being able to recognise a slot that satisfies specific gaming desires or through identifying a particular type of slot that suits a playing style, taking the time to become familiar with the leading slot developers can lead to a more gratifying online gaming experience.
