Similarity With Gaming Loot Boxes And Casino Games Likes Slots
As of the end of 2023, there were over 1.92 billion mobile gamers worldwide. Thanks to technological advancements in the phone industry today, we have smartphones tailored to deliver optimal gaming experiences. These smartphones feature fast performance facilitated by plenty of RAM, good battery life to allow you to play for longer, a great GPU to ensure a high refresh rate, and a large, sharp screen to give you the highest-quality visuals.
Since the introduction of the first mobile game, Tetris, in 1994 on the Hagenuk MT-2000, a lot has changed regarding features, gameplay, and accessibility of mobile gaming content. Today, one of video game's most popular gaming features is access to gaming loot boxes. Loot boxes refer to the presents you receive when playing a game. These presents usually contain items that can be useful in either boosting your performance or enhancing your gameplay.
The first concept of loot boxes in a video game was introduced in 2003 and featured in the Japanese version of MapleStory. At the time, the loot box concept involved players buying a ticket for approximately 100 Japanese Yen and swapping the tickets for game items using the in-game booth Gachapon.
Two decades later, technology has revolutionized this concept. Today, loot boxes are easily accessible in video games. You can obtain one by either achieving specified milestones or making in-game purchases. Loot boxes, which were primarily featured on PC games, are now featured in simple mobile games such as Candy Crush and Angry Birds, as well as complex games such as League of Legends and Call of Duty.
Loot boxes are loved by gamers, and obtaining them is an adventure. Interestingly, most gamers do not know that obtaining loot boxes in a video game is much like playing casino game slots. Casino slots allow players to make a bet and spin the reel. If it stops and makes a line of the same symbols, the players get to take home a reward.
Here’s how gaming loot boxes and casino games like slots share similarities.
The Common Goal Of Rewards
Both loot boxes and online slots aim to offer players rewards. Additionally, players who are lovers of loot boxes and casino slots are more enthralled by the entertaining reward system compared to the possibility of financial gains. The rewards from loot boxes come in the form of armor, weapons, skins, and other game-related items to allow you to get a step ahead in the game or change your game experience.
On the other hand, rewards from slot games range anywhere from free spins to monetary payouts that entice players and motivate them to continue playing.
The Requirement Of Monetary Investment
While you can obtain loot boxes in video games for free based on milestones, most gamers prefer purchasing them when needed. These virtual treasure chests can be purchased with in-game currency or real money. Similarly, to play casino slots, whether online or on land-based casinos, you need to deposit money before you can spin the reel.
Luck as The Determining Factor
When it comes to the outcome of your spin at a slot game or the contents of your loot box the main deciding factor is usually purely lack. There is no way of predetermining what the results of your slot spin will be or what the present in your virtual treasure chest will be. Your loot box could contain anything from common and insignificant items to highly coveted goods in the game. It’s no surprise there have been debates on whether loot boxes are a form of gambling.
Similarly, with slots, luck is what results in you having a line of the same symbols. That same luck determines just how big or small your reward is depending on the combination of symbols landed at and their worth at the paytable.
The quest of collecting loot boxes for gamers and the thrill of spinning the slots reel for gamers are both opportunities to invest money for a chance at an unknown reward. Additionally, the interaction with both is filled with visuals and sounds to enhance participation and feature elements of surprise, anticipation, and action.
Just like gaming loot boxes have evolved since their introduction three centuries ago, casino slot games have been revolutionized. The year 1895 marked the invention of the first mechanical slot machine known as the Liberty Bell by Charles Fey. This historical machine had only five symbols: the bell, spades, diamonds, hearts, and horseshoes.
The 1960s saw the invention of Electromechanical Slot Machines, while the 1980s brought video slot machines. It was in the 1990s that, thanks to the rise of the internet, online slots as we know them today were introduced.
Today, online slots feature diverse themes and numerous bonus features, and they are accessible from anywhere in the world through a smartphone, laptop, or computer. Furthermore, casino slots are among the most popular gamblers and significantly contribute to the 2024 projected online Gambling market revenue of $100.90bn.
