Many players believe the online gambling industry has reached its peak in terms of innovation, but online casino developers have proved them wrong yet again. Two decades ago, slot fans had only the option of pulling a lever at land-based gambling venues, but the advent of technology brought about the launch of online casinos, allowing players to enjoy a wider range of quality online slots from the comfort of their homes.
Next came the introduction of live-dealer casinos, where players can interact with and compete against professional croupiers. Later on, playing on the go via smartphones or tablets became possible, as casino games – slots included – were optimised for mobile play.
You are probably wondering what comes next. The latest innovation in the online gambling industry is the launch of so-called virtual reality casinos, which aim to provide players with the ultimate gaming experience, one that comes astonishingly close to what you would see and hear in a brick-and-mortar gambling venue.
Slot fans, too, will be able to benefit from this cutting-edge innovation, as virtual reality casinos have added some of the most popular slot titles to their collections of virtual-reality games. Below, you will find more information about how virtual reality slots work, how they can be accessed, and what their key features are.
How to Access Virtual Reality Online Slots
Prominent gambling software developers have recognised the potential of advanced virtual-reality technology and have started developing their own applications that can be used with headsets such as the Oculus Rift. SlotsMillion became the first web-based gambling operator to launch its virtual-reality application in October 2015, offering players a more immersive gaming experience than ever before.
Virtual-reality casinos enable players to take a stroll around what seems like a real-world gambling floor from the comfort of their own surroundings. You can even see the venue’s bar and inspect the various slot machines on offer.
However, to do so, you must first download and install the virtual-reality application on your desktop computer. At present, the application is compatible only with desktop computers running Windows (versions 7, 8 or 10), but hopefully Mac and Linux users will also benefit from the technology in the future.
Once you have installed the application, you need to select your desired screen configuration and access your casino account using your existing log-in credentials. You can also choose your preferred avatar before immersing yourself in the virtual-reality casino experience. You can navigate the virtual casino floor using your keyboard or a video-game controller.
For the best experience, players are advised to plug in a specialised virtual-reality headset, such as the aforementioned Oculus Rift. Using specialised goggles is optional, but if you want to enjoy your virtual-reality experience to the fullest, you will need a desktop computer capable of producing at least 90 frames per second. Those who have not invested in the headset will still be able to view the virtual casino floor in 3D on their desktop computer screens.
Once players have taken a stroll around the virtual casino floor and checked all the slots on offer, they simply need to stop in front of their preferred slot machine. Their slot of choice will then be highlighted, and players must click the appropriate button on the video-game controller or keyboard to commence play. As soon as the chosen slot game loads, it will cover the entire headset or desktop computer screen. Note that if you have been inactive for an hour, you will be disconnected from the virtual-reality casino floor.
Key Features of Virtual Reality Online Slots
When it comes to features and game controls, slot fans will find that virtual-reality slot machines are much the same as those available in standard online casinos. You can adjust the coin value, select the number of coins to bet per active payline, and utilise the Autoplay functionality for more dynamic gameplay.
When you land a winning combination, the symbols will burst out of the screen and the coins you have earned will start falling all around you. The experience is far more immersive – you feel as though you are actually standing in front of the slot machine, thanks to the first-person perspective the new technology allows.
One of the most exciting aspects of playing slots in a virtual-reality casino is that the technology allows for greater interaction between players. You are more than likely to encounter other slot fans “walking” around you, as the platform makes it possible for several players to access the casino floor at the same time. The other players will be able to see which slot game you are currently playing, but do not worry – they cannot see your balance or your screen. Moreover, you will be able to admire the busy, futuristic city in which the virtual-reality casino is located.
It is also possible to access the virtual-reality casino and play slots via your mobile device. The Oculus Rift headset is compatible with smartphones running Android 4.0+ and iOS 8+. The smartphone is placed in a special mount, and players can access the virtual-reality casino by putting on the headset.
Best Online Slots to Play at Virtual Reality Casinos
Leading software developers such as NetEnt have adapted some of their most successful and beloved slot titles so that players can enjoy the ultimate virtual-reality experience via the specialised headsets mentioned above. We expect online casinos to expand their collections of these advanced slots as virtual-reality technology takes off and gains greater popularity on the mass market. The slot titles listed below are currently available at the SlotsMillion virtual-reality casino, which is the first of its kind.
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Cosmic Fortune
Courtesy of software developer NetEnt, Cosmic Fortune is an engaging slot that is played on five reels and offers 15 paylines in total. The space-themed game utilises various alien monsters, the moon and other space-related items as symbols. The graphics and animations are definitely of a high quality.
What attracts players the most is the fact that the game offers five jackpots. The Rapid and Mini jackpots are fixed, while the Midi, Major and Mega jackpots are progressive. Players can bet up to ten coins per line, with minimum and maximum wagers per spin ranging from £0.15 to £75.00.
Players who succeed in landing three scatter symbols anywhere on the reels in the base game will be awarded 10 Free Falls. Each time another scatter symbol lands during this bonus round, five more Free Falls will be triggered. There is also a Free Falls Bonus game, which commences at the end of the Free Falls round.
During the mini-game, marbles fall at random into either the Jackpot Collector Cup or the Coin Win Cup. The marbles that end up in the Coin Win Cup reward players with five, ten or fifteen coins. Players can unlock the jackpot game as soon as they collect three marbles in the Jackpot Collector Cup. Imagine how great it will be to play the virtual-reality version of the game and see the marbles falling all around you!
Jack and the Beanstalk
Slot fans again have software leader NetEnt to thank for the thrilling Jack and the Beanstalk slot. Based on the popular fairy tale, the game employs five reels with 20 paylines and features symbols such as treasure chests, keys, axes, two-headed giants, goats, watering pots and, of course, Jack himself. High cards are used for the lowest-paying symbols in the game.
Jack and the Beanstalk impresses with superb visuals, amazing animations and plenty of great features designed to make your gaming session more lucrative. Some of the most advantageous features include walking, expanding and stacked wild symbols. There are scatters too, represented by the treasure-chest symbol. If you land three of these on the reels, you are granted 10 free spins. Land three more scatters during the free-spins round and you receive five extra spins free of charge. Many players are attracted to this slot because it offers a maximum payout of 600,000 coins.
Gonzo’s Quest
NetEnt drew inspiration from the story of Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro for the entertaining Gonzo’s Quest slot, which is now available at the virtual-reality casino of SlotsMillion. The 3D graphics and animations come remarkably close to what one would expect to see in an animated film. The five-reel slot features 20 paylines, with bets ranging from £0.20 to £50.00. Players can wager up to five coins per payline on every spin of the reels.
Gonzo’s Quest is loaded with a variety of rewarding features, including the popular Avalanche functionality. When players form a winning combination on the reels, the symbols on the payline crumble, allowing new symbols to fall into place and potentially create more winning combinations with multipliers of 2x, 3x and 5x.
The Free Fall feature is included in this NetEnt slot as well. It is activated by three or more Free Fall symbols, upon which players receive 10 free spins. Because the free spins come with a multiplier, any winnings you generate will be tripled. Gonzo’s Quest has also been optimised for mobile play, so slot fans can enjoy it wherever they are via devices running iOS or Android.
Twin Spin
If you are looking for a classic title that successfully combines old-school fruit machines with modern five-reel video slots, we recommend that you take a seat at the Twin Spin slot in the virtual-reality casino. The game is again courtesy of NetEnt and is available in the popular 243-way-to-win format.
If you are a fan of traditional fruit-themed slots, you will greatly appreciate the fact Twin Spin features gems, lucky sevens, bars, bells and cherries as symbols. Coin values range between £0.01 and £0.50, while the minimum and maximum bet amounts per spin are set at £0.25 and £125.00 respectively. Unlike old-school slots, however, Twin Spin has wilds that can substitute for all other symbols on the reels and enable players to complete more winning combinations.
The Twin Spin Feature is of particular interest, as it ensures that every spin begins with adjacent reels that are linked together and display identical symbols. The “twin” reels can expand during the spins and become triplet, quadruplet or quintuplet reels. These identical reels can significantly boost players’ winnings, as this expansion can occur on every spin. Many players prefer Twin Spin because it offers a colossal maximum prize of 270,000 coins.
Starburst
Starburst is yet another NetEnt creation that ranks among the most popular online slots offered by web-based gambling operators. Players who decide to take a stroll through SlotsMillion’s virtual casino can even “take a seat” on the special Starburst couch.
This vibrant and engaging slot impresses with vivid graphics and a fine range of special features, so it is hardly surprising that it ranks so highly among slot fans. The game is played on five reels, which seems to be the standard nowadays, and offers players a total of 10 paylines. Various glittering gemstones in a variety of colours, bars and lucky sevens are utilised as symbols. The bet amounts per spin vary between £0.10 and £100.00.
While the game does not offer conventional rounds of free spins, players will certainly benefit from the Starburst symbol, which functions as an expanding wild. Furthermore, winning combinations can be formed both ways – from left to right and from right to left. When the Starburst wild symbol appears on any of the three middle reels, it expands to cover the entire reel, granting players up to three re-spins.
The maximum amount you can win on the Starburst slot is set at 50,000 coins. Imagine the sensation if you succeed in capturing the top prize while glittering gems tumble all around you in the virtual-reality casino!
