If you love playing slots, you probably do a lot of research studying which online casino offers the best and latest slots, and especially the particular slots you are interested in. While breaking down which slots have jackpots or hold-and-win features is essential, have you ever wondered who the gaming providers behind them were? There are many talented slot game developers, many well-known and some lesser-known. This guide highlights the top slot game developers in today’s real money and social casinos.
- 1. NetEnt
Today, NetEnt is one of the most recognized names in the online casino sphere. Many of today’s five-reel games get their inspiration from many of NetEnt’s top slots, like Gonzo’s Quest and Divine Fortune. However, NetEnt goes back to 1996, two short years after the dawn of the early Internet casino era.
As the broadband internet era took off and the switch from Flash technology to HTML5 technology, the caliber and the graphics of NetEnt slots took off. Super-rich graphics with games like the Hotline Series and complex bonus features continue to be NetEnt’s trademark. However, its biggest contribution to the modern-day slot period is the dawn of the avalanche-slot themes, better known as megaways through Gonzo’s Quest.
Starburst is another major winner for NetEnt. Although it might seem basic graphics-wise, with its simplicity, Starburst remains a smash hit among online slot players for its nova feature. Depending on the cluster wins and the corner of the reels, the nova features unload additional winning multipliers. It’s common to find Starburst at the center of several slot game promotions, including free spins and tournaments.
- 2. Microgaming
Like NetEnt, Microgaming dates back to 1994. In its early days, Microgaming made history by developing the first official online casino software. For the first time, online casino players had the luxury of placing bets on slots directly from their internet browsers, which ran on dial-up in those days.
Even in the era of slow internet, Microgaming was one of the first slot game developers to develop high-quality visuals. With strikingly improved visuals compared to traditional fruity-themed slots, Microgaming successfully pioneered the foundation for video slots.
Microgaming also made iGaming history by developing the first progressive slot, “Cash Splash.” With this groundbreaking mark, online slot players have never looked back, risking it all to win massive jackpots with today’s impressive progressive slots. Besides that, Microgaming is well known among online slot players for its immortal series, Agent Jane Blonde and Thunderstruck.
- 3. IGT
If you’re playing an Egyptian-themed slot, chances are it is by IGT. IGT has roots that date back to the 1970s. William Bell originally founded International Game Technology in 1975 in Reno, Nevada. In its early days, IGT focused on auditing the slot machines from the Nevada casinos and later those in Atlantic City. Turning to the technological advances in the early 80s, IGT is credited for developing the first video slot for casinos called “Fortune I.”
IGT is also the developer behind Megabucks, a progressive slot game that was first released in 1986. Megabucks became so popular that it was the slot game of many of the biggest slot game wins at retail casinos like the Excalibur Hotel throughout the years, and especially in the 2000s. The Cleopatra series remains one of the top IGT slot series, as is the Wheel of Fortune.
- 4. Pragmatic Play
Of all the software developers, Pragmatic Play is widely available in both real money and social casinos. Pragmatic Play is a relative newcomer to online slots, having launched in 2015. To separate itself from its contemporary developers, Pragmatic Play placed an emphasis on innovative slot games like “Wolf Gold” and “Dragon Kingdom.”
At the rise of the social casino revolution, virtually all of these sites, including Pulsz Casino, have a dedicated section for Pragmatic Play slots. Also, many Pragmatic Play slots qualify for tournament games to help members rack up free gold coins. Popular tournament games by Pragmatic Play include “The Dog House,” “Sugar Rush,” and “Sweet Bonanza.”
- Conclusion
As more online casinos, including sweepstakes casinos, come online, they’re able to succeed quickly, thanks to the abundance and caliber of these software developers and others. Because of their name recognition, online casino players are more prone to joining these iGaming sites. Other prominent slot game developers include Real Time Gaming, Aristocrat Gaming, and Ruby Play.
