Looking at the way a long-established industry has adapted and changed to the modern market is a powerful way of learning new business lessons. In the case of casino slots, how have these simple games of chance been transformed into a modern way of playing provides some valuable insights.
Taking Advantage of New Technology
Land-based slots were initially mechanical machines, with the player typically pulling a lever to send a set of reels spinning around. One of the most striking elements of modern slots is how this simple gameplay has been retained but has also added innovative technology to create something new.
For a start, they’ve gone online, which has allowed developers to incorporate random number generators that ensure a fair chance of winning and a completely unpredictable result on each spin played. This has also allowed them to add in interesting features such as free spins, bonus rounds, and progressive jackpots.
The idea of using new technology to update an existing industry is one of the most challenging aspects of the modern business world. We can see this in areas such as online streaming services and fitness apps with health monitors gaining widespread acceptance. These are both industries where traditional land-based options have been overtaken by more modern approaches.
Other examples to look out for in the near future include new board games that now use augmented reality, such as Catan. We can also expect to see the metaverse make an enormous impact, as it will allow us to enjoy events such as music festivals and sporting events online.
The Power of Diversification
The first slot machine to be created was called Liberty Bell, featuring bells, horseshoes, and playing cards as the paying symbols. This game proved to be popular enough to spawn a series of new slots that basically used the same format and, in many cases, similar symbols on the reels.
If we fast-forward to the present time, the range of slots, also known as pokies in some places, is huge. When you play online pokies in Australia, you’ll find games based on ancient cultures, sports, fishing trips, and all sorts of other themes. Retro slots that use those classic symbols used in the very first slots are also popular but use modern technology to provide more varied gameplay.
Diversification is a huge industry in the business world right now. It’s now possible for businesses to expand online in many different ways, but the big question is when and how to do it. Diversify too soon and the brand can get diluted while waiting too long can mean losing the opportunity.
History is littered with many examples of brands trying something different and failing, from Harley Davidson perfume to Cosmopolitan’s yoghurt and bottled water from Coors. All these ideas failed for several reasons, such as not having a clear target market or not fitting in with the brand image.
On the other hand, Blockbuster provides us with an extreme example of a business that fails to diversify at the right. The video rental service was a huge company in 2000 when it was given the chance to buy the new Netflix service for $50 million. Diversifying into streaming was probably their best move at the time, but they turned down the offer and rapidly went into decline before going bust while Netflix went from strength to strength.
Keeping It Fresh Without Losing Sight of the Basics
Look at an online casino and you’ll see a range of classic games that have stood the test of time. In addition, you’ll find a selection of new slots that add a feeling of freshness to these sites at all times. These new releases also allow game developers to react to the latest trends with the likes of fishing slots recently gaining popularity.
Keeping the product offering fresh is crucial, but casinos can’t afford to lose sight of what slots are all about. People play them because they want a fast, simple game of chance that’s easy to get started with and doesn’t have any learning curve. If slots started appearing that were hugely complex, players might no longer be interested in giving them a try. The same principle applies to many other aspects of the business world.
For example, we could look at the latest movie franchises, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The content creators for this franchise need to find ways of constantly producing fresh new movies that don’t lose sight of what customers want to see. A similar approach is needed in most industries, as the pressures of social media and a fast-evolving market force companies to innovate at the risk of losing sight of why they gained success in the first place.
All these points help us to see how online slots have become so popular, but they apply equally well as valuable business lessons in many other industries.
