A slot (plural slots) is an opening or position into which something can fit, such as a coin or a letter. It is also a term in computer gaming for a position or space on a screen into which an image can be placed.
The allure of slot games stems from the fact that players can control how much they risk, as well as from the visual and auditory feedback associated with each spin. Unlike many other forms of gambling, slot machine games provide immediate feedback after each spin; winning and losing are both accompanied by high-fidelity attention-grabbing music and animations that change with the size of the win (Dixon et al., 2012).
Game designers have begun to rely on data more and more in their designs, and are scrutinizing games already on the market in order to understand what features keep players at the table. However, the process of designing a slot game is still very subjective, and can be influenced by many different factors. Ultimately, the best way to find out what makes a slot game successful is to test it out on actual players. “Hands-on experience is one of the most valuable aspects in designing a slot,” says Ian Arrowsmith, senior director of development at Konami. “This allows us to see firsthand what features resonate with the audience and how they perform.” To help designers gain this insight, SG has developed a new reporting system called SG Connect that provides its operator customers with player behavioral insights.