Canada’s video lottery terminals (VLTs) are a popular way for many people to pass the time, and the design of the games they host has come a long way in a reasonably short timeframe.
As a result, there’s a surprising amount that indie devs can learn from a niche of the broader gaming industry that’s often overlooked. In particular, the way VLTs and their online equivalents handle player engagement and retention warrants closer inspection. So without further ado, let’s talk through what they get right and why their tactics are so effective.
Sensory Feedback as a Central Aim
VLTs don’t have complex control systems or built-in vibration capabilities for force feedback, and most are operated with just a handful of simple buttons, whether physical or touch-based. Despite this, they’re able to hook players with other sensory tricks that play into their psychological needs.
Specifically, VLTs and online slots rely on colourful visuals, eye-catching effects, and audio cues to create impact. And from the way that animations are handled to how sound is used, the aim is always to ignite and satisfy the senses, regardless of whether the outcome falls in the player’s favour.
The good news for indie devs is that this is an example of how working within limitations (in this case, basic controls and no force feedback) encourages the creation of innovative workarounds that are both effective and affordable to implement. It doesn’t take up much development time or GPU overhead to add a simple particle effect whenever a line pay hits on a VLT. The same can apply in other gaming contexts, such as opening a treasure chest or earning enough XP to level up.
Frequency & Consistency
The juice factor in VLTs is not just about the types of feedback that are applied, but also about how often they appear and how they fit with the overall experience.
As mentioned, slot games consistently engage players' senses with every spin, whether they win or lose. This is what drives players to keep working the reels, because the promise of a jackpot always feels like it's around the corner, and there’s no let-up on their senses.
Consistency also matters, since tying the graphics, animations, audio, and other cues together in a cohesive package and rhythmically delivering feedback, punctuated by moments of higher-octane action, forms bonds with players.
This level of attention to detail applies across all iGaming experiences. For instance, you can now play blackjack online in Canada and enjoy a level of visual polish that’s more than enough to match high-budget, big studio games. People come back for more because they know they can expect a fun time and one that’s reliable.
Highlighting Progression
The last facet of VLT game design that indie devs can draw inspiration from is how they signal progress, even if this is often just a visual element with no actual bearing on how close a player is to hitting a jackpot or unlocking a bonus feature.
A common form of perceived progression in slots is to have two or three means of measurement that are always on-screen, and which expand as more spins are played. It could be a cartoon pig that’s fed coins and grows in size until it bursts when a feature is triggered, for example. This not only keeps players engaged while they’re at the VLT, but also attracts casual observers.
This lesson of always showing a player that progress is being made, preferably with clear visual cues, is a tried-and-tested aspect of game development, and indie devs might learn to mix up their approach by scrutinising how it’s handled in this context.
Wrapping Up
Put simply, VTLs and other forms of digital gambling have got their visual reward strategies down pat, so indie devs have an opportunity to find new, cost-effective ways to amp up the juice factor in their own projects.
Checking out land-based and online casino games will give you the broadest lineup to consider, and Canada has plenty of both, so it’s easy to get started.