Online slots and science fiction are a great combination, as there is something seriously futuristic about being able to fire up a slot machine while out and about, and gamers tend to also be interested in all things sci-fi and fantasy-related.
Of course not all sci-fi themed slots are created equal, so here is a look at the elements that the developers need to get right to create a truly compelling slot experience.
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Solid RTP and acceptable variance
Before getting into the more thematically inspired elements of a good sci-fi slot, it is worth talking about the fundamentals of what makes any online slot worth playing in the first place. And when it comes to picking a slot machine strategy that works, you need to be aware of both the RTP (return to player) rating and the variance of any game before you start spinning the reels.
RTP is a straightforward measure of how much money the machine pays out to players, usually conveyed as a percentage. So in the case that a game has an RTP of 80%, this indicates that the maker and host of the game will be pocketing 20% of the money that people pump into it.
The higher the RTP, the more player-friendly the game will be. Most good slots, whether or not they are sci-fi themed, will offer an RTP of 90% or higher.
Variance is a little different, and is more to do with how frequently a machine pays out and the size of the jackpot. Low variance machines pay out little and often, while high variance machines might have huge wins available, but will have a far smaller chance of the top prize being awarded.
Make yourself aware of these details and only play slots that you are comfortable with, taking into account the risks involved.
Great graphics & audio
Unless the presentation of a slot game is top notch, it is fairly easy to dismiss it out of hand, especially if you are specifically choosing to play it because you are interested in the sci-fi elements of the theme.
There are quite a few things to consider in this respect, some of which are dependent on what specific source of inspiration has been used to inform the overall design of the slot.
For example, if the developer has gone ahead and used their own unique concept which is not based on an existing IP, then really the game needs to boast impressive visual effects as well as aurally appealing soundtrack elements and FX.
On the other hand if the game is an officially licensed one, perhaps drawing on one of the best known sci-fi franchises around like Star Wars or Star Trek , then you might be more willing to forgive a lack of snazzy graphics, so long as the images and videos clips used in the game have clearly been chosen with care and are presented in a legible fashion. Fan service should be at the forefront of slot design in this case, and for the most part the officially licensed games are usually able to benefit from bigger development budgets, which helps in the graphics and audio department.
Mobile compatibility
It is rare to find a modern slot game that is not capable of being played on portable devices just as easily as on desktop PCs, yet there are still examples out there that are either not coded in the correct language for mobile browsers to interpret, or are compromised in some other way in terms of compatibility.
The easiest way to ensure that you can enjoy sci-fi slots when out and about is either to download a dedicated online casino app from the app store offered by your handset’s vendor, or to make sure that any casino sites you visit have mobile-friendly games written in HTML5.
Bonus features
Standard reel-spinning slot gameplay is all well and good, but if you want a sci-fi slot that has the ability to keep you coming back for more, then you really need to look for games that have built-in bonus features to mix things up from time to time.
These can take many forms, from the straightforward ability to earn free spins when certain conditions are met, to full-blown minigames that involve some kind of decision-making or additional interaction on the player’s behalf.
Of course ultimately you will need to decide whether or not a sci-fi slot is right for you, and playing the demo versions without risking real money is the best way to go about this.