New technologies provided the ability for game design to be improved, increased jackpot payouts and greater creative license for theme designs. Additionally, new companies seeking to gain prominence emerged. Amongst numerous companies that influenced how slot machines operate today (because of the above factors), one name stands out as particularly influential on the mechanics of how slot machines function today: International Game Technology (more commonly referred to as IGT).
International Game Technology (or IGT) is recognized throughout the gaming community as having pioneered a key feature of how modern slot machines function: "tumbling reels." Tumbling Reels is a mechanism that allows winning combinations to occur differently than they do on traditional slot machines. The success of tumbling reels paved the way for many of the cascading symbol games players experience today. IGT has developed an extensive library of games that provide most players visiting a casino with an opportunity to play an IGT game, regardless if they are visiting Las Vegas, Macau or a smaller casino located somewhere in the U.S.
The history of IGT begins in 1981. In that year, WagerWorks initially opened for business. Three years passed and in 1990 WagerWorks changed its name to IGT. It was in 1996 that IGT introduced Wheel of Fortune Slots - a highly successful slot machine that allowed IGT to establish itself as a provider of slot machine games with well-known TV property entertainment themes. Wheel of Fortune was so successful it greatly contributed to IGT's status as a dominant force in providing entertainment-themed slot machines.
In 2004, IGT acquired WagerWorks - the original name under which the company was founded nearly two decades prior. This acquisition provided IGT entry into the emerging Internet gaming market. Prior to this time, relatively few land-based slot machine providers actively explored opportunities in the area of online gaming. From that moment forward, IGT defined itself as not only a manufacturer of slot machines for land-based casinos, but as a developer and supplier of online gaming solutions. That early recognition by IGT of the importance of Internet gaming would ultimately provide the company a significant advantage relative to competitors. IGT has continued to follow a mobile-first strategy ever since.
When entering any casino globally today, you will likely encounter at least one IGT machine on the floor. Located in Nevada, IGT provides slot machines, casino games and software supporting both online play and mobile gaming applications to thousands of customers globally. Due to the regulatory nature of the gambling industry, IGT has had to develop its games to meet varying degrees of regulation established within jurisdictions around the world. These regulations cover areas such as minimum payout percentage requirements, advertising of prizes won and rules related to bonuses offered at casinos, etc., as mentioned previously.
IGT has demonstrated expertise in designing games for regulated jurisdictions while maintaining the high-quality entertainment offerings its users have come to expect in non-regulated jurisdictions. In addition to selling its products directly to third-party casinos, IGT also owns and operates its own branded casino locations. By owning these locations, IGT establishes a direct relationship with its end-users which provides invaluable user experience input into its future game development efforts.
While many companies contribute to the overall gaming landscape through innovative technological advancements, IGT clearly demonstrates an ongoing commitment to advancing gaming technology through continuous investment in its research & development efforts. All IGT-produced games reflect the latest technology available in terms of processing speed, graphics and audio production capabilities. The combined efforts of large teams of game developers, designers and engineers employed by IGT result in products that showcase exceptional polish and ultimately support why IGT-developed games continue to rank amongst the top-selling slot machines in the industry today.
The breadth of IGT’s library of slot machine titles provides options for nearly every type of player. For example, players may elect to play at a physical location (i.e., a brick-and-mortar casino) or remotely via a mobile application on their smartphone or tablet (from almost anywhere in the world). A combination of offering an extremely diverse set of products and continuously evolving with changes in consumer behavior is one factor that supports why IGT remains prominent in today's competitive gaming environment.
Throughout its decades-long existence, IGT has continuously updated its hardware offerings to keep pace with customer preferences. Machines have been manufactured with sleeker designs and brighter displays while continuing to improve processing speeds. Many IGT models offer enhanced graphical interfaces and higher payouts compared to previous models. Every IGT-designed cabinet is built to deliver an experience that is both enjoyable and user-friendly with respect to navigation and controls that do not require an extended period of time to learn.
For casino operators investing in IGT equipment is advantageous due to their proven track record of attracting crowds (players are consistently drawn to the visual aspects of an IGT machine along with familiarity associated with existing brand themes). Examples of some popular cabinet lines for IGT include: G20 Version 2, G23V2 Premium Widescreen, G20 Top Bar, Vertical MLD S, Vertical AVP S, Universal Slant and Vertical E 200 (the latter model is specific for lotteries).
Other than producing distinct pieces of hardware for casino operators, IGT also develops several types of content for land-based casinos including traditional spinning reel slots, video reel slots and multi-game cabinets that allow players to select which title(s) they wish to play on a single unit. IGT is also active in developing progressive jackpot titles (which tie multiple individual units together - sometimes across an entire casino floor or possibly across multiple separate casino properties - so that a percentage of each bet contributes towards an aggregate prize pool). Progressive Jackpot titles represent another means through which IGT adds excitement for players competing against each other.
Standalone progressive machines are also produced by IGT. Standalone progressive machines create an aggregate prize pool from a single unit rather than tying together multiple units via a network. Players tend to favor standalone progressive titles because they compete individually for their respective progressive jackpots rather than as part of a large group competing against each other for a shared prize pool. With such a varied array of offerings (including its multi-unit games, progressive titles and stand-alone progressives), IGT has assembled an inventory large enough to accommodate nearly any size or configuration of casino floors from small local establishments to expansive resort/casino properties.
Once smartphones became widespread as individuals' preferred method for accessing leisure activities (such as games), IGT quickly followed suit by adapting their catalog for mobile play. Today, IGT represents one of the premier names in mobile casino gaming by transforming their iconic slots titles and table games into applications suitable for mobile phones and tablets. When developing mobile apps for their games, IGT has focused on creating apps where players can easily download and access their favorite games without any additional inconvenience or obstacles, and in many cases, retaining identical graphics, audio effects and bonus rounds present in their land-based versions.
Some examples of titles from IGT's massive library available for mobile include Da Vinci Diamonds, Cats, Elvis -- A Little More Action and Treasures of Troy. Similar to their physical counterparts, all three titles carry-over the visual appeal inherent to all IGT slots. As stated earlier, transitioning to mobile gaming represented more than just a secondary effort by IGT - it has become a fundamental aspect of their business due to increasing numbers of consumers engaging in gaming while away from a physical location (usually in shorter intervals while doing daily activities rather than spending hours at a casino).
Rather than focusing exclusively on players who visit a physical casino location, IGT has directed equal attention towards players who prefer to engage in gaming from remote locations (e.g. from home) using an internet connection. In fact, the dual focus on both remote players and players physically located at casinos has impacted all elements of IGT's product line-up, which includes: slot machines; table games; all types of content in-between; and all have been designed with intent to keep players entertained regardless of their chosen form(s) of engagement.
The approach described here is representative of broader trends occurring throughout the gaming industry. Casinos are no longer viewed as merely brick-and-mortar destinations - they exist as digital environments that must provide services/engagement opportunities for players utilizing multiple devices/platforms at varying times/settings. Early recognition by IGT regarding this shift provided the company with an initial strategic advantage versus competitors and has enabled the company to continue positioning itself as one of the most recognizable names within gaming.
Through decades of experience, coupled with an unwavering commitment to innovation, IGT has solidified its standing as one of the largest suppliers/distributors of slot machines worldwide. Several development studios employed by IGT have produced many of the most identifiable titles within the gaming community, with numerous titles developed around licensed brands/franchises. Titles based upon Star Trek, Monopoly and movies representing some of Hollywood's biggest box office hits (with accompanying video/audio clips) continue to be popular draws for players wishing to view recognizable characters/names/and/or stories recreated on a series of reels.
IGT does not limit itself to TV shows/board games alone either. Additionally, the company has successfully partnered with film producers as well - releasing slot machines based on movie titles and including bonus rounds featuring clips/scenes from fan-favorite films.
These licensing agreements (like others) are not simply marketing tools either. Rather, they provide IGT with a pre-existing audience base prior to launch since fans interested in a specific franchise typically wish to experience their favorite characters/stories through some sort of spin-slot format. This is a successful strategy utilized repeatedly by IGT - further exemplifying how it combines entertainment with gambling effectively in order to satisfy both casinos and their patrons.
Since its inception as WagerWorks in 1981; through its current role as a leading entity within slot machine design, International Game Technology has mirrored the overall progression/growth patterns experienced within the gaming industry itself. Since WagerWorks evolved into International Game Technology through its numerous innovations; acquisitions, mergers, etc.; the organization has transformed into one whose slot machine titles are identified/recognized by players/casinos operating in both land-based casinos as well as online/mobile platforms globally. Regardless if players are experiencing slot machines from traditional mechanical wheel-type designs; utilizing licensed franchise titles; or simply utilizing mobile applications; International Game Technology continues to occupy an essential role within an industry that continually evolves with changing consumer behaviors/habits.