The ultimate objective in a Slot Machine gameplay is to match the symbols displayed to the player at the end of a "Spin" or round. Traditionally, this is done by spinning reels that provide a random result of symbols when the spin stops. As it is random, the chance of hitting a row of the same symbols is left to chance and will trigger a "Jackpot" if ever it happens. This is how the game is played as the player pushes a button or pulls a lever to start the reels rolling providing the "Random Generating Effect" of the game.

As the gamming industry continues to evolve for both digital video games and the institutionalized traditional table-top Casino-based games, game designers and manufacturers continue to find means and ways to extend and expand their market reach by creating viable, fun, and immersive variations of the traditionally popular games like Slots. As long as the traditional time honored core mechanics of Slots gaming remains, an innovative new approach like playing Slots without reels may prove interesting and even impressive for alternative Slots gaming in the immediate future.

Look Ma, No Reels!

There are a number of ways to make Slots gaming work without reels as in reality tis is already subtly happening with the digital versions of the game. While spinning reels are still digitally represented via game graphics, physical reels no longer exist. As reels are basically a presentation layer, alternatives can be used to represent the random results of each round without the need for spinning reels.

The core gameplay however has to remain for the game to still be considered a game of Slots. This include (in order), a triggering input by inserting a coin and pressing a button or pulling a lever. Then comes the Random Generation (numbers, symbols, or funny faces), then the Win or Lose outcome, the feeling of euphoria or the “try again” impulse known as the player feedback loop. As long as these gaming criteria are met, the game with reels or not, remain a Slots game for all intents and purposes.

Why Players Love Their Reels

Many players though, still prefer the reeled Slot Machine variety. It’s traditional and gamers are used to it since time immemorial. The Grandfather played the Slots, the Father played the Slots, the Uncles played the Slots, even the dog played the Slots, and in all instances, it was the spinning reels that mesmerized the entire family. Regardless, the option and availability to play alternative forms of Slot games simply broadens the gamer’s choices, not restrict them.

There Are No Reels Where We’re Going

That’s right Marty, you don’t need “Reels” to play the slots. Just let the Doc hit his head on the bathroom sink again so he can come up with something newer than the “Y” Influx Generator, like a reel-less Slot Game. Well, here are some ideas:

Use spinning wheels instead of reels, if the wheels on the row all end up on the same symbol, then, Jackpot!

Use a Grid. The symbols appear on the grid as clusters or in cascading patterns instead of spinning reels.

Reward or treasure box style gameplay where the contents are randomized and if the player opens the boxes in a pattern or row and they have the same contents, Jackpot!

Interactive Slot Mini-Games with focus on objective-based “Randomized” short gameplays instead of spinning reels. The matching game mechanics should be present though to be still considered under Slots gaming.

Aside from these possible Doc Brown accidental bump-in- the-head ideas, Slot gameplay theme designs can center around features like playing cards, music, tunes, and rhythm, adventure narratives with random encounters, and quick Fantasy-RPG like Slot games, or even Space games where the Slots game mechanics continue to remain at the core of the gameplay.

Reels have always been a part of Slot Machine gameplay and Slot games in general. However, there are times when variety (especially in gameplay) do make a huge difference in extending and continually propagating the life of a game genre. If many video game designers do a lot of cross-genre game designs these days, and come up with new and interesting (if not popular) titles, a similar move in traditional Slots game design may be worth the push after all.

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