Are 3D slots the future?

Slot games have come a long way over the last few years. New features are coming out all the time and the graphics are always improving. Indeed, some online slots are so advanced that they feel more like video games than traditional reel slots. The best of these are often branded as 3D, featuring detailed animation layers which rival the quality of a high-budget Hollywood children’s film. There are also a handful of ‘true’ three-dimensional slots on the market already. But is it all just bells and whistles, or are these new multi-layered slot games the way of the future?

#1	Online Slots Kings Slots.lv 200% up to $1000	Join Slots.lv Slots.lv Review
#2	Top RTG casino Raging Bull Casino 350% deposit bonus + 50 free spins	Visit Raging Bull Raging Bull Casino Review
#3	Start your engines! Ignition Casino 200% up to $2,000 Pokies & Poker Welcome Bonus!	Visit Ignition Ignition Casino Review
We’re welcoming players to Ignition with a combined Pokies & Poker Welcome Bonus — our biggest ever. Get up to $3,000 when you make your first deposit with Bitcoin, or up to $2,000 when you deposit with a credit card. Full terms.
#4	Bitcoin Friendly Bovada Casino 100% up to $3000	Visit Bovada Bovada Casino Review

Where to play 3D slots online

For the best 3D slot games, we recommend instant play casinos which stock titles from top software developers like BetSoft, Net Entertainment and Rabcat. The best slot sites on the Internet in terms of game variety and player safety are recommended in our table above, which has been geo-targeted to only recommend the leading casino sites that accept players from your country.

The sites below all offer hundreds of advanced feature slot games with gorgeous animations, interactive bonus rounds and big cash jackpots:

• G’Day Casino
  A high-quality online casino, with 250+ games, an unlimited 100% matched deposit bonus and 50 free spins.
• Jackpot City Casino
  A long-established (circa 1998) online casino with the very best Microgaming 3D slot games, like Sterling Silver. Redeem a 100% up to $1600 welcome bonus.
• Slots Million
  The online slot specialist, boasting some 1700+ titles from no less than 25 trusted software providers.

How 3D slots work

The term ‘3D’ doesn’t always mean the same thing. There are a few different interpretations of what constitutes three-dimensional technology, and a few different ways software developers can produce something like a 3D effect. Two methods stand out.

Stereoscopic 3D

Stereoscopy is the old-fashioned way to make 3D graphics. Invented back in 1838, it uses offset imaging to trick the human brain into processing multiple 2D images as a single three-dimensional picture. This is how 3D movies and holographic trading cards achieve the illusion of depth.

By adopting stereoscopic imaging techniques, game developers can spice up standard visual displays and bring key gameplay features to life. Winning symbols will leap right out of the screen, while free spins and bonus games will take on a whole new level of intensity.

There are only a handful of stereoscopic slot games around at the minute, but they can be found. One of the most popular is Sterling Silver 3D, which is available at all leading Microgaming casinos. Put on your red and blue 3D glasses (yes, just like the ones you wear to the movies) and watch as the reels come alive on this five-reel video slot with 25 optional paylines, random wild multipliers and a scatter bonus with 15 free spins.

3D animation

Instead of using stereoscopy to produce a three-dimensional effect, many online casino developers prefer to follow the example set in animated feature films. Think of Disney Pixar hits like Toy Story, Big Hero 6 and Wall E, and you will get an idea of the immersive, detailed landscapes the leading 3D slot makers are striving for.

If you’re used to playing slots at your local pub or club, you might be shocked by the sheer visual quality on offer at the best Internet casinos. The BetSoft Slots3 collection sets the trend for cinematic 3D gaming online, with 50+ real money slots featuring beautiful animations and highly interactive gameplay. Top titles include After Night Falls, At the Copa, Boomanji, Miles Bellhouse and His Curious Machine, Mr Vegas, Safari Sam, The Slotfather, Tycoons and Viking Age.

The beauty of these animated slot games is that you don’t need 3D glasses or any other additional kit to get the best picture quality. They are also much easier on the eyes than stereoscopic imaging, which can cause visual fatigue and headaches if used for extended periods of time.

Best 3D slot games

• Mamma Mia
  If you love Italian food, this BetSoft release will get your mouth watering. Bet up to $150 per spin on 30 adjustable paylines filled with tasty dishes and fresh ingredients. Key features include free spins, special wilds and a bonus round where you must help the chef get a good review by serving up the perfect meal.
• The Invisible Man
  Based on the 1933 film version of the H.G. Wells novel, this NetEnt gem ranks among the very best licensed slots on the Web. Besides the stunning graphics, the highlight here is a both-ways payout system which awards wins from right to left as well as left to right. Rack up Police Wilds and Griffin Wilds at the same time to unlock free spins and special bonus games.
• Forsaken Kingdom: The Path of Valor
  Designed by Rabcat, this five-reel feature slot is all about knights and honour (and winning loads of money, of course). The audio-visual quality is terrific, while unique rewards such as the Round Table of Fortune and the Epic Battle bonus provide hours of entertainment.
• SugarPop
  This Betsoft beauty is one of the quirkiest 3D arcade slots on the World Wide Web. Unlock new levels and Special Candy features by matching symbols in any direction – up, down, left, right – on a custom 5 x 5 reel layout. A very generous $250 bet limit also makes the SugarPop slot a must for high-stakes slot players.
• Cosmic Fortune
  When it comes to production values, NetEnt always delivers the goods. The Cosmic Fortune online slot combines retro appeal with futuristic features to create one of the most engaging and visually stimulating titles on the market. Throw in two fixed jackpots and three rolling progressives, and it’s also one of the most rewarding 3D slot games online.

Are 3D games the future of online slots?

In a word, yes. Slot graphics and animations are improving with every new release, and there is a real demand now for games which are eye-catching, interactive and highly entertaining. Modern players simply want more from their video slots than a few flashing lights and a gaudy, ear-splitting soundtrack.

That’s not to say we will all need red and blue 3D specs just to spin the reels in 20 years’ time. Stereoscopic games have their market, but it is very much a niche; we certainly don’t expect them to become the norm. It’s those high-quality animated releases which will set the new standard.

And even though Web casinos will become more and more advanced, those vintage pub slots and online fruit machines won’t be going anywhere in the foreseeable future. Some of the less popular titles might be phased out, but you can expect to see classics like Avalon, Thunderstruck and Major Millions in action for many, many years to come.