Slot Software Providers
The online gaming market is rapidly growing and as such, the demand for quality games is ever soaring. Gaming enthusiasts are always looking for the next big thing in terms of exciting and fun-to-play games. It is a factor that has led to some fierce rivalries among the gaming developers with each trying to outdo the other. There are interesting game titles developed by the likes of WMS such as the Monopoly-themed slot series. Because of the constant demand, there are thousands of video slot games with at least one of the major developers ensuring a weekly release under a different unique theme.
Game Developers
The slots are generally similar in terms of slot type and setup, where there are usually anywhere between 3 reels (for classical slots) to 7 reels on average. The outright difference, is, however, on the theme format. The developers create the slot and then name it based on the symbols used to adorn the reels and give the game a colourful and immersive texture.
To play, all you need is to place a bet using the game coins and hit the play button or icon and watch as the reels spin away. These slots have an RNG (random number generator) which ensures that the outcome is totally random.
The objective is to match the symbols on the reels to trigger a reward which is determined by the paylines. If a player matches all 5 symbols on a 5-reel game (for instance), then it unlocks a jackpot, which is usually the maximum winnable amount. An example of a popular slot is Wheels Of Fortune, which has been developed by IGT.
IGT Games
IGT stands for International Gaming Technology which is a company that was set up in 1975 where it focused primarily on developing casino games and rose to prominence. Over the years the IGT slots became among the best rated on the market which subsequently led to a steady incline in the demand for its game-titles. The company’s breakthrough was realized thanks to the success of its video poker machine gaming product which was sometime between 1981 and 1984.
At around the same time, it went public with its shares traded on NASDAQ which helped it raise enough capital to focus on expanding its brand globally.
Today, IGT is among the biggest casino game providers in the world, with its slots and virtual table games extensively played in Canadian online casinos. The company is renowned for its diverse slot game designs which vary in terms of paylines, which is among the factors that influence the payout.
IGT Slots
The online gaming market is constantly evolving and some cutting-edge technology is incorporated into the gaming design to improve the game outlay. IGT has implemented the CGI technology in its slots to make them sound and look more realistic. It is the emerging trend even in movie production where the Computer Generated Imagery improves the graphics by actualizing them in a 3-D (3 dimensional) format. The technology has contributed to the varying designs and game-concepts that characterize the latest IGT releases.
Most of the 5-reel slots have very high RTP (Return to Player) ratio of 90% and above plus high jackpot amounts. One of the most impressive features which are unique to slots such as Triple Fortune Dragon and Crown of Egypt is that they have multi-way features that enable players to win regardless of how the symbols are stacked on the paylines, whether from the right to left, or vice versa.
- Triple Fortune Dragon
- Crown of Egypt
- Megabucks
Microgaming
Launched in 1994, Microgaming boasts of being the first gaming developer to successfully set up the first online casino. Additionally, most if not all the top casinos in the world have included games by Microgaming in their catalogue.
It is renowned as the largest online gaming developer with over 600+ games powered by its software and in fact, it is estimated that about 250 operators around the world use the Microgaming platform.
The games are available either as mobile, flash play version, or download making it easier for players to indulge depending on the device used to access them. The download is the most preferred version because it affords the users full access to the casino. As for the flash play version, it utilizes the latest streaming technology meaning that it is not saved on the device but instead, players have to load it on an up-to-date browser that relays the game and any relevant information to the device. By using the flash play version as a player, it gives you fewer options in terms of gaming titles offered because as you know, there are slots which are decades-old, and they do not really work with such recent video streaming technology.
Microgaming Casinos Canada
It is a game-provider to over 400 casinos globally, where it has earned startling reviews for its uniquely crafted gaming titles. In Canada, there are casinos which are known to incorporate the developer’s creations. Some of the popular casinos which provide both Non-Progressive and Progressive jackpot slots within Canada are Spin Palace casino, Betway casino, Jackpot casino, Casinoland casino, Mr. Green casino, and Lucky247 casino.
If statistics are anything to go by, more than C$300 million has been paid out as jackpot winnings from Microgaming slots over the years from these and more casinos that feature both slots and table games from this provider.
The developer has won numerous awards in recognition for some outstanding innovations such as the Gambling Online Magazine Best Casino Software in 2012 and the An Awards Best iGaming Casino Software for four consecutive years between 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, just but to mention a few.
Microgaming Online Slots
On the business aspect of things, Microgaming launched Quick Fire games in 2010, which was specifically meant to be a front company that licenses their games to third parties. You can play free slots quick hits which are exceptionally unique and efficient and you do not have to wager any amount, instead, you can play a trial just to get an understanding and general feeling of the game.
Practising on, for instance, the Mega Moolah slot might just prove to be a life-changing experience like one such 26-year old who made history by winning the Betway Casino, Mega Moolah Progressive jackpot which was about £13,209,300 (roughly C$18 million), the largest amount ever recorded. The same slot still holds the record for the largest mobile jackpot recorded which stands at about C$3 million.
Most of these games are supported in multiple languages and currencies as well. It should also be noted that Microgaming was the first developer to test VR (Virtual Reality) technology on casino games.
Playtech
Playtech is considered as the largest developer, international game-designer, and licensor of mobile and web applications to the digital gaming industry. It was founded in 1999 by an Isreali businessman Teddy Sagi and it has its headquarters in the Isle of Man.
One notable aspect of games associated with this developer is the generous bonus amounts that are awarded on a prior deposit when it is your first time playing at the respective casino.
The developer has continued to cement itself as a leader in the market by acquiring other gaming companies to help add to its already extensive gaming portfolio as it aims to dominate the online gaming industry. Unlike most major developers, they have rolled out apps such as Bingo, Poker, Roulette, and sports betting which it supplies to blue-chip companies such as Ladbrokes, Bet365 among others, all of which run lucrative sportsbooks and casinos, that are among the largest globally.
Playtech Casinos
Some of the casinos where you can enjoy a host of Playtech games in Canada include Casino.com, William Hill, and Slots Heaven. One of the major advantages of using the Playtech software is the availability of a 24-hour support system which is also a feature of most Netent developed games.
One of the largest subsidiaries of Playtech must be its July 2013 acquisition of Pokerstrategy.com which is considered as one of the largest Poker rooms in the world. It boasts a membership of more than 7 million registered players and combined with the sports betting business, it offers live play betting.
Playtech Slots
Playtech does not have an extensive game catalog when it comes to online video slots, but it does, however, offer quality in the few slots that are available. It is what can be considered as a pure gaming experience considering the level of funding in the gaming development plus lucrative licensing agreements with Marvel, MGM, Universal Studios and Paramount which are most notable for high grossing movies in Hollywood. The IMS (Information Management System) is the software that is responsible for the high-quality crisp imaging and graphics on most of the games by Playtech such as Lucky Panda and Ghost Rider.
- Azteca
- Irish Luck
- The Flintstones
NetEnt
NetEnt is among the pioneers of online gaming and/or online casinos. It is a Stockholm based, Swedish developer which is considered among the largest in the business. Founded in the 70s, but formally launched in 1996, it has made strides in the industry thanks to some smart business moves such as opting to restructure from being a land-based casino called Cherry, into a gaming developer or supplier. More than 2 decades later, the bold move seems to have paid off immensely, considering that it is a publicly traded company which is floated on the Swedish securities exchange (Stockholm Stock Exchange).
NetEnt Casinos
There are numerous online casinos that use NetEnt games and none of them is entirely a NetEnt Casino. So, it is difficult to distinguish them, but judging by the ones with an extensive game-collection from the developer, the Netent Canadian casinos include the Redbet casino, Diamond7 casino, Slots Million casino, Amsterdam’s casino, the 21 casino, and the 21Prive casino among others.
A notable aspect of the games procured by NetEnt is that they are not as many as those by some of its rival competitors, but the games are very high quality with alluring graphics, packed with some innovative gameplay features.
NetEnt Slots
Unlike the Quick Hits slot machines, NetEnt does not support downloads on its apps and games. As a result, you have to enable the flash play feature on your dedicated browser to stream the games. A key factor that sets any NetEnt creation from that of other developers must be the visual quality which is almost entirely emphasized on during the creative process.
Slots such as Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst are regarded as among the best by gaming enthusiasts in the gaming industry. They have decent payouts and their non-progressive jackpots are rewarding because of the games’ medium to high volatility.
Quick Hits
Quick hits is a slot which has been developed by Bally technologies. It is a continuation of an earlier slot by the same name which was developed for both online and land-based casinos. There are other newer versions available, but this particular one is a remake which has incorporated the same theme and a massive improvement in the sound and image quality was made.
More often, people confuse and Quick Hits and Quickspin, the latter of which is a Swedish developer that is fairly new to the online gaming market which is responsible for slots such as Rapunzel and Goldilocks.
Quick Hits Games
The Quick Hits games are just as old as the Cryptologic game developer which was founded in 1998 in Toronto, Canada. Quick Hits focuses primarily on slots with very few notable releases such as Cash Wizard and Cash Spin and a lot of emphasis goes into ensuring that the games have immersive graphics and a catchy sound tune that plays in the background to match the game’s theme.
An interesting feature of the layout in their games is just how the symbols pay out whereby each of them, has a hit frequency to show just how likely you are to land it.
Quick Hits Slots
There are fewer game titles as compared to those found in Microgaming casinos but one thing that is guaranteed by the Quick Hits slots is the unique approach to the gameplay format, something that has made it a favorite. It is particularly challenging for beginners to comprehend, and it is why there is a free play version that helps players understand how the unique symbols pay out.
The symbols have the following hit frequencies which influence the win amount Bars and Stars – 64.85% , Black and White 7s – 50.19%, Triple Blazing Sevens Jackpot – a little over 50%, and Black Gold Wild – about 40%. With bets as little as 10 cents, you stand to win a decent amount.
- Quick Hit Pro
- Quick Hit Las Vegas
- Quick Hit Black Gold
Quickspin
Quickspin is an ambitious Swedish game developer that was just recently launched into the online market, that is still trying to find its stride unlike old players such as WMS gaming that have an over 2 decades experience. They are launching enticing slots at a very fast rate showcasing just how ambitious they are at trying to capture the online gaming market.
In 2013 they made a move to take over the Gala Bingo and Gala Casino as their subsidiaries, both of which are British establishments under Gala Interactive. By doing so, they hope that while procuring games that run on their software, they can build a portfolio in the market.
Quickspin Games For Canadians
There are a notable number of slots by Quickspin games that are already an instant hit with the Canadian online gaming community such as Wins of Fortune. It has an ancient Asian Fantasy theme that is well-portrayed thanks to the nice graphics similar to what we have come to expect with Netent slots. It has a unique re-spin feature in addition to the Free Spins.
You can also sample out the Leprechaun Hills which is an immersive 40 payline slot which is widely regarded even by the company’s hierarchy as the most colourful and the most entertaining game release to date.
Quickspin Slots
Quickspin slots are simple and characterized by the classic 5X5 reels. It is something that makes it easier even for amateurs to catch up fast and learn how to play like pros. The Sticky Bandits slot is modeled similarly to the Wild West slot. As the game title suggests, the gameplay is characterized by sticky Wilds which are among the in-game highlights because of just how much they influence the payout. Just as you guessed, they stick on the reels and award Free Spins where 2 of them will grant a minimum of 7 spins which are enough to influence the outcome.
 | Big Bad Wolf Slot Review | Read More |
 | Mayana Slot Review | Read More |
 | Pied Piper Slot Review | Read More |
 | Sticky Bandits Slot Review | Read More |
Cryptologic Software Provider
Cryptologic is the ultimate Canadian game developer owing to the fact that it was founded in Toronto in 1995 by two Canadian brothers. It has since gone on to grow into one of the leading developers in the American market, a fete that can be supported by the fact that it is a listed company on both NASDAQ and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Cryptologic focuses on developing slots and other table games such as Bingo and Poker software for some of the leading casinos and sportsbooks. In 2004 it developed a Poker app for Betfair which was an exclusive licensing agreement.
Cryptologic Online Slots
There are many slots offered by this developer, with perhaps the most popular one being the Batman. They actually had a lucrative licensing agreement with Marvel which allowed them to create slots whose themes were inspired by popular characters who appeared in various comics, over the years. Other similar slots include King Kong, Superman, Superman: Last Son of Krypton, and the Fantastic Four.
The Batman slot, for instance, has one of the most lucrative Progressive jackpot slots in the online gaming industry. As much as they lost the licensing deal with Marvel, they are still allowed to make slots using the same name and therefore it is not uncommon to find slots with similar names.
- The Incredible Hulk – Ultimate Revenge
- Millionaires Club
- Superman
WMS Software Provider
Also known as Williams Interactive and having been launched in early 1994, it has gone on to produce some of the the industry’s most well known games. They are a software provider who is known for creating slots with the multiway technology. It is a feature of the slots that allows players to win prizes or unlock rewards after landing matching symbols anywhere on the reels in any direction such as from right to left, unlike the most common left to right rule.
They also have the transmissive reels technology that supports video graphics on the reels for an interactive experience.
WMS Slots
WMS has chosen to primarily focus on developing classic 3-reel slots as well as the more common 5-reel, 243-ways to win slots. The varying design even ensures that there is a 3-reel Progressive jackpot slot such as the Reel ’em In slot, something that is rare considering most slots with such a feature have 5 reels.
If you want to experience the Multiway feature on the slots that allows you to win regardless of how you match the symbols, then the Double Buffalo Spirit or the Raging Rhino slots are the most ideal. There is a host of slots to pick from, but the most recommended are those with a 95% or above RTP rate.
 | Raging Rhino Slot Review | Read More |
Summary
There are many online software developers who are creating very immersive slots but at the end of the day, players are looking at certain aspects before considering to play. The key factor is always money, because people play slots as often as they attempt to win.
Despite this, other features of the slots such as graphics, sound properties, and colour themes can also play a part. A unique feature such as VR (Virtual Reality) which is currently only available courtesy of Microgaming is another crowd puller. Players are flocking to test this piece of technology that is slated to revolutionize casino gameplay.
It is notable that the constant amongst all the reviewed developers has to be the interface where the reels and graphics, as well as the payout ratio are the most essential.
