On the face of it, there really isn’t much to pokies and the way they are played. They are very basic in premise, as players simply have to hit a spin button and not much else. They can’t influence the outcome of the game with a strategy as they may when playing tabletop games, nor can they control many other aspects.
However, that hasn’t stopped this form of game from being entertaining. In fact, they are among the global leaders in the industry. Their simplicity is what makes them extremely popular. Locations like Australia have proven to be very popular with these games.
Players who log onto the sites that offer the best mobile pokies in Australia has available have continued to enjoy them in abundance. Several titles have become renowned around the iGaming industry, with many of them gaining huge appeal.
But, if pokies can be deemed to be mundane and boring in terms of their simplicity and gameplay, what has made them so popular as an entertainment form?
Pokie design has used science to shine
Pokie developers and designers have been very clever in what they have managed to achieve. They know just as well as anyone else that the game’s main premise and mechanics aren’t quite enough to keep players going for sustained periods of time. There’s only so much that an individual will want to go before they become bored with the monotony.
However, by adding graphics and sounds to the game, they have been able to capture the attention of their players, thus creating a unique ability to keep them engaged and playing for longer.
How does the sound in pokies impact player behavior?
Sounds have an incredible way in which they can evoke certain emotions out of individuals. When you hear a song that you like or associate with a moment that may have happened, you’ll start to experience several feelings.
The very same thing can happen when you hear the sounds implemented with pokies. Designers will use uptempo beats that can create a positive audio experience. These beats release certain hormones within an individual’s brain, such as dopamine, which have a positive impact on the person. As more dopamine is released, the brain craves more of it, leading to players playing for as long as possible.
How do the graphics play a part?
While sound can have an impact, graphics can also create positive connections and evoke emotions in players. As human beings, we often base things on what can be seen. We all have preferences and enjoy different things. This is where graphics can come in, as they are what can help to set the scene and tell stories.
Individuals can find themselves becoming more engrossed and engaged with visuals if there is a story to follow. If they have something that suits their likes and tastes, they will find it easier to remain focused and immersed in what is going on. This helps to take the focus away from how basic pokies can be in terms of their gameplay, as their brains are switched on to the images that are used to form it.
What are the most popular pokies themes and sounds?
Given the importance of these two aspects, it’s no surprise to see pokie designers continually using certain themes when creating new titles. The pokies niche is perhaps famed for its ability to be extremely versatile, despite the fact that the games are almost identical in the way that they are played.
Although the implementation of certain mechanics or features can make them different, it’s the usage of themes and sounds that can really make them stand out. As mentioned, these are what can immerse players as they can create and evoke emotion out of us.
A quick browse around any online casino or within a software developer’s library of games will show that there are certain themes that are more popular than others. These can include those that are based on history, popular culture, sports, TV shows and films, music, and sci-fi. As these can fit people’s preferences quite easily, it’s easy to see why they continue to remain at the top of player demands and why they perform so well when released.
Final Thoughts
The inclusion of sound and graphics in pokies design cannot be understated. As highlighted, pokies at their core are simple games that don’t involve all that much, especially when played online. Players only need to hit a button and the game will do what it has been programmed to do.
To keep players interested for as long as possible, the sounds and graphics implemented by designers are key. They are often the difference between success and failure. This is why we often see the same themes repeated across thousands of titles.
