But why do sounds and music play such a crucial role in online slots, and how does it enhance the players' experience?
Howling Wolves in Wolf Gold
Wolf Gold by Pragmatic Play has been one of the hottest games in recent years. The 3×5, 25 lines video slot is packed with features such as free spins, respins, and even a progressive jackpot. However, without its sound effects, there's little doubt that Wolf Gold wouldn't have become the major success it did.
When you open the online slot, you're not entering a game; you're sucked into an entire experience with howling wolves and the sound of owls. You can not only see the theme but feel it. Each game step is filled with sound effects, from somber music during spins without any wins to flute music for introducing a climax and rocket launch type effects to signal a massive win.
However, software developers don't just add music to slot games to create a pleasant experience. There's a psychological factor that, at least if you view it from their point of view, is much more important.
The Psychology of Music in Online Slots
Years ago, a study by The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health showed that players "equate the quality of a machine with the quality of the sound" and use it as one of the main criteria when choosing a game.
Another reason is familiarity. Most online slot machines are based on a theme that people are familiar with, e.g., TV shows, movies, or something more abstract like a candy shop or pirates. Using sounds and music that matches these themes increases the connection between player and slot and makes them more likely to play for longer.
Most importantly, however, is that music has the power to put minds in certain psychological states. Particular sound effects can, like a rocket launch, can signal to players and those around them that a big jackpot was won. It not only raises the self-esteem of that player but potentially sucks in others to play the same game.
And if that wasn't enough, software developers also utilize sounds to make wins sound like they're happening more frequently than losses. For example, when players win, you often hear the sound of falling coins no matter how much that player won. On the other hand, when players lose money, slot machines tend to play quieter sounds, if any, to make such moments less apparent.
Conclusion
Music in online slots like Wolf Gold plays a crucial role in attracting players, keeping them playing, and manipulating their minds to believe wins are happening more often than is the case. There's little doubt that music and sound effects are here to stay, and we can expect even more sophisticated online slots in the future.