The casino software is the lifeline, the blood, so to speak, of any online casino, but what exactly are the top gaming companies, and what makes this tick? Let's discover the answers together in this article.
A Brief History
As the internet took off and become household fixtures, the casino industry took note. While considered crude and adolescent by today's fast moving technology standards, casinos opened up some of the first online casinos on static web browsers like the now defunct Netscape. One of those early companies is Wager Gaming Software.
Why Wager Gaming Software Is Considered The King Of Casino Software
Wager Gaming Software traces its origins to the 1990s, back to the days of Vegas Tech Software. By the late 1990s, it was fully renamed to Wager Gaming Software, or Wager Gaming Technology, as it is known throughout the online casino world. Wager Gaming Software has scores of online casinos, some of which we will discuss, but they are known for their immensely stocked slot games.
Wager Gaming Software, when it comes to slot games, is an equal opportunity player. They first cut their teeth on three-reel slot games with a single pay line. The three-reel slots hearken to the glory days of Las Vegas and Reno casinos. While Wager Gaming Software served as the nucleus and the creative genius behind the slot games, some of which we will talk about in a moment, it was and still is through their extensive partnership with the flash engine that the games came alive. Flash is another pioneer in the early days of the internet that made it possible to stream games online or offline. Its unique compression techniques preserved the gaming detail for players to spend endless hours winning and enjoying themselves.
A few of Wager Gaming Software's three-reel games include Liberty 7's and Red, White And Win. Shortly after the three-reel success, Wager Gaming Software graduated to stunning, animated five-reel games. Some of the early five-reel games introduced the concept of the bonus round and progressive jackpots.
Real-Time Gaming Enters The Equation
Wager Gaming Software wasn't the only software engine to hit the internet. As the 1990s progressed, Real-Time Gaming entered the casino software equation. One of the reasons Real-Time Gaming became an instant success is their attention to detail and graphics. Like Wager Gaming Software, they too turned to the mighty flash engine.
Besides the sharp graphics, Real-Time Gaming pioneered the usage of soundtracks in their games, along with different reel speeds. While it started with three-reel games, Real-Time Gaming went full bore with epic five-reel games such as Asgard, which showcases from start to finish, all of the intangibles and ingredients that make Real-Time Gaming successful.
Other popular and enriching five-reel slot games that have set Real-Time Gaming as a significant casino software operator are the Cash Bandits series of games. Cash Bandits is a trio of cops and robber games that is full of terrific free spins rounds and a heaping progressive jackpot.
We talked earlier about Real-Time Gaming's progressive jackpot prowess. Real-Time Gaming turned the online casino industry on its head by being one of the first gaming companies to institute a system-wide progressive jackpot system. This means that no matter what online casino you are playing at, the games that qualify for the system-wide progressive jackpot will tabulate all the wager and spins, and have one outstanding player at a time, go home very happy with a smile on their face.
Betsoft Rises To The Ranks
As the 2000s pressed on, the world of online casinos went through a very impressive boom. One of the booms came courtesy of new-age gaming companies, such as Betsoft. Betsoft first came online in 2006, and they have been nothing short of impressive and masterful. While companies like Wager Gaming Software and Real-Time Gaming push games to new heights, Betsoft came along and reinvented the slot games wheel.
Betsoft was one of the first and new gaming companies not to use the flash engine; instead, they use the prowess of the latest and greatest HTML5 technology. HTML5 technology is supported by most of the leading online browsers now and is pushing out the flash technology. Betsoft is also a pioneer and a revolutionary force in terms of slot game graphics. Betsoft helped usher in a brand new gaming engine, specifically animation that is on part with significant animation studios like Pixar and Disney.
The third reason for Betsoft's gaming prowess and rise to the top is their attention to crafting superlative and interactive games. Its games' trademark is highly interactive characters with storylines that play out like an animated movie that you watch on television or the movie theaters.
Some of the critical Betsoft games that highlight its prowess are At The Copa, a brilliant five-reel game that inspires you to put on your dancing shoes and dance for Paula's love and affection. At The Copa demonstrates the full genius and integrity of the Betsoft Gaming engine by having interactive characters dance along with the screen to the tune of a mesmerizing soundtrack. At The Copa also involves highly evolved and intricate bonus rounds.
Relive the classic horror tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, another brilliant masterpiece by Betsoft. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde take Betsoft's ingenuity to even newer heights by having Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde moving all about on the game screen. Going beyond the razor sharp details, this game highlights ambient effects with the wind. Of course, this title is full of fantastic bonus rounds, which include bonuses. Betsoft has a loyal following and devoted online casinos. A simple search and perusal on the internet will reveal these casinos where you can fall in love with their animated slot title magic.
Rival Gaming Is Here To Stay
Betsoft isn't the only new age online casino. Rival has entered the scene, and the world of online casinos has never looked better. Rival Gaming also came onto the scene in 2006, the same year as Betsoft Gaming. So what Rival so special? Rival also specializes in interactive and razor sharp games, but they go heavy on progressive jackpots. It is common place for Rival games to feature multiple jackpots, a major one, a minor one, and a grand jackpot. It is also common to find a progressive jackpot attached to them as well. Rival's games are strong in a progressive jackpot network where players from around the world contribute on every spin for that particular player to win and take home the whole enchilada.
Rival Gaming also has come into prominence by being strong in the table category. Rival Gaming understands that blackjack games are king, which is why Rival has an armada of blackjack games, including classic blackjack and the likes of Vegas Strip Blackjack.
Rival Gaming is also keen on the roulette table. Depending on the online casino you are playing at, you can play American Roulette, European Roulette, Zoom Roulette, and in some cases, even French Roulette. Rival Gaming even offers its talents with a powerful and extensive video poker section. There are scores of elite video poker titles which you can quickly peruse and find at the Rival Casino of your choice. Rival Gaming also led the path to mobile friendly casinos. It is en vogue now for online casinos to have a unique, mobile only section.
Add Microgaming Software To The Mix
Of all the casino software, Microgaming is a relative newcomer to the world of online casinos. Microgaming immediately earned its stripes and its sterling reputation by developing a string of graphically marvelous slot games. Some of the games in their portfolio include Agent Blonde and Agent Blonde Returns, two riveting games that showcase the magic of Microgaming's abilities as a gaming developer.
Microgaming also excels in the fantasy genre. In fact, many of its prized slot games fall into the fantasy adventure category. Two games of importance are Avalon parts one and two. Both of these games and other games showcase Microgaming's brilliance to add and involve complicated bonus rounds.
IsoftBet Joins The Casino Software Club
We told you that the world of casino software was a vast one. So far, we've discussed legacy flash gaming providers and some modern-day HTML5 providers, but another intriguing provider goes by the name of iSoftBet.
If you are not familiar with iSoftBet, they are relative newcomers. They develop their own proprietary games, but they also lend their assistance in fair game play to other online casinos. If you are curious about some of its games, look no further than 24, an action-packed slot game that picks up right where the hit television show leaves off. There is even a hit slot game in the honor of Basic Instinct, the 1990s blockbuster erotic thriller that may Sharon Stone a household name.
Bitcoin Enters The Online Casino Sphere
Bitcoin first started as a crypto-currency, but it has since blossomed into an online casino powerhouse. Bitcoin has become a highly reputable casino software provider, developing not just proprietary slot games but table games too. In fact, Bitcoin helps lead the charge in live casino game play. When it comes to live casino play, you can play in the comfort of your home while a beautiful hostess or a handsome dealer attends to you at the table.
Another note on Bitcoin casinos, most only offer Bitcoin as a currency measure, so you must be plugged all the way in with a Bitcoin wallet. Similarly, many pure Bitcoin casinos offer the chance to deposit in other popular crypto-currencies, such as Ehtereum, Dodge Coin, and Litecoin.
