I want to warn readers that the article is subjective and written from the first-person perspective. Having tested several thousand video pokies at different casinos in recent years, I have allocated several functional features and design solutions for which I want to slap developers on the wrist.
Annoying Features of Pokie Machines
So, when do pokies irritate me?
When You Cannot Play the Game on a Smartphone
Mobile casinos are a fast-growing field of modern gambling.
- The number of users who play on their smartphones reaches hundreds of millions.
- The total amount of mobile device bets exceeds 100 billion dollars.
Why do some software providers not want to adapt their smartphone video pokies? It is a mystery to me.
When Not All Rules Are Explained
You run a video pokie, open its payout table, and notice one or two pages with multipliers and a couple of common phrases. I understand that the rules are intuitively understandable and can be mastered while testing the game. Nevertheless, I want to know what to expect from the video slot.
Developers should explain how payouts are calculated, what special symbols provide, and how free spins are organized. In addition, data on the theoretical payout percentage should be mentioned. Otherwise, it seems that the manufacturers want to deceive me.
Developers should keep in mind that:
The detailed description of rules and technical characteristics increase the level of credibility to the game.
Don't they need it?
When It Is Difficult to Change a Bet Size
I know that betting systems do not help users beat pokie machines. Yet, it is easy to get bored by always making a bet of the same size. Trying to catch Lady Luck is much more interesting, so I constantly vary the bet size.
Pokies from most developers allow users to do this on the main control panel. Yet, some manufacturers make the process complicated. For example, you must select several aspects:
- the number of active lines,
- the number of coins per line,
- and the coin value.
Moreover, you can do it on a special menu, so you must open it first.
They try to make the interface user-friendly by removing numerous buttons from the panel. Yet, many players disapprove of this intention.
When the Autoplay Is Not Available
Autoplay mode in video pokies is a beneficial feature for gambling operators. When customers get tired of clicking on the button, they don't take breaks and keep participating in the gameplay. The longer they play, the more money they lose.I understand this, but I still need an autoplay. It simplifies my life in many aspects. Considering that it benefits casinos, I do not know why it is unavailable in some games.
However, it is worth noting that pokies without autoplay are less and less common.
When Rules Are on a Page with a Scroll Bar
It is permissible to publish the rules and characteristics in the reference section on a page, which can be opened in an additional tab. If a payout table, a description of bonuses, and other data on the video pokie are provided in one window, I want to quit the game immediately.
Unfortunately, even Microgaming does this in some new pokies. The company went even further. It offers the rules in a small pop-up window above the main screen.
Well, it is inconvenient. What is terrible about the option with separate sections on several pages?
When There Are No User Settings
You can turn off the sound in the video pokie and... that's all. Are you serious? You cannot choose the speed of the gameplay, adjust the sound parameters, or select the window size. Is it so difficult to implement such features?
Give at least the opportunity to turn off the background music, leaving the sounds of the game. Let users set the limits in autoplay mode. Allow them to stop the reels in advance and speed up money withdrawal. These options make the gameplay much more convenient and exciting.
Don't you want me to play your video pokie as long as possible?
When the Game Loads Long and Lags
Now many software developers are focusing on the visual appeal of pokie machines. We will not enumerate brands. You know whose pokies have the most spectacular 3D graphics and stunning animations.
This is worthy of respect, but the excellent graphics excite you until the game starts lagging. If you have an old PC or a slow Internet connection, the video pokie can lag even with the minimal graphics quality settings.
Do you rely on advanced gamers with powerful machines? I believe that the number of online gambling fans is very limited. Try to make your colorful pokies available for all users.
When Developers Steal Pokie Themes
In November, manufacturers usually release pokie machines dedicated to Halloween. In December, they please us with beautiful Christmas video pokies. In the spring, some Easter-themed slots periodically appear on the market. This seems logical and appealing.
However, it's slightly annoying if different studios offer games about the Monkey King. You have not recalled the novel Journey to the West for ten years and then decided to familiarize us with the world of classical Chinese literature.
What drives developers when they choose new topics for pokies is a mystery. Casinoz will arrange interviews with representatives of different companies to clarify this issue.
When There Is no Information on the RTP and Volatility
I think that all gambling regulators and independent auditors must force software developers to mention the video pokie's RTP directly in the paytable or the reference section.
The theoretical payback is the main characteristic of a gambling game. You must consider it first when choosing a title to play for real money.
If data on the theoretical payout percentage is unavailable, the manufacturer wants to hide it. What for? Maybe it's too low.
Some companies do not indicate RTP in the reference section attached to gambling machines but publish this information on the official website. Interestingly, the payback percentage is quite competitive or even among the highest in the gambling industry. What makes them do this?
When It Is Another Remake of a Legendary Pokie
I understand manufacturers' desire to earn as much as possible on a popular pokie. However, the next version of either Book of Ra or Lucky Lady's Charm makes me skeptical.
Classic pokies are great, and they have many fans. However, enough is as good as a feast.
When You Cannot Turn Off the Intro
Many pokie machines (specially dedicated to a specific topic) begin with an animated video that introduces the protagonists of the slot to users and demonstrates the features of the gameplay. Such videos are spectacular, and watching them once or twice is interesting.
Please let users term them off. Please don't make us wait until this annoying movie ends.
It is pleasant to notice that most manufacturers allow the deactivation of such animations.
When You Cannot Turn Off the Double-Up Game Suggestion
I wouldn't say I like to play double-up games. Maybe I'm wrong, but this option seems boring to me. Therefore, I am furious when forced to cancel the proposition to start this game after each payout and manually transfer money to the account.
Allow me to get rid of this awful archaism that has survived since the first online pokies appeared.
When You Cannot Speed Up the Gameplay
The slower you play a video pokie, the less money the casino obtains. It's clear. Nevertheless, the slow gameplay upsets me.
In some pokies, the reels rotate very slowly, and there is no opportunity to select the speed. Moreover, sometimes, users cannot turn off the animation activated after each victory. It remains to watch patiently how joyful characters gallop across the screen, informing you of a tiny payout that does not exceed the bet.
Please serve the nerves and time of gamblers. Allow them to regulate the speed of the gameplay.
When an Interface Is Poorly Translated
The lack of translation into a potential client's native language is a severe disadvantage. However, it can be even worse if the interface and rules are available in poor-quality translation. Strange interpretations of well-known terms, stylistic flaws in the description, and grammatical errors in the reference section irritate me even more.
If you don't have a professional translator, offer only a version in English without translation.
Let's Discuss the Subject Matter
What do you think of the abovementioned opinions? Do you agree? I don't believe that you disagree. Feel free to discuss this topic.
Please write in the comments what troubles you with the pokie machines. We will try to share your opinion with the software developers. We hope they will consider customers' complaints and eliminate the disadvantages of their video pokies.
