The pixelated landscapes of early video games and the blinking light of casino floors may seem worlds apart, but both require a deep understanding of player psychology. Over the years, many talented developers who grew up with arcades have been able to seamlessly transition from working with console games to contributing to the casino gaming industry.
From Joysticks to Jackpots
The change in games, consoles and industries often feels easy for field veterans as many developers who’ve contributed towards creating captivating experiences for Nintendo or Sega have had to pivot to the more enticing world of online casino gaming. These developers welcomed fresh air to an industry that previously relied on an old-fashioned approach. These developers added storylines, character development, and achievement features to slot machines and digital card games, which were simply unmatched concepts.
Consider how former Atari programmer David Crane, who created award-winning games such as Pitfall, was consulting with companies simply developing digital versions of casinos. His knowledge of crafting enticing “just one more try” gameplay loops was a great asset while developing casino games that needed to be entertaining and profitable. Like him, some of the key programmers from Rare’s golden era also used their talent to create strikingly beautiful and instantly readable game states for the fast-paced world of digital slot machines.
Pixel Art Meets the Poker Face
It is fascinating how the sensibilities each painter incorporated in the 8-bit and 16-bit formats worked exceptionally well with casino games. The artist’s understanding of how to convey information by using minimalistic designs and aesthetics is incredibly important for interfaces that require instantaneous recognition of winning combinations and betting options. Retro game artists did precisely this.
Former sprite artists from Capcom and SNK went beyond designing captivating characters to crafting digital card games and slot machines. Their ability to create compelling characters with a limited array of pixels was utilized in creating distinctive casino games amidst a multitude of digital competitors. These artists captured the essence that the symbols of slot machines had to be as instantly recognizable as video game protagonists.
Sound Design: From Chiptunes to Celebration
The famous victory dances and defeat dirges from retro video games directly relate to the distinctive audio profiles of retro games; their application was more relevant to casino gaming. The sound designers we know today have worked within the petrifying boundaries of consoles-proved adept with an early gaming model. They were great at building sound wires, which could evoke emotions from the players.
Famous for his work on the franchise Streets of Rage, Yuzo Koshiro consulted briefly on Yoshiki’s pachinko machine sound design in Japan. He brought with him a distinct set of styles of creating tension and release throughout the gambling experiences. Like casino games in which celebratory sounds of winning are used, the psychological triggers were, at first, perfected in 80’s arcade cabinets. Both were constructed in a way to evoke the feeling of triumph which the players continually chase after.
Programming Logic: Random Number Generators and Beyond
The toughest crossover skill must be, without doubt, in the realm of logical programming. In the earliest days, when video game developers had to face this harsh reality, they relied upon exceptionally familiar, yet unjustly underestimated, pseudorandom number generators. These provided, albeit simple, yet clever metaphors for granting players fair gameplay experiences, something at the very epicenter of digital gambling.
Many programmers who learned the art of difficulty balance in platformers or RPGs were able to use those same skills in designing progressive jackpot systems and bonus games in slot machines. Their background in crafting arcade-style video games which had difficulty levels that were challenging but not impossible for the operators to make money out of, directly matched with the needs of casinos.
Conclusion
The flow of creative talents and skills, from developing classic video games to casino design, showcases the importance of having skills that are not bound to any particular genre or industry. Slot machine design seems to differ greatly from programming a Super Mario, but both share underlying fundamentals. These fundamentals include game design elements such as understanding what motivates the player to play, designing a good reward system, and providing an engaging experience where they feel challenged yet not punished. As these two industries continue to undergo change due to new technologies being introduced, there is a higher rate of idea sharing between the two.
The same logic is being applied by developers who once programmed Nintendo cartridges in their storytelling and visual imagery to digital gambling. The transition from pixels to poker demonstrates the beauty of good design thinking. These pioneers who crossed the boundaries of industries left their mark on both worlds; now, they are practically unrecognizable as millions of people indulge with Digital Entertainment through the lens of gaming or gambling and contesting for top scores or jackpots.