Low volatility slots, sometimes referred to as “low variance” slots, have become hugely popular in recent years. But what exactly makes these slots so appealing to players and profitable for casinos? Here we’ll explore the key factors driving the low volatility slot phenomenon.
Thrills of Small, Frequent Wins
Low volatility slots on such platforms as Lucky Ones are programmed to pay out small and mid-sized wins more frequently. Instead of relying on rare big jackpot spins, players can expect to hit small “wins” of 20-100x their bet quite regularly. This provides a steady stream of excitement.
Sports psychologists compare this to “variable reward schedules”. Like gamblers, animals hooked up to levers supplying food rewards would tap those levers ferociously when rewards were delivered unpredictably rather than consistently. It triggers the brain’s dopamine response, keeping us coming back for more.
Modern slot designers have mastered this variable reward technique. Small payouts and mini-features land just often enough to keep our brains happy and hands spinning those reels.
Power of Persistence
Related to the dopamine rewards above, low volatility slots encourage players to persist longer out of a belief they’ll hit a win soon. It’s known as the “gambler’s fallacy”.
Humans are generally bad at understanding probability. We tend to think that if a certain slot hasn’t paid out for some time, a win must be “due” soon. Of course each spin is an independent event, but casinos leverage this bias through game volatility.
Low volatility slots pay out just often enough to encourage longer play. The stats back this up too – lower volatility games generate up to 30% higher average playing sessions compared to high volatility slots according to industry reports.
Maximizing Player Time On Device
Prolonging player sessions is a key goal for casinos since this directly translates to revenue. But how is so much extended gameplay achieved with low volatility slots? Various clever design tricks help here.
Teasing Features
Bonus features like free spins are commonly teased in low volatility slots. You may see scatter symbols land just shy of the amount needed to trigger the feature. This is painfully tantalizing and keeps you spinning.
Engaging Graphics & Sound
Visually appealing graphics and sound effects boost overall gaming enjoyment and player persistence. Bright colors, smooth animations and celebratory sounds when winning combinations and serve to stimulate our senses and promote further play.
Mini-Games & Interactive Bonus Rounds
Low volatility slots increasingly incorporate mini-skill games or interactive bonus rounds. These provide a change of pace from simple spinning while allowing additional winning opportunities.
The variety and interactivity value helps maintain player interest.
Avoiding “Playing to Extinction”
Ultimately, players will walk away if they deplete their bankroll. That’s why lower volatility slot algorithms ensure you usually hit some kind of win well before your bankroll runs dry. This helps stave off player exhaustion and again encourages persisting that bit longer.
Optimizing Profits Across Player Segments
Modern slot games allow operators to customize volatility levels. This permits them to optimize profits across various player types.
High rollers tend to prefer high volatility games offering maximum jackpot potential. Lower volatility games then target casual and mid-tier players for reliable revenue. Their less sporadic payout schedules across millions of spins make earnings more consistent.
Offering options is a win-win – high rollers play for big but infrequent payouts, while lower volatility slots maximize time on the device for the masses.
Player Segment Volatility Preferences
| Player Segment | Preferred Volatility | Goal |
| High Rollers | High | Jackpot Hunting |
| Mid-Tier | Mixed | Entertainment |
| Casual | Low | Time-On-Device |
Outlook for Low Volatility Slots
Years of player data and technological improvements have enabled developers to perfect low volatility slot product design. The psychological, sensory and interactive techniques described here combine to produce an optimized gaming experience catering to casual players.
And the future looks bright too. With increasingly detailed analytics into exactly how game features affect persistence, volatility levels can be tuned for maximum time on device. Cloud-connected slots also permit remote volatility configuration allowing operators to instantly tweak games on their casino floors.
So while high volatility slots aren’t going anywhere soon, expect low volatility games to cement themselves as the bread and butter of casino gaming floors for years to come. Their ability to maximize player entertainment and drive prolonged spinning sessions while drip-feeding rewards makes for productive products…and happy customers too.
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