Q&A Ask Me Anything about Slots (AMA) 2020 with Trancemonkey

[The Reel Story]

It all sounds like you are a casino owner)

So anyone giving you facts that don't fit with what you want to hear is a stooge?

I studied other gambling forums. And also in my experience it seems to me that this is not random at all.

If you study the internet, you'll also learn the earth is flat and the moon landing never happened and all sorts of other 'interesting' things. ?

Each casino can set a certain amount from the provider that they have on hand.

Nope. Modern slots don't work on physical cash, so it doesn't matter. The Casino is responsible for all payouts (nothing to do with the game provider) and they legally have to have enough cash on-site to pay out a certain amount (based on some complicated regulatory formula).

And if there is not enough money in the casino cashier, the slots will replenish the cashier from the players. They will take some for themselves and give some back to the players for winnings.

As above, modern slots don't use physical cash, so there is no such thing as 'replenishing' or 'not enough money'.

If someone in the casino won a large amount, the casino cashier will be empty. And who will replenish it?)

As above, all Casino's are required to hold a certain amount of cash on site in order to pay out big wins. These are precisely calculated values based on the style and scale of gaming that a Casino offers. (so a big Vegas Casino will need $70-100m on site ever day, something like that). This is why there is the concept of the 'hand pay'. Anything over $1000 win (I think), you just sit at the machine, a floor manager will come over and verify the amount and then bring you the cash and hand it to you. Everything below that will go on a voucher and you simply walk up to the cashier desk and turn the voucher into dollars.

In land-based casinos, if not many people visit it, then you should not expect prizes there.

Not really, but I doubt you'd expect big prizes. A small Casino will likely not offer big Jackpots if they cannot afford the cash to pay them out.

In online casinos, slot machines are tied to the game provider. And if this provider has already given you a prize, then you are unlikely to receive another one.

Nope. Providers have nothing to do with the payouts. Casino's buy games off providers and the Casino is responsible for all bets and payouts.

 

[degerardo]

Hello guys. Thank you for your replies earlier. I was very busy with my work, so sorry for the lack of response.
I do, have however a few more questios to ask. Maybe some are obvious in answers but I want to be sure as possible
Questions are for game development:

Can anyone tell me how online slot games are made?
* I mean, I know how, but not in deep enough. If you will have to go step by step, in little steps?
I guess first there is an idea, visual content, then mechanics, then some (front-end or back-end programmer is involved in HTML, or SQL, or something), do a prototype, working with mathematician, who will set the RNG(pseudo RNG), RTP, hit frequency, bonus frequency, RTP on base and bonus game,, sprssd of symbols per each reel, then programmer (front or back end) again take a place, then add in graphics, then there is some somehow - simulations made, then sending it over to a company for testing and getting a certificate, then its going to an agent or casino... So I know workflow as a core, but not in depth details
If anyone can put some nice more detailed light to it, that will be amazing!

I dont need any secrets, just to understand the entire process from A to End in some structural words, and what person is doing what ti will be AMAZINGLY APPRECIATE!

Thanks alot guys!

 

[slotmaster]

Hello guys. Thank you for your replies earlier. I was very busy with my work, so sorry for the lack of response.
I do, have however a few more questios to ask. Maybe some are obvious in answers but I want to be sure as possible
Questions are for game development:

Can anyone tell me how online slot games are made?
* I mean, I know how, but not in deep enough. If you will have to go step by step, in little steps?
I guess first there is an idea, visual content, then mechanics, then some (front-end or back-end programmer is involved in HTML, or SQL, or something), do a prototype, working with mathematician, who will set the RNG(pseudo RNG), RTP, hit frequency, bonus frequency, RTP on base and bonus game,, sprssd of symbols per each reel, then programmer (front or back end) again take a place, then add in graphics, then there is some somehow - simulations made, then sending it over to a company for testing and getting a certificate, then its going to an agent or casino... So I know workflow as a core, but not in depth details
If anyone can put some nice more detailed light to it, that will be amazing!

I dont need any secrets, just to understand the entire process from A to End in some structural words, and what person is doing what ti will be AMAZINGLY APPRECIATE!

Thanks alot guys!

Excellent question and 1 I was going to ask trance back then when this thread started but never did so am glad you asked!

 

[sh33k]

Fun enough slots! You just have to have a limit! Unfortunately there is no sure strategy... what I've noticed is that if you feed it, it will definitely give you money back, not always, but at some point for sure! It's also a matter of luck! I would definitely say to avoid the popular providers! I get almost nothing from them, but when I join newer ones they always give me something! I also check to see if the game says how much money it has given to players!

 

[The Reel Story]

Hello guys. Thank you for your replies earlier. I was very busy with my work, so sorry for the lack of response.
I do, have however a few more questios to ask. Maybe some are obvious in answers but I want to be sure as possible
Questions are for game development:

Can anyone tell me how online slot games are made?
* I mean, I know how, but not in deep enough. If you will have to go step by step, in little steps?
I guess first there is an idea, visual content, then mechanics, then some (front-end or back-end programmer is involved in HTML, or SQL, or something), do a prototype, working with mathematician, who will set the RNG(pseudo RNG), RTP, hit frequency, bonus frequency, RTP on base and bonus game,, sprssd of symbols per each reel, then programmer (front or back end) again take a place, then add in graphics, then there is some somehow - simulations made, then sending it over to a company for testing and getting a certificate, then its going to an agent or casino... So I know workflow as a core, but not in depth details
If anyone can put some nice more detailed light to it, that will be amazing!

I dont need any secrets, just to understand the entire process from A to End in some structural words, and what person is doing what ti will be AMAZINGLY APPRECIATE!

Thanks alot guys!

Kinda hard to go into more detail. What kind of detail do you want? There isn't a 'one size fits all' approach.

Back end could be in all sorts of languages. Java, Python, Golang, C#, NodeJS.

Mathamatical models could be initially done in something like Matlab.

Front end will be HTML5, probably using some framework like React or a custom framework the developer made themselves for quick production of Slots (or a combo of both).

'Setting' the RNG is not a thing. An RNG is just that, a random number generator.

The rest though, yes, that will be finessed. There will probably be an initial idea of frequencies and you'll try to get there either using theoretical maths or just via constant simulation outputs. Then you'll play the game, a lot, because how the game 'feels' to play is one of the most important things. This is both how it 'feels' from a graphics/sound/etc standpoint, but also how it 'feels' from a mathematical standpoint (does it take too long to bonus? do you get too many dead spins? do you get reels landing in really frustrating configurations too often that make it feel shonky?)

Simulations will normally be done in some kind of specialised simulation tool, probably custom made. So you write the game logic in your back end language of choice, then plug it into your simulation engine and it will run a bunch of spins and pull out the stats.

Theoretical Math document (if there is one), Simumation report, a link to the game, expected outcomes (RTP) and a checksummed code package is what gets sent to the test lab. They will test the game themselves and compare it to what you provided and either approve it or reject it. Rejection will come with reasons so you can correct and resubmit. If approved, it is that specific checksummed code package that is approved. This is what will be deployed to the website, so they can guarantee no code changes have taken place between what they approved and what was deployed

You'll probably also send your language document to your translator. Probably before approval, as the implementation of languages will change the code of the front end. The language in the game will either be dynamic or static, and so once the translations come back, any static stuff will need to be drawn up by the designers and then integrated into the game client with another round of internal testing of all the translations etc.

Each Casino will probably have its own way that a game is integrated into its website, but largely it will involve a standardised link with some parameters. Assuming the game provider already has a deal with the Casino, then they'll just agree they want the new game, a link will be provided and the Casino will add it to the main page whenever they add new games (once or twice a week seems to be standard for most Casinos, but it's up to them).

Normally billing/invoicing is done per month, but it will depend on the commercials between the Platform <> Provider <> Casino.

There are so many possible nuances that it's hard to really go into any more detail.

 

[The Reel Story]

Fun enough slots! You just have to have a limit! Unfortunately there is no sure strategy... what I've noticed is that if you feed it, it will definitely give you money back, not always, but at some point for sure! It's also a matter of luck! I would definitely say to avoid the popular providers! I get almost nothing from them, but when I join newer ones they always give me something! I also check to see if the game says how much money it has given to players!

Have a limit - Yes

No sure strategy - Yes

Feed it and it will give back - No, but statistically over time you will win and lose, so continual play means, statistically, you will get some wins

Matter of Luck - Yes

Avoid popular providers - Not really (unless they routinely provide bad games or low RTP).

Joining newer ones always gives something - No, it's random.

How much it's given to players - Doesn't matter.

 

[degerardo]

Kinda hard to go into more detail. What kind of detail do you want? There isn't a 'one size fits all' approach.

Back end could be in all sorts of languages. Java, Python, Golang, C#, NodeJS.

Mathamatical models could be initially done in something like Matlab.

Front end will be HTML5, probably using some framework like React or a custom framework the developer made themselves for quick production of Slots (or a combo of both).

'Setting' the RNG is not a thing. An RNG is just that, a random number generator.

The rest though, yes, that will be finessed. There will probably be an initial idea of frequencies and you'll try to get there either using theoretical maths or just via constant simulation outputs. Then you'll play the game, a lot, because how the game 'feels' to play is one of the most important things. This is both how it 'feels' from a graphics/sound/etc standpoint, but also how it 'feels' from a mathematical standpoint (does it take too long to bonus? do you get too many dead spins? do you get reels landing in really frustrating configurations too often that make it feel shonky?)

Simulations will normally be done in some kind of specialised simulation tool, probably custom made. So you write the game logic in your back end language of choice, then plug it into your simulation engine and it will run a bunch of spins and pull out the stats.

Theoretical Math document (if there is one), Simumation report, a link to the game, expected outcomes (RTP) and a checksummed code package is what gets sent to the test lab. They will test the game themselves and compare it to what you provided and either approve it or reject it. Rejection will come with reasons so you can correct and resubmit. If approved, it is that specific checksummed code package that is approved. This is what will be deployed to the website, so they can guarantee no code changes have taken place between what they approved and what was deployed

You'll probably also send your language document to your translator. Probably before approval, as the implementation of languages will change the code of the front end. The language in the game will either be dynamic or static, and so once the translations come back, any static stuff will need to be drawn up by the designers and then integrated into the game client with another round of internal testing of all the translations etc.

Each Casino will probably have its own way that a game is integrated into its website, but largely it will involve a standardised link with some parameters. Assuming the game provider already has a deal with the Casino, then they'll just agree they want the new game, a link will be provided and the Casino will add it to the main page whenever they add new games (once or twice a week seems to be standard for most Casinos, but it's up to them).

Normally billing/invoicing is done per month, but it will depend on the commercials between the Platform <> Provider <> Casino.

There are so many possible nuances that it's hard to really go into any more detail.

Ooow! This is already very nice and a proper nice answer! I really appreciate your time and effort to put some more light to my questions
Thank you so very much for this! Appreciated alot!

 

[trancemonkey]

Kinda hard to go into more detail. What kind of detail do you want? There isn't a 'one size fits all' approach.

Back end could be in all sorts of languages. Java, Python, Golang, C#, NodeJS.

Mathamatical models could be initially done in something like Matlab.

Front end will be HTML5, probably using some framework like React or a custom framework the developer made themselves for quick production of Slots (or a combo of both).

'Setting' the RNG is not a thing. An RNG is just that, a random number generator.

The rest though, yes, that will be finessed. There will probably be an initial idea of frequencies and you'll try to get there either using theoretical maths or just via constant simulation outputs. Then you'll play the game, a lot, because how the game 'feels' to play is one of the most important things. This is both how it 'feels' from a graphics/sound/etc standpoint, but also how it 'feels' from a mathematical standpoint (does it take too long to bonus? do you get too many dead spins? do you get reels landing in really frustrating configurations too often that make it feel shonky?)

Simulations will normally be done in some kind of specialised simulation tool, probably custom made. So you write the game logic in your back end language of choice, then plug it into your simulation engine and it will run a bunch of spins and pull out the stats.

Theoretical Math document (if there is one), Simumation report, a link to the game, expected outcomes (RTP) and a checksummed code package is what gets sent to the test lab. They will test the game themselves and compare it to what you provided and either approve it or reject it. Rejection will come with reasons so you can correct and resubmit. If approved, it is that specific checksummed code package that is approved. This is what will be deployed to the website, so they can guarantee no code changes have taken place between what they approved and what was deployed

You'll probably also send your language document to your translator. Probably before approval, as the implementation of languages will change the code of the front end. The language in the game will either be dynamic or static, and so once the translations come back, any static stuff will need to be drawn up by the designers and then integrated into the game client with another round of internal testing of all the translations etc.

Each Casino will probably have its own way that a game is integrated into its website, but largely it will involve a standardised link with some parameters. Assuming the game provider already has a deal with the Casino, then they'll just agree they want the new game, a link will be provided and the Casino will add it to the main page whenever they add new games (once or twice a week seems to be standard for most Casinos, but it's up to them).

Normally billing/invoicing is done per month, but it will depend on the commercials between the Platform <> Provider <> Casino.

There are so many possible nuances that it's hard to really go into any more detail.

Good answer - and yeah, there is no one size fits all approach. We have many different studios and they often make games slightly differently...

 

[bamberfishcake]

If an online slot fails an RTP test before release, must the design change for a retest, or can it be retested countless times?

 

[The Reel Story]

If an online slot fails an RTP test before release, must the design change for a retest, or can it be retested countless times?

If you're asking about an external certification, then these are normally chargeable, so you could resubmit the same thing to be tested again if you wanted to pay again. I can't imagine why anyone would though. If you think the test house got it wrong, you'd expect them to retest free of charge. If they got it right, then you'll need to correct your implementation.

 

[slotmaster]

Was actually wondering about trancemonkey yesterday and how he is doing and if still at same job.

 

[bamberfishcake]

If you're asking about an external certification, then these are normally chargeable, so you could resubmit the same thing to be tested again if you wanted to pay again. I can't imagine why anyone would though. If you think the test house got it wrong, you'd expect them to retest free of charge. If they got it right, then you'll need to correct your implementation.

Thanks. I was thinking more along the lines of 'These mathematicians are clever, what's stopping them from making a game that hits one max win out of 10 tests?'.

A rabbit hole where I will probably never find the answer, but it's good to know how things work.

 

[The Reel Story]

Thanks. I was thinking more along the lines of 'These mathematicians are clever, what's stopping them from making a game that hits one max win out of 10 tests?'.

A rabbit hole where I will probably never find the answer, but it's good to know how things work.

What would that achieve though? You're still trying to get them to confirm the same RTP that you got yourselves.

 

[bamberfishcake]

What would that achieve though? You're still trying to get them to confirm the same RTP that you got yourselves.

Yes, and they make enough from legitimate designs anyway.

 

[The Reel Story]

Yes, and they make enough from legitimate designs anyway.

It's not really about legitimate or illegitimate though. If you wanted to get an illegitimate design through, multiple testing still wouldn't help you.

 

[bamberfishcake]

It's not really about legitimate or illegitimate though. If you wanted to get an illegitimate design through, multiple testing still wouldn't help you.

Yeah, thinking on, I was possibly barking up the wrong tree. Just I wonder about the efficiency of testing and how rigorous the process actually is.

Have heard stories about certain games not hitting max wins and release dates being set back because of retest etc, which led me to thinking-out-loud, forum-style, wondering about designs having to be retested to find a desired result.

 

[The Reel Story]

Yeah, thinking on, I was possibly barking up the wrong tree. Just I wonder about the efficiency of testing and how rigorous the process actually is.

Have heard stories about certain games not hitting max wins and release dates being set back because of restest etc, which led me to thinking-out-loud, forum-style, wondering about designs having to be retested to find a desired result.

Ahh. I see. Well I guess that does depend on the test lab in question. I don't actually know all the criteria anymore, but basically the game provider works out the rtp and frequencies etc of their game, submits that to the lab and says 'can you confirm my findings are correct', so the lab does its own tests and sees if the results match.

I honestly don't know whether they test things like max win frequencies and stuff and see if those match the submissions. It's been so long for me. I expect @trancemonkey will know.

 

[JkG]

How can a 96% rtp give you zero rtp after 100 spins @ 60p ? ?

 

[The Reel Story]

How can a 96% rtp give you zero rtp after 100 spins @ 60p ? ?

Not quite sure I understand the question.

Do you mean that you had 100 dead spins? Zero wins whatsoever?

Or do you mean you played 100 spins and then your balance was 0?

If the former, while 100 spins is nowhere statistically significant, I'd say you'd need to be very unlucky to have 0 wins in 100 spins.

If the latter, then 100 spins is just to small a number. High volatility games mean you will have periods where you lose a lot between large wins. If you run out of balance before you luck into a big win, then that's the end of your session, but that doesn't really reflect on the RTP at all.

 

[CasinoNinja]

One thing I'm wondering is that I've seen it being posted before that there is a margin of 1-2% from the test labs, so could a really well programmed game who claim they are 96% but after testing end up at 94% say that they are still within the margin?

 

[The Reel Story]

I don't think the margins from test labs are that high. Considering the number of simulation runs that get done, the margin of error would be in the fractions of a percent.

 

[trancemonkey]

Was actually wondering about trancemonkey yesterday and how he is doing and if still at same job.

Hey... I don't really come here often any more, but I still stop by occasionally... I'm emmigrating to Serbia, Belgrade in April 2024 as a Director Producer for the land based IGT studio there.. mainly making games for North America, but still sometimes doing other markets...

 

[trancemonkey]

How can a 96% rtp give you zero rtp after 100 spins @ 60p ? ?

Because it's a really shit, really volatile game? Or you gambled every win you had?

 

[trancemonkey]

One thing I'm wondering is that I've seen it being posted before that there is a margin of 1-2% from the test labs, so could a really well programmed game who claim they are 96% but after testing end up at 94% say that they are still within the margin?

This is completely wrong .. for all the games we test the RTP we report has to match the RTP that GLI or BMM or whoever get from their tests...

 

[slotmaster]

Hey... I don't really come here often any more, but I still stop by occasionally... I'm emmigrating to Serbia, Belgrade in April 2024 as a Director Producer for the land based IGT studio there.. mainly making games for North America, but still sometimes doing other markets...

wowza!, Isn't that where @Jelena_PragmaticPlay is?