The history of the old fashioned pub fruit machines
When was the fruit machine invented?
The first fruit machine can be dated all the way back to 1895. It was created by Charles August Fey, a mechanic from San Fransico. He called his first invention ‘The Liberty Bell’. This game featured a simplistic game design with 3 reels and 3 rows. The fruit machine could be operated by pulling down a lever at one side and inserting a coin. This was the first coin-operated game ever invented and the games that followed its lead were named ‘one-arm bandits’ due to the lever. The aim of the game was to get a row of matching symbols. This leads to a winning combination and meant you’d receive a cash prize.
In the 20th-century fruit machines that gave out real money prizes were banned in the USA. However, fruit machines still stuck around and were highly popular. The only difference was that if you won, you would receive other prizes, such as candy. Due to the fact that the fruit machines stayed popular, it became evident that people didn’t just play for cash prizes but for entertainment and fun too. Gaming software providers started to create slot games with advanced technology and innovative game designs. Thousands of different slot games came out. Slot games are now the most popular games ever invented and there are so many different variations to choose from. All with games have different designs, themes, features, bonuses and promotions. All they required is for you to insert coins then off you go!
Fruit machine features
Fruit machines have many distinguishable features. The most obvious one is the fruity symbols that are present on the reels. Most fruit machines adopt the traditional and simple game design which features a colourful backdrop with many different fruits of all colours. You will find the reels are adorned with cherries, grapes, lemons, bananas, apples, strawberries and various other fruits. The gameplay is straightforward but entertaining. Read on to see the key features you’ll find on a fruit machine.
⦁ Hold – the hold is found on all fruit machines. When it’s awarded it will come into use after a spin. It will fix one reel in place whilst the other reels spin again. And yes, you get to decide which reel to hold.
⦁ Nudge- this is another important feature found on all fruit machines. You will be rewarded with nudges randomly throughout the game (after spins). This feature allows you to nudge (move) whichever reels they choose, depending on how many nudges you’re awarded. The aim is to find more winning combinations.
⦁ Gamble Feature – You will find that all fruit machines also have a gamble feature. This will present you with the opportunity to gamble all of your winnings. It will usually present you with a game in which you’ll have to bet a higher or lower number. Usually, if you win the gamble feature you will times your jackpot by either 2x, 3x or 4x. It depends on how lucky you’re feeling!
⦁ Cash Ladder – All fruit machines will also have a cash ladder. This will present you with the opportunity to hit a stop button when you feel like the big red light will land on a high number on the ladder. If you’re successful (and hit a high number) this will be your multiplier. And your jackpot will be multiplied by multiplier number!
⦁ Bonus Trail – Some fruit machines feature a bonus trail. When this feature is activated it will allow you to win many different bonuses. Such as free spins and multipliers.