Best of Slots 2011 – Intro
Our annual survey of best in the slot-playing world, as selected by our readers
by Frank Legato
One of the most prominent trends these days among the companies that produce slot machines is player research. Bally, IGT, WMS, Aristocrat and all the other slot makers are increasingly relying on player focus groups to tell them what slot players like in a game, and why a particular game is their favorite.
This is the 11th year of another kind of focus group, one that makes up one of the most closely watched issues of Strictly Slots every year. Early each year, we ask our readers to identify their favorites in just about every conceivable aspect of a slot machine—favorite reel-spinning slots, favorite video slot, favorite slot theme, favorite video poker game, where they like to play—the survey is as diverse as the preferences of today’s slot player.
The thousands of ballots you returned have been capsulized in this 11th annual Best of Slots feature, a snapshot of what you, the players, feel is the best. The slot manufacturers pay close attention to this feature, because player feedback is the best way for them to improve the games and make sure you keep coming back.
As usual, our readers have selected the cream of the slot machine business as their favorites, a mix of classic reel games that have lasted more than a decade and the best that new video game technology has to offer. The reel-spinning categories are dominated by familiar names—Blazing 7s, Wheel Of Fortune, Megabucks. Video is for the most part dominated by WMS Gaming, with titles like The Wizard of Oz and Lord of the Rings coming up repeatedly.
For all the progress of poker and table games in the casinos lately, we all know that slot machines are still the featured attraction, and that’s a fact not likely to change soon. This is why the slot-makers turn an ear to this issue—there are no more discerning slot players in the world than the readers of Strictly Slots.
Thanks to all of our readers for responding to our survey, and enabling us to put together our annual showcase of the best that the slot business has to offer.
