When you think of a casino, you might think of a dazzling display of flashing lights and vibrant colours. An array of slot machines, complete with spinning drums and attention-grabbing sound effects, can be a feast for the senses. And the more stimulation on offer, generally speaking, the more profitable the games.
Online casinos have largely carried on this maximalist philosophy, by presenting the user with as many elements as possible. They ape the ‘skeuomorphism’ (which basically amounts to fancy, ornate design) of their real-world counterparts.
But in recent years, there’s been a surprising shift toward minimalism. Like many other corners of the wider digital economy, casino apps are shifting toward ‘Flat Design’.
By removing much of the visual clutter, games can be made faster, more legible, and easier to play. Garish gradients and pulsing 3D elements have thus been dispensed with, in favour of simple text and symbols on flat backgrounds.
Flat design in casino UX
When designs are flat, they become easy to read. There’s no decoration to get in the way of the actual information. Thus, games become much easier to play, even when the elements of the game are actually quite complex.
Of course, this needn’t imply that ‘flat’ interfaces need always be austere and boring. In many cases, attractive colours and symbols can actually improve understanding. So, there’s no compromise to be made between clarity and aesthetic appeal.
Mobile performance
When the game isn’t rendering complex elements and high-resolution images, it can be made to load much faster. When we’re talking about user engagement, and the likelihood that a player will return for another game, the difference of a few fractions of a second can be hugely consequential.
We should also consider the fact that minimalistic designs are cheaper, and more easily developed. They’re also more easily understood, which will reduce cognitive load on the player, and make the game more fun to play.
MrQ slots on mobile demonstrate the best of flat design. They’re simple, snappy, and endlessly compelling.
Player trust
When players can easily understand everything that’s going on in front of them, they’ll find it easier to shake the sense that something is being concealed. Users are becoming much more sophisticated, and wary of scams. By making the design flat, you can help to dial this feeling down, and increase the likelihood that funds will be deposited.
Emotional engagement
Emotional engagement doesn’t have to mean stirring musical cues and rich, ornate artwork. Often, we can engage with users just as effectively through the gameplay itself. When the design is simple, developers can concentrate on the elements that really matter, and which drive engagement and recognition. This can, ultimately, produce longer sessions.
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