Quite simply, the symbols on a slot machine matter because without them, it is impossible to tell if a spin is a winning one! If you were unable to line up identical symbols on a line, what exactly would the goal of the game be? Slot machine symbols are integral to gameplay – without them, there would be no slot machines, either online or offline.
Slot machine symbols are also essential for a game’s aesthetics. Simple symbols contribute towards a game that looks and feels easier to play, while theme-specific symbols only enhance the theme in question.
Finally, some slot symbols link today’s modern games to the original titles. For example, the fruits you regularly see on reels nowadays were present when slots first came to prominence. They’ve been a constant throughout the evolution of slots, making the transition from simple slots to today’s more modern games much easier for players.