The demand for themed slot games

We think of themed slot games as a modern thing, but the case could be made that these games have always had themes. Or at least *a* theme, as the fruit icons on the reels became so associated with the games that they were nicknamed fruit machines.

The development of multiple different themes for slot games is something that happened as a result of online casino though. That means its history can be traced back to the 1990s.

As online slot tech has improved in the decades since then, so have the options for themes increased. Contemporary casinos boast slots that are based on popular rock bands and pop singers, as well as movies and sports.

You can also find great slot games with unique themes, like the outer space inspired Starburst and the fishing themed Big Bass Bonanza. But what is behind the demand for all these themed games? That is what this article will explore.

Themes That Work

Almost every online slot game that is produced now has some sort of a theme. No one is entirely sure of what the first slot game to move beyond the standard imagery of fruit was, but early examples include games like the aforementioned Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.

The demand among the general public for themed games as a whole is not too difficult to understand. Once people had experienced playing a slot game with an actual narrative and visual imagery that fitted it, they were always going to want more of them. After the notion of a theme had been introduced, online slots could never go back to the simplistic fruit machine days again.

That explains the overall liking for themed slot games amongst the public, but it must be emphasised that not all of the themes used are equally popular. Certain types of slots stand out in what is an extremely crowded and competitive field and that says something about what sort of themes there is the most demand for.

Ancient Egyptian

One theme that will crop up again and again in some of the most successful slot games of the modern era is ancient Egypt. Cleopatra and Book of Ra are just two of the many slot machines to explore that world. Those who have analysed the appeal that this theme holds for slot players think that it is about a mix of historical fact, myth, and glamour.

Games set within ancient Egypt promise players’ mysteries to be explored through the play, which adds intrigue and excitement. Characters like Cleopatra are iconic and attractive too, which taps into our interest in powerful historic figures as well as great beauty.

Outer Space

Another theme that there is a lot of consumer demand for is outer space. This is what one of the most popular slot games of all time – Starburst – is based on. The most likely driver of the interest in space-themed slots is the natural human interest in exploration and the unknown.

None of us can be sure what is out there in the galaxy and many long to find out. A game such as Starburst taps into that and combines it with glittering visuals of stars twinkling in space and sparkling gemstones.

Pop Culture

Slot games that draw on elements of pop culture for their themes have become more common in recent years. Many of them are video ones that feature clips of pop culture figures or movies as part of the play.

Some of the demand for these is being driven not by slot fans so much as by fans of the cultural icons who want to engage with anything to do with their heroes. For instance, an official Michael Jackson slot game will draw passionate fans of the singer to casino sites to play it – especially if it features his songs on the soundtrack and performance clips.

Meanwhile people who already used casinos and perhaps enjoy his music will also be inclined to give it a spin, due to the promise of something different. Pop culture themed slots tap into the burgeoning interest in celebrity to increase consumer engagement.

Riches

The theme of riches is another that has clearly caught the imaginations of the public. There are many beloved slots that use it, from the Rainbow Riches series to Gold Blitz Extreme. The wealth theme is usually portrayed through gold and that is something that people have craved for centuries.

Slot games that deploy this theme are very successful because they speak to the dream of landing a big money win that is what lies behind the urge to game.

The basic demand for themed slot games is about players wanting something different and engaging, but the most successful themes tell us something about our internal motivations.

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