Long gone are the days when casino games were dominated by cherries and the iconic 777 jackpot symbol: now they abound in visuals that mimic the ones we see in action and adventure films. Finding inspiration in pop culture is something many industries have started doing lately and online casinos are no exception. There is an element of familiarity in pop culture that captures the target audience’s attention more than other types of themes.
Source: Pexels
Why does pop culture dominate slot games?
Your regular casino player is no longer part of the mainstream audience that used to dominate the market a while ago. Because online casinos are so accessible and varied in themes, anyone can be part of that community, so online casino platforms have to work a lot harder on their offerings, particularly on their online slot games. In order to be successful and retain their players, online casinos have to choose the games that combine entertainment, incredible prizes, and speed best.
Some of the favorite pop culture targets for slot games are films and TV shows. You’ve probably heard of the famous 80s science-fiction film series about a cyborg law enforcer called RoboCop. The title is also a popular slot choice that features the hero, together with state-of-the-art technology and action all the way throughout the game. Another popular slot game is based on the intergalactic adventures of Rick and Morty. With streak respins, stacked wild reels, and plenty of symbols, the Rick and Morty slot game is a hit amongst the series’ fans.
Software providers like Blueprint Gaming and Playtech turn to pop culture themes because they know it is key to attracting players. This is a very competitive industry and every online casino is trying to offer something different for its players. This is why they go for the software developers that invest in the right technology and IPs to achieve innovative games with amazing graphics and entertaining gameplay.
Source: Pexels
The element of familiarity
The psychology behind the use of pop culture by a variety of industries is very simple. People like to engage with things that they’re familiar with or nostalgic for. It is a technique used by many businesses that decide to associate themselves with a particular theme that customers already love. There is something thrilling in watching a campaign or an ad that reminds us of a joyful moment from the past.
Let’s look at a recent marketing campaign that used this tactic and was incredibly successful with it. Does anyone remember Blockbuster, the video retailer that was once the global leading video-store chain? Together with Airbnb, it re-opened one of its old stores for a weekend and turned it into a 90s paradise video games getaway. It was a smart way to use both nostalgia and brand recognition to create a truly memorable campaign.
Just like other industries, online casinos don’t shy away from implementing pop culture elements into their offerings. The most influential films, TV shows, comic books, and music videos serve as inspiration for software providers that work hard to release slot games that are competitive. In this way, pop culture has contributed to the development of the iGaming industry by driving developers to engage with other mediums.
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