The online gambling industry is booming, and at the very core are slot games. One might say, online slots are the lifeblood of iGaming. They consistently get the most attention from seasoned and new gamblers alike. But, why are slot games such a huge hit? The reason is plain to see; they are the simplest to play.
Slots, unlike blackjack or poker, don’t require much in the way of strategy. All you really need to do is push a button. On top of that, slots at casinos.com tend to have a much higher RTP than slots at land-based casinos. However, it is also true that slot games can get a bit repetitive. Luckily, game developers have found a clever way to keep the charm of each individual game.
Themed Slots
Themed slots are exactly what they sound like; slot games that are backed by a visual and auditory theme. The iGaming industry is growing by the day, and game developers are finding new and exciting ways to imbue their games with a charm to attract new fans. The best part about themed slots is that their creators don’t just look to classic casinos for inspiration.
Nowadays, anyone can find themed slots to appeal to them; whether they are looking for something old-school, or whether they are interested in sports and crypto. None-the-less, most people are interested in specific and well-known themes. That is why, we would like to take a look at some of the most popular themes in the online slots world.
History
The casino industry is no stranger from taking historical elements. One trip to Las Vegas will show you that, with casinos like Caesar’s Palace and incredible structures made to resemble the aesthetics of Ancient Egypt. Online casinos carry on that tradition, with historical slots being some of the most popular at most websites’ gaming libraries.
The most commonly-represented culture from the ancient world is Egypt. Egypt-themed slots are a huge success. The reason might have something to do with the fact that Las Vegas has been using Egyptian imagery for decades now. Or it could be that most people are simply fascinated by the mysteries and history of Ancient Egypt. After all, there is still a lot we don’t know about one of humanity’s greatest empires.
Speaking of the greatest empires in history, Roman slots are also not uncommon. You will almost certainly spot a slot with a reel placed against a marble-white background, with symbols that call to mind brave legionnaires, savvy generals, and symbols that make you instantly think of the most important civilization in human history.
Myth
Closely-tied to history is mythology. We can’t talk about the ancient people, if we don’t know what they believed. Luckily, many of them wrote of their beliefs, and even years later, we can read about the epic wars between gods, giants, dragons, and monsters. Even today, mythology serves as a great inspiration to many writers, and of course, game developers.
At online casinos, you are bound to find at least a dozen slots inspired by the myths and stories of the Ancient Greeks. The reels might be set against a backdrop of tall, white marble pillars, with symbols that call to mind Zeus’ mighty lightning bolt, the mythical Aegis shield, emblazoned with Athena’s logo, and of course, Poseidon’s iconic trident.
Recently, Norse mythology has become a lot more popular, likely thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which introduced Thor and his mythos to the broader public. Game developers have taken advantage of that popularity, to craft truly unique and intriguing slots, depicting images from Ragnarok, as well as symbols that make one instantly think of the stories told by the Norsemen.
Fantasy
Fans of the fantasy genre understand the undeniable link between myth and fantasy. In fact, J.R.R. Tolkien, the father of modern fantasy, set out to craft what he called “a unique, British mythology,” in his epic “The Lord of the Rings.” With the fantasy genre becoming such a huge hit in pop culture, it is no wonder that a lot of slot game creators take inspiration from the classic tropes associated with it.
Dragons, swords, elves, and mighty wizards might adorn the screen of fantasy-themed reels. Wilds and Scatter symbols might bear names that you might associate with fantasy, such as “The Mighty Scatter” or “The Legendary Wild.” Often, you will even find slot mascots, clad head-to-toe in over-exaggerated fantasy armor.
Some game developers like to take things in a different direction. Rather than going with classic fantasy, they may inject horror into their slot games. For example, there is a huge trend of creating with-themed slots, where each symbol is a different kind of potion. While horror-inspired, most of these slots stick to a traditional, fantasy aesthetic, as it has a much broader appeal than horror.
Science Fiction
Science fiction is simply the other side of the fantasy coin. Both are what one might call “speculative fiction,” and both have developed, changed, and evolved, side by side, often entangled, but always in different directions. In pop culture, however, science fiction has always been a bit more respected and appreciated than fantasy, so it is no surprise that a lot of slots carry sci-fi themes.
Always popular are the slots inspired by classic, space opera science fiction. In those, you might find little alien mascots, piloting flying saucers across the boundless universe, in hopes of bringing you excellent game mechanics. The symbols might be things like ray guns, space stations, and classic science fiction gadgets.
If you are more of a modern science fiction fan, there is certainly something out there for you. Slots based on popular franchises like The Terminator are common, and quite popular. There are also some pretty well-known, original slot games, that take inspiration from cyberpunk, having darker aesthetics and themes, that will certainly appeal much more to a modern audience.
Final Thoughts
Themed slots are a unique way that gambling websites have found to diversify their slot games, and make them all that more enjoyable. While we’ve looked at four rather popular themes, the truth of the matter is that you will find a slot that fits whatever niche interest you may have. So, if that sounds like fun, check them out, but remember to play responsibly.
