The theme of a slot is usually one of the main reasons why players choose it, and this makes perfect sense.
From a treasure hunt through the Egyptian pyramids to a playful journey through a scenario entirely built of sugar, it is through it that the imagination opens up to different types of adventures.
These different possibilities, combined with the chance to win various prizes, are what draw so much attention from players to the casino industry nowadays.
With that in mind, we will talk about the evolution of slot themes and how this impacts the user experience.
In 1894, under a still completely mechanical and quite rudimentary composition, Charles Fey created what was considered by many to be the first slot in the world.
Entitled “Liberty Bell”, the machine had three spinning reels and its figures revolved around horseshoes, stars and card suits.
Bells, fruits and “BAR”s. These were some of the elements that made up the theme of “Honey Money”, the first electromechanical slot, created in 1963 by Bally.
Needless to say, the choice of symbols worked very well. In addition to being an instant success at the time, largely because it achieved the objective of generating visual recognition with relative ease, these elements accompanied practically the entire evolution of slot machines, and are even among the most sought after to this day on online platforms.
Shortly after Bally’s creation, in 1976, practically the same symbols that crossed generations also made up the first video slot in history, known as Fortune Bell.
The late 1990s and early 2000s were an essential period for the addition of new layers in slots, especially when it comes to themes. At the time, video slots had already evolved considerably, and in a modest way, the first online slots began to emerge.
As a result of such technological impact for the time, the first mythological themes began to be created and many universes started to be included.
Just as the classics that have already been mentioned remain intact, mythological themes are also among the most sought after to this day.
Two of the most popular examples are below.
A combination of factors made Ancient Egypt one of the strongest themes among slot machines. A natural mix of mystery, symbolism and wealth naturally attracts and captivates users in different ways.
Among the main symbols found are the Eye of Horus, pharaohs and golden artifacts, while its scenarios are usually composed of large temples and pyramids.
Power, perhaps in the strongest sense of the word, is at the center of Greek mythology as a whole and that is exactly what it reflects in slots through symbols such as gods, heroes and natural phenomena.
It is no wonder that figures such as Zeus and Poseidon, for example, tend to have a stronger presence in games, activating special features and directly influencing the outcome.
Realizing that themes really made a difference in attracting and retaining users, major developers such as Microgaming and WMS began to focus on other environments to be explored.
In some cases, even to be created, since they did not need to have a real connection with reality. From that point on, the fantasy genre began to gain strength.
Being practically impossible to imagine it without adventure as its main ally, dragons, wizards and mysterious creatures began to appear more frequently among slot symbols that to this day feature scenarios such as forests, portals and castles.
However, in a lighter and more playful idea, sweets, fruits and bright colors have also gained popularity in recent years. A great example of this is Sweet Bonanza, one of the most popular games in online casinos and which represents a very modern and creative approach.
When talking about pop culture, especially cinema, it is practically impossible to measure how many films have been made around casino environments.
What few people know is that one of the first slot machines with non-classic themes was inspired by a popular American television show, Wheel of Fortune. Developed by International Game Technology in 1996 and carrying the same name, the game was initially released in land-based casinos.
The result was that the success was so great that it naturally expanded to the online environment when it gained strength. Even so, this was only the start of the numerous themes that would come to be created based on screens and pop culture as a whole, including movies, books, series, bands and celebrities.
In different areas of pop culture, it is necessary for developers to establish partnerships with brands to use these elements officially. Through licensing agreements, it becomes possible to incorporate already established names, images and music, ensuring greater authenticity to the experience.
In the case of a band-themed slot, for example, these games not only stand out visually, with symbols that refer to the artists in question, but also sonically, since the soundtrack is usually driven by the artists’ own compositions or at least some excerpts from them.
Moreover, by associating their products with already established brands, developers gain authority and naturally acquire the ability to target specific audiences.
It is clear that when it comes to technology, it is difficult to imagine what the next steps will be, and almost impossible to foresee an endpoint, especially with the rapid advancement of AI. This also applies to the world of gaming and casinos, including slot machines.
In addition to already demonstrating an enormous evolution over these decades in terms of design, the tendency is for classics to continue receiving new versions with increasingly more layers of modernity. After all, we are talking about established games that, for different reasons, have never stopped being played.
The policy adopted by some developers since the 2010s, of releasing games where modernity prevails and captivates, should also be maintained. After all, these games capture a large portion of younger players and have been generating significant results within the industry.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
