Casino gaming has become extremely popular in recent years. One of the more popular trends to enter the industry is transforming popular games that already exist into slots and other casino games. This article is going to explore why casinos are utilizing these popular games in slot themes.
Themed slots have become increasingly popular in recent years. These are games that are inspired by TV, sports and even periods of time. Most casino platforms offer a wide range of themes, all catering to different preferences and interests. These games feature exciting storylines, symbols and bonus features. Many players enjoy themed games as they provide more of a unique experience and allow players to combine casino gaming with other interests in their lives.
Familiarity and nostalgia
One of the main reasons why online casinos are creating themes based on popular games is because of the emotional connection they create with players. This includes a range of types of games, from board games to iconic PC games. Naturally, people are drawn to what they know. A familiar theme brings a sense of nostalgia, which makes a player more likely to choose a game and even come back to it. Casino gaming can be extremely overwhelming. Especially as there’s a lot of risk involved. A slot that’s inspired by a popular game that a player already has experience with can help them feel more comfortable playing, especially as it provides a familiar environment. 
This is a simple way to attract audiences and help them feel more connected to a slot game. It allows them to relive the excitement of an experience that they enjoyed at some point in their life. This helps to boost engagement and develop a connection that brings players back to enjoy again and again. Whether a player is enjoying the nostalgia with a Sims-themed slot or even reliving hours of fun with Monopoly.
Built-in storylines
One of the reasons themed slots have become so popular is because of the exciting storylines that come with them. Traditional slots are known to be repetitive and based on luck. They usually feature fun symbols but lack any exciting narratives and bonus features. But now the online slot experience comes with exciting characters, storylines and bonus features. Allowing players to immerse themselves in different worlds and put themselves in the shoes of fictional characters for a while. And slots that are inspired by popular games come with storylines and characters that have already been created. This not only makes the process of creating these slots a lot easier, but players already have an instant connection with these characters too.
Most slots inspired by popular games also feature similar graphics and sound effects inspired by the game. In these slots, you can hear your favorite characters’ voices and even hear sounds and music from the original game. This includes mini-games that incorporate other areas of the game. This helps to make the experience feel even more nostalgic.
Leveraging brand recognition
Brand recognition is a powerful tool in marketing. In fact, Wisernotify reported that 50% of consumers are more likely to choose brands they recognize. This is an incredibly powerful strategy that online casinos are taking advantage of. Turning popular games into slots allows casinos to leverage this tool. Major gaming franchises like World of Warcraft and Fortnite for example, have built-in audiences that are already familiar with the brand and its appeal. Gamers who see slots with these themes are more likely to trust and engage with these games. This also helps players to feel familiar and trust the casino too.
These games can also offer exciting marketing strategies too. When a new slot game based on a popular game is launched, it often comes with promotional campaigns, a social media buzz and even exciting bonuses. Click here to see the range of offers that casinos can incorporate into their strategies. Players are more likely to pay attention to these advertisements if they already have a connection to the game. It can also offer exciting opportunities in the campaign, for example, using the characters in the game to help promote the new slot game.
Appealing to a broader audience
One of the most effective aspects of using popular games in themed slots is their ability to appeal to a broader audience. Themed slot games can help online casinos tap into a whole new audience who may not have been interested in online casinos before. Traditional casino games like blackjack or poker mostly attract users who are looking for a casino experience. Whereas themed slots are more appealing to casual players. Especially as slots are more accessible and easier to learn for beginners. They offer a casual gaming experience that doesn’t require any commitment like longer rounds. A player might not have an interest in casino gaming, but a game that’s centered around one of their favorite games could be appealing to them. This is helping to attract wider audiences to online casinos, and gamers who are looking to experience their favorite games all over again. This diversity in users is helping the casino industry to expand into something even bigger.
Reduced risk in game development
Creating and developing slots can be expensive and time-consuming. One of the major benefits of turning popular games or franchises into slots is the reduced risk for developers and casinos. Creating a new game from scratch, with new characters and storylines, can be a risk. Especially when developers are spending time and money on creating virtual worlds and narratives from scratch. There are no guarantees that players will enjoy and connect with the game. However, when a game is based on an already successful franchise or game, there’s a much higher chance that gamers will be interested. This helps to lower the risk of creating a game significantly, as players are already familiar with the theme before the game is even released. This built-in audience can help new slot games launch effectively. 
Overall, it’s clear just how beneficial popular gaming themes are with online slots. Not only are they helping to improve the gaming experience for players, but also helping online casinos to grow too. As these types of games become more popular, it will be interesting to see how online casinos incorporate them further into their platforms. Especially as many sites are looking to improve gamification to make gaming experiences more immersive.
