Slot developers have employed a wide range of themes over the years, and while there are occasional outliers and unusual examples, there are also certain old favorites that are commonly revisited.
Music is an excellent example of this, since there are top slot games that are either inspired by specific musical genres and trends, or are legitimately licensed from world-renowned recording artists such as Guns ‘n Roses and Ozzy Osborne.
So, what is it about music that makes it such an appealing source of inspiration for slot developers working on their latest releases?
The universal appeal
To put it simply, practically everyone has an emotional connection to music. While the theme’s breadth may be a limitation, the emergence of so many different subgenres allows for the creation of slots to cater to various audiences.
We’ve already mentioned that rock bands have licensed slots in their names, which quickly connects them with their fan base without requiring any bridge-building on the part of the developers.
Then there are games inspired by classical artists such as Beethoven and Mozart, which plainly attempt to wow players with disparate musical interests but a common interest in gambling.
The long-lasting casino relationship
Another feature of slot games and gambling in general that makes music an appropriate theme for this type of activity is the glitz and glamor of casino culture, which is inextricably linked to the music business.
There is a strong correlation between the diversity of bands who have produced music videos in Las Vegas and the fact that Sin City has residencies for some of the biggest global superstars. As a result, slot machines that are based around music seem to fit in well.
This could be due in part to Elvis Presley spending many years of his career cultivating a bond with Las Vegas, as well as the grandeur and excess that came with it. Of course, there are Elvis-themed slot machines, and Presley would have liked spinning the reels just as much as his modern followers.
The entertainment factor
A successful slot machine is made up of a few crucial features, and while the graphics and symbol design will be the most noticeable at first, the soundtrack and audio effects are equally important in molding the overall experience.
Rather of creating their own music, if a developer is creating a slot with a specific artist or genre in mind, they can either commission pieces around that theme or simply license well-known songs to play in-game. If the slot is created with the performer’s permission, it will most likely be granted.
From a player’s standpoint, having a music that they appreciate will simply make the slot more enjoyable, making it a win-win situation for everyone.
The timelessness
Last but not least, music is an excellent theme for slot machines because it is not a passing fad, but rather ensures that the game will remain relevant and entertaining to players for many years to come.
This is presumably why developers prefer to stay with licensed music slots from well-known artists rather than creating games influenced by up-and-coming acts who may not last.