Slot games are some of the most played titles in the online gambling world, and more often than not, certain titles get more attention than all the rest. Leading software providers put countless hours of time and dedication into creating their very own slot game franchises and series, as these have proved to be very successful.
But where did they get this idea? Fortunately, two massive industries have already tried and tested the popularity behind franchises and series, and they are, of course, the video game and movie industries.
Popular Slot Game Franchises & Series
If we take a moment to think of some of our favorite video games that we all know and love, chances are we would reminisce about titles that have been part of a game series or franchise. The likes of Grand Theft Auto (GTA), Call of Duty, and even the Legend of Zelda have all earned their places in the memories of gamers, and the same goes for slot games.
Some of the most successful slot games were developed as part of a series. Below we have highlighted a selection of the leading slot game series that are currently available.
Age of the Gods
If you have had any previous experience playing online slot games, then chances are you have come across or at least heard of the Age of the Gods series. Playtech’s Age of the God series is a fantastically exciting series of slot titles, and no matter your play style, you are bound to have fun with one of these games. In addition, this series of games is one of the most expansive that you will come across, with a total of 29 game titles.
As you would expect from a series featuring 29 games, you can find a multitude of bonus features, RTP (Return To Player) percentages, jackpot sizes, jackpot types, and play styles.
Gonzo’s Quest
Despite only having a fraction of the titles that Age of the Gods possesses, Gonzo’s Quest is another immensely popular slot series. Primarily developed by NetEnt, this series of slot titles features a total of four games that all take inspiration from the legendary story of the golden city, otherwise known as El Dorado. This NetEnt franchise features titles with varying slot volatility, jackpot sizes, and even a megaways game.
Mega Moolah
When discussing slots that feature huge jackpots and have turned countless players into millionaires, we can never miss out on Microgaming’s iconic Mega Moolah slots. This incredible series of slot games have seen lucky players win up to €18,000,000! Microgaming has developed a total of twelve Mega Moolah slots that offer various themes and bonus rounds but manage to keep the same excitement displayed throughout.
Jurassic Park
One slot franchise that took more than just inspiration from the film industry but their rights to is Microgaming’s Jurassic Park series. While this slot series may not be quite as popular as its iconic film counterpart, the Jurassic theme makes for exciting gameplay. Microgaming went on to develop four Jurassic Park games that feature some of the celebrity cast seen in the movies.
What Makes a Slot Game Series So Enjoyable
It is important to say that there are plenty of successful slot games that are not part of a series or franchise, but those that are, do often attract a lot of attention and are able to retain loyal players more efficiently. If we compare this world with that of the video game or movie industry, we have all experienced that eagerness of wanting to see the newest Avengers sequel or the next edition of Call of Duty. But why do we keep coming back?
The truth is, there is a plethora of reasons why we keep returning to our favorite series; our need to see the story progress, our familiarity with the universe and characters, or simply because they are just good games/movies. Whatever the reasons for it, the same reasons are what make online slot players return to their favorite series.
How Video Games & Movies Influenced the Online Slot World
Over the years, we have seen a wide number of slot developers take inspiration from iconic films and video games, but a lot of success has been taken from the idea of creating a series alone. Creating a series, whether that be a movie series, video game series, or a series of slot games, gives developers a chance to add a form of story progression and character development – amongst other aspects. By doing this, developers are able to make their slot games more immersive, more exciting, and overall more enjoyable for the player.
Not only have the video game and movie industries proved that a series of titles are incredibly popular amongst players and viewers, but they also pose less risk commercially for the developer.
According to Harrison Score, industry expert and author at WDW Bingo, slot game developers are like movie studios; “once they’ve identified a hit, and a brand has a verifiable fan base, it’s a safer bet to keep spinning out different versions of the same thing.”
As we have clearly discovered, there are diverse reasons for how and why video games and movies have influenced the online slot world, and while they remain successful, you can count on seeing plenty more slot game series.