The Influence of Cultural Themes on Online Slot Games

As the online slot market has matured, players have been given a greater and greater array of options to choose from when it comes to themes as well as gameplay. Where once slot machines were just fruits, sevens and bars, in today’s online casino you can spin the reels in practically any theme you can think of.

The incorporation of popular movie, music and television themes into culture themed slot games was as predictable as it was genius, bringing in a broader audience and catching the attention of casual players eager to explore their favorite narratives.

In this guide we will delve deeper into the different cultural themes that have been transformed into online slot games and pick out some popular titles in each section.

• Movie and television slots
• Music slots
• Asian-inspired themes
• Space-themed slots
• Egypt and ancient civilizations
• Western and cowboys
• Mythology and fantasy slots
• Underwater wonders

Movie and television slots

A natural fit for online slots because of their instantly recognizable brand appeal, software developers can easily adapt the familiar themes, fun mechanics and nostalgia of popular movies and TV shows into pop culture slot games. This is a savvy way to draw in new players who might be overwhelmed by the traditional slot machine’s fruit and number motifs, instead providing them with an immediate connection to a game. Movie slots and TV slots allow players to relive some of their favorite on-screen moments and take an active part in an immersive experience involving beloved characters.

• Ted Cash Lock: Based on the hilarious 2012 comedy Ted starring Mark Wahlberg, Seth MacFarlane and Mila Kunis, Blueprint Gaming had the bright idea of turning the popular franchise into a slot game. Set in Ted’s living room after a wild party, players can land six Ted symbols to hit the free spins round, three Ted cash lock thunder buddies symbols to get to spin the bonus wheel and even a thunder bet feature.
• Jurassic Park: Microgaming decided to make everyone’s favorite dinosaur franchise into a slot game with 242 ways to win. The original movie was released in 1993, but with several sequels coming out in recent years, this film series has been revived. The reels are filled with some of the great characters from the films as well as the real stars – dinosaurs like the Triceratops, Velociraptor and of course the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
• Beavis and Butt-Head: One of the first adult animated sitcoms to hit the heights and pave the way for the likes of The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park was Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head. Blueprint Gaming have utilized the success of the TV show to create a slot with apt features like couch your cash, sofa slugfest and change the channel.

Music slots

Similarly to movies and TV shows, the biggest artists and bands in the world are obvious source material for online slot games and celebrity slots. Developers can fill the soundtracks with their best tunes, which provide the perfect backdrop to gameplay and can really keep players engaged. NetEnt knew they were on to a winner with these three games involving huge popular rock bands, but there are so many out there to choose from now.

• Motorhead: Inspired by the legendary British rock and roll band, this beautifully designed game grid sits on top of a stage with amps, speakers, fire and lightning. The Ace of Spades wild symbols can reward players with up to 10 free spins, while other lucrative icons include a guitar, star and the band’s frontman Lemmy. Try to trigger the mystery reels and bomber feature to hear the crowd roar in delight.
• Guns N’ Roses: Feed your appetite for destruction with this slick title that uses the band’s famous logo as the game’s wild which substitutes for any other paying symbol. Players can hit features like the legend respins, encore free spins or crowd pleaser bonus.
• Jimi Hendrix: This 1960s-inspired game design showcases flowers, peace signs, a muted color palette and the main man Jimi Hendrix himself who shows up throughout as the game’s wild. You can land the purple haze symbol to activate a special feature, while there are also red guitar respins, crosstown traffic free spins and little wings free spins.

Asian-inspired themes

You can discover the allure of the East through a host of slot games inspired by Asian cultures and traditions, from the elegance of Japanese geishas to the majesty of Chinese dragons. Symbols of luck, prosperity and spirituality such as dragons, cats and lucky coins hold significant cultural value in Eastern traditions, which are easily convertible into slot gameplay. The traditional meditative music is a perfect match for slots, while red and gold color schemes symbolize good fortune and wealth while cherry blossoms and lotus flowers evoke themes of beauty, purity and rebirth.

• Fortune Coin: Decadent blue background with vibrant red and gold icons, the graphics have been designed to look 3D so they really pop on the screen and add a touch of realism to the game feel. All of the symbols are lined with gold or contain objects made from gold and there’s plenty of Chinese imagery appearing on the symbols.
• Carnival Cow: Fresh take on the traditional Asian theme, with lotuses, Chinese lanterns and distinctive music combining with element coins, a jackpot feature, cow feature and red mystery envelope bonus.
• 88 Fortunes: Originally produced for an Asian land-based casino audience, the ancient Chinese style sees the game overloaded with symbolism, deep reds and golds and oriental style paper lists. The music is fairly typical wind and chime oriented, with icons like chalice, turtle, boat, coin, bird and wild fu bat.

Space themed slots

The final frontier for the human race, everyone wants to imagine what it’s like to depart planet earth and explore the solar system. However, until scientists make space travel possible for all, the best we can do is play space-themed slot games. Cosmic journeys filled with futuristic technology and interstellar adventures are perfect slot games, with the vastness of space providing a unique canvas for gameplay.

• Starburst: The wonders of space are brought to the reels in this title from NetEnt that offers shining graphics that combine neatly with intergalactic sounds. One of the most-played slots of all time, with the Starburst wild feature and win both ways feature proving particularly popular.
• Galactic Girls: Grab your retro ray guns and romp through this 1950s sci-fi inspired game from Eyecon. The five galactic girls – Peggy, Geraldine, Rita, Joyce and Natsumi – are the crew of a flying saucer which is captured by an alien when the bonus game is triggered. Help them blast their way through space to freedom by collecting stacked symbols during the free spins round to deploy their individual bonus features for chances to win.
• Moon Princess: Unique anime-style space theme where each princess possesses a special power to help you win big. Inspired by Japanese TV show Sailor Moon, the game’s features include girl power, special powers, trinity features and free spins.

Egypt and ancient civilizations

Ancient civilizations have a strong hold on modern society as they conjure up romantic images of what life used to be like thousands of years ago. The likes of Cleopatra and King Tut as well as pharaohs, scarabs, pyramids, ankhs and hieroglyphs make for perfect slot game symbols. Players are enticed by braving the perils of Ancient Egypt in search of untold treasures and returning home rich, which might end up as reality if you get lucky in one of these games.

• Cleopatra: Produced by IGT, this game has sparked several sequels and spin-offs. From the ornate Middle Eastern lettering to iconic symbols such as scarabs, ankhs and Egyptian gods, this was one of the first titles in the Ancient Egypt category.
• Pharaoh’s Fortune: All the symbols are reminiscent of ancient Egyptian inscriptions, with symbols of the game including the Pharaoh’s Fortune logo as the wild as well as a wolf, snake, two Egyptians, an Egyptian riding a horse, phoenix, owl, pharaoh, Egyptian with a wolf mask, Egyptian holding two poles, eye and a bug scatter symbol.
• Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead: Rich Wilde journeys to the sands of Ancient Egypt – the root of modern-day civilization – to search for legends of treasures that lie within the secrets of world’s between life and death uncovered by the Ancient Egyptians and noted in the Book of Dead.

Western and cowboys

Gunslingers facing off at high noon, a new sheriff riding into town, farmers protecting their ranch – all your favorite Wild West themed stories can be explored in online slot games. Our fascination with the classic American frontier suggests we still yearn for a simpler time, with hundreds of Western slot games available for players.

• Mustang Gold: Head out into the Texan deserts in this game from Pragmatic Play, with the symbols of a collection of beautiful horses and local Texans. The game’s soundtrack is inspired by old Western movies, while you can also hear the suns of birds flying by.
• Buffalo King: Keep an eye out for important symbols including the golden buffalo coin which triggers the free spins feature. Other symbols include the rocky mountain wild, buffalo, eagle, cougar, wolf and moose.
• Money Train: Join the Wild West gang and its notorious leader, debt collector, TNT expert and gunslinger on their way to the money train. The game offers an exceptional attention to detail, with symbols made up of a collection of carved wooden playing card suits as the lower-value icons and a bunch of nefarious characters offering higher payouts.

Mythology and fantasy slots

Another hugely popular theme in online slots is mythology and fantasy, with vikings proving Norse mythology to be perhaps the most popular of the lot. Viking slot games contain symbols that are characteristic of Nordic culture such as rune, Norse gods, helmets and Viking ships. Many game providers are based in Scandinavia so it’s only natural they would want to produce titles about their ancestors.

• Vikings Go To Valhalla: This time Yggdrasil takes its vikings to Valhalla – the majestic hall of slain warriors in Asgard, ruled by Odin. The cartoon-style graphics are neatly done, with the cold and desolate backdrop completed with Jormungandr winding around the mountains – the world serpent and Thor’s eternal enemy.
• Age of the Gods Norse – Ways of Thunder: Part of the huge Age of the Gods library, this title is based on Thor – god of storms, thunder and lightning. The backdrop is a frozen tundra, with all the graphics in great definition and an intense soundtrack to boot.
• Ragnar: Based on the Norse legend of the famous ninth-century King Ragnar and his wife Lagertha, the reels sit on a background of a coastline with Viking ships in the background. The symbols represent the eponymous king, his wife, wolves, ravens and weapons, with the coin the game’s wild.

Underwater wonders

Delve into the ocean’s depths to explore underwater wonders and marine adventures from the mesmerizing beauty of coral reefs to awe-inspiring encounters with huge sea life. The appeal of seeing majestic whales, playful dolphins and colorful fish when playing online slots is obvious, as the visuals and animations create a sense of tranquility and excitement for a great experience.

• Deep Descent: With a vibrant and quirky feel to it, this slot has similar aesthetics to Wes Anderson’s Life Aquatic. The fish characters are very cute in their own way, while the dreamy nautical soundtrack that plays in the background fits perfectly.
• Pearl Power: Discover the beauty of the pearl and land big payouts ranging from mini, minor, major and grand jackpots to be won. Come face to face with dolphins, octopuses, lobsters, sea turtles and treasure chests as you swim your way to success.
• Twin Win: Take a dive into an underwater wonderland with symbols including dolphin, turtle, manta ray, seal and seagull.