Slot machines are a classic casino game, and they have been reinvented many times since their invention. This is why slot providers work to release new slots that are in line with trends, whether they last long or not.
The trend cycle for gaming is different than fashion. Fashion trends are cyclical, but video game trends are more innovative. Reinvention happens in both areas, but with video game developers remastering and adding new content to games to appeal to new players.
With slots, release cycles are longer. Games are conceptualised, developed, edited, and then released over a period of months. Slot providers often release a few slots at a time to keep their customers interested. By doing this, they maximise visibility and variety for their customers. Often, the games released at the same time can be part of a series or related to each other in some way.
Alternatively, some slots will be released in relatively quick succession to come out before a trend ends. This is why there are so many slot crazes you’ll have forgotten about.
But what are they, and are any of them still trendy?
Adventure Slots
Everyone likes a bit of adventure in their game, but is it necessary in every slot machine? There was a time when there was a non-stop release of Indiana Jones-style adventure slots. Think treasure hunter, ancient civilisations, and a macho male character who is the hero of the hour.
In the early 2010s, this was very common, with phone games like Temple Run dominating the App Store charts every week. The Book of Ra slot, for example, is one adventure title that has inspired similar titles from other developers, such as the still-popular Book of Dead.
Adventure games were popular because they gave players the chance to feel like the hero, to feel like they were hunting for something among the reels other than treasure symbols. The mechanics from that game also became popular in future Book Of franchises, like the free spins and the expanding symbol.
For fans of adventure games, the appeal is in the gameplay. Players feel like they are on a quest, when really they are only playing a slot and not a problem-solving game. Either way, once upon a time, adventure games were all the rage!
Branded Slot Games
Once upon a time, there was a surge in branded slot games. People love branded slot games because they are inspired by real people and TV shows. Popular culture inspires games and new forms of media because people enjoy engaging with titles they are familiar with.
For some, the appeal of branded slots bleeds into nostalgia. Furthermore, branded slots provide games with a lot of personality. They can build on existing characters, people, and movies while telling their own story, which can be intriguing for fans. Furthermore, as brand slots can be expensive to license, game providers need to make the games valuable, which they do by adding unique features and graphics.
NetEnt is a game provider that specialises in branded titles like Gordon Ramsay’s show Hell’s Kitchen and band-themed slot Guns n’Roses.
Whether you’re a lover of entertainment or prefer a specific media franchise, branded slots used to be on every website.
Mechanic-Focused Slots
While these are not necessarily a slot theme, mechanic-focused slots became increasingly popular in the 2010s. In 2011, the release of Gonzo’s Quest, an adventure-themed slot, became known for its brand-new avalanche mechanic. Winning symbols would explode and then be replaced by new ones, which would offer players more chances to win.
As audiences began to want bigger and better slots, slot developers focused on developing new mechanics. This gave birth to mechanics like Megaways by Big Time Gaming or the XMechanics by Nolimit City. While these slots have not disappeared, they have slowed down from their peak in the 2010s, but you will still see them included in new releases.
