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Why Are Branded Games So Popular with Players?
Public Group active 6 months agoThe bridge between global brands (usually franchises) and casino slots is well-traveled. In fact, these types of branded slot games have been around from the very start of the digital era in the 1990s. At this time, most players were still playing at physical machines rather than fully digitized ones—but many preferences mirrored those of today.
Early games from the 1990s didn’t include official projects from Hollywood or pop culture. Instead, they built on the most popular activities of the time, from fishing to sports. By 2004, this changed with the release of the very first licensed and branded slot game: Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
Today, the trend hasn’t slowed down. When it comes to branded casino games, slots are the most varied option on offer. These short-and-sweet games take players closer to their favorite pop culture worlds, from hits like Jumanji to world-famous brands like Playboy. The idea is to bridge the general interests of players with thrilling slots games that offer bonus rounds, multipliers, and more.
As casino platforms become more popular around the world, we’re seeing sites use various promotions and bonuses to stand out from the crowd. But we’re also seeing a trend where branded content in these slot games has evolved. But what, exactly, makes them such a consistent hit with players? Two decades from that original branded Lara Croft release, we’re digging into the topic.
A Low Threshold for Newcomers
Games at well-known online casinos are some of the most familiar to players around the world. But if someone has never dabbled in playing slots, blackjack, or another title, then the barrier to entry can feel high. In other words, players who have no experience with traditional video games might feel a little intimidated to find a title that they like.
Highly visual games like slots, which place a large emphasis on worldbuilding through visual and audio design, are some of the first that newcomers will try. If a new player sees one of their favorite franchises available in the form of a slot game, then it’s an easy choice for them to make.
Not only will they feel more attracted to the title, but they’ll also feel more comfortable trying out a brand-new game. It’s a win-win.
An Immersive Dive into Beloved Worlds
Let’s not forget about superfans, either. Superfans are those who go above and beyond to celebrate and explore their favorite franchises and brands. Even if they aren’t a casino player normally, they might check out a virtual platform if one of their favorite shows or characters is going to make an appearance.
That’s because a branded slot allows them to further immerse themselves in one of their favorite worlds. It brings them closer to the characters, settings, and plotlines that they love the most. There’s no game too big or small for a superfan, which makes these a go-to for people who might not normally gravitate toward slots.
In fact, some branded slots might even introduce brand-new content that hasn’t been seen before. For example, the Jurassic World slot includes short video segments and audio from the real-life movie. But the setup is different from other Jurassic releases, meaning that players get to experience their favorite world in a new context and light.
A Road That’s Already Paved
Let’s step away from the fan experience for a moment. If there’s one huge reason that branded slots tend to perform well, it’s that they’re a lot easier for companies to market. Though there are dozens of hugely successful slots that have nothing to do with existing pop culture franchises, these require a different marketing approach. Players need to be convinced to try out these games, in other words.
That’s not necessarily the case with branded slots. That’s because they’re already a familiar quantity for players—no need to play the game to see if they like the topic. Marketing projects don’t need to grapple with creating a brand for the game and figuring out which types of players they should target. It’s largely baked into the equation, as the game will build off an existing hype.