Soundtracks are used to enhance all forms of entertainment, whether it’s film, TV series, parties or video games – you name it. However, although soundtracks are prevalent throughout the online casino world, they often don’t generate the same levels of discussion or intrigue as other elements in the online casino world, such as game design, mechanics and even marketing.
Ultimately, the job of a casino gaming soundtrack is to supplement what’s going on in the game. In the world of marketing and the rise of mobile apps, soundtracks are certainly not the most critical element of what makes a game tick. Some classic slot games do not have any music accompaniments, simply channelling into the classic designs of the original 3×3 slot that revolutionised casino games over 130 years ago.
Channelling the theme
While live table games have various soundtrack options, if we’re discussing how soundtracks affect online casino users, most of the conversation centres on slot games. Slot games are the broadest foundation for slot gaming developers looking to innovate, and provide a modular formula that can bend in alignment with consumer demand.
For instance, if a live table game such as roulette or blackjack is looking for a new idea, it’s restricted by the confines of the game. Sure, there are slight variations of roulette and blackjack, but if they deviate too much, they lose the essence of the game.
Slots can be 3×3 classic designs, 12×12 expansive cascading reels or progressive jackpot games. They all look and feel like slots, but there’s much greater scope for ingenuity and innovation, and this is where soundtracks play a significant role in development and design.
Some of the most popular casino gaming ideas are influenced by mythology, whether it be Norse, Egyptian or Irish mythology. All of these examples have their soundtracks. Norse mythology focuses on slower, grander string instrument sounds.
Egyptian slots often feature Arabian-style music, while Irish themes feature jovial, upbeat, fast-paced sounds from traditional Irish instruments. The top casino sites in Ireland offer a range of such games. And although some games influenced by Ireland and its mythology often tap into predictable and clichéd elements, their soundtracks also help to differentiate them. For those with a casual interest, they reinforce the cheery, green, lush hills of Ireland and the pots of gold, clovers and rainbows that are associated with games in this theme.
Selling the wider package
It’s rare to encounter a casino game that doesn’t have a soundtrack of some sort, especially in the modern market. Many of the sounds in live table games are relatively generic, especially those where dealers do the talking and interact with live chat options.
However, if we move the discussion back towards slot games again, music soundtracks are an integral part of selling the broader package to a gamer who is looking for a new title to explore.
Soundtracks help to drive home the idea that a slot game is scary, hectic, fast-paced or more laid-back. It becomes noticeable when games don’t have a soundtrack in the modern market, and slot games often have different soundtracks depending on which stage of the game you have reached.
For instance, if you trigger a bonus feature or bonus game, the soundtrack will change to something more dramatic or with a higher tempo, reflecting that you are in a more exciting and gripping part of the game.
Music accompaniments have been pivotal in marketing throughout the history of video console games. Just look at how synonymous the Grand Theft Auto games are with their soundtracks. It’s not solely about the music, but if brands get it right, sound adds that extra bit of spice to their broader gaming package, and in a saturated market, this can often be the small difference that sets them apart.
The importance of ambience and mood
Music can transform good films into great films; some of the greatest soundtrack writers in film, such as Hans Zimmer, have had countless interpretations and homages to their work. When it’s done well, it’s transformative, and when it is out of sync, hastily thrown together or simply designed via AI with no passion or soul going into it, it becomes obvious. It can detract significantly from the originality and authenticity of the overall design.
It’s the same in casino gaming; soundtracks create ambience and mood, and the effect can pique our interest and become integral to the broader gaming experience. Soundtracks must match the mood and atmosphere of the game and, if done right, can be the unique selling proposition.
Conclusion
If soundtracks did not impact online casinos, they wouldn’t spend so much money obtaining copyright for specific songs or employing musicians to develop musical ideas. It’s a balancing act that can be the make-or-break ingredient for a highly rated game.
All of the top casino game developers have their own music divisions. They’re there to tackle game designs, the soundtracks for their marketing campaigns, and which sounds go best with each new project. This should tell you all you need to know about how impactful and influential soundtracks can be at all levels of casino gaming. As long as they continue to dictate a lot of the overall package that many of these games offer, developers will stop at nothing to ensure that they find the soundtrack that best suits their new game.
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