Nostalgia Attracts Players, Top Mechanics Keep Them Hooked

Casinos are famous for choosing to focus on versatility when curating their collection of slots. Online libraries hosting thousands of titles usually cover anything and everything, from games with unique graphics to titles featuring pioneering mechanics and big jackpots. 

However, a specific category stands out in particular. We are talking about games that evoke nostalgia, inspired by iconic stars, shows, and TV series. 

Reminiscing Fond Memories

“It’s a way to connect with people who have fond memories from years ago and now you can experience that same nostalgia on a slot machine,” explained Light & Wonder’s director of product management, Brett Colbert in an interview for CDC Gaming. 

Colbert went on to say it’s a matter of “remembering good times, whether it’s your favorite movie, character, book or show,” with the visuals and the music playing a crucial role in “stimulating that part of the brain.”

Nostalgia-driven themes often come from well-known brands, including celebrities like Dean Martin and Dolly Parton, beloved TV game shows like Wheel of Fortune and Press Your Luck, and hit movies and TV shows such as Jumanji and Game of Thrones. 

IGT’s vice president of global brand licensing, Jennifer Fales, argued that while nostalgia “can often be an important element to slot design, as it’s one of many factors that can enhance a game’s entertainment value for players,” simply slapping a familiar name or image on a game doesn’t guarantee success. 

A Mix of Nostalgia and Innovative Gameplay

Extensive research and player testing are required to ensure that a particular brand resonates with the target audience. 

Fales explains, “In doing that research, we often ask what drives game affinity, and nostalgia can often top that list.”

For casino game influencers like Kelly Koffler, nostalgia played a role in her early attraction to slot games. 

“When I started playing slots, I was drawn to games with familiar themes such as Deal or No Deal and Sex and the City,” she said. 

However, the content creator now finds herself more focused on the fun factor. “If it’s fun, I’m in,” she added. 

Tashina Lazcano, Konami Gaming’s director of Marketing & Communications, also believes that, in order for a game to be successful, it should feature a combination of nostalgia and innovative gameplay. 

She pointed out that Konami’s vintage TV game show-themed slots, such as Family Feud and Card Sharks, have received positive feedback due to their engaging mechanics and familiar personalities.

Interestingly, nostalgia-driven slots don’t always rely on licensed properties. Many players are drawn to timeless themes like Pinball, Wolf Run, and Cleopatra, which remain strong within IGT’s proprietary portfolio. 

“The math has to be top-notch,” Light & Wonder’s Colbert explained. “Players might want to see familiar themes, but they want to play the newest games,” he added. Last week, the company marked a legal victory against Aristocrat in Australia.