Branded slot games are slots with an already known popular theme at the heart of it. This theme varies from bands, musicians, books, TV shows, and movies. Tomb Raider, Titanic, Dracula, Dolly Parton, Guns N Roses, and Vikings are the most famous branded slots.
A branded slot is an officially licensed game based on popular movies, television shows, music, musicians, board games, superheroes, cartoons, and more.
Unlike traditional online slots such as ancient Egypt or Norse mythology, these themes are instantly recognisable and hold a certain appeal.
In today’s world, where we spend significant time in front of screens and online, brands have become an integral part of popular culture. Slot providers offer visually stunning slots that players instantly recognise and can easily connect with.
Branded slots are at the game’s top and always have the most incredible features and animations. With sound effects and music to help create the most interactive playing experience.
The Journey Began with Lara Croft and Microgaming
The adventure into branded slots began with Microgaming’s pioneering release, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, in October 2004. This game set a precedent, combining the excitement of slot machines with the adventure of the Tomb Raider franchise. Its success led to more Lara Croft-themed games, including Tomb Of The Sun and Temples and Tombs, proving the appeal of integrating popular culture with online slots.
NetEnt and the Rise of Branded Slots
Huge software provider NetEnt stepped into the branded arena with Frankenstein in June 2011, broadening the scope of branded slots. They didn’t stop there, expanding their portfolio to include slots inspired by cultural icons such as Gordon Ramsay, the Narcos TV series, Vikings, and the legendary band Guns’ n Roses.
NetEnt dropped the awesome Jimi Hendrix slot game back in 2016, and it’s all about celebrating the legend himself – think epic guitar riffs, peace vibes, and all that jazz (plus blues and rock). You’re greeted with this cool animated intro of Hendrix shredding it when you fire up the game, making it a must-play for anyone who digs the guitar maestro. Even though it’s been around for a bit, it’s still a total blast for music lovers, packing a high max stake and loads of bonus features to keep things spicy. You could win up to £80,000 thanks to its six bonus rounds, solid 96.90% RTP, and chill low volatility. And the slot’s got features like Multipliers, Pick and Click Free Spins, Red Guitar Re-spins, Purple Haze Re-spins, a Coin Win Feature, and Wild Symbols.
Narcos is one of those huge Netflix hits, and now there’s this online slot game by NetEnt that’s all about diving into the world of Pablo Escobar’s empire in 1970s Colombia, minus the DEA chase. If you’ve watched the show, you might think the 2019 slot game will be all about the dark side of that life, but NetEnt kept it kind of PG. Still, expect to see lots of guns, explosions, and cash flying around the reels – definitely not for kids.
This Narcos game is loaded with 243 Ways to Win and is jam-packed with cool extras to get you hooked. Walking Wilds, free spins, and the Locked Up feature are like a mini-bonus game where you can score some pretty nice wins. Plus, this Drive-by feature is pretty wild, with bullets zipping across your screen. And those Walking Wilds? They show up in both the main game and during free spins, leading up to the Free Spins feature – which is a beast to trigger but totally worth it for the payout potential. Bets range from 0.20 to a whopping 400€ a spin. The RTP sits at 96.23%, which is pretty standard. There’s a lot going on in this game, making it interesting. Is it the best thing since sliced bread? We were super excited, but it kind of left us wanting more after all the hype.
Each branded NetEnt slot offers a unique thematic experience, drawing players into the worlds they adore.
Big Time Gaming and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Big Time Gaming took the branded concept further with Who Wants to be a Millionaire Megaways in late 2018, capturing the essence of the popular TV quiz show in slot form. This innovation demonstrated the versatility and potential of branded slots in recreating various entertainment experiences.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire is that legendary gameshow we’ve all binged on, right? It’s hit TVs all over the globe, and folks everywhere are lining up for a shot at turning their dreams into cold, hard cash. Now, imagine that thrill-packed into a slot game – enter Who Wants to be a Millionaire Megaways.
This super slot has 6 reels, rows that keep changing up, and a whopping 117,649 ways to win every time you hit spin. And the free spins come with an unlimited win multiplier; you can keep re-triggering them repeatedly. Yeah, you heard that right – 117,649 win combos across six reels.
Every win you snag triggers this Reactions feature, which could set off a wild win spree. Bets start from just 20p and go up to £10. Like the TV show, the unique Hot Seat Gamble feature cranks up the tension. Speaking of tension, those Reactions? It’s like watching those winning symbols vanish and new ones tumble down in their place, potentially kicking off win after win from a single spin. The RTP is solid at 96.24%, and the max payout is 50,000x your bet.
Playtech’s Contributions and Marvel Slots
Playtech, known for its diverse gaming portfolio, once captivated audiences with Marvel-themed slots. Although these disappeared following Disney’s acquisition of Marvel, Playtech continues to produce engaging branded slots, showcasing its ability to capture the essence of various franchises.
Netflix Squid Game Slot
In late 2021, Netflix launched Squid Game, which swiftly captured the global audience’s attention with its compelling story and dystopian themes, amassing a vast fan base. This surge in popularity prompted software developer Light & Wonder to create a slot game inspired by the series titled Squid Game One Lucky Day.
The game, characterised by its medium variance and a layout of 5 reels and four rows, boasts a respectable Return to Player (RTP) rate of 95.95% and offers the chance for players to win up to 4,560 times their stake. It features distinct gameplay elements drawn from the series, including the Glass Bridge, Tug of War, and Red Light, Green Light, each adding a unique twist to the experience.
Squid Game One Lucky Day has a release date of March 2024.
Why Branded Slots Stand Out
Branded slots offer more than just the chance to win; they provide an immersive experience that generic slots can’t match. These games attract players with their familiar themes, high-quality graphics, and authentic soundtracks, serving as a powerful tool for online casinos to draw in fans of the franchises.
It’s pretty clear there is a trend for people getting more hooked on TV series than movies these days. That’s exactly why we’re seeing more and more TV-themed slot games popping up. Everyone’s craving that deep dive into the worlds of their favourite shows, and it’s totally changing the game for online slots. It’s like there’s this huge appetite for anything that pulls you right into the action, making the future for these branded slots look super exciting. With all the techy advancements happening, we can bet we’ll keep seeing even more creative slots rolling out.