30 September 2019
Marco Gandolfi
From film and tv series, to live theatre, bars and clubs, music has always had an important role in the entertainment industry. Music can be used to create an atmosphere, dictate important moments in a plot and even has the ability to tell its own story — even without lyrics. That of course, includes games.
Here’s how music is used in different types of games, and the impact that it has for the player’s gaming experience.
Music-themed slot machines
The internet boom in the nineties led to the rise of video slots. As some of the most exciting entertainment options available, slots are incredible revenue generators for casinos, both land-based and online. And there’s a reason for that. Not only are they fun for patrons of casinos, but slots have incorporated many elements of pop culture into their game play — especially when it comes to music.
Slot developers have worked over the years with many artists and bands. The Guns N’ Roses slot, for example, was released by casino game company NetEnt in affiliation with the Bravado International Group. The themed game features the Guns N’ Roses soundtrack as well as 5 reels, 3 rows and 20 lines. The five-song soundtrack helps draws players - and Guns N’ Roses fans - into the excitement of a live gig while playing. Axl Rose, Slash and the rest of the band are all featured as elements in the game, making it exciting to play.
Another great music-themed slot is the Jimi Hendrix slot. Like the Guns N’ Roses slot, it was NetEnt who were able to secure the license on for the Jimi Hendrix slot, with Hendrix slots featured during game play. The music theme goes further, with special Jimi Hendrix-themed bonuses like the Purple Haze Free Spin bonus and Little Wing Free Spins.
And then there’s the Motorhead Slot. Also from NetEnt, the Motorhead slot was released in 2017 and includes music from the legendary Lemmy Kilmister and the boys as well as bonuses including Wild Substitutions, a Bomber Feature and a Mystery Reel Feature.
Music-themed slots are one of the popular ways that game developers have incorporated music into gaming experiences — and for their fans, just another way to enjoy music by their favourite artists.
Bingo & other casino games
Music has always been an incredible mood-setter. Whether you’re walking into a casino or bingo hall, or playing a game online at one of the top bingo sites, the background music really directs the atmosphere. Games are supposed to be fun, after all, and music adds to the overall experience of playing a game. Of course, this depends on the type of game. A frantic-style game may have crazy, fast-paced music to really drive up the excitement. Something at a more leisurely pace may be more suitable for a more relaxed-style of game.
The style of music can also influence player behaviour. Fast, adrenaline-pumping music may encourage players to place larger bets. Alternatively, more chill music may encourage players to stay in a casino, or on a website, longer. The type of music selected of course, depends on the venue, platform and type of game.
Music is also important when it comes to sound effects. When patrons to a site are playing a bingo game, for example, sound effects will be used to indicate different movements, losses and wins. This can really amplify the excitement a bingo player will have while playing their favourite game. Sound effects can also help online players feel like they’re in a land-based casino or bingo hall. By replicating some of the alarms, jingles, bells and flashing lights that accompany wins, players will feel closer to the experience they’d have in a real life casino.
Video games
Music has always had an incredibly strong relationship with video games. Some songs have become so closely associated with certain games, that hearing them will immediately evoke memories of playing them for the individuals that did. Video games have also introduced their players to new music. Many people came to love pop-punk and ska punk bands like Bad Religion, Papa Roach, Millencolin, Lagwagon and of course Goldfinger through the Tony Hawk skate games. Of course, the many genres of radio stations (with real radio hosts) featured on Grand Theft Auto will certainly be remembered by some as their first foray into their favourite bands. There’s nothing like driving around in GTA to the sounds of some of the top music of the era after all.
And then there’s FIFA. While sports games aren’t as reliant on soundtracks as other video games, music has still played a big part in the EA Sport’s incredibly popular FIFA series. With annual releases, FIFA is also one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time; meaning that the music that is featured in the game will get some serious play time.
Each version of FIFA features over 40 different songs; players are likely to associate certain songs with certain editions of the game. Avicii’s ‘The Nights’, for example, is highly associated with FIFA 15. John Newman’s ‘Love Me Again’ was linked to FIFA 14 and Imagine Dragons ‘On Top of the World’ was a victory song for FIFA 13. The success of songs following the release of a new game means that it’s not just the players who are excited for FIFA’s annual launch. The musicians and bands who created the songs will feel the benefits of a game’s success, too.
The future of gaming and music
With games outperforming films and television for the top revenue-generating entertainment form in the world, there will be more and more gaming experiences for players and fans to try out. The relationship between gaming and music will only strengthen over time, as consumers expect more immersive - and higher quality - games.
