TV-Themed Online Slots: Are They Just Another Gimmick?
We’ve all seen them nestled in among the lobbies of our favorite online casinos. Those games which allow you to play alongside your favorite TV show characters. You can even listen to the theme tune whilst you spin the reels or hear famous phrases uttered.
What could be better than being immersed in your preferred show and getting the chance to win some cash? Well for many players, these types of slots are the only games they choose. Whilst others might have a spin just to see what it’s all about.
Who can forget the hype that surrounded the Game of Thrones and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game launches? Not me, that's for sure. I was working as a copywriter at LeoVegas at the time. Fervently following marketing rules and trying to create something amazing whilst thinking about Chris Tarrant and Jamie Lannister.
But are these TV show-themed online slots worth it or just another gimmick? A way to entice you in and get you to spend your hard-earned cash with little potential reward?
There are hundreds of these branded online slots out there. So for this blog post, I’m just checking out 3 of my favorite TV shows. Feel free to judge me accordingly for my viewing tastes, which may leave you seeing me in a whole new light.
I’m Well Jel
Let’s get this one out of the way first. I am a huge fan of The Only Way is Essex or TOWIE as it’s known in the UK. I make no apologies for this. I didn’t have a clue that there was an online slot based on it though. So off I skipped to try it out expecting full-on glamor, cheeky phrases, and lots of bling.
My hopes were soon dashed though as I discovered that Storm Gaming has done an average job on this slot. There’s a bit of the theme music, some disco balls, and a pomeranian dog. One of the bonus rounds is a Champagne spray party. But every good TOWIE fan knows that prosecco is the drink of choice in this show.
The top payout is 200x your bet, so the wins aren’t going to be too spectacular. Overall I would like to see some of the characters popping up on the reels. Or at least a Sugar Hut bonus round.
More Tea Please, Carson
I have loved Downton Abbey ever since it first hit TV screens in 2010. I’m such a huge fan that I was a tad worried about playing the online slot version. But the Skywind Group software developer has done a top-notch job.
They have captured the characters and theme and packed in some seriously good features. You can spin the reels and listen to the Earl of Grantham and chatter from the servants.
The game is split between life upstairs and downstairs in the majestic house. Some of the main characters appear on the reels but the jackpot rounds are where the action is. You can win either the Crawley, Grantham, or Downton Village flower show progressive pots. The RTP is just 90% in the main game which is low though there are 243 ways to win.
Overall, If you are a fan of the show then you’ll still enjoy this one, but you may not get the profits you hope for.
My Name Is Uhtred, Son of Uhtred
I have just finished watching The Last Kingdom and loved the history, epic battle action, and of course the handsome Uhtred. But would this game by Skywind Group fall flat with me, as the NetEnt Vikings online slot did?
Well for starters you’ve got video footage from the series and the voices of King Alfred and Uhtred. The music isn’t the theme tune, but perhaps that’s more to do with copyright issues.
The reels feature prominent characters and I like that you can choose to fight for the Saxons or Danes in the bonus round. Though the main winning power is the Shield Wall grand jackpot which could see a potential hit of €3,000.
If you are a fan of Uhtred and his merry men then I’d give this one a go. You’ll appreciate the effort that the developer has put into encompassing the true theme of the show.
Gambling Responsibly
I think these types of online casino slots are going to attract two groups of people. The ones who already love playing games and those who don’t have a scooby about them. It’s this group which could pose problem gambling risks though.
If you are a loyal fan of Game of Thrones for example, could a slot in its name lure you into online gambling? It’s no bad thing if you do this responsibly and play within your means of course. But what if this new pastime gets out of control? Someone may never have slipped into this if it weren't for their loyalty to a TV show.
I think that software developers and online casinos need to consider this element. But at the end of the day, many would argue that any type of casino game could draw in a vulnerable person. I do think that TV and film-themed online slots have more of a potential to do this though.
My Final Thoughts
Luckily for you my dear readers, I have a word count to stick to. Otherwise, I’d have subjected you to even more of my favorite TV shows and their online slots.
On the whole, I do think that many of these games are pure gimmicks and don’t offer much substance. Some of the software developers have been quite lazy. Many of the games I checked out that didn’t make it into this post felt like any other basic online slot.
With the addition of a few famous characters and bog-standard bonus rounds. There’s a definite lack of creativity and more of a sense of ‘churning out just another game’ for the sake of it.
But some are fantastic, like Downton Abbey and The Last Kingdom. Serving up a fully immersive experience, epic soundtracks, potential big wins, and immense bonus features.
This article delivers the thoughts and opinions of the author, and it doesn't represent the stance of GoodLuckMate.
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