In the past, we have covered how music influences a user’s experience at many different venues, including online casinos. Today we’re delving deeper into the special relationship between them and why iGaming has a bigger demand for specially produced music.
Music in Physical & Online Casinos
Whether it’s from a physical address or a URL, casinos offer similar but distinct experiences to their clientele. One of those differences is how they use music.
With physical locations, music is sometimes used to set the mood and establish background noise so players aren’t left in silence. Stereotypically, smooth jazz is associated with the casino floor thanks to Vegas, but every casino floor is different – pop and rock music rules other casino floors out there.
With online casinos, music comes packaged as part of the game. While it may be licensed, it won’t be the latest hits from the radio – in most cases, it won’t have lyrics at all. Music is just one tool used by hundreds of online slots out there to establish tone and setting. This is where the difference becomes clear since the settings in online slot games can get wacky. Caesars Palace is a grand, luxurious casino on the Vegas Strip with something of a Roman theme; but an online slot like Rome: The Golden Age can go even further to recreate being in the Roman Empire over a thousand years ago.
How Online Slot Genres Demand Music
That begs the question – how do you capture the sound of the 200 AD Roman Empire? This is where online slots’ unique demands come in. Historical slots are just one part of the equation. You can also find mythological slots that blend real-world culture with famous stories of demigods and magical figures. For instance, Greek heroes are popular due to how recognisable they are; plus in the old Greek states historical gambling was prevalent.
Ancient/Mythological Slots
In each case, musicians and audio designers need to create an epic soundtrack that’s simple, unobtrusive and doesn’t wear the user out. For ancient and mythological games, drums, flutes and lyres are often used. They’re universally recognisable by their sound and simple enough that rudimentary forms of these instruments existed in ancient historical periods. Choral vocals also dominate Greek and other cultures related to Latin while Norse slots prefer gruff chants or throat singing.
Egyptian Slots
An offshoot of these are Egyptian slots. Creating music for one of ancient history’s most mystifying civilisations is no small feat, however. Lyres are used here too, specifically benets, and drums can be used since darbouka (or goblet drums) existed in and are still played in Egypt. Rattles are sometimes used, named sistrum, while acoustic instruments like the oud can be used to create melody. Naturally, many online slot designers approximate these sounds using modern facsimiles or digital recreations, which is itself a tall order for musicians who are unskilled at emulating historical music.
Modern, Work & Caper Slots
Modern slots can encompass a wide range of instrument arrangements. Oftentimes, it’s obvious which instruments have been used and why – like a synthesiser or electric guitar soundtrack on a neon-bathed slot. However, then you get work slots about fishing or mining. Steel drums are a favourite for slots that are based on the ocean, especially if it’s in a tropical destination. Mining, on the other hand, can tap into prospector stereotypes which sometimes means faster-tempo music like banjos.
Sometimes, more specialised slots deal with noir or crime caper scenes. They tend to opt for a suspenseful and jazzy music set including old favourites like saxophones and other brass instruments, alongside clarinets and fast-paced piano music. Jazz music is much more likely if the slot is set in the early or mid-1900s and poses a unique challenge if musicians/audio designers aren’t experienced in its frenetic musical style.
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