In the first half of the 20th century, especially before the time of broadcast television, movie serials were all the rage. These were similar to today’s mini-series or series, with varying chapters, shown at local cinemas. Covering everything from crime to science fiction, some serials had over a hundred episodes and runtimes of up to 24 hours.
After TV took over, serialised content became less important, with the focus shifting to movie theatres. It took TV decades to “grow up” and become a format on par with movies both in budgets and production values. The result is a resurgence of serials and their bleeding into other forms of entertainment.
Online slots are a surprisingly good way to take the pulse of the public’s tastes. Considering that they are popular across all demographics, the themes of slot machines often reflect what’s trending in the rest of pop culture. This is the case with series-based online slots: only the truly big ones serve as an inspiration for them.
Of course, not all popular TV series return as slot machines – it depends on the attitude of the studios toward this type of content. But over the years, there were quite a few big series that conquered the world of online slot machines.
Vikings (NetEnt)
Filmed in Ireland, Michael Hirst’s “Vikings” took its viewers back to medieval Scandinavia, following the Norsemen led by legendary chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok. Based on a couple of 13th-century sagas, the series tries to depict the travels and conquests of the Norsemen with historical accuracy. The series has six seasons, broadcast between 2013 and 2020, and has spawned a spinoff called “Vikings: Valhalla” on Netflix.
The video slot machine based on the successful series was released in 2018 by the Swedish developer NetEnt. It has visuals inspired by the series which, coupled with its background music, gives it a unique atmosphere. It has been one of NetEnt’s most popular series ever since.
Battlestar Galactica (Microgaming)
The original Battlestar: Galactica TV series, originally released in 1978, felt like a combination between Star Wars and Star Trek. It was lighthearted, action-packed, and fun. The 2003 reboot produced by Ronald D. Moore was, in turn, a gritty, pressing tale of war, violence, and resolve in front of a superior force. The series it spawned went on for four seasons, spawned two spinoffs, and won pretty much every possible award, from Hugo to several Emmys.
Microgaming released its Galactica-inspired video slot machine in 2012. It was a tribute to the series, which remained one of the top games by this veteran developer until the license expired and the game was discontinued.
Game of Thrones (Microgaming)
Finally, let’s not forget about one of the most successful TV series ever created which, even if its final season was considered a failure, has redefined TV series as we know it: Game of Thrones. Based on a novel series by George R. R. Martin, this HBO original inspired everything from memes to baby names, and rekindled the public’s love for high fantasy.
Game of Thrones has left a mark on everything, from popular products in the markets to games, even slot machines inspired by it. The most-played one is Microgaming’s GoT-themed slot which uses little more than crests and the show’s main theme, but it manages to put its players in the mood for some Westeros-based action immediately.
TV Series Inspires Other Entertainment
TV series have “grown up” in the last two decades, offering a cinematic experience on par with feature films. As such, they not only top the popularity charts but also serve as an inspiration for other works, including video slot machines. But only the most successful ones, of course.
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