Game developers look in all the unexpected places for inspiration when seeking the next idea for a slot machine. When it comes to slots based on movies, though, things get a bit complicated – they need to sign licensing agreements with the owners of their rights to be able to even touch the subject. And such license agreements are not as unusual as you might expect. The last few years has seen more movies adapted into video slot machines, especially ones you can play online, than all the previous ones combined, both classics and modern day blockbusters. Great slots of which you can get more here at Grizzly.
Microgaming signs with HBO, Studiocanal and Universal
Isle of Man based developer Microgaming has signed quite a few licensing deals in 2014, gaining the right to release three most successful slot machines. Two of them were for blockbusters from the 1990s – Universal’s insanely successful Jurassic Park, and Studiocanal’s equally resounding Terminator II Judgement Day. Both of them were released in the same year, to incredible success – no doubt, due to the players’ fond memories of the movies. (And both of them released not long before a new movie in the franchise has been announced).
But the developer has signed a surprising deal with HBO Global Licensing as well, to turn its hit TV series A Game of Thrones into a slot machine. The game was released, and was a disappointment for many – most likely thanks to the high expectations of the players. But still it’s one of the most atmospheric slots ever released by Microgaming.
NetEnt and its ongoing deal with Universal
Swedish developer NetEnt is famous for its feature- and detail-rich slot machines. It is sometimes called the “Apple of online gaming” thanks to its incredible attention to detail. And it has an ongoing deal with Universal, which allows it to release some of the best slots based on classic horror movies.
Let’s take a look at NetEnt’s Universal Monsters series: Dracula (a bit like the guy from Dracula Untold, but in a Victorian setting), Frankenstein (the Boris Karloff one), The Invisible Man (the classic one, of course), Creature from the Black Lagoon, to mention just a few.
The developer has a history of releasing highly successful movie and TV based slots – including two games with a South Park theme, one featuring Aliens, or classic mobster movies like Scarface.
Playtech’s Marvel deal
Israeli gambling solutions provider Playtech has announced its comprehensive deal with Marvel back in 2009. Since then it has released a cornucopia of video slot machines (and a handful of internet scratch cards) based on the most popular characters from the Marvel universe – the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers (all of them together, and most of them separately) and so on. These have been among the most popular slots offered by the company ever since, especially with the continuous excitement about the upcoming superhero movies.
