Greek mythology has fascinated and entertained us in many ways, from big-budget movies like Clash of the Titans to classic books including The Odyssey by Homer. This theme has become increasingly popular in online slots too, but why is this the case and what mythological characters are most popular?
An Eye-Catching Theme to Add Variety
The number of online slots has grown enormously in recent years and that has caused developers to search for new themes that they think the public will enjoy. From swashbuckling pirate adventures to gentle fishing trips and Wild West shootouts, there are many themes for players to choose from. Ancient cultures from around the world are extremely popular themes and Greek mythology fits neatly into this selection.
A look at the Age of the Gods slot game by Playtech shows how this theme is brought to life. The gameplay is what you’d expect from a classic slot, with five reels where wins can be made over 20 paylines. The Gods are brought into play through a set of symbols that include Gods and Goddesses like Zeus, Athena and Poseidon. Free spin rounds can be triggered, with each deity providing access to a different type of bonus round when they trigger this feature.
Instantly Recognisable Characters and Settings
That slot from Playtech we just looked at has some of the classic elements found in the majority of Greek mythology slots. The background shows buildings and settings that immediately bring to mind the historical buildings in Athens as explained here by Discover Greece and create the right atmosphere.
The main characters are equally easy to get to grips with, as most people are familiar with at least a few of the 12 Gods of Ancient Greece who lived on Mount Olympus. You don’t need to have studied this subject to know that it’s Poseidon who holds his trident while the God standing in front of a lightning bolt is the all-powerful Zeus. Other instantly recognisable characters such as Medusa and the winged horse called Pegasus are also frequently used to set the scene.
New and Classic Features
If there’s one thing that slot machines have shown over the years, it’s that the classic gameplay can be retained while new features are added. Most Greek mythology slots will look instantly familiar to anyone who has ever spun the reels on a game like this. A group of matching symbols brings a win, while wilds are like jokers that stand in for other symbols.
Yet, the introduction of these characters allows slot creators the chance to add new features. For example, each God can have features linked to their main characteristics or powers. Stone Gaze of Medusa by Stakelogic incorporates the title character’s power of turning people to stone, although in this case it’s symbols that turn to stone to try and create bigger wins.
This is a good example of how a strand of popular culture can be taken and turned into something new. Greek mythology provides many fascinating elements that are now used to make interesting slot games likely to appeal to different types of players.