It would be fair to say that the overbearing influence of American culture stretches way beyond the nation’s geographical borders. The Gaming industry is among the most noteworthy sectors which has been unable to resist its charms, particularly when it comes to game design.
Rocking the Gaming World
American music has been integrated into gaming with themed video games and slot machines celebrating legends such as Elvis Presley, Guns N’ Roses, and Dolly Parton. These games feature the artist’s music and combine it with gripping storytelling and visual motifs to create an enthralling experience for players.
There are multiple themed games around Presley, who is of Irish ancestry from both of his parents, such as Elvis Lives and Elvis: The King Lives Slot. These games immediately transport players to the middle of one of the rock n roll icon’s energetic and spellbinding concerts where spinning wheels are adorned with his trademark costumes and setlists of some of his finest hits.
The Guns N’ Roses Slot, named after the iconic rock group, exudes the band’s famously explosive energy while combining epic setlists with concert visuals and some of their musical anecdotes into the gameplay. American music and pop culture have had a significant impact on gaming. The games also help to preserve the artist’s legacies in a new, engaging way.
The Roulette Revolution
America has added its twist to gambling with its roulette format, adding the double-zero (00) to the traditional wheel and changing the odds to create a different variation. There were initially concerns about the house having an edge, but players forgot all about those worries as soon as it was introduced in Las Vegas casinos.
The American version of roulette has also become extremely popular in the Republic of Ireland, where players are always looking for something new and exciting. For those eager to experience it, visiting the best roulette casino for Irish punters ensures they get the most thrilling and rewarding gaming experience.
American roulette has become a popular choice for high-stakes gaming on the Emerald Isle, adding to the allure of the growing number of online casinos.
American Stories Retold in the Virtual World
The storytelling element in games is another factor that makes it an exciting experience and some of the most iconic titles borrow heavily from American culture.
Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is popular for digital recreations of famous cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Miami. The settings are rich with American life and culture. These games depict America’s consumerism culture and other subjects such as gangsterism and the dangers of urban sprawl.
Titles such as Red Dead Redemption also tap into American cultural elements. Players take on the John Marston character in search of his wife and son, exploring common themes around American violence, redemption and the American dream.
All the words Americans love to use such as freedom, exploration and survival are thematically incorporated into the games and players get to grapple with the moral ambiguity of it all. These games are played around the world and gives players a chance to experience American stories and settings in a different direction.
Hollywood Meets Gaming
America’s cultural influence on the gaming industry can be seen through their titles based on blockbuster Hollywood franchises such as Star Wars and Jurassic Park. The first Jurassic Park movie came out in 1990 and there have been several games based on the Michael Crichton classic since then.
Similarly, the Star Wars Saga has been developed into over 100 video games, dating back to some of the earliest consoles. These games tell the story of the war between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, and the adventures of Luke Skywalker.
Intriguingly, some games have also been converted to Hollywood pictures. Films such as Mortal Kombat and Tomb Raider have put gaming on the big screens.
American actress Angelina Jolie delivered an unforgettable performance as Lara Croft from Tomb Raiders despite critics chewing up the movie for its senseless plot that lacks any real substance.
Jason Sudeikis, Peter Dinklage and Bill Hader also star in the film adaptation of popular mobile game Angry Birds.
Characters such as Croft that were initially created for video games have become global icons across various forms of media, proving that gaming is an art and a cultural vehicle.
Casual Gaming & Gamification
Casual games have become a mainstay in this increasingly mobile word and American studios view themselves as pioneers in the movement.
These games are easy to access and play, allowing individuals living a fast-paced life to get their adrenaline excitement on the go. They are also quite short, transforming mundane moments like waiting in queues into exciting interactions.
The games have brought gaming to new demographics and embedded it into daily life.
Gamification, a concept which applies game-like mechanics to non-gaming contexts, is also another way American culture remains ever present in the gaming discussion.
All the latest fitness apps, educational tools and financial tech platforms use the gamification principles of competition, reward and progression to improve their customer experience.
