The Music Behind Casino Games
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More than three billion people regularly play online casino games today, more than half of the world’s adult population. The global online gaming industry is estimated to be worth over $180 billion in 2022 and is still growing rapidly
Before it joined the online revolution in the late 90s, casino gaming was already popular in many countries. Being restricted to physical land-based casinos, however, meant it was not accessible to all audiences.
Since casino games have been available on our PCs, laptops, and mobile devices, their popularity has exploded. Today, almost any adult member of society can access casino games at their convenience, and in complete comfort and safety.
Music and casinos have always gone hand in hand, whether it be through background music or nearby shows. Las Vegas, the best-known casino city on earth, is also a musical city and regularly attracts the biggest musical acts.
With online play, casinos have been given an opportunity to add an individual soundtrack to every game. These soundtracks add an extra dynamic to the gameplay and provide a new way to engage gamers.
On some levels, the music behind casino gaming is simply additional entertainment for players. Over the years, however, providers have studied the effects of their musical choices and refined the science of casino soundtracks.
It takes only 0.074 seconds for music to generate an emotional response in a listener. It can induce calm, create excitement, prompt nostalgia, or have many other significant effects.
So, what does a top casino site such as Megaways Casino consider when adding musical soundtracks to their games?
Every casino provider wants to create trust in the perceived high quality of their platform. A high-quality soundtrack, whether in terms of audio production or hit songs, is a quick way to enhance this perception.
You may question the quality of a platform if it features only basic effects or low-quality recordings of unknown songs. Hearing crystal-clear versions of the biggest pop songs, however, will help it appear more professional and trustworthy.
Making gamers feel comfortable as they play is key to increasing their engagement. By providing music that is familiar, or relaxing, this comfort can be quickly improved.
Recognisable, laid-back, and lower-tempo songs are a great way to create a comfortable atmosphere for most players. This is important because, if we feel at ease, we are likely to stay and play for longer.
Encouraging players to stay longer with a comfortable soundtrack is just one tactic used by casino providers. Another way to increase the revenue earned from a player is to increase their playing speed.
Uptempo or aggressive music can have a dramatic effect on the rhythm and speed with which the listener moves. Simply put, faster music means faster playing, something particularly important in the short playing sessions favoured by mobile gamers.
The odds favour the house in any casino game, but this is particularly true for high-risk high-reward gaming. Taking bigger chances can also increase the thrill, excitement, and perceived entertainment value for a player.
Certain music, such as high-paced rock ‘n’ roll or heavy metal, can encourage our desire to take bigger risks. Adding this type of music to a casino soundtrack can help create an atmosphere conducive to higher-stakes gaming.
Somewhere between relaxation and excitement is the perfect state for any online casino player to find their best focus. A focused player will not only play for longer, but they will also play better.
Music which helps remove distractions and engage the player with the task at hand is particularly useful for multiplayer tournaments. A focused player is more likely to be a successful player, and a successful player is more likely to return.
With all this in mind, what are the most commonly used styles of background music for casino games?
It’s the most popular music in the world, as its name suggests, and that gives it a major asset: familiarity. Pop music is one of the most widely used genres in casino gaming because it is so instantly recognisable.
Beyond the comfort of hearing something we know, pop music is also generally short, snappy, and upbeat. This helps generate a perfect combination of quality, comfort, and excitement for long, happy, and high-turnover gameplay.
An ideal musical style for a casino soundtrack, hip hop combines regular, steadying beats with high-tempo and exciting music. It also often contains lyrics that promote striving for success, glamorous activities, making money, and taking risks.
These styles of music offer something different again from pop and hip hop and are particularly suited to certain gamers. With fewer lyrics and less structure, these genres are ideal for promoting concentration, particularly over long sessions.
Increasingly, as hardware, software, and streaming services have developed, players are being given the opportunity to create their own playlists. While this reduces the provider’s direct influence on players’ moods, it allows players to curate their perfect environment.
Few of us are more comfortable, relaxed, excited, and focused than when we are listening to our favourite music. By creating our own casino soundtrack, we are helping to make our gaming experience the most appealing it can be.
Whether it’s Viva Las Vegas, Poker Face, or Ace of Spades, casino music is always more than just a background. Next time you’re gaming, perhaps listen more closely to what’s being played and think about how it makes you feel.
