The psychology of music choice in slot games
Music is more than just entertainment or nice sounds. Music has an impact on how we feel, how we act and how we respond to situations. Anyone who has been to a live concert can tell you how certain songs have an immediate impact on the mood of the crowd.
Since music is such a powerful tool, a lot of work has been done by psychologists to understand how it impacts us, and why. That research is put to use in many areas. Brands carefully select the songs to accompany their advertisements, stores have music playlists designed to keep shoppers at ease and shopping longer, while some businesses even use classical music as a way to deter antisocial behavior.
Music also plays a central role in our enjoyment of video games. Considering how iconic game soundtracks are now remixed or used as samples, it’s safe to say that they affect players.
Casinos are well known for the psychological ploys they use to keep people playing. Two of the most famous are not having any windows or clocks so players can’t tell how long they’ve been playing, and using confusing layouts so players have to keep walking around. Casinos also use music to their advantage, and slot games are one of the key areas for this.
Now that so much of casino gameplay has moved online, the design of the games is even more important. Music in slot machine games has two roles – to improve the game and to keep players in the right frame of mind.
To start this article, we’ll discuss the psychology of music choice in slot games and see what the experts have to say about it. For the second half of the article, we’ll examine some of the top slots at askgamblers.com/casino-games/online-slots. After describing each game, we’ll examine how the music impacts the player and builds an immersive atmosphere.
Psychology of music choice in slot games
The first job of music in slot games is to set the tone. The music needs to match the theme and feel of the game. This makes the game more enjoyable and more immersive. For example, a tropical-themed slot that has a beach-vibes soundtrack creates a happy, relaxing mood. If the same game had Christmas songs playing over it, the player would just be confused (and probably annoyed!).
Once the right theme and style for the music has been decided, the actual music needs to be produced in a way that impacts the player correctly. Slot machines use music with a tempo that speeds up to heighten the player’s excitement. As the tempo increases, so does the player’s heart rate. Combined with the excitement of potential wins, this can lead players to bet faster.
As an alternative, many low-volatility slots choose to use music with a slower tempo. Low volatility slots pay out smaller amounts more regularly than other slots. Slow-tempo music relaxes a player. Psychologically, a relaxed player is more likely to play for longer. They may not bet as often, but it evens out over the longer play session.
Another piece of the psychological puzzle is how often the music loops. A song that loops too frequently is annoying, while one that doesn’t transition smoothly is jarring. The perfect music loop is nearly unnoticeable. It creates a feeling of timelessness so that players don’t register how long they’ve been playing for.
Sound effects aren’t a part of the music but they also play a role in keeping players engaged. There is a more delicate line to tread here, though, as many sound effects become grating and annoying over time. Developers have to think very carefully about how they use them, how loud they are compared to the music, and which sound effects they choose.
When applied correctly, sound effects have a massive psychological impact. Research has shown that positive, celebratory sound effects improve the player experience and make them more likely to continue playing. They also can make small wins that are less than the wagered amount feel more substantial, so that the player doesn’t register them as losses.
The games below are popular new slots. Let’s see how the music in each impacts the play experience.
Feather Fury
Feather Fury is a quirky barnyard boxing-themed slot developed by Relax Gaming. It has three reels and only two rows, with a Return to Player rate (RTP) of 96.1%. It is a medium to high volatility slot, so players can expect long lulls between big wins. The most valuable symbol is Feather Fury, a boxing rooster rumored to be loosely based on the legendary Tyson Fury himself.
The music in Feather Fury is a classic country jig. It has an upbeat tempo that encourages players to keep spinning those reels. The sound effects are cartoonish blats and thwacks for losing spins, and boxing bell rings for winning ones. Combining the two fits the theme perfectly.
Riders of the Storm
Riders of the Storm is a steampunk-themed slot with five reels and three rows. Instead of paylines, the game has a special win mechanic with 243 possibilities. It has a high volatility and a 96.15% RTP. All three of the steampunk character symbols acts as wild multipliers and grant-free spins.
Riders of the Storm has a soundtrack with an epic feel to it. Though the music is at a much lower volume than the sound effects, it still inspires the player. The sound effects are the more traditional slot machine bells and chimes. They serve the purpose of celebrating wins but don’t add much to the game experience.
Mustang Gold Megaways
Mustang Gold was released by Pragmatic Play and is a Wild West-themed slot. It has six reels and 117,649 paylines. The RTP is 96.46%. The graphics are perfect for the theme and include cowboys, cowgirls and their horses.
The soundtrack is a modern country tune, full of snazzy guitar riffs. Its high energy matches the volatility of the game. The sound effects include gold coins clanking, fire and gun shots. They suit the theme perfectly and increase the immersion.
