The King of Rock and Roll is ever-present in the music industry, but he can also be found in both online and physical casinos all over the world, with multiple titles inspired by him. Elvis: The King Lives brought his music and spirit to the slots, giving fans the chance to relive the rock ‘n’ roll era in a brand new format.
Paul McCartney’s Hope for the Future
In 2014, Paul McCartney composed an original track called Hope for the Future for Bungie’s Destiny, in addition to collaborating with composers Michael Salvatori and Martin O’Donnell and creating most of the in-game music. This might have come as a surprise to some, a Beatle writing video game music. But for McCartney, it was a fresh outlet, while for gamers, it was another reminder of just how big the gaming industry had gotten.
David Bowie Goes Digital
Long before virtual concerts became popular, David Bowie was experimenting with video games. In 1999, he composed music for and even appeared as two different characters in Omikron: The Nomad Soul, developed by Quantic Dream.
The King of Pop
When talking about music as well as gaming, it’s impossible not to mention Michael Jackson. As if composing for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 wasn’t enough, the King of Pop took it one step further and created his own online slots game with the help of Bally Technologies.
The game features some of his biggest hits, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, and Billie Jean, but also keeps the promise of eye-catching visuals by including some of his style staples, like the famous sequined glove and fedora.
Rock Legends
Slot games aren’t just for fruits anymore – some of the biggest artists in history have their own online casino games, many of them putting their trust in developer NetEnt:
- Ozzy Osbourne - Blending his dark aesthetic and hits such as Crazy Train and Bark at the Moon.
- Jimi Hendrix - A psychedelic tribute to a guitar legend behind tracks like Purple Haze and Foxy Lady.
- Motorhead - Complete with Ace of Spades blasting in the background and even Lemmy Kilmister showing up in the visuals.
- Guns N’ Roses - With a playlist featuring the well-known Sweet Child O’ Mine and Welcome to the Jungle.
These prove that rock and pop have just as strong an influence in the casino world as they do on stage and in everyday life.
Why Music Matters
Music in games is more than just atmosphere, it’s storytelling. No matter if it’s Jackson moonwalking across the slots or a full orchestra bringing a fantasy to life and performing video game music in concert halls, music transforms the gaming experience. The soundtrack is one of the best ways to make things more intense and exciting, but it’s also often what makes players come back again and again.