There is no science-fiction franchise that enjoys the same level of global adoration as Star Wars. Since George Lucas released the first part of his magnum opus in 1977, fans around the world have clamored for more. Eventually, the franchise expanded to include 9 feature-length films along with a lot of works in other media. Its main characters reached the status of pop culture icons, while famous scenes from the films are frequently quoted in all kinds of situations (‘Luke, I am your father’).
Since many Star Wars lovers enjoy playing online games that look similar to their favorite Sci-Fi saga, it’s interesting to ask which elements of this epic work can translate into this format.
Detailed Universe-building
Star Wars is happening far in the future and space travel is infinitely more advanced than in our own time. That opened a door for introducing many alien worlds scattered through deep space, with several planets getting names and detailed descriptions. The planets are populated with many different species of aliens, while humanoid robots are also common. Designers of online games don’t have enough space to include as much detail, but they can certainly use the same approach with a variety of worlds to explore and different life forms to encounter while progressing the gameplay.
Episodic Storytelling
The story of Star Wars spans centuries and vast distances, so it’s simply too large to tell all at once. From the very beginning, the authors found a solution by creating a series of adventures – the first film was a part of a trilogy that was completed over the next several years. This was followed by two more trilogies depicting events that were connected to the original series. This approach can work well in iGaming, where games or promotions can be structured in a way that allows new content to be added at a later date without disrupting the logic of the first installment.
Hero-style Characters
The main roles in Star Wars are occupied by large-than-life personalities who are trying to conduct hugely important missions. Most of them have no notable superpowers other than sheer determination and personal bravery. This setup is fascinating for the fans and is one of the main reasons for the immense popularity of the heroes of the franchise such as Luke Skywalker or Obi-van Kenobbi. Heroes fit into the ethos of iGaming like hand into a glove, and they represent a draw for casual players who might be more interested in the entertainment value of a game than in winning cash.
Action-oriented Narration
Little screen time in Star Wars is wasted on tangential conversations or contemplative scenes. The protagonists jump from one crisis straight into another and the level of adrenaline remains super-high most of the time. This is pretty common in Sci-Fi and epic fantasy, and translates very well into various gaming formats. It’s more fun to play slots games online when they are presented as battles between dashing adventurers and morally corrupt villains. As the game progresses, the hero can gain new abilities or weapons, while the emotional attachment of the player gradually grows.
Good vs. Evil Struggle
There are two clearly defined sides in Star Wars and most characters belong to one of them. The Empire is the evil entity, while the Rebels are the good guys. This may be too simplistic to apply in real life, but it is tailor made for iGaming where more nuanced ethical characterisations would probably be ignored by most players. It’s very easy to identify with the side of good, so games that utilise this concept stand a better chance of building a loyal customer base and surviving in the long term.
Imaginative Visuals
The futuristic look and feel of the Star Wars films was downright spectacular at the time of its release, and it has aged surprisingly well. Light sabers look just as cool today as they did nearly 50 years ago, even if they are just simple props that cost very little to make. Spacecraft design is another gem of this franchise that could inspire creators of space-themed online games for years to come. The same is true for uniforms worn by the characters, mass battle sequences, and a wide array of other bits that add an intangible artistic quality to this time-defying classic.