Star Wars is not just a movie phenomenon; it has long since transcended that. It is no longer even a franchise—it has essentially become a global cultural matrix that has “raised” millions of young people and has fans worldwide. Lego sets, Disney+ series, collectible figures, and video games—this universe has captivated the childhood and teenage years of several generations. And the iGaming industry simply cannot ignore this: to attract young people from geek culture, it actively uses relevant imagery.
Mechanics and themes that echo the world of a galaxy far, far away can easily make almost any slot popular. Slot machines and crash games are the flagships of the modern iGaming industry. And they are increasingly using sci-fi settings with recognizable elements as a basis.
A good example is Galaxy Stars, which bears a resemblance to George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy. Recognizable images are not used due to licensing restrictions. But that’s not necessary — a couple of visual associations are enough to create an emotional connection. Even the font used in the original trilogy’s credits works to immerse the player.
However, visual language isn’t everything, as the developers actively employ storytelling principles characteristic of Star Wars. This includes, for example, the classic “hero’s journey.” Many bonus levels are designed as missions, where players travel between planets and complete tasks. This narrative works exceptionally well in slots with a progressive jackpot: with each step, the player gets closer to the final breakthrough.
Crash games deserve special attention in this context. This format is the most popular among young people. For example, games that offer the option to jump out of an accelerating object are often styled after space flights. A striking example is the JetX casino game. The dynamics of such games resemble those of space battles, where the pilot-hero (such as Han Solo or Poe Dameron) plays a decisive role, with risk and intuition also playing a crucial part. In terms of visuals, such games are modeled on Rogue One or The Last Jedi.
The primary audience for such entertainment is fan communities, comprising both male and female gamers. For example, subreddits on Reddit dedicated to Star Wars include discussions of games, including slots. Discord communities based on the Mandalorian series are not far behind, with participants sharing gameplay discoveries in games set in a distant galaxy. And while bloggers and streamers used to mainly discuss Lucasfilm movies and TV shows, their focus is now shifting to collections of games with similar aesthetics and themes, which also include entertainment characterized by fast and simple gameplay.
At the same time, large studios are not the most active in promoting such projects. It is usually easier for more flexible studios to adapt their products to current trends — for example, the series The Mandalorian and Ahsoka have spawned a real wave of crash games and slots. They are diverse in their mechanics, but always dedicated to the iconic cinematic universe. For example, there is a game where you have to navigate through asteroids, avoiding collisions and jumping out at the right moment. And yes, it could be part of any Star Wars movie or series.
The marketing approaches of iGaming companies also deserve special attention, as they often use space themes in their advertising campaigns. When Star Wars Celebration failed in London, bonus promotions for space-themed games were actively launched. Themed tournaments also typically feature an appropriate visual design, which makes players feel like they are part of the fan culture. This strategy works exceptionally well with mobile audiences. Young players like games with short sessions and instant results. Accordingly, they often choose crash games with references to space battles.