The End of an Era for Playtech's Marvel Slots
Online casinos are now facing more competition than ever. Slots that do not attract a big audience often end up facing the axe. Other times, the case is more complex, which is what happened with the Marvel slot games. They were discontinued quite some time ago, even though amongst players, they were considered some of the most popular slot titles in existence. This happened primarily because Marvel was bought out by Disney, who needed to maintain their family-friendly brand. Therefore, they had to get rid of anything that could be connected to gambling.
As a result of this, Marvel slot games were removed the second the contract expired. This left a lot of people wondering what they'd do after losing their favourite games. Star Wars slot games were lost for the same reason, which disappointed a lot of fans. This happened when Disney acquired Lucasfilm back in 2012. If you love branded slots, and you long to replicate the experience that comes with them, you'll be pleased to know that there are loads of excellent alternatives at the best slots casinos online.
Playtech Software Released the First Marvel Game
In 2009, Playtech casino software, a gaming giant known for its remarkable slots, revealed the first Marvel slot games, including Iron Man and The Hulk. The software company went on to create over 20 different Marvel titles, ranging from X-Men and Blade to Daredevil and Fantastic Four. For Playtech, losing Marvel slot games was a significant blow, and it also had ramifications for the casino sector as a whole. Thankfully, the software provider recovered from the loss and filled the gap by producing an assortment of extraordinary slot titles which you'll discover in more detail below.
Why were Marvel Games So Successful?
People love superheroes. From comic books to movies and even TV shows, it is safe to say that there are now more opportunities than ever for people to delve into a world far different from the one that we live in. High-quality casino slots that offer a good depth of playability, and that feature solid themes, tend to be incredibly popular among slot enthusiasts.
When a game comes along that encompasses all of this, such as the Marvel slots, it's no surprise to see that they were an instant hit. You had the opportunity to play games that included all of your favourite superheroes, and you also had the option to enjoy the superhero genre in a completely new way. The main point here is that Marvel had a way to interweave universes to provide a captivating theme while software providers like Playtech embedded jaw-dropping jackpots to keep you playing for hours on end.
Playtech in particular have been able to create a lot of multi-level jackpot titles, with a good chunk of them revolving around the Marvel universe. You also had popular figures appear during the bonus game. This helped to enhance the slot experience while assisting players to immerse themselves in the superhero theme. Playtech was not the only creator of Marvel slots though. In fact, when you dig a little deeper, you will notice that Cryptologic had exclusive rights to the Marvel Universe in 2005.
The list of slot games included Captain America, Elektra and Blade. Playtech went on to use them too. Marvel slots brought in millions of dollars over the years, so it's no surprise that developers focused on them so much. When you combine this with a high RTP ratio and musical effects, there was a time when you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who wasn't a fan of these games at the best international online casinos.
The Downfall of Marvel Slots
So, how did it all come to an end? The disappearance of Marvel-themed slots was a memorable event for many. MCU was acquired by the company Disney, who, because of their family-friendly focus, were against any kind of gambling content. Nothing in the world could change their mind, even a multi-million-pound money-maker. Therefore, Marvel slots left the market very quickly and when the licence expired, companies could no longer offer them to fans. WDS representatives went on to explain the decision further, saying that game certification was a nuance when it comes to integrating numerous other brands. After the big announcement made headlines, it wasn't long before Marvel slots were removed from casinos, as well as online websites.
The University of Las Vegas Study
A study was done by the University of Las Vegas, and they found that slot games have the potential to generate up to 50% of a casino's revenue. It's not hard to see that the removal of Marvel games dealt a huge blow to the sector. Games that people once loved were now no longer anywhere to be found.
Slots Games that were Removed
Now that you understand the reason behind Playtech no longer offering Marvel slots to online players, it's time to take a look at the Marvel slots that you could have played when they were still available at online casinos across the globe.
- Iron Man
- Incredible Hulk
- Blade
- The Avengers
- Thor
- X-Men
- Spiderman
- Ghost Rider
- Wolverine
- Elektra
- Daredevil
- Fantastic 4
- Captain America
That's not all though. Disneyland took a stance on the building of any casinos near their famous Florida resort. The association with their blockbuster movies and casinos was not permitted, and after the agreement, this signified the end of the partnership.
The Agreement with Warner Brothers
Playtech soon signed an agreement with the Warner Brothers company. They launched a bunch of DC-themed arcades in 2017. A lot of this was in an attempt to make up for their loss from the Marvel games.
The developer reused the slot games that people know and love, simply replacing the image and text. The Avengers game soon became The Age of the Gods, and the Fantastic Four slot became the Furious Four. Even though the names and the images might have changed, the games are very much the same. The mechanics work in the same way and people love them just as much. It's now possible to find DC-themed slot games that feature much-loved heroes. These range from the Green Lantern to the Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman and even Superman.
Branded slots like these are not losing their popularity, and if anything, they are gaining it. A lot of this has come down to the fact that casino sites now offer a range of generous promotions and bonuses that you can take advantage of. You can sign up for free in some instances and play with demo credits too. With big bonus rounds, great graphics, progressive jackpots and popular games, the DC theme has helped to bring a new lease of life to a dying universe.
Even though new games have different payout systems as well as different designs, they do give players the chance to win the DC jackpot. This is an innovative way to pool contributions across different games, unifying them as one. Playtech have also found a very good way to make use of the gaming engines that they developed for Marvel games, which has revitalised the market.
Marvel Games that have been Rebranded
As previously mentioned, Playtech saw an opportunity to utilize their existing game engine for Marvel slots by partnering up with Warner Bros to develop DC-themed slot games based on the same platform. Some of the Marvel games that have been rebranded include:
- Age of the Gods
- Furious 4
- Fate Sisters
- King of Olympus
About the DC Superheroes Jackpot
The DC Superheroes Jackpot is a progressive feature. It's accumulated across every bet in all games that feature DC superheroes. There are four jackpots you can win, including Mini, Minor, Major and finally, Grand. The different jackpots hold different amounts and payout regularly.
Best DC-Themed Slots to Play Right Now
If you want to play a DC-themed slot then you will be glad to know that you have a lot of choices available on both desktop and mobile devices. Some of the best options can be found below. We recommend that you claim a no deposit bonus to familiarize yourself with the payouts, symbols, and features where you can also win real money without spending your own hard-earned cash. Alternatively, you can play for free in demo mode before depositing funds to your account.
Justice League
Playtech's release of Justice League became an instant hit with the community, as the movie itself was so successful. The game matrix has 5 reels with 4 rows and over 40 paylines. The best thing about this slot is that you can take advantage of six different bonus features, with each one being tied to a character. You have Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Superman and of course, Batman. Players can take advantage of the DC Superheroes Jackpot feature when playing this game.
Batman vs. Superman- Dawn of Justice
This game was released shortly after the movie. It has 5 reels, 3 rows and 25 paylines. With an RTP rate of 95%, this game features Wild symbols as well as Free Spins. While You play this game, you will also be connected to the DC Superheroes Jackpot Network. This medium volatility title features an assortment of characters to spice up your reel-spinning adventure, including Doomsday, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman. The visuals are excellent and the sound effects are incredible, helping players to fully immerse themselves while hunting down the jaw-dropping progressive jackpot.
Man of Steel
Another option would be Man of Steel. In this game, you will play as Superman, as you face General Zod. It's your aim to protect planet Earth at all costs, so are you up to the task? This game has a total of 5 reels across 3 rows with 25 paylines. You have Shifting Wilds along with Unlimited Free Spins with Battle for Earth. In conjunction with this, you have Krypton Free Spins too. Again, when you play this slot, you will be connected to the DC Jackpot network.
Dark Knight
The Dark Knight was a big hit in 2008. The impressive slot follows the story arc of where Batman faces the Joker. With 6 reels, 4 rows and over 50 paylines, this game is full of fun. You have Agent of Chaos Free Spins, along with Dark Knight Free Spins and even Gotham City Free Spins. Whenever you load up this game, you will be connected to the Jackpot Network, so you have even more chances to win.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems that even though Marvel slots have experienced a downfall, DC slots are on the rise, and as a result, we now have a range of new and exciting titles that are helping to take the superhero theme to that next level. As time goes on, it wouldn't be surprising to see new slots get released with different formats and paylines, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of the sector as a whole. Look for these superhero-themed slots at our top minimum deposit casinos and start your journey by depositing as little as $1, $5, or $10 to get started.
