Treats of Terror II Turns Retro Arcades Into Horror Fun

Treats of Terror II Brings Classic Retro Arcade Horror Back to Online Casino Slots

Play'n GO has added another horror-themed slot to its collection called Treats of Terror II. The online slot incorporates a nostalgic feel from classic 80's arcades and plays off a comical story about monsters inspired by treats. The developer states in the press release announcing the launch of Treats of Terror II, the sequel changes the scene from a haunted movie theater to an American arcade lit up with neon lights, where snacks have taken center stage. The original Treats of Terror article can be found on the official Play'n GO site.

In New Zealand, there are many players accessing international gaming sites. In terms of New Zealand, the release of Treats of Terror II represents a growing trend within the online slots industry. Developers are starting to move away from traditional themes such as myths, treasure hunts, and ancient civilizations, and instead focusing on storytelling, nostalgia, and unique visual styles to attract player interest.

A Growing Trend Within Modern Entertainment

Retro themes continue to influence modern entertainment in numerous ways, and the world of iGaming is no different. Over the last few years, television, movies, video games and other forms of digital content have used 80s-style graphics and music to try and create a similar feeling or experience as playing a classic arcade machine.

This same nostalgic sentiment is being utilized in the creation of online casino content. Specifically, Treats of Terror II takes advantage of this cultural phenomenon by reproducing the ambiance of a vintage arcade complete with blinking cabinet displays, prize booths and familiar neon colors. For many players, specifically those who played in arcades during their youth, seeing this type of environment immediately evokes feelings of familiarity.

As stated earlier, this strategy is rapidly becoming commonplace amongst slot developers. Instead of relying strictly upon mechanical elements in developing their games, studios are now placing significant investments in using themes that evoke strong emotions and memories based upon culturally recognizable elements. Thus, for players searching through large online casino libraries looking for distinctively identifiable environments, games with instantaneously recognizable backgrounds seem to generate much more excitement than generic fantasy or adventure themed releases.

Developers Create Character-Driven Slots

Another aspect that is quite interesting about Treats of Terror II is the heavy emphasis placed upon character driven storytelling. At the heart of the game is the Gobstopper, a monstrous candy-like creature wandering around the arcade in pursuit of prizes to destroy.

Although treating the subject matter as something comedic vs. scary, the overall feel is light-hearted enough that it will likely appeal to a wide range of audiences. This is reflective of a larger shift throughout the iGaming community where developers are continually creating memorable characters instead of just using symbols and bonus features.

Using character-driven slots helps developers establish themselves as brands that can develop memorable characters. The more memorable the characters are for players, the more likely they are going to be able to remember the actual game. This is especially beneficial given that over 10,000 new slot titles are released each year.

Horror Themes Evolve

Horror has always been a very popular theme in the world of online casino gaming. However, modern releases tend to go towards stylized entertainment versus trying to scare players. Treats of Terror II adheres to this model by incorporating cartoonish visuals, oversized personalities and humor with a darker twist. Unlike previous horror-themed games that focused on ghosts, vampires or haunted castles, Treats of Terror II transforms everyday snack food into bizarre villains.

Using a softer approach allows players that do not typically find enjoyment in horror-themed content to appreciate the theme through use of humor and creative visuals. Additionally, the ability to establish a series of themed games, as demonstrated by Play'n GO in establishing a franchise of Treats of Terror, further establishes a level of familiarity for players while providing them with an opportunity to explore new environments and characters.

Visual Style Becomes More Important Than Ever

With the advent of new technology and increased competition, the quality and uniqueness of visual style in modern online slots is now equally if not more important than game mechanics alone. Brighter colors, animated characters, and visually unique settings are all essential marketing tools in an industry where players face literally thousands of options. The arcade background featured in Treats of Terror II provides a unique visual aesthetic that clearly distinguishes it from more typical slot themes.

According to Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play'n GO: "We've combined comfort-food nostalgia with unexpected horror elements". These statements reflect Play'n GO's goal of delivering memorable entertainment experiences, rather than focusing exclusively on win potential or bonus features.

Final Thoughts

For online casino players in New Zealand, Treats of Terror II serves as an example of how a combination of retro arcade nostalgia, comedic horror elements, and character-driven design elements are some of the key factors currently influencing the direction of the global online slots market. As competition increases for both developers and operators, we believe that games which deliver memorable settings and memorable characters will be one area that developers and operators alike will continue to focus on in the future.