Fantasy in Gaming: An Ever-Growing Trend

In recent times, the integration of fantasy themes within the world of gaming has become increasingly common. Although the concept has long existed in the sector, few can argue that its importance hasn’t significantly increased during the 21st century. By definition, Literary Terms defines fantasy as being a genre of fiction that focuses on elements of the imagination. The origin of the term derives from Greece and translates to mean “making visible”. Over the last few years, game developers have undoubtedly strived to incorporate imaginary concepts into their titles, so let’s look into this growing trend.

The Inspiration Behind Diverse Creations
To date, the video game sector consists of a whole host of different genres. Interestingly, however, fantasy isn’t a standalone category within gaming. Instead, it acts as a theme or, perhaps some could argue, a subgenre. As evident from iD Tech’s list of the leading video game categories, fantasy is listed as a concept that heavily features in role-playing and strategy games.



As a theme, fantasy is sometimes also referred to as science fiction, which is often the main inspiration behind modern-day developments. A prime example of this is Mass Effect, which takes place in a fictional Milky Way. The first game in the franchise hit the shelves back in November 2007, and the series’ follow-up success is a testament to the ever-appealing nature of fantasy-based games. As per VG Chartz’s insight into the franchise’s combined sales back in 2012, collectively, the three Mass Effect games had sold around 10.2 million copies, making it one of the industry's most successful series at the time.

Why is the Theme Thriving?
Regarding the theme’s ongoing success, it would be unfair to overlook the importance of TV productions. While fantasy dramas existed long before Game of Thrones, the eight-season long show undoubtedly spearheaded the theme’s rise to becoming a staple of contemporary pop culture. The fact that the series continuously broke its own records – such as HBO streaming figures – highlights the appeal of fantasy concepts among 21st-century audiences.

Aside from being regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time, Game of Thrones also opened the door for more diverse, fantasy-themed video games to come to fruition. In 2014, Telltale Games released an episodic PC title based on the much-loved television show. The title itself features a host of characters from the series, including Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow.



Not only that, but such crossovers have also impacted less traditional gaming markets, such as online casinos. At Mr. Green online casino, players can immerse themselves in an extensive library of quality slots, including Book of Ra, Immortal Romance, and Mega Fortune. Furthermore, regarding fantasy games at the award-winning operator, players are also able to enjoy the Game of Thrones slot. By setting deposit and loss limits, users can stay in control when playing the five-reel, fantasy-themed slot.

What Does the Future Hold?
It’s not outrageous to suggest that Games of Thrones and Mass Effect will likely inspire a new generation of fantasy-themed video games. As such, there’s scope for the theme to reach new heights within the gaming industry. Although that’s not guaranteed, the foundations are in place for long-term success.