“Alien” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Jinx!

Since the earliest days of video and casino slot machine gaming, space has been a popular setting. Futuristic themes within a limitless universe fit perfectly with the concept of cutting-edge gaming technology and also allow developers to let their imaginations run wild.

Today, space themes are everywhere from the 9/10-rated ‘Space Haven’ on Steam to the Starburst Casino Slot Game and everything in between. But where did this trend begin? We look back at some of the key space-themed games over the years, beginning with two notable casino slots.

Battlestar Galactica

Slot games in land-based casinos have been using space as a theme for many years. The trend continued as games moved online with some of the biggest titles of all time using space as inspiration. The aforementioned Starburst is undoubtedly among the most popular space-themed slots but it is just one of many that have been released over the years. Another popular title is Battlestar Galactica which is based on the remake of the classic sci-fi drama that first aired in the 1970s. The game borrows key elements from the TV show to produce one of the most satisfying space-themed video experiences out there.

Alien Hunter

Alien Hunter was only released in 2007 but is already seen as a retro classic in the slot world. That’s partly down to the graphics which have a distinctively old-school sci-fi feel. For example, the bonus round where you have to open alien eggs to access the prizes instantly brings Ridley Scott’s 1979 movie ‘Alien’ to mind. What’s more, the gameplay manages to introduce new elements while retaining the essence of a classic slot from days gone by. No wonder it’s still hugely popular today.

Space Invaders

In the video game world, one of the first games ever developed was called ‘Spacewar!’ and was played at US universities in the 1960s but it was not available to the general public. The first space game to become a commercial smash was ‘Space Invaders’ launched in 1978. It was a smash hit on consoles and in arcades and grossed the modern equivalent of $13 billion in its first three years. More recently, a skills-based casino slot version of the game has also been launched.

“Space invaders” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by cowbite

Homeworld

The leap from Space Invaders in 1978 to Homeworld in 1999 shows how much space-themed video games changed over the course of 20 years. This title took the genre in a new direction, bringing full 3D graphics and real-time strategy to PC gaming. The game combined puzzle-solving, tactical strategy and combat as players plotted their way through space completing a number of missions before attempting to capture or destroy the enemy mothership. The game set the tone for the countless space strategy games that arrived in the 2000s.

Outer Wilds

More recently, 2019’s ‘Outer Wilds’ has pushed the boundaries of space-themed gaming by placing the character in a 22-minute time loop that resets when the sun explodes. The aim is to gain knowledge and solve the mystery of the dying star, resulting in a mind-bending climax and the closest thing to space gaming perfection that has ever been released.

These casino slots and video games not only provide entertainment for lovers of all things intergalactic but also provide a useful glimpse at the development of space-themed games through the decades. Who knows where the next generation of consoles and online casinos will take us.