From Slingo to Gwent: The Gaming Spin-Offs Enjoying Plenty of Success

"Wikia-Gamescom-2016-332" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by avatar-1

There is no denying that the gaming world is a vast and diverse place at the moment. Blockbuster titles like Fortnite are enjoying massive success, while many other games are thriving on devices ranging from consoles to smartphones.

However, one particularly interesting trend in recent years has been the way that developers have created fresh experiences by taking elements of established games in a new direction. From the world of online gambling to video gaming, successful spin-offs are popping up everywhere.

Killer combination

Online casino sites tend to offer a wide range of gaming options these days, with one of the most eye-catching types of recent times being Slingo.

When you play online bingo at Paddy Power, you will see just how popular Slingo has become. The brand devotes an entire section of its bingo site to the phenomenon, and it features titles based on a range of different themes. For example, Deal or No Deal Slingo has been heavily inspired by the classic TV gameshow, while other experiences have taken their cues from online slot franchises. Such titles include the likes of Slingo Fluffy Favourites and Slingo Rainbow Riches.

But, just what is Slingo? The developer Slingo Originals outlines how its games feature a combination of slots and bingo, as well as some elements of table gameplay. Its history of the concept explains how it first emerged in the mid-1990s, making a splash in land-based casinos before then being adapted for online play.

Awesome offshoots

However, Slingo is far from the only gaming spin-off that is enjoying success at the moment. The Witcher series of video games has proven very popular through the years and one element from the titles has become a standalone game in its own right.

The card game Gwent originally featured in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. However, a title based around the game subsequently emerged and there continues to be plenty of activity around it. A press release published at Gamasutra recently confirmed that a fifth season of Journey has started in the game, with it creating more than 100 levels for players to unlock.

Away from modern video gaming and online gambling, offshoots and spin-offs are also emerging in relation to classic arcade characters. Famous icons from gaming’s yesteryear have been revamped in new forms, with an obvious example being Pac-Man 99. As Nintendo explains, the 40-year-old gaming classic has been adapted into a battle royale format. Released at the start of April, the title sees 99 players compete to see who can be the last person standing.

Fresh directions

It is interesting to see how certain forms of gaming have evolved or been taken in fresh directions by developers. As the information above highlights, many examples have emerged across the whole spectrum of the gaming world, from the domain of online gambling to arcade classics.

As such titles have proven popular, it seems likely that the trend may well continue for many years to come. All eyes will be on what comes next as gaming continues to spin off in new and intriguing ways.