Color Psychology in Online Casino Games
It’s well known that brick-and-mortar casinos use various tactics to keep players playing. Online casinos must be even smarter with the tactics they use as they don’t have a physical presence.
The use of color can be very effective as it offers constant visual stimulation. Red in a game could indicate danger or the presence of an enemy and heighten the alertness of the player. It’s a common choice for capturing attention and eliciting strong emotions. Blue can calm players and signify safety.
Warm colors
When playing online casino games in Michigan and other states where online gambling is legal, you will notice that the slot machines often use red, green, and yellow colors. Red and yellow are known to attract attention. When looking at many slot machines, you will notice the color red. It urges you to stop and take notice. Yellow can enhance this effect.
The use of green has a universal meaning that you should ‘continue’ so you are more likely to click to play the game. These three basic colors mean the same all over the world. Orange is another color that can create excitement and energy which is what you want when playing casino games. Of course, red and orange can also heighten your emotions to the place where you may make impulsive decisions, so you need to be aware of this.
Cool colors
Online casino games in general don’t use cool colors like light blues. Cool colors have a calming effect, but some shades can dampen the mood. It’s important to know the effect different colors can have on the emotions. This is particularly important when you build a brand and need to choose brand colors.
For example, blue and white is a classic color combination for a brand that identifies as cool and calm. Cool colors tend to suggest professionalism which is why financial institutions often use them.
Colors like gray and silver are almost never seen in online casino games. Gray is too subtle to attract attention. Silver is often a good choice for high-tech companies, but it isn’t suitable for games that appeal to a wide player community. Brighter color combinations can evoke a sense of fun and accessibility. These colors are common on sites that want to attract a large audience.
Color in game design
When looking at the color wheel chart, game developers choose colors to encourage players to take certain actions. Beyond visual appeal, they can convey important information and evoke specific emotions to increase immersion.
- When you win while playing casino games, you will often see the amount displayed in blue. This helps to create trust that you will receive your winnings.
- Bright, contrasting colors can highlight challenges and rewards. This helps you to understand what’s at stake and what you could win.
- You will usually see your account balance in green as this relaxes you and makes you want to keep playing.
- The buttons you need to click while playing are usually in red or orange to get your attention.
Color palette in game themes
Game designers use color palettes to establish theme consistency. The colors set the tone for the game and reinforce the narrative theme. For example, a dystopian type of game may use grays and blues for a feeling of coldness and oppression. Dark colors can create an atmosphere of suspense in horror games.
The psychology of colors in gaming blends both science and art. Colors can evoke emotions and influence behavior to a certain extent. This doesn’t take away your ability to choose or make rational decisions.