Apr 26 (News On Japan) - Gambling is highly popular both in the US and in Japan. Most gambling games have a specific theme to make the experience more fun and entertaining. Within the game, each symbol is in line with the overall theme.
Asian themes are a huge success in the gaming world. Players in Europe and in Northern America are particularly interested in Asian-themed games.
But why are Asian symbols so popular in these parts of the world? Are they as popular in countries like Japan?
This article will answer these questions and list some of the reasons why Japanese culture is so beloved in countries like the USA.
Common Asian symbols in US gambling
There are many popular Asian symbols in the US gambling industry.
Here are some of the most common ones found in many US casino games, particularly slots games:
- Chinese dragons
- Japanese Samurais
- Japanese Geishas
- Korean, Japanese or Chinese dishes
- Chinese lanterns and decorations
- Japanese cherry blossoms
- China’s Great Wall
- Traditional Japanese fans
There are many more Asian symbols in US gambling. These are just some of the most frequent ones.
Differences between Asian symbols in the US gambling industry versus in Japan
As one would expect, there are many differences between the US and Japan’s gambling industries.
The biggest difference is the representation of Asian cultures. The US gambling industry tends to mix all Asian cultures into one. It forgets the cultural differences between Asian countries. For example, Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures are usually merged into one culture by game developers who make Asian-themed games for the USA.
Players then get gambling symbols that mix all different Asian cultures into one ‘Asian culture’. The problem is that there is not a definite or unique ‘Asian culture’. Asia is a complex and dynamic continent, home to a variety of countries, languages, and traditions.
Most people think of China, Korea, or Japan when they hear the word ‘Asia’. US games reinforce that misconception. However, India, Iraq and Afghanistan are technically Asian countries as well. Yet, they are never included in Asian-themed games. Instead, US games tend to focus on the same general theme when it comes to Asian culture. It would be interested to see more of the culturally diverse continent represented.
On top of that, each Asian country has its own sub-cultures that vary from region to region. For example, Japanese cultures, traditions, and accents differ from one region to another. US games tend to forget that, even within a country, there is no unique culture but a variety of sub-cultures.
The Japanese gambling scene understands that better. Asian symbols in Japan are more accurate and specific. Asian developers respect the differences between Asian cultures and avoid a general ‘Asian’ theme. Instead, they opt for a specific theme like a famous Japanese manga or Japanese anime.
Other developers focus on Chinese wealth themes. Some choose to focus on Ancient China history with games around a specific dynasty, such as the Qin Dynasty. However, it is worth noting that games around Asian themes are usually less popular in Asia than abroad. Foreign players tend to be more interested and attracted to these games than most locals.
Why is that? Why are Asian countries, particularly Japan, so popular in the West?
Why are Asian symbols so popular in the US gambling industry?
There are three main reasons why Asian symbols are extremely popular in the US gambling industry.
The first one is soft power. Korean and Japanese cultures are seducing more and more Americans. Younger generations are particularly taken with these cultures. The success of K-Pop and Japanese anime are great examples of this phenomenon.
Westerners want more Japanese and Korean content. They love Asian-themed games that put these cultures in the forefront.
The second reason is that Asian symbols are usually synonymous with traveling and discovering new cultures. People love playing games that provide a sense of escapism.
Through Asian-themed games, US players feel like they are traveling to a new continent. They are escaping their everyday life and discovering a place that is far away from their familiar surroundings. It feels fresh, exciting, and new for them. The third reason why Asian symbols are so popular is because there are a lot of Asian-American gambling players in the US. It appears that these players enjoy Asian-themed games for many reasons, including the ones listed above.
Final thoughts
Due to the popularity of Asian-themed gambling activities, developers will most likely continue to release similar Asian-themed games.
Hopefully they will make more specific games that showcase the beauty of individual Asian cultures. As not only do people get to play fun themed games, but they also get to learn a little about the culture at the same time.
