There has always been a lot of cross-fertilization between the iGaming and gaming worlds, but Final Fantasy VII's Golden Saucer takes it to a whole new level. Is this the ultimate mash-up, where the worlds collide and produce something that is greater than the sum of its parts? Video gaming is one the biggest sectors of the entertainment industry in the world, and the game's creators, Square Enix, have created a fantasy media franchise second to none.
Ok let's just rewind and fill in some details: Final Fantasy VII has pulled off what some are calling the ultimate gambling/gaming / world-building experience because the in-game gambling experience is not just a distraction but an integral part of the game. While the Golden Saucer might seem like an amusement park filled with everything you would expect to find at a casino (and more), it is actually a microcosm of the world Square brings to us. If we sometimes want to play games to escape the realities of the world, the Golden Saucer also offers an escape from the struggles that dominate the game's narrative.
Escapism
It seems to be getting harder to escape reality, and themes that were once fantastical now seem to have bled into the real world. Fortunately, games within games offer us some form of protection. The Golden Saucer is not just a collection of mini-games; it's a world-building tool built around risk, chance, and reward. The park's economy revolves around pursuing entertainment to gain status and rewards by spending money.
A glimpse outside of the fantasy world
If that all sounds familiar, it is because the microcosm of The Golden Saucer reflects the real world of online casino entertainment. Escapism is the theme and opportunity is the possibility. While winning can be down to chance, independent review site Casino.org has plenty of guidance to improve your odds when you select an online casino. While they are not available to offer any world-building guidance for The Golden Saucer, their expertise is transferable, and the same principles apply in the real or virtual world.
Placing the Golden Saucer
The Golden Saucer in Final Fantasy VII is unusual because it offers a slice of entertainment within a larger fantasy world. It shows how the ordinary people of the game's society spend their leisure time and money. The luxurious Golden Saucer is located in the desert near an impoverished mining town. It is more than just a casino; it is an amusement park, arcade, social hub, and more. It teaches how the leisure economy works, and visitors come here hoping to win big. It offers aspiration, hope, and distraction.
The game has many underlying themes and currents, but economic inequality is impossible to ignore, with prosperity built alongside the suffering of others. The Golden Saucer connects the gameplay to the narrative and lets players participate in the activities. While Final Fantasy VII has plenty of other locations and narratives, the Golden Saucer stands out because it feels like a real place with cultural significance. It is certainly one of the game's most memorable locations.
Less imagination and more reflection
It is almost as if the fantasy world builders did not need to use much imagination but simply had to observe the real world and reflect it back within the game design. A series of pleasure palaces in a desert location could be based on any number of places, including, of course, Las Vegas, but also Dubai's resorts (but without the gambling casinos at the moment). Although neighboring UAE does host an officially licensed casino and entertainment complex at the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort.
The magical twist
In-game world-building is not so dissimilar to world-building in reality. It relies on geography and locations, politics and governments, and cultures and traditions. The game's narrative also contains strong elements of history and major events. You are not just passing through; you're immersed in the alternative reality. However, there is usually one gaping difference. While real-world technology is starting to mimic some of the futuristic technology in online fantasy games, the magical elements still elude us! Maybe the real world could learn from the virtual and give us a little more magic and better chances.