Inside Asian Gaming

IGT S erver-based slot gaming has been heralded more times than a mediaeval king on royal progress. In the midst of all the trumpet blowing by commentators, though, it’s easy to overlook an important fact. Leading gaming equipment manufacturers such as International Game Technology (IGT) are constantly introducing technology innovations at casino floor level to enhance existing games and existing cabinet types. In other words, their products are not only server-based ready but also packed with preloaded functions and content to an extent unthinkable only a few years ago. That’s thanks to the increasing sophistication of onboard processors and programming, plus in IGT’s case, its industry-leading glass screen technology. IGT’s REELdepth™ games use Multi-Layer Display® technology, which enables what is essentially a video slot machine to look and behave like a traditional mechanical or semi- mechanical reel unit. It does this by giving a three dimensional appearance to what is in reality a flat glass screen. IGT says REELdepth, which caused a buzz at G2E 2008 in Las Vegas last November, will be on show during G2E Asia 2009 held at The Venetian Macao in June. “The REELdepth cabinet is a new technology—to take traditional reel slots, which are doing very well in Asia—into a server based world,” explains Kurt Quartier, Vice President, International Casino Markets. In depth The 3-D graphics that can be shown on IGT’s proprietary REELdepth™ glass allow display of anything from three- to five- reel games in a digital ‘virtual’ format that looks and plays uncannily like a traditional mechanical or semi-mechanical unit. Not only can the REELdepth cabinet deliver traditional looking games in a virtual way, but because it’s based on the latest video slot technology it can also support the kinds of additional video features and video bonusing not previously available on mechanical or semi-mechanical reels. “In reel mode it behaves like a traditional reel machine, but when you trigger a bonus, the power of video comes into play, which technically speaking takes you into a whole different level of functionality compared to traditional reel games,” explains Mr Quartier. “Previously, when people thought about reels, they used to think about the old three- reel, one to three coin multiplier slot games. They were pretty boring, you couldn’t do any bonusing, you couldn’t win any free games etc. With today’s technology you can do exactly the same sort of things on a reel as you can on a video. The next step is to take it into a server-based world where we can change the player experience,” he adds. Technological and content development has already helped IGT win a wide range of industry awards, including Honourable Mention for Best Standalone Game in the Glass Act Are they reels? Are they video slots? REELdepth™ games are all that and more, says IGT’s Kurt Quartier 41