Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | May 2012 28 Aristocrat “Our understanding of gaming, the operators’ understanding of gaming, bringing the two together and then driving that back into our D&D and not just taking products off the shelf— that’s what’s driving our competitive edge.” David Punter Pay™ that allows up to four games to be played in the free games feature. “Those are some initiatives, some fundamentals there, some new things, as far as content and links and products, some new categories in our games and our themes,” says Mr Punter. “Then you double that up with new markets opening, with the Philippines and Vietnam, and the larger resorts, as well as doing more work and research into understanding players.” The understanding, as he’ll tell you, is the part that never gets any easier. In fact, The Phantom will be an early test for Aristocrat in Asia of a new software platform called World Base, which aims, with customer involvement, to guide the company in hand- picking proven games from one market for introduction into others. “We’re pushing it and trying to create innovative game play and features and links and benefits to take it to the next level,” he adds, “and technology’s helping, as is working with the larger resorts that are seeking top-end products. They’re demanding cutting-edge technology as well as good games. It’s exciting times for us. It’s challenging. But I think we’re well- placed. The fundamentals are pretty solid. We just got to make sure the moons align over the next 18 months and drive our plan, keeping an eye on our competitors, who are chipping at our heels daily.” Aristocrat will be at G2E Asia Stand 201 . • Keys of Fortune, Aristocrat’s first symbol-driven link progressive, extends the Hyperlink concept but with an integrated free games jackpot feature replacing the mystery trigger. Players collect“Key”symbols to enter the feature for a chance at multiple jackpots depending on the number of“Keys” collected. • Dragons on the Lake, developed on the back of FA FA FA’s success, is Hyperlink 2.0 designed specifically for the Asian market and includes a new jackpot feature based on 5 Dragons. It’s the first Hyperlink with a symbol-triggered jackpot feature coupled with selectable volatility in the feature that lets players target the jackpot they want to hit. • Dragon Superior, the first Xtreme Mystery™ game available with an LCD topper and enhanced graphics package, gives operators the flexibility of combining a standalone under a mystery link with up to three levels of prizes. • 5 Bats is based on the success of 5 Dragons and like its popular forbearer incorporates strong maths and selectable volatility with a new progressive jackpot. The top prize can actually exceed 5 Dragons’ with a progressive multiplier. • The Phantom is a licensed title based on the famous comic book series and one of Aristocrat’s top-performing games outside Asia. A standout on the floor by virtue of its bust topper, edge lighting and leopard skin trim, it includes a new feature called Mega Way™, which allows players for the first time to choose the volatility of the game to suit their style of play by selecting any one of three pay tables, “Green, Yellow” or “Red”. It will be shown at G2E Asia under the MultiLine hits 50 Dragons and Miss Kitty™. Here’s a taste of what the company will be exhibiting: Dragons on the Lake, designed specifically for Asian markets, combines a symbol-triggered jackpot feature with selectable volatility that lets players target the jackpot they want to hit