Inside Asian Gaming

April 2013 | INSIDE ASIAN GAMING 27 SUPPLIER AWARDS their volatility—more spins at lower multipliers or fewer spins at higher multipliers—with a 30-times multiplier that could pay more than 24,000 credits on a single spin. 5 Dragons Legends adds to the excitement with an even more sophisticated graphics package, new, higher winmultipliers, and the option of six free games with up to a 40-times multiplier or a “Mystery Choice” in the form of a “Pink Dragon” that picks both free games and multiplier at random. Honourable Mention: Weike – Qin Shi Huang Singapore-basedWeike GamingTechnology has established a solid reputation in casino and club markets across East and Southeast Asia as a developer of innovative games that blend world-class maths with colorful theming drawing on the rich lore of the region. Qin Shi Huang is a great example, a 50-line, 1,000-credit max-bet offering with an emphasis on free- games excitement that is still performing on Asian slot floors three years after its introduction. Best Progressive Slot Winner: SHFL – Duo Fu Duo Cai This four-level linked progressive has been taking Asian slot floors by storm since its introduction at G2E Asia 2012 in Macau, where it can be found at The Venetian and Sands, Galaxy Macau, City of Dreams, Wynn Macau and in several Mocha slot halls—and the list is growing. Translated as “much luck” or “good fortune”/”much treasure” or “money,” Duo Fu Duo Cai has been just that for SHFL Entertainment and its casino partners. With base games 88 Fortunes and 5 Treasures underneath, both solid performers in their own right, Duo Fu Duo Cai is packed with entertaining features that include stacked symbols, the ability to offer players 10 free games and a link jackpot win in the feature. But its unique “All Up” game style has proven to be the crowd- pleaser: this is a richly themed element where all lines are always in play even at the minimum one-credit bet. As players buy more “Gold” symbols they access a higher-paying scorecard and more opportunities to win a progressive prize. Honorable Mention: Aristocrat – FA FA FA FA FA FA, Aristocrat’s first Hyperlink developed specifically for the Asia-Pacific market, remains one of the most popular games in the region. Configured on top of proven performers such as 5 Dragons, 50 Dragons, Choy Sun Doa and Lucky 88, its unique features include a randomly triggered game-within-a-game and selectable “Shrine” symbols in the second screen that reveal either a “Grand, Major, Minor” or “Mini” jackpot character. Any three- symbol match is a win. Best Slot Innovation Winner: Bally Technologies – Michael Jackson King of Pop Bally Technologies is sellingmore games outside of NorthAmerica than ever before— about 20%currently fromonly 6% less than a decade ago—and is investing heavily in the Asia-Pacific region to push those numbers higher. The Las Vegas-based slot giant is amassing a portfolio of licensed titles it sees as integral to this effort, headlined by iconic names calculated to deliver sure-fire global recognition, like Michael Jackson King of Pop, which arrived on Asia’s slot floors only within the last several months and is proving already to be one of the more compelling of the group. Fitted on Bally’s robust Pro Series V22/32 cabinet, it’s a dazzling, music-filled game experience packedwithmystery wilds and free game bonus events that unfold to the hit sounds of the late, great superstar. Features include a player-activated U-Spin Platinum Record Bonus and video clips of Michael performing “Bad, Beat It, Billy Jean, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal” and other hits via state-of-the-art audio provided by the Pro surround-sound chair. Honorable Mention: Leap Forward Gaming – SaffariNet If you haven’t heard about SaffariNet from Reno, Nev.-based Leap Forward Gaming, you will. Named for founder and CEO Ali Saffari of IGT fame, it’s a wireless multimedia “ecosystem” that Nominees: Manufacturer Title Aristocrat FA FA FA SHFL Duo Fu Duo Cai Entertainment IGT Megabucks Nominees: Manufacturer Title Aruze Rich Life Aruze The Gold Bally Michael Jackson King of Pop IGT Top Box Bonus Leap Forward SaffariNet SHFL Duo Fu Duo Cai FA FA FA Qin Shi Huang Duo Fu Duo Cai Michael Jackson King of Pop