Inside Asian Gaming

inside asian gaming July 2014 24 Feature Titanic, based on the blockbuster 1997 film, delivers cinema- quality video and sound powered by the Alpha 2 Pro V22/32. There are four base-game mystery features and an array of bonus features that include a 3D tour of the doomed luxury liner and highlighted by Bally’s uniquely interactive U-Spin technology. Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ is the sequel to the hugely successful Michael Jackson King of Pop and combines the dazzling, music-filled play of the original with mystery wilds and free game bonus events that unfold to a fresh batch of hits culled from the late superstar’s legendary catalogue. U-Spin features prominently as well, and the quality of the audio delivered by the Alpha 2’s surround- sound chair is heart-pounding. “King of Pop did pretty well in the Macau market, which was fun,” says Mr Trask. “One of our first branded games that really found a home here. We think we’ve found a brand that players here are really passionate about. And the math and game play are second to none. We’ve been going almost two years with Michael Jackson, and they’re still out there. So you know you’re on to something special.” The same certainly can be said for the table games side, where the SHFL acquisition saw table products (utilities and proprietary table games) generate 13% of the company’s record US$338.4 million for the 12 weeks ended 31st March, the first full quarter to reflect the impact of the acquisition, up from 7% in the previous three quarters combined. Placements of Fusion Hybrid, the stylish and flexible live dealer multi-game, are on the rise across the region, and the five- station virtual dealer TableMaster Fusion is ready for deployment in a new multi-game format that’s been graphically enhanced and includes a Chinese version of SHFL’s Ultimate Texas Hold’em dealt by a Mandarin-speaking dealer. Five new proprietary table games also were shown at G2E Asia. They include a fast-paced variant of Casino War called One for the Money; a variation on Caribbean Stud called Six Card Poker; Double Draw Poker, which features three rounds of ante betting in which players can throw back cards in each round to try to build the best possible hand; Fortune Asia Poker, which pits player against dealer for the best two out of three four-card hands; and Dragon Bonus Baccarat, which could well prove the star of the bunch: it’s an intriguing twist on the traditional game in which Banker bets are a push if the Banker hand wins with a three-card total of seven and winning Banker bets are not charged commission. It also comes in a commission-free version featuring a side bet called Fortune 7 that pays if Banker wins with a three-card total of seven. AMacau focus was evident also in utilities—a business that SHFL dominates just about everywhere in the world—principally with the new i-Score, a double-sided portrait-style table display for baccarat measuring almost a full 61 centimeters and colorfully themed around dragons. Speaking of the prize that Asia represents for Bally, Mr Trask readily acknowledges the importance of the acquisition. “SHFL’s given us a much bigger foothold here than we’ve ever had before, and in Australia as well,” he says. “So we’re excited about making inroads.” Michael Jackson Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’—the sequel to the hugely successful Michael Jackson King of Pop. Fusion Hybrid