Slot Manager - January 2009 - (Page 17)

GAME spinning reel cabinet, it actually portrays actual depth so it mimics to players what that actually looks like on a mechanical reel. You get this true representation of a mechanical spinning reel,” he said. “It looks, sounds and feels just like a mechanical reel.” Only now, Griffin noted, the mechanical reels can come to life in 3-D, so reel symbols can become animated, enhancing the experience for the player. But the technology yields much more than that, Griffin noted. It’s different, he said, from competitors’ multigame products because while those allow players to play different games, the math models don’t change. “That experience for the player is the same as what they had before. They’re just playing different themes.” With REELdepth, he said, “you can load up any and every type of experience a player or an operator wants. It really opens up some unbelievable opportunities,” Griffin said. Theoretically, he said, some 150 games could be placed on each machine, but operators will keep the numbers low initially as players get comfortable with the technology. “They’ve never had that capability before. Let the players learn there are more games and let them get used to the offering for the first time.” Griffin noted that, while the technology can do incredible things now, its power will be even greater once server-based gaming takes root. “The numbers we’re getting back so far have been very, very promising,” he said. “It almost is a pre-sb solution right now. The MLD technology is such a perfect companion to sb.” Griffin noted that IGT is committing at least 10 percent of its development to MLD. “That’s how excited we are about the technology, based on the numbers. If this does what we think it can do and what the initial numbers are showing, the replacement cycle this could be phenomenal.” And even operators who are CHANGER not yet ready to abandon mechanical spinning reels can start investing in the new technology because “every spinning reel that we develop today can run on MLD technology,” Griffin said. And, he noted, IGT is working on providing marketing to players in the top box of the games to help familiarize players accustomed to mechanical spinning reel games to the REELdepth model. The players accustomed to the mechanical reel games aren’t always used to the menus and options available on video models, according to Ed Rogich, vice president of marketing for IGT. Rogich noted REELdepth captured slot executives’ attention at the Global Gaming Expo. “The reaction to the MLD was overwhelming. We’re excited about the early reception to it as well as the early performance on it,” Rogich said. “We look forward to getting more games on the field.” Griffin was equally excited. “Even though times are very tight in our industry, this is proving to be one thing that operators have told us that they need to have.” SlotManager Visit www.gamingstandards.com to see the spot. It’s a brand new world with G2S. www.slotmanager.net ❘ JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009 ❘ SLOT MANAGER SM09084GSA.indd 1 8/6/08 8:29:56 AM 17 http://www.gamingstandards.com http://www.slotmanager.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Slot Manager - January 2009

Slot Manager - January 2009 Contents Editor's Note Quick Hits New Games Cover Story: Going Strong At 30 Game Changer: IGT's REELdepth Operations: Where There's a Will, There's a Way Games: G2E 2008 Slot Report Common Ground Marketing Inside Edge Advertiser Index Forum

Slot Manager - January 2009

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