ICE: top firms cut the ribbon

Aristocrat Technologies, Barcrest Group, CMS, Cummins Allison, Eurocoin, Funworld and TCS John Huxley will be represented at the official opening ceremony to mark the 21st anniversary of high-stakes gaming at the ICE show in London.

The group were amongst the 16 pioneer companies who helped launch what has become the most complete B2B gaming exhibition in the world and which in January 2011 will welcome some 400-plus exhibitors and in the region of 20,000 visitors to London.

Show director Kate Chambers said: “Our opening ceremony will celebrate 21 years of working in partnership to provide a source of product innovation and inspirational ideas for the international gaming industry. Few could have thought some 21 years ago that a pioneering niche within an existing exhibition would flourish in such a way.

“Most if not all of the groundbreaking, iconic gaming products to impact the sector over the last 21 years have been launched at ICE and I’m certain that the breakthrough product of 2011 will also be found at ICE, which is why the exhibition remains the immense asset it is to the global gaming industry and a must-attend event.”

JVH: new star product at IMA

JVH Gaming Products is an ambitious company and active within the AWP market since 1958. Its core business is developing, producing and selling AWP machines in Europe in innovative cabinets and with attractive games. And JVH knows the market like no other because of its experience as a Dutch operator.

The company has made several steps towards the future by developing new cabinets and games with a focus on the German market.

After its successes in the past with games as Samurai and Gladiator it didn’t stop developing. Many PTB approvals later and after developing a new wall cabinet in co-operation with a German manufacturer, JVH Gaming Products evolved into a solid and trustworthy partner on the German market.

The company is in a position to guarantee continuity. Direct selling to 25 key accounts and to a distributor for other accounts secures service levels and a customer-friendly approach both now and in the long term.

Sales, after-sales and product support and direct communication lines make sure that follow-up is adequate. Customers are informed as soon as possible on the latest developments in the firm’s product range. Technical support training is organised in Germany for customers and distributors, numerous complementary products are deliverable out of stock, and the market’s needs are always monitored.

“We have taken into consideration customers’ wish to implement cross-game jackpots, adjustable payout percentages and compatibility with most of the currently used safe units,” explained product development manager Reg Das.

Geert Jansen, sales manager, confirmed: “We offer players an attractive game package in three different cabinets. Our focus is always the product and our customers’ view, and the market appreciates it – that’s why we have a number of AWP machines on test in the market.”

The AWP machines and game packages can be bought, as well as future updates. Quality of the wall, hospitality and arcade cabinet as well as the game packages, combined with a different market approach, is one of the reasons that JVH Gaming Products is a solid and reliable alternative for the market.

During IMA, JVH Gaming Products presents its new game package Super Magic Star – the company’s star product for release in 2011.

Racing Post: waving the bookies’ flag

The Racing Post has confirmed that it will be adopting a high-profile presence at January’s ICE exhibition to thank the industry for its support in 2010, and to wave the flag for the betting community, unveiling an important new product which will enhance dramatically the betting experience for shop customers.

ICE will host the launch of the Racing Post’s next generation Touch Bet digital touchscreens, which will provide punters with the very best bet-prompting information and live research facility. New developments include richer content, new graphical features, and a new widescreen layout as well as additional sports content.

Kevan Moretti, head of B2B services at the Racing Post, said: “Our aim is to provide the shop audience with the same live Racing Post editorial, stats and tipping information which online punters have access to.”

The new Touch Bets have a design which will be instantly recognisable and familiar to users of the Racing Post’s Website and iPhone application. Moretti went onto say: “These new designs with smaller 22-inch screens offer a lower purchase cost without compromising on either content or presentation.” Content on the 22-inch Touch Bets will also be made available on the 32-inch Touch Bets, which will remain the Racing Post’s flagship product. Looking ahead to ICE, Moretti said: “As the Racing Post team, we are genuinely delighted to be taking such a high-profile presence at this important annual event for the betting industry. This is a large and well-attended show at which international operators can take a look at all of the trends and technologies impacting their particular business.

“We are excited about this year’s show and extend an open invitation to all our friends in the betting community to drop in to the Racing Post Betting Café to have a coffee and a chat. We will also be offering the opportunity for our visitors to recharge their batteries, and even to access their emails using our free Wi-Fi facility. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Racing Post Betting Café at stand #4130, which we hope will become the hub of the show.”

Kate Chambers, ICE show director responsible for betting, has welcomed the central role being played by the Racing Post. She said: “I’m delighted that an institution that’s synonymous with bookmaking will be taking such an important role at show. The Racing Post Café is certain to be a focal point, providing a warm and friendly welcome to bookmakers everywhere.”

Project: low stakes on big screens

“A radical new approach which will change the face of low-stake gaming” is how Tony Boulton, managing director of London-based games developer Project, is describing the Widescreengaming innovation which was launched on 4 January and will make its industry bow on the stands of Crown, MDM and RLMS at the EAG show.

Designed to operate as either a wall or as a centre piece, the striking cabinet features a 26-inch top and a 23-inch bottom screen, delivering in total some six square feet of screen space for games designers to work with.

According to Boulton, the dominant trend in gaming and leisure is toward much bigger screens. He explained: “The consumer electronics market is dominated by the quest to source bigger and better screens at an affordable price. Our commitment is to drive this forward in the low-stake gaming sector and provide our arcade and bingo customers with a unique opportunity on the high street at no additional cost.

“With six square feet of screen to play with you can deliver much more powerful graphics and stand a much better chance of winning the all-important battle for the first leisure pound. Operators are able to bring a lot more theatre to their venues, and players feel much more comfortable with bigger screens. The Widescreengaming cabinet delivers a win-win-win. It means that operators can attract players quicker, deliver them a more fulfilling gaming/entertainment experience and as a consequence retain their custom for longer.”

Project has confirmed that it will continue to design games for both its Widescreen and classic Casino cabinets, ensuring that all new developments stay within the company’s existing pricing structure.

Bandai Namco: setting a record

Bandai Namco Games goes into EAG 2011 with a record total of distribution agreements with leading international games manufacturers, a 40-plus strong product range covering all sectors of the amusements industry, a dedicated pan-European sales team and a new addition to the Prize Division in the form of former Konami man James Anderson.

The impressive list of distribution lines handled by Bandai Namco Games has been bolstered by the addition of Korean crane and redemption manufacturer Pentavision and photo imaging specialist Apple Industries, arrivals that commercial director John Brennan believes underscore the company’s status as the strongest machine distribution company not just in the UK but throughout the EMEA area.

He explained: “Our commitment to operators throughout the region is to deliver the best products from the best manufacturers backed by the best sales, marketing and support team in the business. Our track record of successfully launching products into all European markets means that we attract lines from the very best manufacturers and our hands-on approach of listening to and supporting our customers in the field means we remain the first-choice supplier for amusements operators everywhere.

“Internationally, our business development managers Kjeld Erichsen and Julian Goicoa have continued to develop the business. Despite very difficult trading conditions I am delighted to say we have increased our market share in countries across the region, a factor which demonstrates that our commitment to deliver great products backed by great service translates across nations.”

Looking ahead to EAG, Brennan said: “We are very excited about the show; it provides a fantastic platform to launch our new ranges and products, which will number in the region of 20. The team, which is one of the most experienced and respected in the business, will be supplemented by product champions who will be responsible for new lines as they arrive. The development of our Prize Division, led by Alan Smith and which now includes James Anderson, is another important addition to the overall proposition. We look forward to welcoming customers new and old to our stand #530 at EAG.”.

Milliken and Suzo Happ: linking for EAG

Milliken, the UK billiard cloth manufacturer, will be joining forces with its UK distributor Suzo Happ for EAG. Both companies will be launching new catalogues – Suzo’s being a 300-pager which includes its range of hoppers, coin and bank note validators, reel mechanisms, security and replacement products.

Milliken’s new brochure will also be available at the show and it will feature its full range of highly-engineered pool cloths, including the company’s top-selling SuperPro pool brand. Like Suzo Happ, Milliken serves markets across the globe, not least in China, where its Strachan brand of snooker cloth is a respected commodity by table makers across Asia.

Marketing manager Stuart Gardiner is looking forward to the show. He said: “EAG has quickly become an important show for us as trading internationally becomes increasingly important. We have a great partner in Suzo Happ, which as the global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of gaming and amusements products also has an international outlook.”

Aristocrat: games for Spain

Aristocrat Technologies continues to expand its portfolio of Type B games dedicated to the Spanish arcade/salon gaming market with the unveiling of two newly developed video titles at the forthcoming ICE exhibition in London. Following similar five-line characteristics of other Aristocrat games that are currently building market share in the Iberian street sector, Mystic Mermaid and Wicked Winnings will be previewed for the first time on ICE stand #3415.

Aristocrat games currently operating in Spain have a unique style derived from casino floor gameplay. Adoption rates by players and operators alike have gathered great momentum over recent weeks, as Christian Colus, Aristocrat’s head of sales for southern Europe, explained: “Performance of existing models Big Red, Dolphin Treasure and Queen of the Nile has been very impressive and sustained over a long period. This has led to a significant increase in new orders, which we believe will prolong the lifetime of these games as they are introduced to more players.

“We have built strong partnerships with leading regional operator/distributors Comdibal2000, Egasa and Grupo Vid and continue to work closely with them in the development of new products. As the popularity of our first wave of games continues to build, it is crucial we maintain delivery of equally strong follow-up titles, and visitors to our stand at ICE will get a first glimpse of these exciting new developments for 2011.”

Mystic Mermaid and Wicked Winnings are existing five-reel Aristocrat games with proven performance in other markets, now adapted to suit the specific tastes of Spanish arcade/salon players with familiar scatters, wilds, open games and bonus re-spin features. Mystic Mermaid continues the underwater theming introduced by Dolphin Treasure, resplendent with marine symbology, whilst Wicked Winnings offers a new thematic proposition fronted by a seductive She Devil who substitutes for all symbols during gameplay.

AstroSystems: unveiling GV1

For the 12th year in succession, AstroSystems will be exhibiting at the London ICE show in January. This year, AstroSystems is proud to unveil the new GV1 bill acceptor to the European market, a product that is designed to excel in secure applications.

The GV1 benefits from a high-security note cassette with audit capabilities, and is modular in design, which makes it extremely easy to disassemble and service as and when required. Combining low cost of ownership with a competitive price and increased uptime, the GV1 is an attractive solution for OEMs and operators alike.

Sales manager Steve Priest commented: “Designed to replicate the same high level

of performance and reliability as the award-winning Microcoin QL coin validator, the GV1 builds on the security associated with Microcoin products – products already chosen by some of the biggest OEMs in gaming around the world”.

During ICE, AstroSystems will also be demonstrating the complete range of GBA bill acceptors and Microcoin coin validators. Feel free to visit stand #4372 to receive an overview of the range and how they can benefit your operation.

WH Münzprüfer: counting coins

As in previous years, WH Münzprüfer Berlin will present its product range at the exhibitions in January in Düsseldorf and in London.

With the electronic coin selector EMP 900, the Mini-Hopper with coded MDB interface and the hopper counting scale HZW 100, WH Münzprüfer will exhibit perfect solutions for gaming machines.

The innovative hopper scale for continuous monitoring of the hopper content has been introduced successfully in the market. Every withdrawal of coins is reported to the host machine instantaneously. Filling of hoppers can be carried out without inserting coins through the coin selector. The Mini-Hopper is connected to the machine via the hopper scale, so no extra connector is necessary.

A software development kit (SDK) for the USB coin selectors and USB Interfaces CCT 900 and CCT 910 is now also available for Linux. This was done in order to comply with many customers’ requests for possibilities to implement this universal platform under Windows and Linux environments. With the CCT 900 board all common ccTalk devices can be connected to PC-based applications. The CCT 910 is the enhanced version of the CCT900, which offers more interfaces and additional protocols. It can be connected to the PC via USB or RS-232.

Innovations can also be found among the peripheral coin handling products. A new standard for security in coin acceptance is set with the new antipin system ES 005 with rotating drum technology. A coin path surveillance as well as a self-cleaning function complete this new concept.

For RFID systems a write/read module for transponder can be added to the ES 005. This ES 005.M version is available for Mifare Light, Mifare Classic and Mifare DESfire and can be connected to a controller via USB or RS-232.

Advantech-Innocore: two new boards

Following the official North America launch at G2E in November, Advantech-Innocore is preparing the European launch of two phenomenal new boards at the ICE 2011 show in London.

The two new products add a new dimension to the highly successful and versatile DPX S Series range.

The models, DPX-S415 and DPX-S425, offer existing customers a springboard to easily move to newer, higher-performance technology (being backwards-compatible with the existing DPX-S410). For new customers, the new products provide a leading-edge platform on which to base their new products.

Utilising the very latest computer technology from Intel and AMD, the highly-integrated single-board computers allow game designers to transform their electronic game machines with dazzling multimedia and powerful computing power.

High-performance graphics engines are included that offer 3D acceleration and multi-monitor support and dual-core 64-bit CPUs allow optimal use of the latest 64-bit operating systems and system RAM up to 8GBbyte.

The DPX-S415 is an AMD platform sporting ATI Radeon HD4270 graphics – with a DirectX 10.1 engine for awesome graphics performance, stunning 3D visual effects and dynamic interactivity. The platform includes AMD’s latest HyperTransport technology 3.0 to boost system performance and supports the latest Athlon II Neo and Turion II Neo dual-core processors.

The DPX-S425 is an Intel platform based on Intel’s latest 32nm technology and including state-of-the-art features such as Intel Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading Technology to enable four-way multitask processing and automatic over-clocking to handle CPU demand. The integrated Intel HD graphics provide superb visual performance for sharper images, richer colour, and lifelike video and audio. The CPUs supported are the state-of-the-art Intel Core i-5 and Core i-7, providing stunning performance.

Both products also include a full bandwidth PCI Express v2.0 16X graphics expansion slot that can be used to boost graphics performance further or to add third or fourth monitors. Innocore offers a growing range of medium and long production life graphics cards for use with the new products.

Although the new products provide a great step up in computing power, they also include a full feature set of gaming I/O, COMS and security hardware. The core gaming hardware is based on Advantech-Innocore’s robust field-proven architecture that is deployed in tens of thousands of gaming machines worldwide and approved by regulatory bodies for all major markets. This speeds customers’ time to market as well as giving them confidence that the platform will be reliable and meet the long-term requirements of next-generation games. The products are also backed by Innocore’s usual guarantee of five years of mass-production life.

“We take great care to plan our products roadmap and time product releases to maximise performance and life cycle. The new DPX S products provide a quantum leap in performance over our existing products and anything available from other suppliers. Through Innocore’s close strategic alliances with chipset and CPU manufacturers we are able to be the first out of the gate with these significant new products,” said Koen Stomph, Advantech-Innocore’s sales director.

The new products are complemented by a new range of enclosures which will be on show at ICE. Also on display will be a selection of the comprehensive range of Advantech standard industrial PC products such as Mini-ITX and Com Express modules. Advantech-Innocore can be found at ICE booth #3332.

Magic Dreams: new releases and proven performers

Magic Dreams is looking forward to the most important European exhibition of the year. A large variety of hot new releases and proven performers will welcome the visitors at ICE booth #3350.

The Captain CA$H Jackpot System, powered by the cutting-edge Xtend platform, will be put in prime position in the booth.

Captain CA$H is a pirate-themed five-level mystery progressive jackpot developed to bring innovation and amazement to slot players.

The original concept of this jackpot system makes Captain CA$H a strongly performing product and all the 2010 installations in Europe and South America have rapidly exceeded expectations.

The perfect mix of features allows players to enjoy the unexpected surprise of a mystery triggered bonus and the enthralling emotion of a progressive series of growing wins.

The exciting atmosphere, the high volatility and the charming experience of each hot new game powered by Xtend complete the stunning profile of this exceptional product.

Among the brand-new games available both in standalone and Captain CA$H versions, Wolves Legend and Lady Glamour will be showcased.

Wolves Legend is an exciting hunt through the cold and mysterious forests of North America. A wild atmosphere pervades the game and the player is involved in a legendary struggle for existence.

Wolves Legend is available in two versions: 40 lines for standalone, or 50 lines to be linked to Captain CA$H Jackpot.

Both versions are featured with a very high volatility and are developed in 5x4 layout.

Developed in three different versions is Lady Glamour, with nine, 25 or 30 lines in order to meet the operator’s needs.

Lady Glamour is what a woman wants to become. Lady Glamour is the icon of luxury, richness, vogue and elegance. All players that love high volatility will fall in love with Lady Glamour and start the richest shopping experience they have never lived.

Beyond Lady Glamour and Wolves Legend a wide range of video reel games will be showcased, among them Diamonds of Fire, Xcalibur, Egyptian Mysteries and Happy Fish.

All the standalone versions of the latest Xtend games will be shown on the brand-new slant-top 500ST 22-inch that Magic Dreams will be proud to present at the London show.

Based on the previous elegant and ergonomic cabinet model, the new 500ST features two 22-inch-wide screens in order to offer a total visual experience.

The ergonomic structure has been accurately defined to leave players totally concentrating on the gaming strategy, and the chrome and glitter finishing bring glamour and elegance.

Magic Dreams will, of course, also be exhibiting its proven performer Magic Roulette Platinum. It is a single zero standalone video roulette that features a very user-friendly table and 3D movies of the wheel on the bottom screen in order to offer to the player the most comfortable gaming experience.

Moreover, thanks to the wheel speed configuration feature, the operator can select the speed of the wheel and get a product tailor-made for its kind of players.

Together with multireel games and Magic Roulette Platinum, Magic Dreams will also show a bank of its most famous poker version, Double Draw, linked to the cutting-edge Poker Jackpot Poker Boost. What makes Poker Boost different from the standard poker jackpots is that four levels are progressive while one is mystery. This exceptional feature generates great interaction as players are rewarded by the frequent mystery and are boosted to win the higher progressive levels.

Eurocoin: delivering promotions to players

Always wanted to reward your slot players while they were playing at the machine, and frustrated by the absence of a solution to do just that? With the launch of Epicentral from TransAct, things are about to get a great deal easier...

The Epicentral Print System is a pioneering software solution that will enable promotional coupons and other messages to be printed to guests while they play at slot machines – allowing the operator to communicate directly with the customer to create multiple promotions and incentives to either increase customer time spent on the machine or encourage visits to other parts of the venue.

Colin Veitch, director of Eurocoin, is very excited about the new product, which made its first appearance to the public at G2E in Las Vegas before Christmas. “It is a fantastic concept – not only is it incredibly user-friendly – but crucially the system is compatible with all existing slot systems and games.

I am looking forward to revealing the new system on the Eurocoin stand at ICE in January and demonstrating how its implementation will initiate more play, increasing revenues and essentially improve customer loyalty.”

The new Epicentral Print System connects directly to TransAct’s ServerPort device inside the slot machine and allows an operator to develop internal marketing programmes and promotional coupons to be distributed to customers on a real-time basis at a slot machine. The Print System connects to any existing slot machine, regardless of the game’s manufacturer or the slot system, as long as the slot machine is equipped with a TransAct Epic 950 printer. Locations that do not currently have the Epic 950 in their slot machines can easily change out their existing printers and add the Epic 950 and ServerPort – giving them the capability to implement Epicentral.

Once operators have the software system in place they will have the ability to provide players with special prize draws, real-time promotional coupons, marketing messages and so on. Essentially, the venue will be able to utilise the system to create multiple promotions and incentives to increase customer spend.

“We encourage all our clients to come and take a close look at Epicentral at our stand #4045 in London,” added Veitch. “There is no doubt that this is a huge step forward, allowing casinos and slot halls to reward their players simply and cost-effectively.”

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