The Global Gaming Expo dazzled attendees with slot machines that featured games with HD, 3-D graphics and animated characters, touch-screens, and rich video game features. Slot machines designed around popular themes and culture hogged the spotlight at the G2E held inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.
WMS Industries highlighted a gamed based on the successful movie trilogy Lord of the Rings, while International Game Technology showcased a slot machined inspired by the popular HBO show Sex and the City. Bally Technologies unveiled its games featuring liquid –crystal displays and new cabinet deigns as well slots with innovative bonus rounds to increase player interest.
Taking the experience to the next level, some vendors have embedded movie theater-esq audio systems into their slot machine chairs! Imagine sitting in your slot machine chair and feeling the surround sound of your casino game.
Due to the positive turnout and reception, the manufacturers were more pleased with the 2009 event than they have been about prior shows. For example, Patti Hart, International Game Technology CEO, felt the “sense of energy and anticipation” at the 2009 G2E, attributing the positivity to the attendees’ enthusiasm regarding new products.
Amidst a struggling economy, many of the casino corporations, as well as independent operators, have been reluctant to significantly update their slot machine floors. To cope, casino managers have tried hard to maximum the life of their older, outdated games. However, small but hopeful signs that the economy is heading in the right direction have raised the enthusiasm and outlook of slot manufacturers and investors alike.
Joe Greff, a gaming analyst at JPMorgan, told investors that the company is impressed with many of the newer products on the market and believe that they show significant improvement over products introduced at some of the previous G2Es. He said JPMorgan feels these improvements are necessary because innovative and more competitive content is mainly what investors are looking to see as gaming expansion continues to open up new revenue opportunities.
click here to see most Popular PagesRepresentatives from the slot machine manufacturing sector noted that the G2E isn’t all about sales as the trade show is more geared towards showing the casino industry what is in store for the coming months.
Steven Kent, gaming analyst at Goldman Sachs, remarked that the strength and technological innovation of today’s games are of such excellent quality that they should be able to catalyze replacement sales. Macquarie Securities gaming analyst Simkins, echoed those sentiments by stating that the long-term prognosis for equipment manufacturers is in great shape.
Other highlights of the trade show consisted of IGT’s 3-D Center Stage series, a franchise that includes a network of slot machines link together and complimented by a 103-inch HD TV screen. Among the many themes is one based on the hit reality television series American Idol. Players can assume the persona of one of the show’s panel of judges in the bonus round and also enjoy clips of past Idol contestants.
