Athough it is going to come as something of a shock given the entire attention it has garnered of late as a possible game changer for the casino industry, skill-based slot gaming isn't a brand new concept for many operators and manufacturers. Indeed, slot suppliers was adding skill-type play to gaming machine bonus rounds for years; however development of full-blown skill wagering content was always at the back burner, mostly as a result of laws and regulations that maintained slots must remain games of chance.

Such slot restrictions don't exist within the online space however, and game developers have used this channel to create mobile and web-based skill slot game concepts that experience resonated among younger generations, including the much wanted Millennials. This, in turn, appears to have spurred some states to reconsider their slot regulations. The past two years has seen Nevada and New Jersey gaming boards enact new slot regulations, officially defining what constitutes a game of skill, a game of chance and a hybrid game that includes both elements. Probably the most stated goals of those clarifications is to stimulate skill-based slot development to assist bring more Millennials to the land-based casino gaming floor.

Despite this kick-start the skill-based slot gaming business, exact technical standards for this new form of slot remained unwritten. That modified earlier this year, when the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the brand new Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) formally spelled out the technical standards covering a number of topics from payout rates to how games should be explained to the players. The principles for the devices include provision over the proportion of bets collected and prohibit casinos from making the games harder or easier to win while a game is in progress, in line with the perceived skill of the player.

With these new regulations in place, Atlantic City and Nevada casinos could soon become proving grounds for the primary wave of totally skill-based terrestrial slot gaming. Regulators in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Big apple and Maryland are reportedly considering skill-games allowances for land-based gaming; understandable given the prospective size of the market. U.S.-based online skill-based gaming, that is reportedly legal in 33 states, is anticipated to become a $9 billion revenue market by 2017, in line with consistent with a countrywide consumer study conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates. Capturing even a small fraction of this growing play would likely make land-based gaming operators extremely happy.

But are the main slot manufacturers truly able to tackle the brave new world of skill-based gaming? International Game Technology PLC (IGT) seems to be. “As regulations within the development of skill-based games evolve, we remain actively engaged through AGEM and others in working with global regulatory entities to foster innovation in gaming,” said Jacob Lanning vice chairman of strategic R&D and sales strategy at IGT.

Unfortunately, a variety of other major slot suppliers haven't been as forthcoming about their skill-games and declined to take part the following article. But observations from recent industry trade shows reveal initial skill slot forays ail to create a more engaging and unique experience for players incorporating joysticks, hand motion sensors and eye-tracking detection technology with game titles Millennials grew-up playing equivalent to Words with Friends, Angry Birds and Guitar Hero. Here’s a handy guide a rough rundown of what IGT and a few specialized slot manufacturers have in store for the skill-games space:

IGT

For years, IGT has incorporated skill-based elements of their games including popular themes similar to the sport King video poker series, Tully’s Treasure Hunt, Blood Life Legends and naturally Atari Centipede from their Video Reel Edge product line. Most recently, IGT introduced Texas Tea Pinball at G2E and Cleopatra Pinball at ICE, either one of which received positive operator feedback.

“IGT remains at the forefront of innovation and we pay close attention to the evolution of casino gaming and the player demand for unique experiences,” said Lanning.

Texas Tea Pinball and Cleopatra Pinball have a skill-based element within the bonus event, which complies with regulations in and beyond Nevada, so that they are distributed to customers in multiple jurisdictions. “As the Nevada regulations evolve, we’re well-positioned to supply our customers games with appropriate variations at the skill-based elements,” Lanning said. 

IGT has also learned the price of incorporating trends that experience surfaced in movies, games and other kinds of entertainment into its slot products. The company’s TRUE 3D games elevated gaming entertainment by engaging with players within the type of a unique, glasses-free 3D slot experience, an idea first introduced in cinema. Relating to skill-based games, it builds at the foundation that players enjoy with the ability to influence outcome, very similar to what you’ll see in a online game. “With our Video Reel Edge games, we provide players the skill-based element within the bonus event or the opposite option of a free spin bonus,” Lanning said. “This allows players to make a choice a well-known bonus game experience or to interact in something new. We continue to work closely with our valued customers to deliver compelling game themes that cater to a broad player base while also exploring new ideas to have interaction with a brand new generation of players who seek a singular gaming experience.”

As a gaming supplier, IGT closely monitors new technologies while leveraging its industry-leading R&D investment on innovation. “We’ve transformed the slot play experience with TRUE 3D technology, and continue to develop game content that may be leveraged across multiple product segments,” Lanning said. “Given the various years of expertise we've got in skill-based game development, we're well-positioned to integrate new game concepts into this segment.”

GAMBLIT GAMING

Gamblit Gaming started in 2010 when CEO Eric Meyerhofer recognized the desire out there for brand new gaming concepts to attract the more youthful demographic as slot players were beginning to age out. Gamblit was created at the vision of constructing active style, casual games for the casino, and they're definitely not waiting around to peer what other companies are bringing into the market.

Gamblit is taking an active approach working with regulators to get skill games at the casino floors while continuing to develop skill-based games which might be more arcade/video/social than slots. “I would say the entire experience have been a lesson in trailblazing,” said Darion Lowenstein, chief marketing officer at Gamblit. “It was great to work with the Nevada Gaming Commission and all of the various committees which are involved with launching a gambling product.”

Currently Gamblit is active within the Uk with seven games available to play on mobile devices.  Players can download the app and play for free, after which convert play to real-money wagers as desired. Gamblit also creates their very own hardware and games within the U.S. and is scheduled to launch them in Las Vegas Q4 of this year.

“Online have been great because we've been capable of launch games much faster into the general public and immediately get that reaction from tens of thousands of users on what they prefer and what they don’t,” Lowenstein said. “We can determine what power-ups they like, how long they spend at the game and what level they rise up to, and that helps inform the land-based side of the business.”

Among the various big successes at Gamblit, you'll find Grab Poker, the multi-player, fast-paced social game played on their large touchscreen gaming table, in addition to Catapult King which debuted in 2012 receiving over 35 Million downloads on iPhone and Android and was featured at the Apple and Google Play app stores. Gamblit is currently working with Wicked Witch, the unique Catapult King developer, on creating a gambling version of Catapult King to bring to the casino floor and real-money mobile wagering.

The idea is to take the games people already play and are accustomed to on their smart phones, and add real-money gambling with the choice to compete not only against the dealer, but additionally your folks in casinos and online.

With skill-games, it's evident that new technologies should be integrated into the games. “Pretty much everything we now have made is cutting-edge within the casino industry,” Lowenstein said. “Everything that we make is touchscreen, the entire games are interactive and all the games feature a reward for skill. When you’re playing multiplayer games, skill factors in the case of whether you built the most productive poker hand or whether you'll destroy your enemies pirate ship faster, to the only player experiences which might be how well are you flattening the castles. There's a skill currency we now have called Gbits which permit us to reward you directly for any skill action you do in any game of ours. This can be a separate skill reward you can use to redeem for onsite rewards, such things as free drinks, a free spa day or gift cards.”

GAMECO

GameCo is a pioneering new company that may be uniting games with casino floor gaming. In line with company literature, GameCo is the creator of the world’s first skill-based online game gambling machines (VGM), proprietary arcade-style cabinets that balance player skill with game design, while maintaining the similar return to players as traditional slot machines. Founded by video game, casino gaming, technology and live event veterans, GameCo brings together executives from Scientific Games and IGT at the side of award-winning producers for game publishers equivalent to Blizzard Entertainment, WarGaming, Ubisoft, DreamWorks and The arena Series Of Games. The corporate has developed full compliance prototypes as a part of the regulatory approval process and expects to start out field trials within major casinos in 2016.

According to a contemporary press release, GameCo submitted its application to the Division of Gaming Enforcement in New Jersey and now has an active account, as a way to secure its position because the first skill-based gaming company to hit casino floors.

GameCo committed to New Jersey because the first jurisdiction to launch its VGM, currently scheduled to debut in 2016 because the world’s first introduction to skill-based online game gambling in casino properties. The launch of GameCo’s VGM may be supported by esports events, tournaments and game publisher marketing so they can benefit casino partners in attracting a brand new audience of Gen X and Millennial gamers.

“We are excited to launch our VGM in New Jersey casinos this year,” said Blaine Graboyes, CEO of GameCo. “The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement was extremely supportive of our endeavor to draw the following generation of gamers to the casino floor. We're confident the VGM will provide Gen X and Millennial gamers with an attractive opportunity to gamble playing games on the casino.”

Games offered at the VGM are familiar titles from top publishers played in 30-90 second experiences featuring various genres and themes including first person action, sports, racing, fighting games, platformers, puzzle games and more.

NANOTECH GAMING

Also a few of the skill-based game manufacturers is Las Vegas-based NanoTech Gaming, an organization that makes a speciality of the improvement of gaming products. According to extensive research of modern, social and competitive games, NanoTech Gaming’s machines allow players to make a choice exactly how they would like to balance their skill and intelligence against the danger / reward model of the game.  Players enjoy compelling video experiences which can be entertaining independent of the gambling component.

Shown at G2E 2015, Casino Kat is a fast-paced, fun, furry gambling machine with classic arcade maze-chase gameplay. Inspired by one of the vital world’s most recognizable video games, players have the danger to relive the joy of 1980s arcades with a contemporary presentation, and a chance to have their skill influence their chance to win real money.

Casino Kat debuts in Nanotech’s 40-inch Deluxe Cocktail cabinet and lines an HD display running at 120Hz, a four-way leaf-switch joystick and a tremendous 18-inch subwoofer. Together with contemporary electronic dance music (EDM) loops, players will see, hear, and feel the energy pumping out of the game. 

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