Scientific Games is probably one of the most diverse companies exhibiting at G2E this year. The manufacturer has roots in several well known gaming companies - Bally, WMS, Shuffle Master and Barcrest. A year ago the new conglomerate arrived at G2E with a mind-boggling collection of games reflecting the diversity of of the legacy companies which merged to form SG. This year the collection of games will be no less mind-boggling, but the products reflect the efforts of a fully integrated Research and Development team...a team with more than 40 game design studios across the world and a staff of more than 700 game development specialists. Quick Hit games with the new Quick Hit Ultra from the Las Vegas team, Vegas 7's from the Reno branch, Crystal Forest and Black Knight from Chicago, Dancing Drum and Tree of Wealth from Asia, and the Lock it Link games from Australia -- all prominently displayed on three new platforms.
Scientific Games
Booth 1126
When I looked at the press release from Global Gaming Business Magazine, the source of my information for all these previews, the game that caught my attention - possibly because we're in the midst of Oktoberfest - and the one I'll be wanting to see at the SG booth is a remake of an old WMS title. The new version is called Bier Haus: Heidi's Haus. I don't know anything but the title, but I know from past experience that this game will feature the popular mugs and jugs and German polka music and will be fun to play.
A title that has been released in Australia and has proved very popular there is the Lock It Link, a two level progressive system with base games Bright Lights and Girl's Best Friend. The base games feature the Lock It Link Heart respin feature. If less than 3 triggering figures for the progressive bonus land, they lock in place and the reels respin for a second chance to trigger the bonus. The games were stars of G2E Asia in May and the company expects similar interest at Vegas G2E 2016.
Other new titles to look for are the Tree of Wealth series from the SG Asian studio launched with the title Jade Eternity. Other Asian games are Little Dragons, Dragons of the Four Seas, Golden Wheels, and Sun Warrior. Quick Hit fans will want to look for Quick Hit Red Super Wheel and Blue Super Wheel. Scientific Games will also show titles from third party design studio High 5 Gaming: Shadow Diamond Eve and Shadow Diamond Dawn.
There's more. New versions Bally's Black Gold and Hot Triple 7s. The first stepper versions of the Bally video multi-progressive FuDao Le and WMS's 88 Fortunes. Blazing Dice, Gold Slinger, Hot Hands, Tumbling Dice, Power Gems (Egyptian and Indian.) Games previewed last year and still being previewed at G2E are the legendary comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Space Invaders with a skill based bonus.
The heart of SG's offerings will be a group of the strongest licensed brands of any manufacturer in the business according to Frank Legato. Some titles launched at last year's G2E are now reaching the casinos where we play. Kooza, with the Cirque du Soleil theme recreates the characters from the circus-themed road show including "The Trickster." Other branded licenses introduced last year and now entering the market are Michael Jackson Icon, Monopoly Money, Cher Live, and the Godfather. How the audio on the Michael Jackson and Cher themes will clear the YouTube censors when the games are filmed remains to be seen. Another game previewed last year and perfected for this year's exhibition is The Simpsons.
Joining these improved current brands will be Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and National Lampoons's Vacation. On the TV band side is The Bachelor. An entertainment highlight will be Cash, featuring the music of country legend Johnny Cash. A clever touch, according to press releases, is found in the four levels of jackpots. They are marked by images of Cash at different stages of his career - from his early days at Sun Records until his time as the elder statesman of American country roots music. There's something for everyone. There is even Wacky Races based on the 1968 - 71 cartoon series.
Well, that's a lot to take in, and I'm sure it's just the tip of the iceberg. Plan on spending more than just one day at G2E this year...it'll take a while to see it all. And stay turned for another company's preview tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment