When I started this series of articles about what to expect at G2E this year, I did not realize other bloggers were also sharing information about the slot manufacturers and their games on line. Since then I have discovered a well-respected member of slot fanatics that goes by the name SlotM has posted several very interesting press releases on some of these same companies. Even if you are not a member of slot fanatics, you can read his articles on line at the slot fanatic site. If you are a member, you can make comments as well. Spend enough time browsing on the slot fanatics web site, and you'll probably decide you want to join the group yourself. This is the last of these G2E preview posts -- not because I've run out of companies to talk about but because the convention starts September 26 and it's a long drive to Las Vegas and I've a lot to do before I go. Hope to meet some of you there.
Everi (formerly Multimedia)
Booth 1116
Everi is planning to debut seven new slot games based on powerful licensed brands at Global Gaming Expo next week. You'll be viewing (1) Penn and Teller, (2) Casablanca, (3) Fruit Ninja, and four titles based on DreamWorks Classics, (4) Underdog, (5) Richie Rich, (6) Casper the Friendly Ghost, and (7) Hot Stuff, the Little Devil.) Let's take a few minutes to talk a little about each of them.
Here's big news for the Native American Casinos who favor Class II slots - sometimes called "bingo slots." The first two of the new games, Penn and Teller and Casablanca, are being offered as WAP games for Class II markets. But in addition these are Everi's first ever WAP (wide area progressive) games offered as premium daily lease games for a fee. They have a local-area progressive top prize for Class III markets. I won't say much about the cabinets except to point out that in addition to all the other features, the Empire MPX will include two USB phone or media device recharging docks. You won't be able to miss the games. Look for the 65-inch full HD overhead Foundation sign!
(1) Penn and Teller is a 5x5 reel video slot, based on the magical entertainment of the pair who have entertained gamblers in Vegas for over four decades. There are eight exciting bonus features including the Class II Wide Area Progressive. Here's the big news. To support the launch, Penn and Teller will visit Everi's booth 1116 on the G2E show floor on September 27 for the slot machine's official ribbon cutting ceremony.
(2) Casablanca ranks second in the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time. Maybe someday the game will too. The timeless romantic drama was released in 1942, the same year I was born. Some entertainment is timeless. The slot is a five-reel, 40-line, video game with multiple exciting features including the Rick's Cafe bonus with the classic song "As Time Goes By." Romance on the casino floor! Play it again, Sam.
I have recently learned that Penn and Teller are not the only celebrities to look for at the Everi Booth. Stephen Bogart, son of film legends Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall will be on hand to cut the ribbon for Everi's new Casablanca slot machine at 10 am on Wednesday, September 28. Bogart will be autographing DVD copies of the classic movie. Don't forget to mark your calendars and stop by Booth 1116 and meet the stars.
I have recently learned that Penn and Teller are not the only celebrities to look for at the Everi Booth. Stephen Bogart, son of film legends Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall will be on hand to cut the ribbon for Everi's new Casablanca slot machine at 10 am on Wednesday, September 28. Bogart will be autographing DVD copies of the classic movie. Don't forget to mark your calendars and stop by Booth 1116 and meet the stars.
(3) Fruit Ninja: Juicy Jackpots is a stand alone premium participation game leveraging Everi's popular high rise cabinet. The game has four bonus features, and the Fruit Ninja Arcade Bonus offers skill based gaming entertainment elements (...not a big draw for us older gamers.) Players slice fruit using the game's unique Swipe Touch technology while operators are given the flexibility to set the skill level. I'm sure Everi is hoping this skill based bonus will appeal to you younger gamers. If you have been playing in casinos that offer slot tournaments played on Everi games (as one of my locals does) this game represents one of the many new features for Everi's award-winning slot tournament solution, taking tournament play to the next level.
(4)Entertainment players - but probably not core gamers - will want to see the four new games based on timeless characters from the DreamWorks Classics library. The first of the four to be debuted at G2E is Underdog. The slot is based on the cartoon series, and the game will be played on a new 5 reel, 27-line high def cabinet.
(5) The second game for the young at heart is Casper the Friendly Ghost. Casper has been entertaining fans since the 1930's. Now he will haunt the slot floors in this new Everi game.
(6) Another new addition to Everi's High Rise Games series is Richie Rich based on the "poor little rich boy" first introduced in 1953. The five reel video game will feature an 8-tier progressive and multiple bonus features. Maybe we'll all win enough to be poor little rich kids playing this game.
(7) The last game to talk about is Smokin' Hot Stuff. This game is the first-ever licensed game for Everi's three-reel mechanical Skyline series. It is based on the classic Harvey comic character, Hot Stuff the Little Devil who debuted in 1957. The game is a tier progressive game that utilizes the unique features of the nearly seven foot tall Skyline cabinet with LCD lighting.
I'll close with just a few words about Everi's TourEvent of Champion's Slot Tournament that will culminate in an exciting finale September 28 to take place at XS Nightclub in Las Vegas. After five months of preliminary qualifying tournaments across the US, Canada, and Peru, the finalists will gather in Las Vegas and compete for the top prize in the Million Dollar Event. The games are scheduled to begin at 5 pm Pacific Time Wednesday, Sept 28 at XS Nightclub in the beautiful Wynn/Encore resort. It will also be live streamed over the internet at www.twitch.tv/everigames. Now in its 5th year, the tournament will be awarding $1.3 million in total cash prizes with the first place winner earning a cool million dollars.
The tournament kicked off April 30 at the Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, WA with a record-beaking crowd of players. Officially certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest slot tournament, 3,173 slot players participated on a single day to set the new record. Over the 5 months that followed, Tournament busses traveled nearly 42,000 miles to visit the participating casinos. Over 200,000 slot players took part in this year's qualifying event.
It's too late for you to sign up to play, but as a precursor to the September 28 finale, the third annual TournEvent for CHARITIES will take place at 2 pm PT on the previous day, Sept 27, at Everi's booth 1116. Celebrities and Media Personalities will compete in a fun filled tournament on behalf of their favorite charities. Penn and Teller will be two of the celebrities trying to win for their favorite charities. I haven't seen a list of the other contestants. All G2E attendees are invited to visit Everi's booth and cheer on the players. I did that last year and watched Carrot Top go down in defeat to a local newsman whose name I don't even remember. It was crowded, but it was fun. I expect we could say that about all of G2E...it's crowded, but it's fun. See you there.
