The Southern Gaming Summit’s expo had some big names from the slot machine industry in attendance, International Gaming Technology, WMS Industries, Aristocrat and Bally to name a few. Each company was pleased to show off their newest slot machines and their new technologies.
International Game Technology (IGT) was on hand to show off its latest server based gaming technology. The company was pleased to demonstrate how easy it would be to change games on the slot machines at a moment’s notice, and how they were integrating players’ cards into the slot machines to give them optimal results. The menus that are available on the slot machines would allow them to order food or drinks while never leaving their chair.
WMS Industries had a whole line of “sensory immersion” slot machines that they were proud of. They had 3-D Bose sound systems, which made the slot machines a whole lot like really intense arcade games. They had Top Gun and Wizard of Oz, and the games were an amazing experience. They also had the Transmissive Reel which was one of the coolest things ever – they take an LCD screen and layer it over a five reel mechanical slot machine. They are using the standard for Japan’s pachislot industry, but what is standard there is not standard here. They are the first to do it, as IGT and Aristocrat have not released any slot machines with this technology as of yet.
And speaking of Aristocrat, Australia’s behind-the-times slot machine maker was there as well. Some wonder how they still exist, and I have to say I am one of them. They are behind in seemingly most of the technology as their slot machines always look like something out of the dark ages compared to IGT and WMS. They have been responsible for some great breakthroughs in the past, but nothing recent enough to keep them on the map really.
And finally, what would a slot machine expo be without Bally Technologies? Bally is still arguably the best known name in the slot machine world, and they were there with their latest, and coolest, slot machine. They have purchased the rights to create a slot machine that is just like Pong. If you liked Pong, you will like this. If you were good at Pong, it is time to dust of your arcade skills, because on this slot machine the better you are at the game, the more you win. Definitely a bonus in my book!
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