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Source: IGT
IGT to unveil new video slot games, new gaming machine and
new Megajackpots™ systems at Gaming Expo.
Reno, Nevada
With the countdown under way to early October's Global Gaming Expo – an inaugural trade show event for the gaming industry – gaming manufacturers are putting final touches on the new and improved products they will exhibit at the Las Vegas show. At the headquarters of IGT, the world’s largest maker of slot and video gaming machines, the pace is feverish. IGT always unveils an extensive lineup of new games at the fall gaming expo, and this year will be no exception. The company’s 6,000-square-foot booth will be loaded with new gaming machines, many of them based on well-known entertainment themes and personalities. IGT’s game designers, lead by Joe Kaminkow, vice president of product development, are acknowledged masters of adapting pop culture to a gaming machine format. The trend in recent years has been to apply successful brands from the movies and television to slot entertainment. Cases in point are I Love Lucy®, based on the classic TV comedy show that starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo; and Diamond Cinema™, which celebrates the golden age of Hollywood. Both are new additions to IGT’s MegaJackpots™ product line in the iGame Plus video slot format (I Love Lucy® will also be produced as a MegaJackpots™ game in the S2000™ spinning reel format.) Diamond Cinema™ -- which will be available shortly after the show -- features three games: Marilyn Monroe™, Ingrid Bergman™ - Humphrey Bogart™, and James Dean™, with the top award on each starting at $1.5 million. Combining the look and sound of the legendary American motorcycle for exciting video action, Harley-Davidson®, another new iGame Plus™ MegaJackpots™ product, will be on display at the show. There'll also be two new versions of The Price is Right™, a popular MegaJackpots™ video slot introduced earlier in 2001. Most of these iGame Plus™ games will be shown in IGT’s new 19-inch Game King™, a dramatically new gaming machine design. “We're convinced that this new large-screen upright will set the standard for some time to come,” said Ed Rogich, IGT’s vice president of marketing. In addition to the big high-resolution monitor and a multi-denomination format, the new upright boasts a host of other features heavy on player appeal. Other new iGame Plus™ game themes include Cops & Doughnuts™, Dick Clark’s Bloopers™, Risque Business™, Used Cars™, Happy Camper™, and Super Cherry™. IGT will also be introducing a variety of new premium licensed games based on popular themes in both iGame Plus™ and S2000™ platforms. In iGame Plus comes Bunco Nights™, adapted from the popular parlor game; a video version of the strategy board game, Othello©; and SPAM®, a video slot that takes its name and inspiration from the all-purpose canned meat product. In the S2000™ spinning reel format, show attendees will see – and be able to play – UNO™, based on one of the world's most popular card games; SPAM®; Diablo Diamonds™, and Triple Texas Tea™. In the Vision Series™, the new premium line will be represented
by Magic 8 Ball™, a game inspired by the black spherical toy purported
to predict the future.
IGT’s popular S2000™ spinning reel product will be represented by Crystal Sevens™, Five Hundred Or Nothing™, Smores™ (a campfire treat of graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows), Velvet Moon™, Whale Song™ and Wild Wolves™. “Like most companies, we’re shooting for the next blockbuster -- a product that will take the gaming floor by storm,” Rogich said. IGT’s marketing vice president should know. The company’s Wheel of Fortune® machines have set the standard for enduring popularity in both spinning reel and video formats. Among the strong contenders to be named this year’s mega hit is Regis’ Cash Club™, an Instant Winner MegaJackpots™ game on the Vision Series™ product line that builds from a minimum jackpot of $1 million. The game takes full advantage of Regis Philbin’s showmanship, amply highlighted by the machine’s video and audio capability. Mata Hari™ and Ms. Little Green Men™ will also be on display in the Vision Series™ format. The product most likely to transform gaming floors in the years to come, the EZ Pay™ Ticket System, will be featured along with the new EZ Ticket™ module from IGT Gaming Systems. Part of the cash optional/voucher system that allows great flexibility for gaming property and casino customer alike, EZ Ticket™ is sold by IGT Gaming Systems. Recognizing that its customers will be looking for the best in new games, hardware and gaming systems, IGT’s theme for this year’s show is Game Quest. “Our objective is to showcase the next generation of gaming equipment and help our customers see that their search for the best is over,” said Rogich. The Global Gaming Expo runs Oct. 1 through Oct. 3,
2001, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As with many industry trade
shows, gaming manufacturers exhibit both current and future product lines.
Some IGT games seen at the show may not be available for play in casinos
and other gaming venues for several months. However, among the games
that will be showing up on gaming floors shortly after the show in some
jurisdictions are two MegaJackpots™ games, Regis’ Cash Club™ and
Diamond Cinema™, that IGT considers potential blockbusters.
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