NOVOTEL
LONDON WEST
London W6
Wednesday 20 Oct 2010
10.00 - 18.00
Thursday 21 Oct 2010
10.00 - 16.00
Organised by HOWARD & WIKBERG
PROMOTIONS
+44[0]20 7387 2021
Contact Ylva Howard ylva@preview-uk.com
Press Reports
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Preview 2010 Show Report Page 3 of 4 Coinslot No. 2129 16th - 22nd October 2009
Getting the ball rolling GENESIS GAMES Taking centre stage amongst the Genesis Games offering was the 10-player Roulette Grand Jeu, adjustable across all categories of gaming machine in the UK. Linked to a live wheel, players can choose whether to play the machine’s automated wheel or the croupier’s wheel, or participate in a live game from the privacy and comfort of an individual video terminal. As director Steve Bierrum explained, the firm also launched its new generation, multicategory PC-based cabinet, Multi Game, and gave a further outing to JVL’s range of bar-top touchscreen video terminals.
New editions HAZEL ELECTRONICS Seen for the first time at Preview 2010 were two new editions to Hazel Electronics’ Site Manager machine audit and management system. CashDesk is a software solution for managing cash floats back-of-house or in the change desk of an arcade or casino. PlayDesk software, smart cards and card readers work alongside the full Site Manager system to integrate player tracking and loyalty schemes, enabling operators to monitor and reward their best customers. Hazel’s Ray Hazleton also demonstrated Intelli-LED, a flexible, multi-application LED ribbon that can generate eye-catching moving colour displays.
Cashing in INFOGAME UK Infogame UK took the opportunity to showcase two new versions of its successful Skill Quest SWP, one featuring ticket payout and the other featuring cash payout. Infogame’s Stephen Robins commented: “We have got around 1,500 machines out on site and ticket out is a well accepted form of payout, but there are still locations that prefer to deal with cash, hence why we have developed the cash payout version of Skill Quest.”
Taking top billing MDM LEISURE For MDM Leisure, Preview 2010 lived up to its billing as the place to see the latest top-performing £1/£70 Category C machines. Speaking from the show floor, MDM’s Rex Sargent reported: “In terms of new Category C product we have seen a number of machines starting to take significant cashbox income, including Barcrest’s Seventh Heaven and Captain Jackpots, Astra’s Pure Gold and Project’s World of Games Arcade. We have also had a lot of interest in some of the best new Category B3 equipment, with Astra’s King Pots and Project’s Star Attraction - which has performed impressively on test - amongst the pick of the pack.”
The power of one NOVA PRODUCTIONS Despite only exhibiting just one machine, it was no surprise that Nova Productions’ stand was never less than buzzing with guests. Of course, it helped that the one product the firm had brought with it was Pokerkard, which is fast establishing itself as one of the coin-op sector’s most popular amusement-only poker products. Pictured here is Nova’s Tony Eyre explaining to John Icke, of John Icke Automatics, how Pokerkard’s easy-to-play single and multiplayer options have helped deliver sustained cashbox income.
First appearances aplenty RLMS SALES There was a panoply of debut appearances for RLMS Sales’ Tony Glanville and Martyn Allsop to host, including a range of new Lo Tech gaming machines from Concept Games and from Empire Games, three new Category B3 games from JPM, Astra’s latest Category B3 offering King Pots and Project’s Category B3 compendium Star Attraction and Category C compendium World of Poker. Front of stage was given over to Bell-Fruit Games’ Kudos SWP that, as Allsop explained, has recorded some impressive figures since its launch at ATEI 2009: “Kudos is now competing very competitively with its competitor, and not surprisingly its strong performance has resulted in strong sales.
Pleased to be quiet SAM LEISURE Whilst its stand was busy, the volume of SAM’s product offering was noticeably quieter, thanks to a new rubber-rail, quiet rebound system for its air-hockey tables, designed for venues that are more sensitive to sound, such as motorway service stations and shopping centres. There was more noise, due to the discussions it raised, around the new Linares football table, as SAM’s Liam Barrett revealed: “A larger footprint table built to last, the absence of a glass top instantly makes for a better game. Linares has had good success at bowling centres that site in the bar area, where it encourages extra spend and keeps people there for longer.”
Embracing diversity SEGA AMUSEMENTS EUROPE Known primarily as one of the biggest names in video amusement games, it was no surprise that Sega previewed its Hummer twin driving game, now in a streamlined cabinet with a smaller footprint. But the firm also showed off the fruits of its recent diversification, showcasing the Sonic Allstars air-hockey and basketball games, as well as the results of partnerships with other renowned industry players such as Game Concepts and Pan Amusements. Sega’s Justin Burke commented: “We are actively looking to add products to our portfolio from proven companies, so that customers can buy with the confidence that they are investing in the best of breed.”
Very important Preview SMS VIP With companies like Agora, Cashino, Quicksilver and Shipleys already on its ever-growing list of clients, the reputation of SMS VIP’s text message marketing service preceded it. As managing director Philip Closier explained, this resulted in visits from further heavyweight industry stakeholders: “While we haven’t seen huge numbers of people, those that have visited us have been the industry’s significant players, and they have shown a real interest in our service. As our standing grows through word of mouth and personal recommendation, we are expanding our customer base, moving into the bingo and LBO sectors, whilst continuing to see ever more interest from AGC operators.”
