Casino Apr 07 P30-43 3/28/07 9:56 am Page 40
SHOW REPORT
3M showed their wonderful MicroTouch Capacitive
TouchSense System technology at ICE, which never,
ever fails to impress. The impression is startling, a truly
tactile touchscreen with genuine subtlety in its effects.
As 3M's Francesco Fasoglio explains: "You can
actually configure the touch screen to have up to 47
different effects, so each of these buttons [on the
stand display] is a different type of vibration, a
different type or length of vibration, so you can really
make the experience for the gaming player more
exciting and more entertaining."
The technology brings to mind the possibilities of
server-based gaming, where you would no longer need
fixed buttons on a machine, but could have a reactive
system like this on a panel for the buttons, making it
100 per cent customisable. 3M are way ahead of that
thought and have done some preliminary work
(including a slot machine which incorporates some of
the technology) with Unicum, the Russian gaming
giants who were sadly missed at ICE.
Francesco continues: "We are looking to work with
some major OEM manufacturers that could
implement this technology in new gaming machines
to give the player a really new experience. The
Above: 3M’s stand, with Francesco
MegaDrive generation and the PlayStation people in potential is not only in the tactile but also that the
Fasoglio taking centre stage
addition to traditional gamers and, of course, the software engineer can design completely new games
Below: CashCode’s stand Asian markets. The game's identity is clearly Sega, it's based on this, because it gives you a lot of flexibility."
very recognisable. Karen explains: "If you look at the Also on show was their MicroTouch ClearTek II
game, immediately you can see the Sega graphics technology. Over to you, Francesco: "We are the
influence. They were instrumental in development of leader in this market, and obviously we want to
the bonus sequences. We’re just really proud of it and continue to re-emphasise the valuable position of our
of the partnership and the products that have come product. Our capacitive technology is substantially
of it. It’s certainly produced a great game.” Bonus different from our competitors, and is at least five
sections feature gameplay which is truly reminiscent times more resistant that older capacitive technology
of console games, and the overall design is certainly available in the market. This again is an advantage for
striking. Interestingly, IGT's MLP products are now an OEM that’s making a machine, because it’s not
offered on their stylish Trimline cabinet, which is yet only the cost of acquiring the technology that is
one more reason to buy! important but it’s also the cost of all the chips, the
Of course, IGT product is not just about graphics, systems; if you have a touch screen that copes with at
and Karen explained a new approach to bonusing least five times more wear, it’s more life in the field
according to the playing style of the customer: "We’re without needing a replacement."
developing more and more bonus mechanisms that 3M are pushing their reputation as a system
encourage max bet play from the customer. So an provider, not just specialists in touchscreens, but also
aggressive player has a more aggressive game to play. the means to 'drive' that technology.
It allows them more opportunities to win more.” Bill acceptor specialists CashCode, following their
Videobet brought their online gaming know-how to acquisition by Crane Merchandising in 2006, were
ICE with an eye on the server-based gaming world. showing a broader range of product than usual,
They offer a broad range of downloadable content though not all in ICE. Under the Crane banner, sister
supported by a wide variety of RNG levels and companies National Rejectors Inc (NRI) and Telequip
configurations. Combine that with their experience also enjoyed a presence within ICE/ATEI.
of managing back office operations and minute CashCode's main selling point is one that is
control, and you have a formidable server-based impossible to ignore: the company states that
gaming supplier. operators using their acceptors have realised revenue
One very interesting aspect of the company's increases up to 30 per cent because of higher bill
offering is their Cross-Platform WinAJackpot network, acceptance, low maintenance and low jam rates.
which apparently allows players to sing up with a At ICE, their major product was the Bill-to-Bill
single account to play online, by mobile or in a land- Currency Management System, a product aimed at
based gaming environment. The company can create casino redemption kiosks. Like so many of the best
a bespoke server-based gaming solution whatever ideas, it is wonderfully simple; this CMS is designed
your needs. to optimise cash management as it means a casino
You'll be hearing a lot more about Videobet in a kiosk no longer requires separate cash-in and cash-
forthcoming issue of Casino International. out dispenser and acceptor modules, as one system
40 APRIL 2007
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