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MULTIPLAYER GAMES
golden components, and the latest technological virtual cards may offer a level of familiarity for video
innovations available on the market.” slot players previously intimidated by live table games.
The company has recently finished work on its new There are two available table styles: the Digital Table
Linux platform for its multiplayer roulettes, which it System – Virtual (DTS-V) with virtual cards and virtual
claims offers increased stability, faster response speeds chips, and the Digital Table System – Chip (DTS-C)
and improved graphics. “For the operator, there’s also with virtual cards and standard gaming chips.
the benefit of connecting the machines to different Available DigiDeal games include Digital 21, Dragon
online systems, using TITO, player tracking and other Baccarat, 1-6-8 Pai Gow Poker, Texas Hold ’em Bonus,
desired functions,” Blumel explains. “One very and Four the Money, a player vs dealer Craps-style
attractive option is the facility for connecting our dice game.
Evona – combining the latest technology
Roulettes to Evona's Gamenet casino management “Our M-P Series and DigiDeal products provide a
with traditional materials.
system, which allows operators to offer different types true player benefit – a better game,” Richards said.
of Jackpots, Happy Hours or Tournaments on the “Since the games are automated, they can be set to
machine – all enhancements to the game that prove pay back better odds, the overhead is less, and they
extremely popular with players.” play faster, too. And as our game development
Evona has obtained GLI certification for its new progresses, players will be offered more complicated
Roulette, and is addressing new markets with the bets that cannot be offered on a live felt game.”
product, while maintaining focus on its current main
markets: Central and Western Europe; Asia; and Jumbo
Central America, according to Blumel. “What you see is what you believe” is pretty much a
motto of Taiwanese company Jumbo, which claims to
IGT understand the oriental gamer thoroughly, partly
IGT aims to give operators innovative options to because it not only makes gaming machines, but also
maximise casino profits via its M-P Series and operates bingo halls in Taiwan. For instance, its Sic Bo
DigiDeal multi-player games. machine features a mechanical dice tumbler and
“Our M-P product line has significantly progressed replicates the cup opening stage of the traditional
in the past year,” says Tim Richards, IGT’s Director of game, which, the company says, is an important
Table Games. element if you want to maximise appeal to players
“Triple Towers Horse Race”, for instance, which is from the culture that gave rise to Sic Bo.
part of the M-P Series, is designed to appeal to a Real-time image displays and physical dealing
variety of gaming interests: table games; video slots; mechanisms are combined to deliver games that
and race bettors. The races are viewed on 23-inch players trust – and not just in Asian markets, the
monitors at the player stations and on an optional company hopes. Jumbo is looking to achieve potential
57-inch, large-format LCD. “Superior 3D technology, outside the oriental market, mainly through long-term
realistic sound effects and lively race commentary partnerships rather than purely as a seller of
bring the sensory experience of the racetrack to life,” machines.
says Richards. Jumbo’s range of multiplayers includes Mah Jong,
With Roulette Evolution, wheel action can be Bingo, Sic Bo, Roulette, and four Baccarat games.
accomplished mechanically, virtually or via a live Baccarat is the most famous and profitable table game
dealer, and the game has been designed to satisfy in Asia according to Jumbo Technology, and it offers a
player preferences while meeting jurisdictional series of Baccarat games in its MPS range. Operators
guidelines. By accounts, it is going down well… can choose from a robot or a virtual dealer – the
David Vandiver, Director of Slot Operations at Mainframes, or Live Dealer options – and all
Casino Arizona, has placed the Roulette Evolution multiplayer games can link to Jumbo’s remote player
game in his casino: “We had a competitor’s video terminals to extend the number of players supported.
Roulette installed and it was doing okay. But once I Robot Baccarat uses a mechanical arm to simulate
saw the IGT M-P Series setup, I knew we had to have the actions of a human dealer, and players can use
it,” Vandiver says. “The IGT presentation is much their 15-inch screen to view the current game history
cleaner, the layout on the monitor is more visible, and for 60 rounds, as well as to bet and play the game.
the IGT setup has the actual roulette wheel.” Where labour costs are lower, Live Dealer Baccarat
Alongside a variety of configurable options, Golden makes it easy for a human dealer to run the game,
Baccarat, also part of IGT’s M-P Series, gives operators Jumbo claims, with automated dealer prompts and an
the choice of on-screen dealers that rotate with each error-correction function. Live Dealer Baccarat can
IGT – (from the top) the Digital Table
new shoe. Game play is simple and easy to learn. also store and replay dealt card images for up to 60
System with virtual cards and virtual
chips; M-P Series Golden Baccarat; and
In terms of multiplayer electronic table games, IGT rounds of play.
Roulette Evolution.
claims that its DigiDeal games can help expand a Video Baccarat uses 3D animation and can run at
casino’s offering because they can be approved as a up to 30 seconds per game, with play speed fully
table or slot game, depending on the jurisdiction. adjustable by the operator.
DigiDeal tables offer reduced dealer training costs, On the Roulette front, Lucky Ball Roulette uses a
elimination of paper cards and shufflers, increased bingo-style ball draw to determine the numbers and
social interaction and hands per hour, and improved colours on a Roulette layout – the ball-draw
game security, according to Richards. Additionally, substitutes for the physical wheel, but the player
52 DECEMBER 2008
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