GIQ US SPECIAL 2017
GAMES
SG TO LAUNCH ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY SLOT
GAMBLIT TO BRING SKILL GAMES INTO OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS GAMBLIT GAMING HAS signed an exclusive distribution deal with Poydras Gaming to roll out its first electronic skill-based gaming machines in Oklahoma and Texas. The supplier’s Model G gaming machines have gone live at Oklahoma’s Downstream Casino Resort, featuring titles including Gamblit Poker and the piratethemed Cannonbeard’s Treasure. The games offer players the chance to test their skill and dexterity through video game ele-
ments designed to appeal to new and experienced gamblers alike. “These consoles going live mark a milestone in our development, and position us as the leading provider of next-generation gaming devices in Oklahoma and Texas,” said Poydras CEO Peter Macy. “Gamblit’s games have been designed to appeal to a wide demographic, retain existing users, attract new players, increase game play and ultimately, increase cash flow for our customers.”
SCIENTIFIC GAMES IS preparing to launch a new slot for the land-based sector based on American comedy film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Developed exclusively for the supplier’s new TwinStar V24/43 cabinet, the five-reel, 25-line video slot game includes footage from Paramount Pictures’ iconic movie, and features Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy and the rest of the Channel 4 News team. “Anchorman has woven its way into our culture, often referred to and quoted, and has proven to be an excellent story to base a slot game on,” said Derik Mooberry, executive vice president and group chief executive of gaming for Scientific Games. “Our development team worked diligently to stay true to the films and incorporate comical nuances and favourite scenes.”
POKERSTARS RELAUNCHES SOCIAL POKER APP ONLINE POKER GIANT PokerStars has resurrected its freeto-play app, PokerStars Play, with a new iteration initially released only in the US and Australia for iOS and Android devices. The mobile app offers a range of poker variants including Texas Hold’em, Spin and Go, and Omaha, alongside casino style slots. It allows users to compete against poker pros, collect trophies and climb weekly leaderboards, as well as entering fast-paced tournaments. “PokerStars Play is the next phase in our progress toward being a leader in social casino,” said PokerStars director of social gaming Lloyd Melnick. “PokerStars Play is a unique product, taking the best of real money gaming and merging it with the features players expect from mobile games.” US SPECIAL REPORT
NEXTGEN RELEASES EXCLUSIVE SLOT FOR GOLDEN NUGGET IN NJ
PokerStars Play originally went live in 2013 but failed to attract a large audience and wa s r epl ac e d by t he mor e successful Jackpot Poker app in December 2015.
NEXTGEN GAMING, THE independent game studio of NYX Gaming, has launched its Wild Play SuperBet slot game in New Jersey with Golden Nugget. It is the first in a series of bespoke slots to be released under the partnership. The game will be available exclusively to Golden Nugget for one year, before a wider roll-out to operators outside of New Jersey. It is the latest in NextGen’s series of SuperBet titles, such as Merlin’s Millions SuperBet, which offers
players the chance to up the ante for increased prizes. “Working in partnership from the initial stages of game design provided NextGen with insight directly from local players,” said NextGen’s chief commercial officer David Johnson. “The knowledge shared during the development of the game has proven beneficial for both parties, while enhancing the SuperBet innovation further will prove attractive to players and operators alike.” 19