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GLOBAL GAMES 2016
The new Zuma 3D game has a “Dynamic Attract” sequence that actually beckons passing players, inviting them to play.
search on positive impressions of Betty White, and it’s off the charts. We think that’s a premium license that will do well.” The new Jurassic World game, meanwhile, is part of one of the hottest product groups within the premium segment, True 3D. The technology, developed by the legacy GTECH team, produces a glasses-free 3D effect that has not been matched by any other slot-maker since its introduction three years ago with the game Sphinx 3D, which became one of the industry’s biggest hits. For the past year, the True 3D technology has been transformed into a flood of new games. “On our True 3D product line, we have a lot of successful titles that still haven’t enjoyed their full market penetration,” says Duarte. “Aladdin’s Fortune 3D is one example. However, we continue to develop games for that product line. We have over 2,000 machines in the marketplace today, and I honestly believe that with the content we’re bringing to that product line, the number could double.” In addition to Jurassic World, which will bring the sensation of being chased by a dinosaur to 3D life, IGT is launching a new version of Zuma 3D, based on the popular game licensed from PopCap Games; Baywatch, bringing the legendary beach series starring David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson to life; and Treasures of Olympus, with a volatile base game based on the former Spielo game Icarus: The Journey and a 3D bonus sequence taking you on a journey through ancient Athens. According to Michael Brennan, IGT’s senior director of product management, games like Treasures of Olympus feature a very volatile base game and a bonus event that is “more infrequent, but very rewarding when it happens.” In this instance, the mythical Icarus randomly flies onto the screen to shoot arrows at symbols turning them wild, and flies through the sky dodging meteors. 70
Global Gaming Business SEPTEMBER 2016
The new Zuma 3D game has a “Dynamic Attract” sequence that actually beckons passing players, inviting them to play. This game follows the gameplay sequences familiar to players of the mobile version, including a bonus involving balls shot from the mechanical frog character in the game, the object being to match the colors for a bonus. “True 3D is about continuing to recapture market leadership from an innovation standpoint,” says Orchard. “It’s becoming much less of a niche product. We will display an enormous amount of 3D content.” Duarte adds that at G2E, the company is launching a new evolution of the True 3D line “that you will have to see to believe”—an immersive experience “unlike anything you’ve seen.” Details are being kept under wraps until the show, as are a few other surprises in the premium game group.
Core Strength As Orchard has worked since the merger to revitalize IGT’s premium products, a similar effort was under way in the core product division, which includes core video, steppers, video poker, electronic table games and specialty products including skill games. Managing it all is gaming veteran Ken Bossingham, who was appointed senior vice president of global core product in September 2015. The appointment reunited Bossingham with former colleagues and product professionals from the legacy GTECH company—he spent 12 years at the former company, serving as COO of Atronic when it merged with Spielo, and general manager of North American casino operations for Spielo until it was acquired by GTECH. He was chief operating officer of slot-maker AGS when IGT tapped him to head up core product in the newly merged supplier. “The last year has been quite the whirlwind, as we’ve introduced a new level of discipline to the core business,” Bossingham says. “G2E 2016 provides us with the opportunity to show our customers the great progress that has been made in achieving our objective of presenting the best-in-class core product portfolio.” He adds that the core group has made a concerted effort to divide the R&D efforts to match the markets for the games. “After the acquisition, we have game