p. 72 ngr jan:Layout 1 12/15/15 11:18 AM Page 72
NEW GAME REVIEW by Frank Legato
Jade Wins AGS
T
his new Asian-themed video slot is in the AGS “PowerXStream” series of ways-to-win games. The series features several novel reel configurations, but Jade Wins uses a traditional three-by-five screen (three symbols per row on five reels). There are no paylines, and wins are registered by adjacent symbols, resulting in 243 possible ways to win on every spin. Wins are triggered by both leftto-right and right-to-left symbol combinations. The game includes a four-level progressive displayed on the top screen. The top jackpot is a wide-area progressive on the Da Ji Da Li link from AGS, resetting at $10,000. Progressives are won through a picking bonus. Each displayed jackpot (starting with the Mini resetting at $10) has a corresponding “Fu Baby” character. When the picking bonus is triggered, the player picks from a field of icons until matching three Fu Babies to win the corresponding jackpot. There also is a free-spin bonus event, triggered by bonus or wild symbols on two or more adjacent reels. Ten free spins are
awarded, and the free-spin bonus can be retriggered within the feature. The progressives are displayed on the tall top box of the AGS Genesis and Icon cabinets, framed in different colors on the top LCD. The new Icon, a combination of technology developed by AGS after acquisition of Georgia-based Cadillac Jack, features a unique curved, ergonomically friendly button panel. Manufacturer: AGS Platform: Genesis, Icon Format: Five-reel, ways-to-win video slot Denomination: .01 Max Bet: 880 Top Award: Progressive; $10,000 reset Hit Frequency: Approximately 70% Theoretical Hold: 5.11%-14.04%
Virtual Roulette Aruze Gaming America
T
his new multi-player e-table gives slot players a way to learn the game of roulette, in a slot environment. In fact, regulators recognize each play station on Aruze’s Virtual Roulette as a slot machine for tax and revenue purposes. However, Virtual Roulette, part of Aruze’s “G-Station” series of multi-player electronic games, provides a super-realistic roulette experience, thanks to its “HD Projection Roulette Concept.” This involves a holographic projection of the ball for the wheel spin—players see the ball roll around the central roulette wheel (it is surrounded by player stations), and the vision is that of an actual ball. However, it is a holographic representation—meaning this is legal as a slot product even in jurisdictions that allow no table game equipment such as physical roulette balls. As for as the game itself, it is traditional roulette, with only a slight alteration to the traditional odds of the live table game. The small variance is due to the fact that no 5-spot bet is offered, and also because of one very distinctive slot-style addition—a three-level progressive jackpot. Players are given the option at the beginning of play to make a side bet on the “Jackpot Chance” feature. There are three side-bet variations available to casinos, each with its own pay table and return-to-player percentage. If the ball drops into a “Jackpot” slot on the wheel, there is a prize displayed on the corresponding pocket, 72
Global Gaming Business JANUARY 2016
and players who made the bet receive one of three progressive levels or a fixed credit prize, chosen at random. According to the manufacturer, even with any of the side bet configurations and accounting for the 5-spot, the house edge on Virtual Roulette is very close to the live game. The player has the option to view the classic roulette betting layout on their screen, or they can take things to the next level and use a “Strategy Screen” to view the roll history prior to the bet. The game can accommodate from eight to 50 play stations linked to each wheel spin. Manufacturer: Aruze Gaming America Platform: G-Station Format: Electronic multi-player roulette Denomination: .50, 1.00 (other denominations available) Max Bet: Adjustable to $70,000 Top Award: Progressive; $5,000 reset ($1 denomination) Hit Frequency: Varies by wager Theoretical Hold: 6%-7% (varies by side bet)