Games & Technology Report
September 1, 2008
Jackpot Jonah is one of GameLogic's Web-based games used to enhance player loyalty and drive casino property visitation.
GameLogic named to top tech company list
GameLogic Inc., a provider
of interactive casino player acquisition and retention solutions, has been
named to AlwaysOn's AO Global 250 list , recognizing the next generation of
game-changing global technology companies.
GameLogic was named to the list after a worldwide review of companies by
the AlwaysOn editorial team and industry experts based on innovation, market
potential, commercialization, stakeholder value and media buzz.
“The AO Global 250 winners have excelled in key strategic areas in the
global technology markets,” said Tony Perkins, founder and chief executive
officer of AlwaysOn. “We congratulate them for their success in introducing new
tools, services and platforms that are driving the next phase of innovation and
creating real value at an economically uncertain time.”
“Being recognized as a leading private firm — alongside distinguished
companies such as Twitter and Facebook — is a great honor,” said John Taylor,
GameLogic president and chief executive officer. “We attribute this success to
our Web-based marketing solution that helps casinos effectively and efficiently
increase visitation levels combined with our team's unrivaled commitment and
passion to our business.”
Waltham, Mass.-based
GameLogic provides player acquisition and retention solutions to the regulated
casino industry. Using patent-pending interactive marketing strategies to reach
players when they are away from the casino, GameLogic’s products provide
casinos with cost efficient and effective ways to attract new players and
enhance relationships with existing and lapsed players, all leading to
increased property visitation. The company's PlayAway system, which includes
Fun Play, Bonus Play and Money Play modules, enables operators to leverage the
tremendous popularity of online games to build and strengthen customer
relationships.
Bally forms Innovation Lab, establishes Office of the CTO
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Kelly
Bally Technologies appointed Bryan Kelly, vice president of technology, as head of the Innovation Lab, which is based in Northern California. Through the Innovation Lab, Kelly will lead Bally’s efforts to inspire and synergize development efforts from Bally’s entire R&D team, which has tripled in size in less than three years. The lab will research emerging and paradigm-shifting technologies to help ensure that Bally stays at the forefront of the gaming manufacturing and technology industry, the company said.
“The Bally Innovation Lab will coordinate and lead our commitment to drive synergy and promote a culture of providing leading technologies and creative, customer-centric products,” said Richard Haddrill, chief executive officer of Bally Technologies. “With the growth and leadership of our engineering teams, the flow of ideas is astounding.”
Kelly said he was “thrilled and honored to lead Bally’s Innovation Lab, which will allow us to capitalize on our R&D talent across the globe and accelerate development and deployment of new technology to our customers.”
Bally also has announced the creation of the Office of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) to serve as a thought leader on technology. The Office of the CTO will be comprised of: Bob Luciano, Bally’s chief technology officer, who has returned to Bally part-time after a medical leave. Luciano’s gaming career includes founding Sierra Design Group, which was acquired by Bally in 2004.
Acres
Tom Frisina, a leading executive in the interactive gaming industry for 25 years, focusing on product development, publishing, and distribution. He has been a consultant to Bally over the last four years in the area of third-party product development.
Bally Technologies Board member Kevin Verner, who was previously the chief operating officer of WMS Industries, Inc.
The Office of the CTO also will include Bally Technologies’ executives Ramesh Srinivasan, executive vice president, Bally Systems; Bruce Rowe, senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development; Bryan Kelly, vice president of technology; Dan Savage, vice president of marketing; Loren Nelson, vice president of engineering; Marco Herrera, vice president and managing director, Bally Nice; Mike Mitchell, vice president of game development; Robert Crowder, vice president of advanced product development; and Walt Eisele, vice president of systems development.
“The incredible breadth of talent, experience, and entrepreneurship that comprises our Office of the CTO will be key in driving Bally’s strategic development and direction moving forward,” Luciano said. “This powerhouse team of company leadership and outside technology veterans will allow us to drive even more customer-focused innovation.”
Acres said he is honored to join the Bally Office of the CTO. “I have been working with Bally for several years now and have seen firsthand its commitment to developing technology that meets customers need both today and in the future,” he said.
GLI approved as GSA-certified test lab
Gaming Laboratories International has become the
first organization approved as an authorized test laboratory in accordance with
the Gaming Standards Association’s new Certification Program.
The approval is a milestone
in the company’s history and will allow GLI to provide certification reports to
clients seeking approval of gaming equipment that supports GSA’s G2S, S2S and
Transport standards.
GLI currently is the only
organization able to offer this new testing service for the new standards
published under the GSA Certification Program.
“This is an exciting time
for the gaming industry,” said GSA President Peter DeRaedt, “and we are very
pleased with the launch of the Certification Program, which will give operators
peace of mind in choosing new products. We have a long and successful history
with GLI, and we are thrilled for them to have received their approval, to be
GSA’s first recognized testing agency, and to have them lending their expertise
to the program.”
The program is designed to
provide the gaming industry a level of assurance that products correctly
implement GSA standards, ensuring consistent implementation of standards and
improved interoperability.
GLI President James Maida
said the company is pleased to be the first organization in the world able to
offer the new testing service to the industry.
“Our seeking this certification clearly shows
our commitment to provide the industry with the highest quality of testing
available,” he added.
IGT network systems conference draws hundreds, delivers practical information
The third annual IGT Network Systems Users
Conference delivered practical information to help IGT customers optimize their
current systems investments, with an emphasis on the transition to an open
network casino floor of the future.
The
conference took place June 9-11 at the Mirage in Las Vegas and drew 446 participants to 53
conference sessions. Topics included the technologies driving the industry
change, the importance of systems and operations readiness for tomorrow’s
casino floor, and detailed updates on current products.
“The conference was
well-attended, and we received a lot of valuable feedback from our customers,”
said Rich Schneider, IGT senior vice president of network systems.
Keynote speaker Guy
Kawasaki addressed “The Art of Innovation and Your Competitive Edge.” Widely
recognized as Apple’s first tech evangelist, Kawasaki was one of the individuals
responsible for the success of the Macintosh computer. Currently the managing
director of Garage Technology Ventures, Kawasaki
has written eight books including “Rules for Revolutionaries” and “How to Drive
Your Competition Crazy.”
Nineteen guest speakers included James Maida of
Gaming Laboratories, Inc., Don Speer of VCAT, and experts from Apollo Data
Technologies, Microsoft, NetApp, VMware and Walker Digital. An Interactive Area
offered live demonstrations of IGT’s current systems products.
TransAct gets printer deal for MGM Grand Foxwoods
TransAct Technologies Inc.’s Epic 950 printer
has been installed in all 1,500 slot games at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods
casino in Connecticut.
The MGM Grand at Foxwoods includes an 825-room hotel, 4,000-seat grand theater,
a convention center and ballroom, nightclubs, and 1,500 more slot machines.
“Patrons
at Foxwoods expect a premier-class gaming experience,” said Dennis Cavanaugh,
director of gaming operations at MGM Foxwoods. “We want to ensure that we
continue to deliver the best that the industry has to offer. Key to achieving
this goal is offering the latest games with the most advanced technology.
TransAct's Epic 950 was a clear choice for us. Its innovative technology and
proven performance deliver benefits to both our players and our staff.”
Bart Shuldman, chairman, president and chief
executive officer of TransAct Technologies, said the company is pleased that
Foxwoods has chosen TransAct again as the printer of choice. “When the
transition to TITO technology began some years ago, Foxwoods chose our thermal
slot machine printers exclusively for the 6,500 slot games on their casino
floor. We are very pleased with Foxwoods’ confidence in TransAct's printer
technology and their decision to once again choose our Epic 950 slot machine
printer as the sole printing solution for this latest multi-million-dollar
expansion.”
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