Best Standalone Electronic Game
Standalone slots are often seen as the sports cars of the gaming floor—high-performance, high-octane revenue earners with the ‘look at me’ factor. It may be that as the industry moves toward an increasingly networked world and networked floor, the division between ‘standalone’ and ‘community’ or ‘linked’ games will become less and less important. Content and format will increasingly depend on the tastes and location of the player, rather than on the location of an individual gaming unit. That player may be able to carry his basic preferences around with him on a smart card, just as currently he can carry his preferences and skill level information for a computer video game around on a memory card. That way a server based casino gaming system will be able to ‘recognise’ the player wherever he is on the floor, while for regulatory and copyright purposes the random number generation technology resides with the system.
The best performing standalone games in the current casino industry structure certainly have personality, but innovation of itself doesn’t always guarantee success with the players. This year’s nominees have solid pedigrees in multiple markets and proven appeal among the growing army of discerning Asian customers.
| Nominees | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Title |
| Aristocrat | 5 Dragons (MK6) |
| Bally | Quick Hit Platinum |
| IGT | Treasures of Troy |
| IGT | Wolf Run |
| WMS | Great Wall of China |
Winner: 5 Dragons
Aristocrat’s 5 Dragons first burst onto the casino scene in 2004, but has consistently proved to be a winner
with players and operators, especially in Asia. Aristocrat hasn’t rested on its laurels either—5 Dragons has been constantly updated to add fresh value for players and is now packaged in Aristocrat’s Mark VI cabinet.
The 5-reel video slot game machine themed on Chinese history was consistently rated highly by the judges under every criteria heading, making it a clear winner against very worthy opponents from other suppliers. The judges commented in particular on the winning combination of 5 Dragons’ revenue performance and Aristocrat’s flexibility on cost.
Honourable Mention: IGT – Treasures of Troy
Operators and players like the value created by IGT’s Treasures of Troy. The title of the game hints at the riches hidden below the surface, just like in the real ancient city. Treasures of Troy looks at first inspection similar to a 5-reel game, but closer examination shows there are five columns of four rows, making it a 20-reel,
40-line game.
In addition to being a 40-line game, Treasures of Troy also has an option to buy into a MultiWay® feature, which gives players an additional 1,024 ways to win when they double their wager.
