Page 16 - November 2015 • Southern California Gaming Guide

By Maya Winkler
At the beginning of autumn, the casino gaming world gathers each year
in Las Vegas at the annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) for a look at the newest slots and casino technologies. is is where casino slot directors from
all over the country preview and often decide what new games they must have for their casino players. After years of attending G2E, I know that many of the games shown do not actually make it to casino oors the following year. But after playing some of the new slots previewed this year, I’m counting on seeing the ones I’ve chosen here in Southern California casinos in 2016. e wait will be di cult. ey’re that exciting.
e big issue discussed at G2E (there is always at least cabinet, where dual curved
TTone) that was dissected and re-discussed throughout the expo was how to appeal to the new generation of gamblers: the “Millennials”. is is a work in progress, but some ambitious slot makers showed potential answers.
Knowing my “Millennial” children and their friends (“Millennials” are the generation born between 1982 and 1994), I’m not convinced they will ever be interested in gambling until they can play for real money legally direct from their smart phones. But because“Millennials” grew up playing video games,“skill-based” slots are now the thing of the future. But that’s a whole other article for another time.
Slot machine developers continue to produce games based on pop culture themes, television shows and movies, hoping to attract fans, and they will. e eight slots chosen to preview here are a very small sampling of the exciting, new games that Southern California casino players will de nitely want to play. Most are in new streamlined, stylish cabinets
with surround-sound speakers built into custom-designed chairs. You may even nd one or two of them already in Southern California casinos. Look for most in early 2016 and throughout the year.
Game of ThronesTM Slot Game
Aristocrat Technologies presented thrilling games, including licensed titles based on the TV juggernaut successes Game of rones, Downton
Abbey and e Big Bang eory. Game of ThronesTM Slot Game
is de nitely one of my favorites, but it deserves a stand-alone feature, hopefully, soon. HBO’s legendary fantasy epic comes to the casino oor with all of the drama, pageantry and rich details of the hit show. Players will be engrossed in the action on Aristocrat’s multiple award-winning Arc DoubleTM
42-inch hi-def lcd screens
sweep over the player, and
advanced graphics and surround
sound with iChairTM create an
immersive experience. Players
will thrill to dragons, battles, epic
music and characters both revered
and reviled. Game of rones Slot
Game has three base games, each representing a main house: Stark, Lannister and Targaryen. is is a Reel PowerTM game with a 4-level progressive. Denominations range from 1¢ to $20 with a 50-credit minimum bet and a 500-credit max bet. It is one of the most anticipated games for 2016.
The Big Bang TheoryTM Slot Game
The Big Bang TheoryTM Slot Game delivers the fun and laugh-out-loud comedy of broadcast television’s most-watched show. Like its nerdy scientists, the game
is nothing less than genius. Just in case you’ve never seen this show, it’s currently in its eighth season and airs Monday at 8 p.m. on CBS and ve nights a week in national
syndication. It’s clever and very, very funny.
e newest addition to Aristocrat’s player-favorite Wonder WheelsTM line, e Big Bang eoryTM Slot Game
combines a video slot with three mechanical wheels.
Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard and Raj are all in this fun game, complete
with video clips, 3d animations, character images, theme music and unique character bonuses. And can you guess when you’ll see
and hear“Bazinga!”?
T..PAGE 16
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
NOVEMBER 2015