“Heber Gaming is partnering with Ganlot to develop new gaming controllers”

How was the ICE experience and what was the feedback you received from customers and attendees?

It was fantastic, a thoroughly enjoyable week for all of us. It was great to see our customers both old and new in a relaxed situation. It certainly lived up to our expectations, and some.

The feedback was very positive, indeed. We had not exhibited for a few years and it was good to see that many of the values in the London show were being maintained alongside an expansion of floor space. I am pleased that many of our international clients wanted to come to London to visit this show, and they were delighted that Heber was exhibiting again – especially as we had arranged for them to use the VIP lounge.

What were the highlights of the event?

For us it was being at the show and being able to launch two new gaming controllers. The sheer number of people that we were able to engage with in just three days was exceptional. The camel on one of the other stands was also a brilliant gimmick, and received a lot of attention!

Which product was the star of the show?

Obviously our two new gaming control products the Pluto A100 and Pluto T100! Also, our X-Touch demo received a great deal of interest, as it is a unique application of enabling a disruptive technology.

What are the firm’s goals and expectations for 2015?

A new Heber gaming website was launched at the show and we will be investing to help our clients select the right product and to ensure that Heber’s reputation in providing fantastic product support is maintained. We will continue to promote both legacy and new gaming controllers as well as peripherals, and we will also continue to ensure that products are ready to ship whenever our customers have a market opportunity.

We will be investing in an expanding range of gaming controllers alongside a long term product roadmap, with new recruitment to support these activities both in the UK and internationally.

How are you going to strengthen business activities in established markets?

Heber will continue to invest in gaming controller development and building partnerships with key providers to help gaming machine manufacturers to bring new products to market.

Heber already supplies gaming controllers throughout the world, but as markets become specialized through legislation and format, Heber strives to balance advantages of compatibility with customization to the local markets. We already have business trips to a number of countries planned this year.

What is Heber’s vision, regarding partnering? Is it key when thinking long-term?

Heber has always sought partners and key suppliers to work together to help gaming manufacturers obtain quick and cost effective access to fast and reliable new game development. Partnerships also enable us to quickly get new products in volume to customers.

Heber announced at the show, a new collaboration with Ganlot, a subsidiary of Portwell, in the development of new gaming controllers. We continue to be open to new ideas and relationships which help our clients to succeed.

How do you see the gaming industry today? What changes would you implement to make it more efficient?

There has been a lot of company consolidations and acquisitions to create some very big companies, but local, dynamic companies can take advantage of local themes and demands and can always bring innovation to the industry. As such, we see opportunities for new fast-moving startups.

Heber will continue to develop gaming controllers which have long life, long-term support and general availability. These new products will be released with the tools and service to help clients transfer major parts of their success into their new games.

Bearing in mind that the gaming industry has suffered some downturns –Macau is a clear example of this, what will businesses do to overcome the crisis?

Always, always listen to the users, learn from them but also reflect to add your own contribution to the gaming products of the future.

How important is it to bring about new legislation to regulate gaming? How does this impact on revenue?

Regulation can stifle innovation but it is a fact of life and companies should accept it and respond positively, use it and still work hard to innovate.

Regulation can stablise the economics of a market is if is clear and sustainable. The threat of radical legislation, however, will cause everyone economic issues.