"One of Konami’s biggest initiatives for 2016 is the launch of the Concerto cabinet"

What were the main obstacles the industry had to overcome in 2015 to maintain its pole position? How have market challenges affected your company?

The past year revealed additional strain from increased market competition, especially for our domestic customers. Casinos are looking for ways to give their players unique and memorable experiences that keep them personally engaged. As a result, we see our SYNKROS customers leveraging casino system technology and targeted player marketing to promote a lifecycle of player loyalty initiatives and promotions. They’re able to target diverse patron demographics with personalized offers and launch floor-wide bonus events that keep players connected and engaged.

No matter the market or jurisdiction, operators are focused on getting the most they can from their casino space. Casinos are looking for games with long-term investment value, flexible configurations, and diverse appeal. They’re knowledgeable and aware of what works well for their casino customers. So in 2015 we created a number of progressive games across our cabinet lineup—including classic Podium, SeleXion multi-game, tall-top Monument, and extra-large Goliath—that maintain capability with a vast library of proven Konami base games. We expanded the reach and creative appeal of premium slot products such as Rapid Revolver and Dungeons & Dragons. And we unveiled a brand-new video upright machine called Concerto that not only houses brilliant new KP3+ platform games, but is also backwards compatible with popular KP3 platform games like Dragon’s Law and China Shores. All these new slot developments serve to empower operators with a mix of diverse gaming combinations to meet the unique needs and preferences of their casino guests.

What was your best-selling product? To what do you owe its success?

Our best-selling product internationally was SeleXion multi-game, which continues to be the most reliable and agile multi-game product available. It switches instantaneously between games, denominations, and languages, even down to its dynamic button panel. Also, operators have the flexibility to choose from an array of available base game themes, as well as standalone and linked progressive bonus games. Overall the product is value priced for a premium multi-game machine

Brief us about your business plans for 2016.

One of Konami’s biggest initiatives for 2016 is the launch of Concerto. It’s currently arriving at casino across the globe and initial feedback is outstanding. The coming months are situated for continued momentum, and we have a strong pipeline of game themes currently navigating approvals and development. So throughout the year, we’ll be working diligently to deliver this product to market with the quality and performance our customers know they can expect from Konami.

Looking ahead, what will be the main challenges for gambling-related companies?

For gaming operators and manufacturers alike, our industry has been tasked with investing time and resources in pioneering the next generation gambling experience. How will we satisfy the gambling preferences of the next generation of core casino players? And as we explore this issue, we can’t abandon today’s core slot players or stop advancing the game mechanics, technology, and entertainment they enjoy. We must maintain a steady, thoughtful, simultaneous course of action in both areas, and stay attentive for potential crossover. It’s a difficult balance to maintain, but it’s pivotal for our industry’s future.

What will be the trends that will determine the industry's successes and failures of the coming year?

iGaming and skill-based gaming will play an important role. Both are undergoing historic change, and how we execute on technology and investment in these areas in 2016 will impact the coming years in a lot of ways. Konami’s mission in both areas is to empower casinos with the gaming technology and content they need to reach their customers, which is why we’ve partnered with Spin Games to launch our own remote gaming service (RGS) for deployment across online social and for-wager environments. In the area of skill-based gaming, our team is actively involved in advising on-going regulatory and legislative exploration, and we look forward to giving this emerging sector a promising framework for success.