From all the products Ainsworth exhibited during the 2016 ICE, what was your showcase hit?
Particular attention was paid to the release of the Double Sweet Zone games as a further development from the Sweet Zone series. Launching with three entertaining Order of the Dragon™ titles, Double Sweet Zone™ offers players the option to play the original ‘Sweet Zone’ for 50 credits or the ‘Double Sweet Zone’ for 50 credits plus 50 credit ante-bet. The 50 credit ante-bet for the ‘Double Sweet Zone’ buys a 5, 4, 3, 4, 5 game array and double ‘red’ sweet zones on reels 2 and 4.
Who is the player of the future? How would you describe them? What are their characteristics?
The players of the future will include a vast majority of today’s social gaming, e-sports and fantasy sports betting players. The key characteristics consist of mobile and tablet centric users and the millennium users who enjoy skill based content.
How are gaming companies adapting their product offering to cater to this new type of player?
Companies are already developing content focusing on these player types and different categories of games.
Mobile and online gaming, once synonymous with innovation, have become common currency. What new ways of innovating will the industry see in the coming years?
The new innovations will come from virtual reality and mobile headsets along with interactive TV and live competitive gaming events.
How do you assess your participation in the 2016 edition of ICE? What feedback did you receive from European attendees?
ICE provided a great platform to show our new and existing customers Ainsworth’s wide range of cabinets and extensive game library. Visitors to the Ainsworth stand were able to see the years of experience that goes in to Ainsworth’s product from the diverse Multi-Win Series to the unique and highly engaging Slim Line games featuring the internationally successful Rumble Rumble. The attendees from across the European market were interested in hearing about Ainsworth’s plans for 2016; Ainsworth will be focusing in 2016 on developing online content that engages players of all demographics and categories, as well as new and innovative skill based content. Our European attendees have provided fantastic support and valuable feedback which will be incorporated in our development process.