"We see potential for new emerging game sectors such as skill-based to achieve advancements in 2017"

It is no news to the industry that ICE is a must-attend event in the gaming calendar, for it sets the trends that will determine the future of the sector. What's been your overall impression of ICE Totally Gaming 2017 and when do you expect to reap the benefits of your participation in the international exhibition?

The Konami stand in particular showcased a diversity of new cabinets and game themes available through its Concerto Collection of video slots. Concerto Slant, Concerto SeleXion multi-game, tall Concerto Stack, and curved Concerto Crescent were displayed at ICE for the first time, all reinforced by a variety of game software options. Our casino customers expressed positive feedback to the new game formats and themes, and we look forward to expanding these games across international markets over the coming six months.

Do you anticipate any major changes or hope to see any changes to the gaming industry in 2017 that are going to have an effect on the company's operations?

We certainly see potential for new regulated markets and emerging game sectors such as skill-based to achieve advancements in 2017. Overall, our focus will be to responsibly support global jurisdictions with the games and technology they need to reach their customers. Konami is working diligently to help pioneer the latest technology to reach new audiences and leverage the company’s creative and technical ingenuity in new ways, while simultaneously supporting our core product with top creative enhancements and proven mechanics.

One of the hot topics at this year's ICE was Multichannel Convergence. What is your approach towards the cross-channel experience and why is this a key revenue driver for businesses? What are the main barriers to multichannel success and what is the importance of data?

Gaming convergence has had a marked impact to customer spending, player development, casino analytics. By expanding their offering to various online mediums, casinos cultivate and enhance a guest’s potential spend and brand loyalty with the property. Konami offers online game content to support operators with proven game titles for their digital channels, as well as systems interface features through its SYNKROS casino management system that allow operators to connect online and land-based data for carded players so awards, offers, and incentives are individually personalized and accessible. That integrated data capture is incredibly important because it allows operators to appropriately reward their customers and acquire a full view of their total patron worth. Without that reinforcement, online players may abandon the site in favor of others, and properties will lose the opportunity to cohesively nurture their online audience.

Konami has always held a strong focus on R&D. What can both operators and players alike expect to see from you in terms of product development?

Now as our offering is expanding to new formats and next generation product sectors, we’re supporting a strong volume and diversity of new releases that casino players and operators can look forward to. Last fall during G2E we saw exceptional interest for multi-station games like Crystal Cyclone and Fortune Cup horse racing, as well as skill-based games like Beat Square and Frogger: Get Hoppin’. Already, Frogger: Get Hoppin’ has made its first arrival to the Nevada market, and our development team is focused on delivering our other next generation releases to market through the rest of the year.

What are your aims for the year and how do you intend to achieve them?

One of the best ways we have distinguished ourselves in the market is through consistent quality and strong performance, and those values will continue to be the primary force behind our success and the success of our customers. This combined with our expanded Concerto product line will be key to Konami’s global positioning through the coming year.