Skip to Content

Skill Based Slots on Display at G2E

‏Casinos in Las Vegas, and nationwide, are looking into a slow approaching storm on the horizon – an aging gaming population. Las Vegas resorts are having an increasingly difficult time convincing younger generations, specifically millennials, to feed hard-earned dollars to slots that have traditionally provided the bulk of gaming revenue.  

According to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority survey results, 38% of Las Vegas visitors in 2017 identified as millennials. Concernedly, Millennials only budgeted an average of $267.67 for gambling during their trip. That pales in comparison to the $583.95 Generation X and $794.50 that Baby Boomers budgeted during their trips specifically for gaming.  

The concerning trend has Las Vegas casino operators, and slot manufacturers brainstorming gaming products that will appeal to Millennials. One solution to the “Millennial problem” is skill-based slot machines, which have on display over the past week at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. G2E is a platform for gaming manufacturers to showcase what is next in slot and gaming technology. Skill-based gaming allows the user to control, to an extent, their performance in a game instead of just pressing “spin” and hoping.  

Vintage 5 reel slot machine
This is out.

Below, we’ll showcase games from this emerging niche that were on display at G2E – Many of which are still working through approval to be placed on casino floors in Nevada.

GameCo “The Video Game Casino”  

GameCo’s offerings play like a video game as opposed to a traditional slot machine. Players have an array of gaming options within GameCo’s skill-based portfolio. Test your skills as a first-person shooter, shooting hoops, or playing puzzle games (similar to Candy Crush).

Titles include Cosmic Candy Heist, Nothin’ but Net Basketball, Steve Aoki’s Neon Dream, Poseidon’s Deep Sea Saga, Danger Area, and Terminator 2: Judgement day. 

Steve Aoki’s Neon Dream (pictured below) is an infinite runner game where you place an upfront bet and the goal is to pick up as many coins and records as possible as you run the track. The more you pick up, the higher the payout. The track, to include the layout of coins and records is determined by a random number generator.

Steve Aoki's Neon Dream Slot Game
Steve Aoki’s Neon Dream

New “Generation 3” titles from GameCo such as Nothin’ but Net 2 and soon to be released SOULCALIBUR II will allow for multiplayer head-to-head / tournament play and includes a free tutorial mode allowing players to learn the game before money is on the line.  A key differentiation point as players will be hesitant to “pay to learn” skill-based games. Another key feature of GameCo’s offerings that will be embraced by their target market is that there is not a “traditional reel slot” component – 100% video game action. 

Nothin' But Net 2 Slot Game
Time your catch and shot by pressing the basketball button when the slider is in the green.
Secret Temple slot game
The Secret Temple – A puzzle game with the look and feel of candy crush.

GameCo games are not currently on the casino floor in Las Vegas, but can be found at Tropicana Atlantic City, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods among other locations.

Next Gaming 

Arcade-style, skill-based gaming featuring titles such as Arkanoid, Zforce, Bust a Move, and Asteroids.  You set your bet amount and then make that predetermined bet each time you destroy a block, asteroid, etc., and win an amount either greater than or less than the bet you made determined by the random number generator. Next Gaming’s main advantage is the simplicity of gameplay. Even a non-gamer can quickly pick up the skills to be successful within the game. 

A potential challenge that may turn players off is how betting works. As a player, you could be demonstrating a significant amount of skill (destroying asteroids, etc) but still be losing money. You aren’t necessarily rewarded for doing something “good” within the game. Instead, each time something good happens you place a bet and are awarded a random amount which could be less than the original wager. Think of it as pulling the slot lever every time you accomplish something in the game. The better you perform, the more slot pulls (and bets) you make.

Z-Force Slot Game
ZForce – It’s Like Galaga. You’re the ship and you shoot the aliens.
Bust-A-Move Slot Game
Bust-A-Move is a puzzle game. Soot balls to make groups of 3 or more.
Arkanoid Slot Game
Arkanoid – You control the paddle at the bottom. Just keep bouncing that white ball up to destroy the blocks.
Astroids Slot Game
Asteroids – You control the ship. Your job is to destroy the asteroids coming in from all directions.

Gamblit Gaming – Model G Hardware 

Unlike any slot on the casino floor currently, Gamblit’s Model G hardware allows up to 4 players to participate in head-to-head skill-based gaming. Players ante a specific amount and compete for a randomly selected prize which is usually slightly less than the sum of player antes but can randomly be significantly more.  

The Model G has featured 2 games in Las Vegas Casinos to this point – Cannonbeard’s Treasure and Gamblit Poker. Both games are fast-paced as you make quick decisions to claim cards to either make the best poker hand (Gamblit Poker) or make a specific, predetermined sum without going over (Cannonbeard’s Treasure).  

Players celebrating a win onGamblit's Model G Hardware
Gamblit’s Model G Hardware. Have you ever seen such excitement?

While the games introduced to date are entertaining, the main drawback is that your group of friends quickly realize you’re losing to the rake, game after game. For instance, all 4 friends ante $3 but the winner is generally paid out winnings less than the combined $12-dollars in antes. While that makes great business sense, it doesn’t translate to a great player experience leaving many Model G units sitting empty on casino floors.

While the Model G’s prize structure that leaves much to be desired won’t change, Gamblit is adding PacMan and Deal or No Deal Poker Special to the platform which could drive increased traffic. While PacMan is self-explanatory, Deal or No Deal Poker Special will award the player that constructs the best poker hand to choose the banker’s offer or the amount in the briefcase they selected at the beginning of the game.  

Pac Man Slot game on Gamblit's Model G tabletop cabinet
Multi-Player PacMan on Gamblit’s Model G tabletop hardware.

Gamblit Gaming – TriStation Hardware 

Gamblit’s TriStation could be a more disruptive force on the slot floor. The TriStaion hardware has a physical appearance similar to a traditional slot allowing players to play single-player skill-based games.

Gamblit TriStation Gaming Cabinet
Gamblit’s Tri-Station

Gamblit’s TriStation features 15 game titles including PacMan Cash Chase, Lucky Words, Smoothie Blast, Catapult King, Into the Dead, Jetpack Joyride, Deal or No Deal, Cut the Rope, Playboy Pinball Casino, and Doodle Jump among others.  

Lucky Words Slot Machine
Lucky Words on Gamblit’s Tri-Station. Like Boggle – Just make words!
Pac Man slot game
PacMan on Gamblit’s Tri-Station.
Brew Caps slot game
Brew Caps on Gamblit’s Tri-Station. The game instructs you to find certain caps. Like Where’s Waldo.. but with bottle caps.

Competition Interactive

CI’s primary skill-based game to date is “Running Rich Racing” which features gameplay very similar to Mario Kart and was recently tested on casino floors of 3 Las Vegas resorts. The company has also introduced a head-to-head version of Running Rich Racing allowing competition between players. There are also game of chance elements that are built into the game that allows you to win money even if you don’t finish first in the race.

Betting screen for spectators on the Running Rich slot game
Running Rich Racing – Note the screen on the back of the racer’s chair for spectator betting on the outcome of the game!

A unique component of the Running Rich Racing platform is that spectators have the opportunity to place bets on the outcome of races using the screen on the back of the racer’s chair. Spectators are able to wager on which track the game will randomly select, first item to be picked up by a racer on the course, top two racers to finish, or even if the winning avatar will be male or female. You don’t have to physically play to get some skin in the game – a massive differentiation point as spectator wagering introduces an exciting social component to the game.

Running Rich Racing slot game with joystick control
Running Rich Racing (without the chair/spectator betting screen).

Players are rewarded for finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Additionally, each player has a chance to randomly win more (no matter what place they came in) based on the items they picked up during the race.

Recently, the company introduced their Star Striker game series which is a single-player game set in deep space that has players battling alien spacecraft. Your spacecraft is controlled via arcade-style buttons and a joystick, Star Striker is very similar in look and feel to Galaga and will also be offered as a multiplayer racing game, Star Striker RACING.

Star Striker Slot game
Star Striker’s objective is simple – Kill the alien beings before they kill you.

The Competition Interactive skill-based offerings are among the strongest on the market as they incorporate video gaming, a strong social element enhanced by spectator wagering, and no traditional reel slot game.

Synergy Blue

This skill-based gaming manufacturer has 19 titles ranging from puzzle games, racing, and first-person shooters where you are actually using a mock handgun to defeat zombies. What’s unique about Synergy Blue’s games is that every time you accomplish something (make a group of 3 in a puzzle, kill an enemy, make a word, etc) a new gambling event occurs. Essentially, when you do something good, the machine bets your predetermined amount and you will win a random amount that could be less than or greater than the amount bet (again, think of it as a slot pull every time). Some accomplishments are better than others and guarantee a winning outcome.

A number of Synergy’s games feature bonuses that award skill-based milestones you reach while playing the game.

Squidwords Slot Game
Squidwords – Make words and guide the squid to the bottom of the puzzle. Fill the potion bottles on the right side of the screen to trigger bonuses.
Safari Match slot game
Safari Match – Make matches of 3 or more similarly colored objects. Each match created will trigger a new gambling event. Fill the potion bottles on the right side to trigger a bonus.
Candy Patrol Slot Game
Candy Patrol – A “defend your castle” concept. You are bottom center and your job is to destroy the little yellow guys attempting to steal your lollipops. Each Yellow guy defeated triggers a gambling event awarding you a random amount either lesser than or more than your wager.
Lucky Karts Slot game that has a steering wheel for controls
Lucky Karts – Navigate the racecourse and defeat your opponents. Pick up coins and gems to trigger individual gambling events at your pre-determined bet amount. Gems are guaranteed winners!

IGT 

A heavyweight in the slot manufacturing space, IGT has dipped its toes in the water of skill-based slot machines. On display at the Global Gaming Expo were Fuzzy’s Fortune and Little Fish Big Fish. Both Games function as a traditional reel slot game and award the skill-based feature as a bonus round.

Fuzzy Fortune Slot Machine
Fuzzy’s Fortune – The skill-based bonus feature has you drop a rock into a puzzle of sorts to maximize credits earned.

Casinos and game designers are targeting millennials with skill-based features and games. My concern with IGT’s skill-based offerings is whether younger players, who are turned off by slots, will be willing to sit through the traditional slot game while waiting for another skill-based feature to trigger.  

Scientific Games 

The classic video game Space Invaders, originally released in 1978 is now available on a skill-based slot machine thanks to Scientific Games. The game plays as a traditional 60-line slot machine that awards either free games or the skill-based “Space Invaders” feature as a bonus where you are paid for your performance. SG didn’t bother to bring the game to G2E which I assume means it hasn’t been a hit. We snapped the image below at MGM Grand’s Level Up gaming area.

Space Invaders Slot Game at Level Up at MGM Grand
Space Invaders at Level Up

Konami 

Another classic game, Frogger, has been transformed into a gambling opportunity by Konami in their Frogger: Get Hoppin’ offering. Players ante $2 and have the opportunity to earn skill-based and random cash prizes by navigating their frog safely across a road and river course.  Frogger: Get Hoppin’ can be played at MGM Grand’s newish Level Up area, however, the sales rep at G2E indicated the game would likely not survive much longer. 

Frogger Slot Machine
Play while you can – Frogger Get Hoppin’ may be pulled from Level Up at MGM Grand soon.

 Beat Square, a new skill-based offering from Konami which is about a year away from the casino floor. The game is best described as whack-a-mole synced up to music or Dance Dance Revolution for your hands. The 16 squares light up randomly instructing you to tap along with the music. You won’t want to play this game impaired as getting to the illuminated buttons quickly is key. Beat Square can be set up as a tournament or as a single-player skill game. 

Beat Square slot from Konami
Beat Square from Konami – Unlike any skill based slot on the market.

Here are some of the takeaways and questions we were left with after surveying skill based slot tech at G2E:

  • Will players pay to ramp up their skills? Most skill-based games are pretty intuitive, but let’s face it, players aren’t an expert at PlayStation games on their first, second or third attempt. Will players keep feeding money to the machine while learning the intricacies and nuances of the game?  
  • Manufacturers embedding a skill-based bonus feature into a traditional reel slot game are missing the mark. We feel the target audience will be drawn to games that have a video game feel, if they haven’t been drawn to reel slot games previously, why would they now? The addition of a skill-based bonus feature won’t be a draw. 
  • We understand that some randomness will need to be built into skill based games, however, manufacturers that treat positive game play events (enemy killed, asteroid destroyed, etc) as a “slot pull” where players make an automatic wager and could be awarded an amount less than the wager made are alienating their target market. Gamblers that are drawn to skill based games will expect to be rewarded for skill.
  • Conversely, skill based games like those from GameCo, Competition Interactive and the games on Gamblit’s TriStation where players bet a predetermined amount up front and are awarded based on their performance within the game with some “randomness” mixed in will be better positioned for stronger player adoption and acceptance.
  • It’s clear that smaller niche players have a significant leg up in the skill-based space as compared to the larger industry stalwarts like IGT, Konami, Scientific Games who don’t seem to be making much of an effort. Likely, the larger players are sitting back, waiting to see what works and will simply acquire the winning platform(s) to carve out their corner of the market.

There is no denying that headwinds still exist in the skill-based space and I am still skeptical that a winning formula can be developed that will be both popular with players and drive adequate revenue for the house. Undeniably though, skill-based games are pretty damn fun. If players are looking for a way to gamble that is more engaging than simply pushing “spin” these types of slots could be a hit.

Check out some of the new table game concepts we saw at G2E that could be making their way to a casino near you!

Share this Article!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Ryan

Sunday 9th of October 2022

Is the Pac-Man Cash Chase or Lucky Words skill-based games actually running anywhere in Vegas?

Jake Hoffman

Sunday 9th of October 2022

@Ryan, I don’t think any skill based games are on the floor anymore…

vegasfan

Sunday 21st of October 2018

Oh wow ! I for one hope these will be few and far between ! I have zero interest . Obviously I am a traditional slot lover . All that may happen anyway is the millennials will feed their already set budget into these , without increasing set budget .

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.