A new generation of casino games could see players relying on skill, rather than luck, to gain their winnings. In a bid to attract a newmarket of gamers, a slot machine manufacturer are rolling out a series of nostalgic games that are inspired by penny arcades. The games which require skill to win are aimed at middle-aged gamblers who will be able to relate to the nostalgic theme of the games.
The game, which is developed by International Game Technology, requires the user to shoot digital insects to win points, which are translated directly into money. The insects can be giant spiders or insects, that win you points the more that you’re able to kill. If two gamers happen to sit down at the same machine at the same time, a competitive element is added by the most skilled shooter walking away with the most cash. The game will hopefully be appearing in casinos soon and arriving online at places like
MetroPlay Casino sometime in the not too distant future.
Industry professionals are hoping that the new games will attract a younger crowd than what is typical for casinos, as they are said to have areputation of being ‘day care for the elderly.’ The new shooting, penny arcade style games are aimed at people who would have been fifteen at the time of playing the original games, and will now be middle-aged, the demographic which they are trying to attract. There is interest to see if the skill will generate the same need to go back and keep playing until a win happens, building competition between players.
The game will detract from players ‘playing against the house’ and will see more people returning to beat their friends, making gambling a much more sociable act. There are some fears by industry professionals that the element of skill will cause more issues with problem gamblers. The act of fighting giant insects may also detract from the feeling of escapism that many gamblers visit the casino for.
The high scoring boards displayed on these sorts of games often do create a need for competition and as long as unskilled players don’t become too disheartened with seeing their loses, it should create amore sociable experience to gambling. The age demographic that used to play these sorts of games in their teenage years will perhaps bedrawn in by the chance to show off their long-lost joystick skills, and be in with the chance to win big.
Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita