For nearly three years, the international casino industry has been through an unprecedented chain of events related to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Months of total shutdown were followed by partial reopening—and a progression of baby steps toward normalcy.
That normalcy’s not fully here yet, to be sure. Slot manufacturers, just like most other businesses, still suffer from lingering supply-chain issues, changing workforce requirements and other examples of pandemic hangovers. This year, however, one thing will be back to its former glory—the Global Gaming Expo.
After cancellation of all in-person trade events in 2020, G2E came back last year in limited fashion, with vaccination requirements and mask requirements. Significantly, restrictions on international travel meant severely reduced participation and attendance from outside North America.
All that is gone this year, with G2E back unrestricted and unhampered by international travel woes. As far as the slot sector, operators from around the world will realize what is evident on the following pages—despite the pandemic, research and development on slot products has never slowed.
Welcome to the 21st edition of Global Games, our annual look at each manufacturer’s “new model year” of games to be launched at G2E and rolled out in the coming year. What follows are individual articles highlighting the new products of 14 slot manufacturers for launch in the coming year.
As usual, attendees at G2E will be treated to a wealth of new hardware, as slot cabinetry continues its constant evolution. The content on those cabinets often is tailored to the strength of the hardware presentation itself.
On the following pages, you will find each supplier’s take on the hot game-play mechanics of the day, from hold-an-re-spin to cash-on-reels, from expanding reels to wheel bonuses.
There will be new game families all around, but what this year’s crop of new games shows is that the top manufacturers are doubling down with new content for all of their tried-and-true game brands, licensed as well as homegrown titles.
Manufacturers also will demonstrate how factors such as electronic wallets, cashless play systems, and even the addition of sports betting functionality are changing the nature of the slot floor.
But what has not changed is the focus of manufacturers on translating not only revenue numbers but player feedback into new offerings for the slot floor. Millions are pumped into R&D annually by all the slot suppliers, and this year’s crop of new games definitely makes that clear.
So feel free to read and study the profiles contained below (in alphabetical order by manufacturer). We hope you can use this report as a guide to the slot supplier booths at this first full post-pandemic G2E event. Have a good show!
- AGS
- Ainsworth
- Aristocrat Gaming
- Aruze Gaming
- Bluberi
- Eclipse Gaming Systems
- Everi Holdings
- Gaming Arts
- IGT
- Incredible Technologies
- Konami Gaming
- Light & Wonder
- Novomatic Americas
- Zitro
