Land-based games are making waves in the online space, with a top panel of executives noting that games with longer development time, and presence, are pertinent to players.
At a top panel at G2E Asia, Light & Wonder executive Ken Jolly noted that players tend to swap quickly through online games, while IGT’s Orchard noted that games with longer development periods – such as those based on real-game play – tend to “drive better results on the online side as well”.
“We’re going to see great land-based games play a larger role in the online space,” indicated the executive.
Jolly highlighted how the younger generation has increased spending potential, and desire, meaning that creating the experience is more important for getting the customers immersed in the game.
To target this segment, Lloyd Robson, from Aristocrat, noted that strong reinvestment in R&D helps the company continue to stay at the forefront, being able to more specifically target players going after jackpots.
But, on the strong panel at G2E Asia, all participants agreed that players are now going after the secondary jackpot figures on slots, rather than shooting their shot on the big win.
Operator Jerry Chan, from Okada Manila, indicated that hitting the primary jackpot is difficult, so players are now focusing on secondary slots, with operators hoping to come up with new models to attract new players for the changing scape.
Aristocrat’s Lloyd Robson echoed the sentiment, noting that the focus on the smaller jackpots has been increasing, particularly in the Philippines.
Hold & Spin and Triple Metamorphic have worked strongly in the market, but Robson notes that Link has been the best ongoing driver recently in Asia.
L&W’s Ken Jolly indicated that all manufacturers are upping their game, bringing new hardware, bigger screens and better graphics, but that all of the companies’ efforts only resonate “when the players take it”.
Okada’s Jerry Chan notes that, as an operator, there has been a slight downturn recently in the Philippines, particularly due to tariffs, economical issues and the rise of iGaming.
But operators are keen to double down on both spaces.
Ken Jolly suggests a more immersive gaming floor for slots, while Chan proposes a redesign of the gaming floor to incorporate more elements prone for younger generations – like eSports, and Robson highlights the need to correlate the land-based and online side.
No matter what, the online space has to be a focus for the manufacturers, with all having a piece of the pie, and seeking the best outcome.
