The latest generation of gamblers in Las Vegas don’t like the high-profit-margin slot and video poker machines as much as the older crowd, so casinos are changing with the times. They’re developing video game-like slot machines, and even machines that simulate table games with a virtual dealer. A Star Wars-based slot machine allows players to bet on a light saber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan.
A Star Wars-based slot machine allows players to bet on a light saber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan.
That sounds incredibly boring. Even a one-armed bandit would be more fun.
I think the main problem is the lack of interaction in such games. There’s no way that people are able to improve their chances of winning using their skills and knowledge.
But that’s the whole point of the casino business, they have a system they can easily control and they know that they’ll make a profit from it no matter how many hours of experience the players have. There no system to crack.
“light saber duel between Vader and Obi-Wan” — Are they stupid?! Everybody knows how that one ended, so they are bound to lose on that one…
Unless, like some car racing games the opponents would adjust their speed based on your progress. So for instance if the house won, Darth would gain a sudden burst of energy, whoop your ass and take your money regardless of your skill level. It’d be intereactive and still pre-determined.
Patent Pending
The video slot industry (casinos and clubs) is a highly regulated industry, with standards and licences etc. Games which involve an element of skill are disallowed. All games have to be random and provide equal return to someone playing perfectly randomly and someone playing with a strategy, in order to enforce the requirement that no elements of skill are allowed.
So you’ll never see an UT2004 machince as a casino video slot machine. But you might see payed network gaming, but that doesn’t fall under the Gambling jurisdicitional requirements.