Issue #250
Special Las Vegas Report - CAC G2E 2005 Part III
Dear Reader,
Finally, the last installment of my Vegas 2005 special report. It's time to get on with our lives. So sit back, relax, grab yourself a hot cup o' java, and read on...
Conclusively yours,
Bryan
Can't read this newsletter in HTML? Click here (or copy and paste this link into your browser): http://www.casinomeister.com/newsletter.html#skip for the bitchin' online version.
First impression: bad.
I was not too impressed with the G2e (Global Gaming Exposition) on the first day. Even though it is gargantuan huge, it still treats the online casino industry as a unwanted red-headed step-child. The online casino section was a cluster of booths located in a remote corner of the exhibition center. And most of the booths didn't have much to offer, it was pretty much the same ol' thing.Normally, most of the software provider booths are showcases of the newest games and other bitchin' new features. At the G2E, it was as if the casino representatives were expecting not too much interest from passers by - which is understandable.
What locale is one of the most resistant places to online gaming? Answer: Las Vegas my dear ${token2}, and the G2E is a tell tale sign of this. For instance, the online casino exhibits at the ICE in London are much more impressive and informative. I can't wait for January.
So I meandered away from the online stalls and said the hell with it, time for some free beer. I figured I'd come back the next day.
Which I did, but not after checking out a truly mind tripping show at the Wynn: Le Rêve. Thanks to Krystall who had a bunch of comped tickets, this show was a true trip into dreamscape. You can get a glimpse of this at the Wynn Las Vegas website - but it won't do it justice. It's absolutely something that has to be experienced preferably without any mind altering drugs. You won't need them to enjoy this show.
The following day I was determined to get the most out of the G2E. I arrived early, and I commenced to walk every aisle, checking every booth whether it had something to do with casinos, online casinos, or what.
My first stop of amazement was at Immersion Corporation's booth where the CEO demonstrated computer touch screens that had tactile feedback. In other words, when you touch buttons or whatever on the computer screen, you feel the button as a slight vibration. I was really tripped out on this. Seems that this is brand new technology that no one has picked up on yet. Of course you need a special plasma screen for this, but it's amazing. It's like you're touching real buttons. This is meant for video slots and poker, but it also can be used in ATMs, or any other place you might use a touch screen. I asked about online compatibility and he said that this is something that is being developed. Of course you'd need to purchase a special monitor, but if this catches on...I guess we'll all be tripping out touching our computer screens. Just imagine the buttons people will come up with.
And like I mentioned in last week's newsletter, I was on a mission to find cool poker stuff. Some of you may be aware of this, but if not - I'm one of the regular writers at Bluff Magazine covering interesting poker paraphernalia. I had to look hard to find anything worthwhile, and I found something. Casino Fashions had a booth with everything from poker coffee cups to a special deodorant for gamblers. Sitting in one spot too long, many gamblers begin to stink I guess. Not me of course. Checking out their website you'll find some of these things plus tons of more stuff including some great neon lights for that special poker room. Christmas is on its way; become someone's special Santa with a whacky gift.
Next stop: IGT's booth. Besides being a big time video slots fans, video poker is my passion. And as I mentioned in my previous coverage of this event, Leading Edge Design's Multi-Strike poker is hot. Leading Edge is contracted to build games that are unique and a blast to play for IGT. Get this, they have other poker games that haven't been released yet. I spoke with the company's president and game developer Larry DeMar, and he demonstrated Multi-Strike World Poker Tour which blew my mind. It's a version of the addictive Texas Hold 'em game, but you are initially dealt a pair of two cards, and you must choose one of the hands before moving on. And there is another version of Multi-Strike Poker which has a special bonus card that pops up every so often that acts as a multiplier to the multiplier. Fantastic stuff. It should be hitting the casinos by December.
Another great thing - Leading Edge design has developed a 20 line 5 reel Elvis slot. Like the other multi-strike games, there are several levels to get through. This one has three levels. If you qualify on the first spin, it's doubled and you move on to the next level to win perhaps 4x. Ingenious game. I asked whether or not he would be putting this game up on his website, and he said probably not since it eats up too much band width. It was about that time the chief developer for IGT games came and told us that IGT had just purchased Wagerworks (the software provider for a number of excellent UK based online casinos). So perhaps we'll see these coming on line for real in the future.
Next stop, Playtech for a little bit of a pow wow, but first this....
From September 23rd to October 16th 2005, Platinum Play will be hosting an exhilarating casino tournament where winners could find themselves aboard a Caribbean Cruise for the International Casino Games.
This tournament is open to all visitors of Gone Gambling, Casinomeister, Casino City and Reviewed-Casinos.com only! Both new and existing players are invited to participate by buying in for only $50. This $50 buy-in will credit your tournament account with $3,000! What can you win?
The International Casino Games is this year’s industry highlight where a whopping total of $330,000 will be given away. This prestigious event will take place aboard a Caribbean Cruise. You could be one of these lucky people in line to win!
They will award you with a ticket for two to this seven-day cruise event should you become the next Exclusive Platinum Play Tournament Winner. But don’t worry; should you not make it to the top in the tournament, the ship won’t sail without you.
Because they are giving away an additional double ticket to the International Casino Games, aboard the Caribbean Cruise, by holding a Lucky Draw open to all participants of the tournament.
Plus, you get to play for your share in the $5,000 casino credits prize pool. Remember, a percentage of your $50 entry fee will go towards the prize pool – so keep playing and keep it growing.
Everything you need to know is posted here: Platinum Play Casino
http://casinomeister.com/cgi-bin/adcycle1.15/adclick.cgi?gid=5&cid=52&mid=153&id=921
http://casinomeister.com/cgi-bin/adcycle1.15/adclick.cgi?gid=5&cid=70&mid=255&id=462
All Jackpots Casino
Open a real account and claim the welcome bonus of your choice:
Buy $25 Get $75 or Buy $50 Get $200
Terms and conditions apply - read them please!!
$12 Free Sign Up Bonus
100% Match Up Bonus
$ 20 Bonus For Purchases With Firepay And Neteller
All this and more!!!
http://casinomeister.com/cgi-bin/adcycle1.15/adclick.cgi?gid=5&cid=34&mid=79&id=251
Open a Real Money Account at The Gaming Club Online Casino
http://casinomeister.com/cgi-bin/adcycle1.15/adclick.cgi?gid=5&cid=25&mid=55&id=129
http://casinomeister.com/cgi-bin/adcycle1.15/adclick.cgi?gid=5&cid=33&mid=76&id=92
Muppet sex - yes, I've seen it.
One of the main reasons for me to be hanging out at the G2E was to sit down with Iris Toledano - Playtech's marketing director, and the one who has been charged with getting their disputes section going. We were joined by their new marketing CEO Moran Weizer.Admittingly so, it's been a bumpy ride for the disputes section - like with any new project. But I have faith that in time, it will serve it's purpose effectively. Even so, it's good to discus some of the recent issues face to face. One issue that I had was Joyland's insistence that players who were making agreements with them were required to make joyful postings in any forum they had voiced their complaint in. To demand that players lie in public doesn't sit right with me. I was assured that the language in these agreement would be changed. I was also assured that all players making these agreements will be paid. If there are players who have not heard anything - or still left in the dark, please contact me.
We also briefly discussed a problem with an African Palace player who was given a VIP bonus (being a VIP), but once she won $24,000 they are enforcing their terms and conditions that state they will only pay her $3000 a month. Sure it's in their T&Cs, but it's not a fair way to treat a player. More on this here.
Leaving Playtech's stand, I feel that they are on the right track. It's not as easy as some people might think trying to keep all your ducks in a row. And there is always something new around the corner.
That evening was a chillin' evening just being on my own. I went to see "Avenue Q" a hilarious musical featuring live actors and muppets. Not for kids that's for damn sure. Warning: muppet sex (between muppets).
And then there is leaving Las Vegas and driving off into the desert towards my homeland California. I spent a few days there visiting family: my sister, mother, 21 year old daughter, and 99 year old grandmother. Yep my time was filled - and I had to hit Target a few times; buying up the things I can't get in my adopted home of northern Bavaria.
And here I am, sitting here trying to think of anything else I forgot to write about. The flight back was okay - non-eventful. Made it back in one piece. And here I am, chillin'.
Complaints? Kudos? Please let me know.
Peace
|
Bryan Bailey Webmeister Casinomeister |  |