- Joined
- Mar 10, 2006
- Location
- Isle of Man, Macau or Vegas
Although I originally registered here in 2006, much of my time here has been spent lurking (reading, not posting), rather than being active. However, it has been pointed-out to me that yesterday marked a milestone for my account & I'm now a 'Senior Member'. I know this doesn't give me any great powers or responsibility, but it could be interpreted I'm someone who has some sort of credibility(?). As such, I wanted to give something back to fellow forum members...
We're here because of a shared interest in gambling. Be it from a Professional, personal, or educational standpoint. Be it a love or hate relationship, we all participate in it (to a greater or lesser extent).
Whilst I could type for days about the many elements of the industry (good points as well as bad), I will take a somewhat easier route... I've been a recreational gambler for ~20-years, and directly employed within the industry for >11-years. In this time, I've researched, read, and been to countless conferences and seminars about different aspects of gambling (game design, player acquisition, retention & reactivation, marketing, game maths, problem gambling, etc). Unfortunately, the costs and time required to do this could make it prohibitive if having to meet them from a personal budget. However if you are interested in knowing more about what goes on behind the scenes, I would recommend reading 'Addiction By Design' by Natasha Dow Schull (Outdated URL (Invalid)). Whilst it doesn't go into the n'th degree of detail for everything you may want to know, it covers both the good and the bad from a reasoned and impartial position. As the prologue states...
"Schüll describes the strategic calculations behind game algorithms and machine ergonomics, casino architecture and "ambience management," player tracking and cash access systems--all designed to meet the market's desire for maximum "time on device." Her account moves from casino floors into gamblers' everyday lives, from gambling industry conventions and Gamblers Anonymous meetings to regulatory debates over whether addiction to gambling machines stems from the consumer, the product, or the interplay between the two."
As it deals in quite heavy subjects like game maths and addiction, it's not the kind of book you will likely read in bed or when you need relaxation. However it will help give you an appreciation of what happens behind the scenes. As we're fast approaching ICE (arguably the biggest annual gaming conference) and perhaps more importantly, the Meister meet-up (a great chance to meet fellow members), it could help you get more from the events(?).
(Please note, I have no affiliation with the author or publisher. Apologies to mods if post is inappropriate - please move delete if this is the case).
We're here because of a shared interest in gambling. Be it from a Professional, personal, or educational standpoint. Be it a love or hate relationship, we all participate in it (to a greater or lesser extent).
Whilst I could type for days about the many elements of the industry (good points as well as bad), I will take a somewhat easier route... I've been a recreational gambler for ~20-years, and directly employed within the industry for >11-years. In this time, I've researched, read, and been to countless conferences and seminars about different aspects of gambling (game design, player acquisition, retention & reactivation, marketing, game maths, problem gambling, etc). Unfortunately, the costs and time required to do this could make it prohibitive if having to meet them from a personal budget. However if you are interested in knowing more about what goes on behind the scenes, I would recommend reading 'Addiction By Design' by Natasha Dow Schull (Outdated URL (Invalid)). Whilst it doesn't go into the n'th degree of detail for everything you may want to know, it covers both the good and the bad from a reasoned and impartial position. As the prologue states...
"Schüll describes the strategic calculations behind game algorithms and machine ergonomics, casino architecture and "ambience management," player tracking and cash access systems--all designed to meet the market's desire for maximum "time on device." Her account moves from casino floors into gamblers' everyday lives, from gambling industry conventions and Gamblers Anonymous meetings to regulatory debates over whether addiction to gambling machines stems from the consumer, the product, or the interplay between the two."
As it deals in quite heavy subjects like game maths and addiction, it's not the kind of book you will likely read in bed or when you need relaxation. However it will help give you an appreciation of what happens behind the scenes. As we're fast approaching ICE (arguably the biggest annual gaming conference) and perhaps more importantly, the Meister meet-up (a great chance to meet fellow members), it could help you get more from the events(?).
(Please note, I have no affiliation with the author or publisher. Apologies to mods if post is inappropriate - please move delete if this is the case).
