| Games in the behind-the-scenes area were mounted in new slot cabinets, called the "Bluebird" cabinet, another coming attraction. Wadleigh pointed out the ergonomic features of the cabinet, with space at the bottom so the player can fit knees under the machine, and with a lowered console, allowing players to rest their wrists in a more natural position. The enhanced animation capabilities and more comfortable slot cabinet promise to be big parts of WMS' future, but that promise figures to be a year away. In the more immediate future, the company has a few twists on the way. One twist is the new 3RV slot series--three-reel video. It seems like an odd turn for the first American company to hit it big with multiline, multicoin video slots, but WMS is trying to carve out a niche among three-reel players who are willing to try video, but who don't like the zigs and zags of the multiple paylines. The base games on the 3RV series play just like reel-spinning slots. Some are meant to be very traditional, non-intimidating games with simple bonuses rather than the more complex second screens seen on multiline games. Others have a few more bells and whistles. Those who have played WMS reel-spinning slots with dotmation screens for bonus rounds will find a similar feel to the 3RV games. In fact, some classic WMS themes have been brought back, with Jackpot Stampede and Jackpot Party among the offerings. I tested Jackpot Party, and played a bonus round that is shorter and simpler than the bonus on either the dotmation game or the multiline video adaptation. On the 3RV version, the player is asked to choose among three packages by pushing one of the buttons on the console next to the coin head. Once the player has pushed a button, the package opens to reveal a bonus award--a simple introduction to bonusing for reel-spinning players. LAS VEGAS--I had crossed the pedestrian bridge from the MGM Grand and was about to enter the Tropicana, when a man thrust a card into my hand. "Do you want to challenge our chicken?" Why not? It was free, and that's even less than chicken feed. And there was $10,000 to gain if I could win a simple game of tic-tac-toe. I had to chick it out. The downside? This white leghorn was obviously no birdbrain. The Trop had been running the promotion since May, and the chicken hadn't yet been coated in any special blend of herbs and spices. It obviously wasn't in the habit of letting the 10 grand fly the coop. There were three players in line ahead of me as I handed my entry card to the woman in charge. I asked the question that was on everyone's minds: How often has the chicken lost? "Once," she replied. "On Aug. 13." The entrants and the small crowd of spectators laughed. Everyone knew not to count a single dollar before it hatched. Anyone who was counting on the cash was simply a dumb cluck. |
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