“No one in the industry has done anything like this,” according to AGS’s Senior Director of Slot Products Mark DeDeaux.
He’s talking about the company’s new Starwall video merchandising display for the premium Orion Portrait cabinet that will be released later this quarter with installs in early Spring.
While everyone’s been going bigger and brighter, AGS may top them all with this 8 ½’ x 8 ½’ wall of LED tiles. The Starwall will serve as a dramatic backdrop to premium Orion Portrait cabinets. The Starwall is sure to be a standout on casino floors everywhere, which is likely why it won the silver medal for ‘Best Slot Product’ at G2E 2019 in the Gaming & Technology Awards.
AGS will initially offer two strong themes for Starwall: wheel-based versions of the popular Jade Wins and Golden Wins.
Both games are the first in AGS’s new 88 Tian family and carry the “Deluxe” subtitle. Game play is similar to the original versions, but the addition of a bonus wheel adds new levels of excitement to these proven player-favorites. The bonus wheel awards progressive jackpots, credit prizes, multipliers, respins, or an exciting coin-grab bonus. Expectations are high for this new configuration as both titles have been big hits in standard formats for AGS. Not only will the Starwall give them unmistakable visibility, every game seems to work better with a wheel.
DeDeaux says that both games will have enhanced “merchandising” as the video presentations on the Starwall will offer an unparalleled gaming experience.
Each Portrait cabinet in this package features 498 LEDs that circle the game, as well as an upgraded LCD button deck. Additionally, the 42” portrait upright monitor displays a giant video wheel on nearly two-thirds of the screen.
This “premium-only” offering is designed for a six-pack with two sets of three games side-by-side in front of two giant Starwall LED screens (a version will also be available in a just a three-pack with a single screen for actual wall placement.)
There will be four linked near-area in-house progressive meters on each of the two new themes. DeDeaux says, “With the smaller standalone links, we feel we can deliver a better value proposition to the operators by offering them a daily lease or revenue-share arrangement.”
Coming on the heels after Jade Wins Deluxe and Golden Wins Deluxe is Golden Dragons, featuring a multi-level progressive, expanding reels, and a spectacular jackpot prize wheel. DeDeaux was quick to point out that “we will have a very deep library of games for Starwall very soon.”
It will be interesting to see where operators place the new Starwalls. An argument could be made for high traffic areas where the dramatic LED display will enhance the image of the casino offering the latest in technology. Others may prefer to use these games “to activate” weak areas of the floor. It has long been a standard that merchandising packages attract attention and draw players. There are few games anywhere that will outshine AGS’ Starwall.
