After being voted the best cabinet at the show at G2E last year in the Eilers-Fantini Vendor Report, all expectations are for “The Baron” from Aristocrat Gaming to be the recipient of similar accolades for its international launch at ICE Barcelona, Jan. 20 – 22.
Innovative in so many ways from both aesthetic and engineering perspectives, The Baron commands attention with a never-before-seen asymmetrical design that serves as the ideal home for groundbreaking display, lighting, and sound capabilities.
“The Baron was designed with the player in mind to create an elevated experience with a look, feel and sound not yet seen,” said London-based Andrew Sackey, Aristocrat Gaming’s Vice-President of Commercial EMEA, and LATAM.
True to Aristocrat’s long-standing reputation in the gaming industry as a team player, both among its own employees as well as its partners, The Baron not only incorporates feedback for the creation of hardware from the players themselves but also the slot technicians who experience things from the inside out.
The makers of The Baron aimed to design the most slot tech-friendly cabinet ever created and, accordingly, it has a bevy of unique features that specialists in the field can truly appreciate.
“When designing The Baron, we had both style and functionality in mind,” Sackey said. “Every feature of the design is intentional and improves the experience for the player. For example, the dynamic LED lighting features on The Baron interact with gameplay and add to the entertainment. However, that lighting also helps when the cabinet is being serviced by adding additional lighting for the service technicians.
“We are constantly listening to our players and customers in both formal and informal ways via surveys, site visits, and customer advisory forums, among other venues. There was an emphasis on serviceability and functionality with The Baron. We understand the investment our customers are making, and in turn, we must provide them with the best products for their needs.”
The Baron’s Dual Screen combined with innovative technology enhance performance and reliability from every angle from the inside out. The 27-inch UHD 4K monitors bring out the best in the stunning graphics created by Aristocrat’s award-winning studio talent.
The modern and game-driven combination of direct LED lights bordering the cabinet and indirect backlighting on the cabinet chimney make The Baron an attractive and eye-catching product on casino floors.
The cabinet’s 27-inch topper performs like a third screen by integrating game play and jackpot features. The 5.1 Surround Sound, improved wireless charging, and ergonomic solutions provide added comfort and excitement.
Sackey observed that, with theater-like quality, The Baron features a discreet soundbar, two top monitor speakers, and a subwoofer in-cabinet, making for an improved and dynamic surround sound experience, lending to the overall elevated entertainment factor.
“While the modern, sleek look with the asymmetrical design lends to an attractive product,” he continued, “the lower cabinet profile, integrated candle, sleek border, and back-lighting provide better sightlines for casino floor placement, another example of intentional design choices in The Baron.”
Additionally, a Floating Virtual Button Deck made of 2.85mm Gorilla Glass, and five- channel Surround Sound that includes a discreet soundbar in the player tracking panel, two top-monitor speakers, and a subwoofer add to the playability and so-called “curb appeal” of The Baron.
The faster “boot times” and upgrading the wireless charger impact The Baron’s performance rather substantially according to Sackey, who said that the electronics offer a more reliable experience for customers.
“The upgraded wireless charging system is integrated into the floating virtual button deck, which allows for faster charging times, but more importantly, greater durability integrated into the modern illusion design,” he said.
Aristocrat Gaming’s award-winning games portfolio, including some of the strongest franchises in gaming (e.g., Buffalo) and studio talent unrivaled on a global scale, is certain to support The Baron for years to come.
