G2E is the annual arena where suppliers fight to win the casino hardware wars with their cabinets, systems, and games. Fittingly, Konami will debut BattleBots, its newest slot machine based on the popular robot-combat sport and reality TV show broadcast in more than 150 countries.
The new game, set for release on both Konami’s Dimension 49J and the larger Dimension 75C cabinets, will feature the sounds and robots from the show, where contestants use both their skills and hardware innovations to destroy one another. The premium linked-progressive series includes giant symbols, expanding reels, and a free- game feature that offers a chance to cheer your favorite bots in a fight to fortune.
Slot players can select the Red Team Ready or Blue Team Ready to begin the action in the free games. The game mechanics also feature random multipliers and free games, along with some BattleBot specific terms like the “Bonus Killsaw.”
Speaking of hardware victories, Konami scored big with their Dimension 49 cabinet released in June 2021. Dozens of new boxes were launched following the pandemic shutdowns of 2020, but the Dimension 49 has remained at or near the top of the rankings in the Portrait/Portrait Slant categories of both the Eilers & Krejcik and the ReelMetrics charts for months.
The two strongest titles thus far have been Fortune Mint Fu Gui You Yu and Majestic Moon Triple Sparkle, both ranked consistently in the Top 25 of the national indexes. In what Konami calls “brand extension,” several new variants of these series will be released at G2E. Both Yi Da Ba Qian and “Ya Zhou Bao Wu from the Fortune Mint series will debut at this year’s show.
They’ll also have several new themes for their premium lease line, including All Aboard on both the 49J and 75C cabinets. The larger box will feature a multi-game format with base games Dynamite Dash, Piggy Pennies, Go West, and Masked Warrio. The games can be configured as standalone or in linked configurations.
Another new release will be the patriotic themed America’s Rich Life. It will feature the 1987 Grammy Award-winning song “Living in America” by the legendary James Brown. This game has a wheel bonus feature offering multiple spins and a chance at the $10,000 grand prize. The game is a premium link that will also offer custom LED sign options that cover the installation in red, white, and blue, stars and stripes, and an eagle doing the moonwalk. This theme, like All Aboard, will be offered on both the Dimension 49J and 75C cabinets.
“Konami’s G2E 2022 lineup features more proven gaming and systems products, to reach more players and markets,” said Tom Jingoli, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Konami Gaming, Inc. “From popular favorites like All Aboard and Money Klip cashless to in-demand innovations like America’s Rich Life and Konetic employee mobile app, Konami is championing customer success.”
One of Konami’s strengths is that their team leads the industry in longevity. President and CEO Steve Sutherland and Jingoli both have been with the company for more than two decades.
Konami also announced this summer that long-time game designer Gerard Crosby has been promoted to senior vice president and chief games officer for the company. Crosby has also been with the company for more than 20 years and has worn many hats for Konami’s Australia division.
Konami will be exhibiting in Booth #1256 at the Venetian Expo Center.
