Skill-based game developer Synergy Blue will debut four new arcade-style games at this week’s Global Gaming Expo, adding to its current catalog of 19, and will soon announce the start of trials in three Nevada casinos.
Synergy Blue, which describes itself as the leading creator of skill-influenced games and platforms for the casino industry, also announced it will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at G2E on the “Current Urgency For Skill-influenced Video Games in Casinos.” The talk will feature Nolan Bushnell, a founder of Atari and widely considered the father of the video game industry, who will outline how successful trends in the video and arcade industry can be implemented in casinos to create innovative experiences and attract new demographics.
Synergy Blue’s games to date have only been on the floor at the Augustine Casino in the Coachella Valley in California. The company is currently awaiting a sign-off of paperwork from the Nevada Gaming Control Board before launching trials, according to Synergy Blue CEO Georg Washington. Synergy has already obtained a Nevada gaming license.
“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” Washington said Friday on awaiting word on the start of trials. “We’re looking forward to getting into casinos here. With a younger demographic in Vegas, we’re expecting some good numbers out of that.” 
Synergy Blue introduced 15 games titles at G2E a year ago to supplement its four original games. In addition to the four new titles this year, the company will also showcase “updated and enriched versions” of their most popular existing games, which Washington said adds a “variety of depth to an already existing library of innovative arcade-style casino entertainment.”
Synergy Blue’s new game titles to be showcased at G2E include Joyride Jackpot, an arcade driving game; Blizzard Blast, in which players blast arctic characters; Big Bucks$ Bubble Pop, where players must matching identically-colored bubbles; and the Ballyhoo-developed Zombie Heat, which requires players to fend off space zombies with homemade traps and a trailer cannon.
Other titles that the company will showcase at G2E include Lucked & Loaded; Ka-Ching-Ko; Mahjong; Candy Ca$h; Safari Match; Lucky Karts; Candy Patrol; Zombie$; Pixie Match; and Cocktail Crush.
Among the changes made to its games, Washington said a Class II version of Candy Ca$h has been developed, in addition to the game’s Class III model. Blizzard Blast and Ka-Ching-Ko, both of which were demo’ed at last year’s G2E, were revamped and made into progressive games. Overall, for its next generation of games, Synergy Blue has added more celebrations, graphics and tutorials to go along with its new math models, so properties can adjust volatility and see what works for their casinos, Washington said. 
“We’re excited to show the industry our new games,” Washington said. “While we’re only showing four games, we’ve made a lot of adjustments on math and content.”
Washington said he’s optimistic about the skill-based industry and that casinos are beginning to better understand how those games will blend into their properties. That will only get better as time goes on, he said.
“It’s similar to electronic table games and stadium seating. The progression that happened there will happen to us as well,” Washington said. “Casino operators we have spoken with are quite positive about our style of games. They recognize that not every customer is going to want to play a skill game. We know we’re not going to replace slot machines, but we’re going to add to it. My schedule at G2E is booked Monday through Thursday. We’re going to have a great year.”
Washington said Synergy Blue’s games are inspired by the types of video and mobile game styles that today’s gamblers and gamers have grown up playing and continue to show interest in.
In a recent survey report, Synergy Blue found that 79 percent of people would be more likely to gamble if casino games were more like video, arcade, or mobile games.
“All of our games are arcade or mobile style, and we’re choosing games that are recognizable so people can come in with a low barrier of entry and understand the game,” Washington said.
Synergy Blue’s new products and developments will be at booth #2811.
