Casino Player December 2022

What we’ve seen in recent years is a rededication by the slot-makers of resources to create new mechanical reel-spinners that played just like the traditional games but offered all the modern amenities.

What we’ve seen in recent years is a rededication by the slot-makers of resources to create new mechanical reel spinners that played just like the traditional games but offered all the modern amenities. IGT and Light &Won der—the former Bally—have launched new reel-spinning cabinets that painstakingly duplicate all the basics of the classic game,but with modern perks like player-selectable denominations, onboard cellphone charging and more. This year, Light &Wonder even rolled out a new version of the classic hit Blazing 7s. Other manufacturers have begun to serve the tradi tional slot player. Everi, for instance, has mastered the art of the mechanical reel-spinner with games likeTriple Jack pot Gems,Blazin’Gems Deluxe and my personal favorite, Rocky & Bullwinkle. In fact,Everi is already on its second generation of reel-spinning cabinets. Aristocrat has its RELM series of mechanical reel-spinners. Ainsworth duplicates the classic reel-spinning experience with sim ple, high-denomination three-reel video slots. These new-age mechanical reel-spinners implement technology that sets them apart, managing to use that technology to bring former video-only perks like free spins and cash-on-reels to the reel-spinning genre.IGT just

launched its DiamondRS reel-spinning cabinet, which features a new generation of transmissive reels tech nology called“Diamond Glass.” It allows a reel-spinner to employ special watermarks on reel symbols to mul tiply payouts, and allows multiple payline configura tions on the same cabinet. Everi’s new Player Classic Signature cabinet also gives players the ability to select payline configurations. Meanwhile, the slot-makers continue to roll out new versions of legendary reel-spinners.IGT’sWheel of Fortune continues to reinvent itself with new versions. Light &Wonder’s Quick Hit series continues to roll out new games in the simplified progressive setup. Yes, the video slot has evolved,with both popular culture themes like Game of Thrones and proprietary themes like Buffalo—and yes, Lucky Larry—imple menting new game mechanics like hold-and-spin, expanding reels and multiple progressives. But as MarkTwain may have said, it turns out that reports of the death of the spinning reel were greatly exaggerated. Told you. ´

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