Key Products Include Zorro(TM) Multi-Site Progressive, Super Reel Power(R),
Pele's Legendary Goals(TM) Hyperlink(R) and America's First 50-Line Games
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming off the heels of its strongest
half-year earnings ever, Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. announced today that it
will showcase a large portfolio of new slot games and gaming products at the
2004 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) October 5 - 7 at the Las Vegas Convention
Center, including two new wide-area progressives and America's first 50-line
video slots.
"Our expansive G2E product portfolio reflects Aristocrat's commitment to
delivering technology that directly impacts our customers' success," said
Gavin Isaacs, President of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. "This product
development strategy has also been the foundation of our recently announced
strong half-year financial performance."
Aristocrat Technologies' parent company, Aristocrat Leisure Limited
(ASX: ALL), announced August 24 that the Company's North America revenue grew
by nearly 25 percent and game and platform sales increased by almost
60 percent in the first six months of 2004.
"Our games are clearly becoming more and more desired by players, and they
are without a doubt performing for gaming operators," Isaacs said.
An independent August 5 research report by Macquarie Research Equities
confirms the strong performance of Aristocrat games, stating that "98 percent
of all casinos with Aristocrat product were experiencing performance ahead of
the floor average. Of these casinos, 57 percent quantified performance as
being greater or equal to 1.5x the floor average."
"Our emphasis continues to be quality over quantity of games," Isaacs
said. "Our global product portfolio includes an extensive library of
groundbreaking game concepts like Hyperlink, Reel Power and Bonus Bank and a
comprehensive list of game types to suit every casino floor, from video,
mechanical reel, progressive links, poker, standalone progressive games and
more. A majority of the games on our G2E stand will be approved and available
in some or all U.S. gaming jurisdictions. By the end of the year, there will
be over 100 released MKVI(TM) video slot games in our catalogue."
"Our game developers have definitely raised the bar this year, creating
some of the industry's most groundbreaking and exciting video and
mechanical-reel technology," said Kent Young, Aristocrat's Vice President of
Marketing. "We're displaying America's first 50-line games, a new
Zorro-themed multi-site progressive, Super Reel Power, a new line of stepper
games with a fourth reel bonus feature, standalone progressive games, and much
more. Our product portfolio takes gaming technology to a whole new level."
Taking center stage is Aristocrat's video multi-site progressive link
based on Zorro, the masked avenger and superhero. Zorro is a unique
multi-site progressive link, consisting of four second-screen bonus features
in addition to four levels of progressives. The top progressive award pays
the multi-site progressive jackpot.
"This product delivers the excitement of progressive Hyperlink jackpots,
very familiar to players who enjoy Millioni$er(R) and Cash Express(R),
combined with the Bonus Bank features of our popular Mr. Cashman(TM) and Li'l
Lucy(TM) games," Young said. "It's truly the best combination of two of
Aristocrat's most successful game concepts."
Also in the spotlight at G2E is another addition to Aristocrat's Hyperlink
family -- Pele's Legendary Goals, which combines the excitement of four-level,
random second-screen progressive jackpots with 50-line base games that offer
more winning combinations. The game is inspired by the legendary Brazilian
soccer player Pele, who will make an appearance at Aristocrat's G2E display to
sign soccer balls.
Rounding out Aristocrat's lineup of progressive products are standalone
progressive video slots featuring Big Ben, the world's most famous clock.
These 25-line games feature individual progressive jackpots displayed
on-screen. They use multipliers, free games, scatters and mystery prizes to
build excitement during game play.
The latest addition in Aristocrat's Bonus Bank series, Money Honey(TM),
debuts this year with a new twist. The game combines the exciting random
bonus concepts of Mr. Cashman and Li'l Lucy with the revolutionary game play
of Reel Power(R), Aristocrat's globally patented game concept where players
buy reels instead of lines.
Reinforcing its dominance of the low denomination market, the theme of
Aristocrat's display is "Lots and Lots of Penny Slots." Most of Aristocrat's
new games on display at G2E will be offered in the one-cent, two-cent and
five-cent denominations.
"Several years ago we anticipated the industry move to lower denominations
and started introducing penny and two-cent games in the American locals
market," Young said. "Now over 70 percent of the games we offer are
low-denom. Gaming operators in both local and tourist destinations are
rapidly embracing these games, which offer much greater entertainment and
value for the player."
In fact, Young said that many of Aristocrat's new game concepts, including
50-line games and Super Reel Power, are a perfect fit for the expanding
low-denomination market.
Aristocrat will display America's first two 50-line games -- Star
Drifter(TM) and 50 Lions(TM). In these games one credit buys two lines, so
players pay half a cent for each line. Both games offer multipliers,
scatters, and free games.
Also joining Aristocrat's low-denomination portfolio is Super Reel Power,
which takes Aristocrat's Reel Power concept to a new dimension. Players have
the opportunity to play five reels with five symbols per reel, creating
3,125 ways to win. Aristocrat will showcase two Super Reel Power games at G2E
-- Asian Princess(TM) and The Game With No Name(TM) -- along with four new
Reel Power titles.
The Company will also unveil an array of new 15, 20 and 25-line MKVI(TM)
video slot games, many that are already approved and for sale in some or all
North America n gaming jurisdictions.
This year Aristocrat is also showcasing a new suite of mechanical reel
games -- the SCX Stepper Series. The games add excitement to the standard
three-reel configuration with a fourth reel bonus next to the main reels. A
hot streak multiplier mode offers a new dimension to game play. All products
are subject to the normal regulatory approvals.
About Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
Las Vegas-based Aristocrat Technologies designs and markets gaming
machines, the OASIS(TM) casino management system, progressive systems, and
progressive jackpot meters. Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of
global gaming company Aristocrat Leisure Limited, which is listed on the
Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: ALL). For more information, please visit the
Company's website at http://www.aristocratgaming.com.
About G2E
G2E is the international gaming trade show and conference "by the industry
and for the industry." Organized by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and
Reed Exhibitions, G2E made its debut in fall 2001, defining itself as the
pre-eminent show for the gaming-entertainment industry. For more information
about G2E 2004 or to register, please visit http://www.globalgamingexpo.com.
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