Eighties nostalgia a new trend for slots?

Land gambling games development companies, whose top products are often eventually translated to the online environment, appear to be embarking on a new trend to exploit nostalgia for the faves of the ‘eighties among age fifty-plus slot players, reports the Associated Press news agency.

Reviewing new games debuting at the G2E expo in Las Vegas this week, AP says that developer International Gaming Technology is among the first to get in on the trend, licensing the 1981 Atari arcade game Centipede and presenting it in a modern interactive, social-accented game in which middle aged punters can exercise skill to earn cash.

The game awards credits for the number of bugs shot which can be converted into cash, with more skilful gamblers scoring higher and earning bigger wins.

IGT game designer Keith Hughes said:

“We’re figuring out how to deliver video games to players in a wagering environment, and this game is helping us figure out the best way to do it.”

Introducing an element of skill into slots is also being pursued by other manufacturers like WMS and Aristocrat, whilst a Bally Technologies spokesman told AP that his company was going the leader-board route to reintroduce the “high score pride” of the ‘eighties with offerings like Skee-Ball and Total Blast, which display scores and standings on Facebook.

New AGA chief Geoff Freeman (38) is in tune with the vibe, telling AP: “I grew up playing Atari and Nintendo, and I want to believe my skill in these games has some effect on the outcome.”

Nevada Gaming Control Board staffer Joel Eickhoff said that the regulator has noticed an increase in the number of new slot machines offering skills-based bonus rounds, but that the state will still only approve games that are more slot machine than video game.

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