“SYNKROS generated huge attention for its new biometric player tracking solution”
(Exclusive interview).- Eduardo Aching, Vice President, International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming Inc, talked to Focus Gaming News about G2E 2019.
The 2019 edition of G2E Las Vegas was one of the biggest registered to date, and the biggest operators from the industry were part of it. Konami Gaming Inc was one of the highlights of the show with its SYNKROS casino management system, as well as the new 49J video slot cabinet.
Eduardo Aching, Vice President, International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming Inc, talked to Focus Gaming News in an exclusive interview about the public’s response to the company’s products at G2E 2019 and an assessment of the industry.
How would you rate your performance in G2E? How good was the public’s response in Las Vegas?
The 2019 G2E Las Vegas show was a strong success. Our global customers encountered a number of exciting developments focused on supporting the future of their business. We saw clear interest and excitement for the all-new Horizon 49J video slot cabinet and its unique merchandising options. In addition, debut game series All Aboard, Silent Hill, and Ocean Spin helped demonstrate the cabinet’s full presentation and outstanding potential on the floor.
Our global casino customers were pleased to see a strong pipeline of creative content for these machines, designed to reach diverse player types.
Our customers also encountered a depth of game options for KX 43 and Opus. Both of these award-winning cabinets continue to drive leading content to customers with original series like Diamond Trails, Dragon’s Law SeleXion, and Ba Fang Jin Bao. Our global casino customers were pleased to see a strong pipeline of creative content for these machines, designed to reach diverse player types.
In addition, Konami’s SYNKROS casino management system generated huge attention for its new biometric player tracking solution, SYNK Vision. This technology empowers operators to identify, rate, and reward all players automatically without requiring sign-up to a loyalty program. It tracks players automatically based on their unique facial characteristics rather than requiring them to manually sign up or use a player’s tracking card.
Did the show and your presence there fulfill the company’s expectations?
We were pleased with the level of guest attendance and the level of excitement around new technology. Throughout the event, we had the pleasure of meeting with key customers from markets across the world. This facilitated countless opportunities to share new array of gaming products for diverse markets and player segments.
How important is for Konami to attend a US event as the gaming & casino industry is expanding? (e.g. Illinois passing a gambling expansion bill and allowing new casinos)
The gaming industry is always advancing to new areas of technology and expanding to new types of entertainment. G2E is among the key times we come together to showcase these new innovations and truly every show is different because there are always new developments and creative concepts to discover. For Konami, we showcased an entirely new form factor, incredible merchandising options, and the next generation in player tracking, just to mention a few such developments. These highlights help set the scene for the upcoming year as we aim to deliver our latest developments to markets across the world.
What place does the US market have in the company’s business? Which markets would you consider as your top 2?
For Konami Gaming, Inc., the U.S. market is central to the business. Konami Gaming was first established in the U.S., and for approximately the last decade, we have worked diligently to serve international customers at the same level of service and quality that our U.S. customers expect. Mexico has certainly become one of our largest markets internationally, as well as Colombia, Peru, and Argentina.
G2E is among the key times we come together to showcase these new innovations and truly every show is different because there are always new developments and creative concepts to discover.
What comes next for Konami this year after such a huge show like G2E?
Through the remainder of 2019, we are focused on delivering the newest products to most international customers we serve. We have the planning in place to deliver our latest games before the holidays, so casinos can fully capitalise on their busiest season of the year. In addition, Konami and its exclusive international distributors are preparing for a strong 2020. Players and operators in market around the globe can expect to see a strong variety of top entertainment and creative jackpot experiences.
