“G2E will be where we further reinforce our brand recognition”
(Exclusive interview).- David Orrick, Director of Industry Relations at Merkur Gaming, talked with Focus Gaming News ahead of the upcoming edition of G2E Las Vegas.
G2E Las Vegas is the biggest event of the gambling industry in America, and companies are interested in showcasing their products in front of one of the biggest audiences.
Merkur Gaming will once again be one of the highlights of G2E Las Vegas, and David Orrick, Director of Industry Relations at Merkur Gaming, talked with Focus Gaming News about the expectations for this year’s event, as well as the company’s goals for the rest of the year.
At G2E 2019, the world will experience the debut of the Linked Progressive Jackpot Treasure Link. G2E is arguably one of the biggest events of the gaming industry, and the feedback from the public is significantly higher at this event. Was that one of the reasons when picking an event to debut the product? How will G2E help you make that product an established one?
As with everything, timing is important. G2E is, as you correctly say, a hugely important event. For Merkur Gaming that importance is not just about the US, it is also hugely significant for our businesses across Latin America, central America and far beyond. The work to create Treasure Link has been immense and now, fortuitously, it is ready… right in time for G2E and the scrutiny of our customers and business partners. G2E will be where we further reinforce our brand recognition, where we can demonstrate in Treasure Link a brand new product that is right on point with the demands of operators and in line with the ‘style of the times’.
You’ve recently announced that your booth at G2E will focus on offering players bonus features. Can you share more details about your offering at G2E 2019? What other products will you introduce this year?
Correct! Our primary focus in Las Vegas will be to show new products that give operators and players alike added value, added attraction and added gaming entertainment: all encapsulated in the word ‘Bonus’. As well as Treasure Link (and the five brand new games on which this Linked Progressive Jackpot sits) we have a Las Vegas debut for Rapid Thunder (plus its six dedicated games) and will build on the excitement that this concept has created in recent times. Plus other new games that have all been created with player engagement and interaction in mind. Runnin’ Wild is an African adventure set in sight of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and which has a fixed Grand Jackpot of $25,000. A similar Grand Jackpot is also the big attraction in the Egyptian themed Jewels of the Nile. Two familiar game titles, Big Deal Wheel and Striking Fortunes return and have both also been given new additional Bonus features. So the focus is on Big Bonus Games. To quote Mike Halvorson, Chief Design Officer at Sunshine Games, ‘The days of standalone release products are behind us.’
G2E will be where we further reinforce our brand recognition, where we can demonstrate in Treasure Link a brand new product that is right on point with the demands of operators and in line with the ‘style of the times’.
Your teams from subsidiary companies in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru will all be in Las Vegas to present your attractions to their clients. Is the continuing expansion in Latin America one of the priorities for Merkur Gaming at this year’s edition of G2E Las Vegas? How does the presence of Latin American operators help you extend your reach when exhibiting at a North American event?
Part of the value in G2E is its location. Together with Miami, Las Vegas is a ‘must visit’ destination all across Latin America and we know from past experience that many of our customers and business partners come each year to G2E to get a first look at the new innovations that we are presenting. Our teams are ready, our products are ready and we are anticipating a truly great show for Merkur Gaming.
Our teams are ready, our products are ready and we are anticipating a truly great show for Merkur Gaming.
After last year’s G2E you told Focus Gaming News that that one of your main challenges in the US was having the right games in the right places at the right times. You also said that you were planning your entry to commercial and tribal government markets, and both industries keep growing at a fast pace. Can you analyze what progress you’ve made in both markets in the past year? What are your goals in the short and long term in the tribal industry?
We continue, with energy and determination, to become a significant vendor in both the tribal and commercial gaming sectors. Our experience of tribal government gaming thus far has been that operators have a desire for that intangible ‘something new and exciting’ and certainly, with the new products that we are showing at G2E, we are confident that we can meet their expectations.
Our aims in the tribal industry are to meet the operators’ clearly expressed wish for great products, great performance, great service and an ongoing partnership. We understand and fully support the great work done by tribal gaming in the creation of jobs and wealth and our clear aim is to work in co-operation to help them further in the future.
