Slots An Idea for Slot Manufacturers

I'm sure it would be moderately expensive to make... but I believe it would increase usage of the machines that each manufacturer makes... IF they would make a video similar to the youtube videos of each slot machine game...I have found a few of these online... but I'm talking about going to the manufacturer's website and being able to pick a slot of interest... then watching the game being played and how each of the features including any bonus rounds work. . I know personally I am more liable to choose a machine if I can see that it is a fun game and that the bonus rounds are interesting. They could also have a place where you could note any changes or improvements you would like to see on that particular slot. Even if they just opened it only to forum members, we could give a lot of good input.

 

A few of the slot manufacturers already have YouTube channels, some have been around for years, where they post videos of play and bonuses from their games, linking them to their websites as well as Facebook and Twitter accounts. WMS is probably the leader in this, they post a lot of videos regularly.

Also, just by searching YouTube you can find videos for play and bonus hits for almost any video slot machine out there.

They don't want unsolicited input, advice, tips or suggestions from anybody - it puts them in a predicament where somebody could suggest something to them and then if that feature appears in a future game, whether it was derived from that persons suggestion or not, they could sue them as a contributor to the game.

When they do want input from the public they form test groups and do surveys.

 

Reply to Augie

... My problem is I cannot find a lot of the new games that are just coming into the casino on youtube... there's plenty of the old ones I already know how to play...Thanks for the tip though, Augie, I'll try looking by the manufacturer's name on youtube rather the game name or their regular website...

 

They have done this, and still do this. But its proven to be incredibly ineffectual. Just like Steve Jobs knew and proved over and over again - people don't really know what they want. I recently read a book about slot machine design ("Addiction By Design") that went over how many failures they produced when they incorporated ideas from users. What turned out to be most effective was essentially treating players like lab rats by watching them play, tinkering with the design, and analyzing all their habits and play data.

I do agree about the youtube idea. I've watched some youtube videos of slot machine wins and even though I'm not a slot player those videos sometimes get me interested in trying out those slots.

 

Some companies do ask for slot suggestions on their website. I know IT (Incredible Technologies) used to do this. They are a local (for me Chicago) slot team and they made the famous Golden Tee arcade games. I sent them in my suggestion for a Vegas Vacation slot, along with ways each bonus I envisioned would work. IE Cousin Eddie pats Wayne Newton's head for money, more pats = more cash. Or a pick a number between 1 & 10 like in the local casino scene etc. But I never heard back from them :Þ

 

I wonder, would there be interest in almost a slot tutorials set of videos? Most people on YouTube are usually looking for big wins to get them excited about an upcoming trip or satisfy the urge to go gamble for a short time. Slots don't have a skill componant but they do have some confusing elements for those not tech savvy as well as unknown elements for people who just haven't had a chance to play the new game yet. So perhaps a video series showcasing each of the various bonus rounds, side bet stuff, etc?

I ask because for the last few months I've been piecing together slot channels as a Network under the YouTube Partner Program. And if there was interest, beyond what videos the manufacturers put up, it could be an interesting series.

The problem with the WMS videos and such is that they're designed not for the end user of the game, but for the casino industry as a sales platform to sell the slot machines themselves. So while they show some things, they're not really done for gamblers to watch.