4ST05: Downloadable and Server-Based Games

The future of gaming is at our fingertips and protocols are the keys that unlock the functions and value of server-based innovations.

Discover how GSA standards enable technology on the gaming floor of the future. This is a technical training session on the informational

infrastructure of the modern gaming floor.

System Supported Game System Supported Game

A gaming device that may function without interaction to a download host system. These are conventional style gaming machines with the added ability to download control programs and other software from the download host.

Examples Download new game content

• Operating system or platform program code• Game program code• Game graphics and sounds• Game paytables

Download updates for game peripherals• Bill Validator updates• Printer updates

Remote configuration• Change available denominations• Enable / Disable games from play• Game play speed

System Based Game System Based Game

An integrated player terminal and host system, where the host system determines the outcomes of the individual games played on the at the player terminal. The player terminal may also be dependant upon the host system for graphic & audio content.

Examples Thin client technology

• Game outcome determined by the central server• Download of game, graphics, and sound content on the fly

Thick / Thin client technology• Game outcome determined by the central server• Game code, graphics, and sound downloaded and kept local to the gaming machine

Central Determination Games• Game outcome determined by the central server• New York Lottery• Class II Bingo• Washington Gaming

GSA Protocols Enable Communication on Three Levels

GamingMachine

CoinAcceptor

CoinHopper

NoteAcceptor

Printer

TouchScreen

Game & Peripherals

GDS

Monitoring & Control System

Slot Accounting

Server-based Gaming Server

Game to Systems

G2S

System to System

S2S

Panel Questions

GSA Open Standards are the foundation of the future casino network

Download and Configuration Overview

Download and Configuration Overview

OEM creates software Submits to regulator and is tested and approved Distributes code to central hub (may be optional due to regs or

architechutre) Properties download new code to local server via secure VPN (pay on

demand, site license, corporate license) Local server evaluates the parameters of when and where the code is to

be distributed Upon demand or on a schedule, the code is loaded to the EGD (usually in

the background) Application of the code is dependent on the state of the game once

applied, a common configuration library or specific setting may be applied

GDS is Standardizing Peripheral Communications

Benefits of GDS

Standardized communications between gaming machines and its peripheral devices.

Can easily change between peripherals from different vendors. Plug and Play USB communication. Device commands can be sent from host systems through the gaming

machine to the peripheral device allowing for centralized configuration of peripherals.

Allows for downloading of updated firmware to the peripheral devices.

Gaming Device Standard (GDS)Gaming Device Standard (GDS)

GDS Specifications: Bar Coded Ticket v1.0 Page Description

Language (PDL) v1.0 Coin Acceptor v1.1 Card Reader v1.0 Coin Hopper v1.1 Note Acceptor v1.1 Printer v1.0 Touch Screen v1.0

G2S Provides Extensible Communications to Gaming Machines

The Merging of Two Protocols

Ten months of Analysis and Design Include the best features of BOB and SuperSAS G2S > SuperSAS + BOB Technical spec completed

Features in G2S

“Classic” functionality –Cabinet Control, Currency Handling devices, Handpays, Vouchers, WAT, Bonusing, Progressives

Event Subscriptions for any Host, any events + data* Meters – for any host

Periodic subscriptions* On Demand Affected meters for specific events* Extensible model*

Game Play control Theme, Paytable, Denom level

Features in G2S (continued)

Player Tracking* Printer – direct Host control* Central Determination*

Distribution of “chances” from finite pools Download*

SMP (System Management Point), SDDP (Software Download Distribution Point) Packages, modules Scripts for install, uninstall Upload, download “sync up” with other hosts

GAT

Features in G2S (continued)

Remote Configuration* Standard features exposed for each application (voucher, bonusing, cabinet etc.) flexible “language” to support added manufacturer features “sync up” with other hosts

S2S Provides Host System Interoperability

SBG Server Integration to the Casino Floor

Must be an overlay to existing slot system In many cases there will be two wires into the game cabinet SAS can track some changes Slot System must be notified of certain changes by the SBG

system

G2S Protocol between EGM and System capable of more robust data capture than legacy protocols – upstream systems require access to this new dataset

SBG Server Integration Utilizing S2S…

S2S Features in a SBG Environment: Support data exchange between Slot System and SBG System Support data feed to analysis systems Gather data from download servers so a unified library of all

games are available from a central management point Support for GAT (Game Authentication Terminal) – Allows a

central point of validation for all SBG enabled games

Download Network

Network Security and Regulatory Requirements

Audience Q & A