Euroslot-JUL-AUG09-PG22-28:Layout 1 02/07/2009 10:20 Page 24
TOURNAMENT FEATURE www.euroslot-online.com
substitution from other games and to make sure that a
variety of tournament games are utilised to avoid the
same expert players winning every time. There is also
the challenge of choosing the right length of
tournament to encourage repeat play but avoid
boredom,” he says.
This is a problem also highlighted by Josef Öhlinger,
CEO of funworld ag – one of the pioneers of coin-op
tournaments. He claims the most difficult aspects of
organizing tournaments are: “Selecting an interesting
game (e.g. card, quiz or skill game) and taking the
necessary tournament configurations like the length or
level (e.g. long or short-term, national or international)
of a tournament.
“Legal issues also have to be taken into
consideration as well as the best possible rewarding
system (e.g. ranking lists, credits, vouchers, cups). But
the most important thing is that a new tournament
must fit into the overall tournament plan so that it does
not collide with already existing ones,” he adds.
Funworld’s PHOTO PLAY games follow the
philosophy “positive games” which stands for free of
violence, free of gambling and free of pornography, so
the games are allowed in almost all countries
worldwide. “The same is true for the tournaments
which are also allowed without appreciable restrictions
in almost all countries of the world,” says Öhlinger. Legal considerations vary greatly in different In the UK, operator Gamestec’s skills with prizes
Fellow Austrian touchscreen manufacturer TAB European countries and involve the perception of the machines (SWPs) actually fall outside of gaming
laments the attitude of the Italian government toward type of game by the authorities and the type of prize regulations. However the company ensures that all its
tournament play. “In Italy, tournaments are forbidden being offered. Electrocoin’s Kevin Weir found the games comply with the BACTA Code of Practice for
by law, so we currently have to exclude Italian players situation limiting when organising his golf SWP Machines.
from participation in the tournaments. Its real pity, our tournaments. Nick Hardy of Games Warehouse highlights another
SILVERBALL terminals are particularly popular in that “In Europe the situation is very limited, only Ireland, legal aspect of tournaments that is crucial and
country – in the ranking list for the individual games, Sweden and Finland have taken part previously, but sometimes overlooked. “The main legal discipline is
which is constantly updated on our community even Sweden have had to pull out, although players adherence to Data Protection legislation. All tournament
platform CHAMPIONSNET, Italian players are often from all of these countries have taken part in our live UK players have to provide personal information in order to
right at the top. We very much hope that Italy will relax tournaments,” he says. “The game must be pure skill complete registration and our systems must be
its laws in the near future, in order to also give our with the same game being offered to all contestants. vigilantly secured in order to protect the privacy of our
Italian customers the opportunity to take part in our This we have achieved with Incredible Technologies players and the integrity of our events,” he says.
international tournaments,” says Siegfried Dattl jun. Golden Tee and Funworld’s PHOTO PLAY.” “Some of those who aspire to run networked
tournaments believe that is a comparatively easy task.
They are mistaken. It is highly specialist and in our
view there are less than half a dozen coin-op
companies in the world who have the required
capabilities, and only one of those is operating on a
viable basis in the United Kingdom,” he adds.
Persuading the player to take part is another
challenge facing the tournament organiser. “The most
effective advertising in our experience is achieved by
obtaining the buy in of the Retailer and their on site
management team through effective communication.
Staff incentives can also work well as they help
generate strong word of mouth messages to pub
customers,” says Gamestec’s Peter Davis.
“A strong visual game is essential to attract players.
We have also tried point of sale (POS) advertising
including signs and posters, but have found it is
relatively expensive and not as effective as when
licensees and or customers generate a strong word of
mouth message about the tournament.”
Funworld uses every possible form of
communication to get its message across, “We
advertise the tournaments with the PHOTO PLAY
message system, the event calendar, special teaser
promotions or ad champagnes in the dual-mode of
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JULY/AUGUST 2009
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