ICE PICKS
back in a world of springs and clockwork gears. Walking past some of the hardware and component manufacturers makes me sad; seeing a slot machine stripped down to its basic parts is like watching some animated Disney film where they find an old robot in the back of a garage that barely works anymore and just wants to be loved. Remove all the flashing lights and sexy cabinet fittings and you’re just left with these naked reels and hoppers all looking sad and lonely. When no one is looking I push a couple of them together in the hope of sparking lasting companionship or even romance. You never know…
“We speak fish.”
Interactive’s stand eyeing up the plate-sized cookies. The staff there are all very busy presenting the “NFC- powered Game Solutions and the new HomeSmartPlay family of solutions which gives players access to an extensive sporting catalogue via their remote control, and allows them to engage in betting by way of iTV, Peer-to-Peer Gaming, Group Play and many more.” They are also showcasing the company’s latest propositions, presenting Lottery TV, an “innovative product that aims to enhance player experience with new media-rich games, bridging gaming and entertainment, and aid lotteries increase revenues by attracting new players.” I’m wondering if
IT MEANS PEASANT Argentinian slots developers, Leander Games,
they are all distracted enough for me to run in, grab a giant cookie and get out again, but then remember the 15kg of brochures I’ve got hanging round my neck. Damn gravity/inertia/momentum/paper.
ICE is a strange paradox, with the latest software whizzing through 3D monitors sitting slap-bang next to the bare hardware that drives the industry, reminding us all that we all started not that long ago
featured in Casino International Online a few issues back with a story about its Megadeath game. So pleased with this feature was CEO Ramiro Atucha that he gives me a Gaucho’s knife as a gift. Yes, a knife… a really bloody sharp knife! Luckily I’ve only got to use the London Underground to get home, but if anyone from overseas receives one of these (frankly deadly) knifes as a gift they can expect ‘interesting times’ once they hit the security gates at Heathrow (and I seriously advise against using the words “Megadeath” or “slot” when detained for questioning). It’s the first time an adult has ever given me a knife, and is easily the best thing that’s happened to me so far in 2012. I just wish I’d had this 11cm bad boy back at the cloakroom queue this morning. One flash of Argentinian metal (1070 carbon steel with nickel silver boarders, 3mm thick, finished in ebony, BTW) and I have a feeling I could have cut down my waiting time considerably (and literally). Incidentally, as I leave Earls Court there is still a massive queue. I bet ExCeL will ruin my plans by having a really efficient cloak room. Damn them.
EPILOGUE NOT a squeezy toy.
My bag is so heavy and I carry it for so long that when I undress for bed at the end of the day I notice that all the hair has been removed from my right shoulder. I’m not suggesting it’ll catch on immediately, but if women even get truly sick of waxing and exfoliating they might want to consider carrying heavy bags around Earls Court on their shins for six hours at a time as an alternative. Oh, and that was ICE 2012. See you next year!
MARCH 2012 65
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