Transcript Diapositiva 1 - Gaming Standards Association

Download vs. Remote Configuration
What’s the difference?
Russ Ristine – Radical Blue Gaming
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
What are we talking about?
• Server-based gaming
• Server-Assisted gaming
• Dynamic Floor Configuration
• All are either download or configuration
• Central Determination and Internet Gaming are
a different animal
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
What is GSA?
• GSA is an international trade association
• GSA’s members include gaming manufacturers,
suppliers, operators, and regulators
• Since 1998, GSA has been promoting and
facilitating the development of open standards
that benefit the entire gaming industry
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
GSA’s Platinum Members
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
What is G2S?
• G2S = Game To System
GSA
develops
BOB
IGT
develops
SuperSAS
• Protocol definition complete
Agree to
merge
protocols
G2S
is born…
The best
of both!
• Manufacturers are already
demonstrating
interoperability.
• 3rd Party development and
test tools are available
• Certification program in
development
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Who is RadBlue?
• Since 2004, RadBlue has been building tools and
simulators for GSA’s protocols
• Combine Gaming System and Web Services
experience
• EGM manufacturers are using our G2S tools
• System developers use G2S and S2S tools
• RadBlue’s S2S QuickStart package helps server
development teams quickly implement S2S
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Agenda
 Remote Configuration
• Code Download
• Changes to your slot floor network
• Next Steps…
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
General Requirements
• Change the game remotely
• No pennies on the weekend
• Try a new game for a few days/weeks
• New game works well – add more!
• Old game is slowing down – want less!
• Yield management
• What else?
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
What Are We Talking About?
• Code Download – The ability to transfer
software from a content server to an EGM
• Remote Configuration – The ability to remotely
configure the EGM, especially what is presented
to patrons
• GSA’s view is that all EGMs should be controlled
by a single management terminal
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Why Remote Configuration?
• Enable/disable any game stored on the EGM
• Same appearance as Download
• No download related delays – remote
configuration provides immediate changes
• Can change as a result of patron input if
software exists on the EGM
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Remote Configuration
• A configuration workstation is used to remotely
configure an EGM
• Make changes from your desk or via a schedule
(no more trips to every EGM)
• Change one, several, or all G2S EGMs - resulting
in a much more flexible slot floor
• Should have access to most parameters you now
configure via the operator screens in the EGM
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
GSA’s View of Configuration
• GSA’s view is that one management console
works for any EGM via the G2S protocol
• GSA can now configure these items (and more)
• gamePlay devices (theme, paytable, denom)
• Note Acceptors (active notes, vouchers ok?)
• Cabinet (moneyIn, moneyOut, gamePlay OK?)
• Vouchers, Progressives, Bonuses, WAT
• Player Marketing stuff and much more
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Why Remote Configuration?
• Use software that is already on the casino floor
• Many existing machines can be upgraded to be
Remote Configuration capable
• Regulatory approval should be easier
– Remote configuration systems already
approved in some jurisdictions
• With G2S, any EGMs can be configured via
simple commands; full accounting is available
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Limitations of Configuration
• Cannot distribute new software
• Cannot remotely update EGM’s software library
• Cannot remove revoked software from the floor
• Feature changes are confined to the software
already on the EGM
• Cannot upgrade peripheral devices
• Still need a high speed network
However, this is a nice first step!
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Agenda
• Remote Configuration
 Code Download
• Changes to your slot floor network
• Next Steps…
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Moving from Configuration
to Download
• Download moves new software packages to the
gaming floor
• G2S can control which packages are downloaded
or installed, just like configuring an EGM
• Configuration commands are then used to
activate the modules
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Some Download Terms
Package – A blob of code moved to the EGM
Module – A blob which is currently installed
Script – A series of commands used to install
System Management Console – Used to tell the
EGMs what to do
Content Server – The repository for the software
modules
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
The G2S Download Picture
Future S2S communications
SMP
What packages do you have?
System
Management
Point
(owner)
Here’s a package catalog
text
Go
g
Ev
text
text
Subscribe to relevant events
Receive relevant events
Give me (or take)
this package
en
ts
et
&
thi
ow
Ot s p
ne
he ac
rc
r o ka
om
wn ge,
m
er
ac
co t o a n d
s
mm n
an this
d s sc
rip
t
Authorizing
Server(s)
text
Download
Content
text
text
Servers
Standard File
Transfer Protocol
Hdr
Payload
Packages are
transferred via this link.
Can contain command
files that control install
process for stuff in the
package.
1) Grab needed data snapshots
2) Authorize download
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Why Download?
• Download new or updated software to the EGM.
– Remove or replace software due to
operational or regulatory concerns
– Download new games
• Manufacturers may eventually remotely update
the Game Content Server(s)
– New themes become available automatically
for trial or placement on the casino floor
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Why Download?
• Automatic update of EGM peripheral software
– Update note acceptors remotely
– Download new printer templates
• Downloads can occur automatically during slow
periods
– Automatic queuing – no need to shut banks
down for software upgrade
– New programs can be downloaded at night
for later activation
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Why Download?
• Goals for software download
– Provide complete control of the software
content on the floor from a central location
– Know what is in all EGMs on the floor all the
time
– An agile floor configuration that can rapidly
adapt to business changes
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Challenges for Download
• EGMs have differing requirements
• A management system must provide software
coordination between EGMs and the content
server
• Downloaded software must be verified as being
complete and authentic
• Processes need to work for all manufacturers…
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Challenges for Download
• New Solutions are needed
– Content Servers
– System Management Point (SMP)
– Firewalls for remote Content Server update
• Peripheral equipment needs to be upgraded
• Regulatory Approval is not trivial
– Regulations do not exist in some jurisdictions
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
A Word Or Two On GAT
• GAT (Game Authentication Terminal) protocol is
currently being used in several jurisdictions to
validate game code (locally at EGM)
• With the new protocols, regulators could use
GAT remotely to validate game code stored in
EGMs and on Code Servers
A common tool and process to authenticate all programs.
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Agenda
• Remote Configuration
• Code Download
 Changes to your slot floor network
• Next Steps…
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Some of the Myths
• This will be effortless
• Every vendor needs their own server
• They all need their own management console
• Nothing will change (remember TITO?)
• Employees are not capable of change
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Slot Floor Network - Today
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Adding a New Network
FTP
Ethernet
Download
Server
TCP/IP
G2S
EGM
Configuration
Management
Proprietary
Protocol
SAS
SMIB
Slot Floor
Management
Server
[SMIB resides in the
EGM Cabinet ]
(S2S can fix this mess)
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Moving forward…
• First Goal – remotely configure EGMs with G2S
• If only doing configuration, a second connection
to the EGM is needed
• You can start anywhere on the gaming floor –
start with one bank or area
• A wireless network might be used to minimize
infrastructure costs
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
No Traffic Jams…
100 Million bps (initial floor
communication speed)
8 Million bps (Hi speed DSL)
19 thousand bps (current floors (SAS))
.
Network Backbone = 1 Billion bps
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
No Traffic Jams
• New Network infrastructure
– 1 Gbps backbone
– 100 Mbps to every EGM
• Staff transitions from slot mechanics to network
configuration and management
• Slots + IT = Success
• Don’t go cheap - like a computer, your network
can’t be too fast
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Historic Approach to Adding
Functionality
Slot Floor System
Vouchers
Bonusing
Player Media Server
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
G2S (Web Services)
Approach
Progressive
System
Bonus
System
Player
Tracking
System
Cashless
Wagering
System
EGM Configuration
Application
Accounting
System
G2S
Ethernet
G2S
SAS
SMIB
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
G2S Promotes Innovation
• Any authorized server can directly access any
EGM’s data
• Servers are authorized by the System
Administrator
• Each EGM has a registered host list
• All communications use SSL – same as for
business transactions on the Internet
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
G2S Promotes Innovation
• G2S allows any authorized server that speaks
the protocol to participate in the slot network
• Event and Meter subscriptions allow a host to
subscribe to specific information
• Operators can “try out” new products to see if
they like them
• Products can compete using the same data –
e.g. two data mining packages can be connected
to the network at the same time.
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Why Push for G2S?
• Capabilities such as EGM configuration and
Download become available
• Better access to the data on the floor
• SSL encryption on all communications from the
EGM to the back of house severs
• More flexible back of house configuration –
modular system blocks that can be swapped in
and out
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Slot Analysis Benefit
• Which themes / paytables are most popular?
• Which denominations are most popular when?
• Make changes remotely, then use this data for
impact analysis
• gamePlay device meters include all performance
meters by theme/paytable combination
• Class meters accumulate the totals for the EGM
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Agenda
• Remote Configuration
• Code Download
• Changes to your slot floor network
 Next Steps…
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Current Realities
• Multiple vendors demonstrate interoperability at
G2E 2006 and ICE – changing theme and
denomination on a schedule using G2S
• Another demonstrates Configuration - changing
language, sound volumes, denominations, and
game themes via a central GUI
• Labs are gearing up to certify G2S
• Most EGM and system vendors are now pushing
towards G2S
• G2E 2007 – Expect extensive adoption
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
What can you do?
• Conduct strategic planning sessions
• Start planning for new casino floor infrastructure
• Have a party for Slots + IT + Marketing
• Figure out how to offer new features before your
competitors
• Plan to minimize disruptions on your floor while
adding this new capabilities
• Department disruption will be greater than TITO
• JOIN GSA, get involved.
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
An Easier Strategy
• Do nothing
• Go to trade shows once or twice a year – make
sure there are plenty of parties and golf outings
• Read an occasional trade magazine
• Act surprised when your customers start going
to other properties
• React violently without advance planning
• Good News – you still have about 2 more years

CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration
Questions
WWW.GAMINGSTANDARDS.COM
CasinoFest3: Download vs. Configuration