The start-up algorithm is the list of commands that get sent when RGS receives a commsOnline command from an EGM to initiate G2S communications. The list of commands is automatically filtered by the devices present in the EGM’s descriptorList. In the standard RGS, you can include or exclude G2S commands in the fixed start-up algorithm list, which is useful if your EGM doesn’t support one or more of the commands in the list, but you cannot reorder any of the commands or change any settings within any of the commands.

In the Tester Toolkit, the Start-up Algorithm editor is enhanced to provide you with complete control over the order of commands and their contents, to customize the algorithm as needed to simulate any host.You can also save a copy of the modified algorithm, making it easy to switch between different versions to meet various test environments.

Why would you need that much flexibility, you ask? Let’s take a look.

Whether you are an EGM developer coding against a particular host, a tester trying to improve integration with a specific vendor or trying to troubleshoot an issue in the field, being able to recreate the start-up algorithm accurately can save countless hours in tracking down issues. In any case, the process efficiencies and product improvements spell big savings.

If you are pre-testing EGMs before moving them to the slot floor, not only can you find issues before they happen in a live environment, you’ll have the information you need to better communicate issues back to the vendor. This means faster issue resolution and easier installs.

Creating custom algorithms in RGS is easy with a simple drag-and-drop interface.

Once you’ve created a custom algorithm, just make it the active RGS start-up algorithm and start communications with the EGM. You can choose to run the algorithm to the end or to step through the algorithm, which lets you choose when to send each command or to skip commands altogether.

For more information on the Tester Toolkit, head over to the RGS product page. If you’d like to try it out, just let us know.

The CVT is a test tool that allows you to quickly determine whether your gaming products meet a basic standard for G2S implementation.

What does this mean for you?

It means ensured interoperability. It means a cost-effective way to quickly get products to the slot floor. It means a definitive method to assess that your products meet G2S protocols. It means confidence in your G2S gaming products.

The goal of this first CVT Demo release is to show the overall design and flow of the CVT’s user interface. At this point in the project, we are soliciting your feedback to help us make the tool as useful and easy-to-use as possible. If you are interested in test driving the CVT, simply download and run the installer (32-bit or 64-bit).

In this release, you can set up and run tests using canned data, work with test case profiles, view test results and export test session data – in essence, you can try most everything in the CVT without connecting to an actual G2S EGM.

If you would like to know more about the CVT, visit the CVT product page.

For technical details, go to the CVT Development Portal.

or

Download any of the following to get started:

Installer  |  Release Notes  | Getting Started  |  Questions to Consider

As more and more casinos transition to G2S solutions, the paths they travel to get there are as individual as the casinos themselves. Some, for example, convert a single bank of machines to G2S. This allows the property to test new features, work out the kinks and bring the staff up to speed before converting more EGMs. Others, especially new casinos, jump in with both feet and run a high-speed network across their entire slot floor, making it easy to add a G2S game anywhere on the floor. Most existing casinos fall somewhere in the middle, depending on their individual needs and resources.

Because G2S was envisioned as a multi-host environment, casinos don’t need to put all their faith (and budget) into a single, monolithic system. Small host applications – whether player tracking, game configuration, multimedia or promotions – can augment existing systems with new G2S features. The new data, features and capablities unlocked by the G2S protocol can add efficiency and value without the huge overhead. And, because G2S isn’t all or nothing, solutions can be rolled out at a pace that best suits the casino.

The path you choose with G2S really is your own – and there are many more directions to take than simply right or left (personally, we like going off-road). Where do you think your road to G2S will take you?

http://cemaudioedge.com/episode/tech-check-russ-ristine

Get your questions ready! The phones will be open for you to call in and test Russ’s knowledge of all things G2S. So don’t miss this opportunity to chat with Russ in what will surely be a lively discussion on the present and future of gaming technology.

Can’t make the live show? An archived version will be made available so you can listen at your leisure.

- Russ Ristine, G2S: How to Get There from Here

In this month’s Casino Enterprise Management magazine, Russ discusses the current state of G2S and how casinos can transition their current gaming floors to open, high-speed networks.

OK. I know how busy you are. So here’s the Cliff Notes version (which is not nearly as interesting or informative as the actual article that, did I mention, is here and only takes a few minutes to read, should you find the time).

Right now, your gaming floor network probably looks something like this . . .

(You can read about the pros and cons of proprietary gaming floors here.)

Here’s one solution for transitioning to an open, high-speed network . . .

Note that your first step into the world of the open, high-speed networked gaming floors does not have to be the transition of your entire floor – convert a single area or bank of machines with an eye toward transitioning the rest of your floor as it makes sense to do so.

This step is important because it is when you make decisions that will impact your floor for years to come – and you will have lots of decisions to make. Remember, you want your floor to be extensible and to be able to support standard third-party applications as new features are developed. For these reasons, your EGMs must be able communicate with at least six hosts (to accommodate a download server, regulatory server, marketing server, slot performance server and a couple for future innovations).

Once you have the basic network structure in place, you can start adding application servers to bring new features quickly and easily to your floor . . .

And, viola! As your G2S network matures and your team becomes comfortable with the new environment, you’ll be ready to expand the network across your gaming floor when the time comes.

Supports standard Internet technologies

Since G2S uses standard Internet transports and security, any technologies that have been created for the Internet will find a home on your G2S gaming floor. Not just the ones that are approved by your proprietary system provider, but any technologies you find relevant. (Of course, you’ll need to have adequate bandwidth, so don’t be cheap when installing your floor network.)

Lets you easily add new server functions to your G2S network

As long as your EGMs can accommodate multiple G2S hosts (early ones may be challenged with this, but soon it will be the standard practice), you’ll be able to get anyone to build a new application for your floor that takes advantage of the incredible power of G2S. Tournament servers that work with any games, bonusing systems that you design, progressive systems that work in-property (or across your enterprise) – all are possible with G2S.

Lets you add Internet functions to the mix

Folks in their 30s aren’t really enamored with the traditional slot machine – after all, they’re totally into multi-tasking (simultaneously carrying on multiple texting or IM sessions, while participating in multi-player gaming experiences on the web). While you probably don’t need to host texting (after all, anyone who wants a texting device already has a phone), it might be nice to let interested players know which of their “friends” are currently playing in the casino. An interactive PUI with a bit of web technology makes this all possible. And while you’re at it, how about an interactive multi-player gaming environment? I’m sure you can make it more compelling and engaging that sitting at home (or in a coffee shop) interacting with a PC, or a MAC, or a Smartphone.

The new Player User Interface (PUI)

So, G2S is out the door. Most EGM and System vendors are hard at work building G2S 1.0.3 implementations for their devices, and the GSA technical committees are working hard at finishing up the certification programs (essentially the final exam to make sure you’ve implemented G2S correctly).  Next step – standardizing the Player User Interface – you know that window that slides in from the side of the EGM screen when requested by the player that will soon replace the 3”x6” state of the art display that was all the rage 5 years ago?

A group of operators joined GSA and took over GSA’s Operator Advisory Committee and, during the last year, they’ve come up with over two dozen Use Cases for this new display, including hotel and restaurant reservations, interactions with online gaming sites, requests to hosts, gaming tutorials, etc. Once your new network is in place, layering on new applications that allow you to interact with your players will be effortless – as long as you don’t have to deal with the hurdles of a proprietary network.

These are just the leading benefits. As G2S development matures, there will no doubt be many more benefits from the G2S-based products to come.

Networked Gaming

Networked Gaming (n.): Open-standard gaming protocols, running over an Ethernet connection, that facilitate standardized communication between EGMs, servers and peripheral devices.

Some may take exception with that definition. I was reading an article the other day that claimed networked gaming had been around for the last 15 years. To which I responded with a resounding: “Er?” As it turns out, the article was referring to central determination (Class II) gaming.

Strictly speaking, all central determination systems are networked. And, as a point of fact, most central determination systems are now run over an Ethernet network. But it’s not really a good example of what’s happening with the open standard, high-speed technology effort that will push gaming technology into the future because it only has one piece of the equation: Ethernet. Here’s an example:

Using an Ethernet network, company A communicates really effectively between company A’s EGMs and servers.

That’s great, but . . .

Using an Ethernet network and open standards, company A now communicates really effectively between the EGMs and servers for companies A (your slot system), B (your player management system), C (your cool bonusing applications) and D (your totally amazing augmented reality games). Now, you’ve got technology – regardless of the vendor – that you can easily leverage across your entire slot floor.

What matters in this scenario are things like innovation, quality, ROI and vendor responsiveness because interoperability, extensibility and flexibility are already there.

Open Standards

Open Standards (n.): A technical standard that gifts rights of use to the public and can be implemented royalty free. There are three open standards for the gaming technology industry: the Gaming Device Standard (GDS), Game To System (G2S) protocol and System To System (S2S) protocol. All three standards are maintained by the Gaming Standards Association (GSA), which has a membership comprised of gaming vendors, operators, test laboratories and regulators.

What’s the catch? While using an open standard is one thing, implementing an open standard is quite another. Since the goal of open standards is interoperability, GSA has quite sensibly set up a certification program for vendors implementing GSA standards. Certification ensures that whatever the technology is, it will play nice with what’s on your floor. Independent test labs, such as BMM, GLI and Eclipse, are already participating in the certification program. Manufacturers can even set up their own test labs, as long as the labs are accredited.

Server-Based Gaming

Server-Based Gaming (n.): 1. EGMs that receive information from a central host server. There are two basic types of server-based gaming:

1. system-based: EGMs receive game content and results from a host server (for example, central determination games).
2. system-supported: EGM is responsible for game play and outcomes, but things like game configuration, game updates and media are downloaded from a host server.

Depending on the implementation, server-based gaming may or may not require an Ethernet connection, and may or may not use open standards.

Go forth, knowledgeable consumer

So, what questions should you be asking vendors as you navigate the latest technology offerings at G2E this year?

Does the product conform to one of the Gaming Standards Association’s open standard protocols? Is it GSA-certified? If not, is there a timeline for certification?

You will hear many arguments as to why you shouldn’t worry you’re pretty little head about open standards, but remember: the real difference between proprietary protocols and open protocols is choice, flexibility and innovation.

Open standards are essential to realizing the full benefits of an Ethernet-based networked slot floor (and, in case you were wondering, the G2S protocol includes a class for central determination as well as download). And in all honesty, some vendors may not want you to really understand your options (Do you blame them?). It’s up to you to be an informed consumer.

What other questions do you have about networked gaming? What issues are you encountering as you talk to your vendors about implementing open standards in their technology?