Why use GSA Message Validator? 

To quickly see if an XML message is valid according to the GSA specifications.

Where do I find the GSA Message Validator?

On the Tools menu. Select the GSA Message Validator option or press F4 to bring up the window.

A Screen Review

GSA Schema Selector: Choose which version of the GSA schema the validator will use when checking the XML text snippet.

Format Content: Make the XML more readable while working in the GSA Message Validator.

XML Message Window: Paste or type the XML text being validated into this window. You can edit it right on the screen.

Validate Button: Press the Validate button to determine if the text is compliant.

Validation Results Window: Review the validation message information in this window to determine why a message has been deemed Not Valid.

Cheers!

G2S

G2S 1.1 is now available
G2S 1.1 is the final version of G2S 1.0.3 and is the one against which your products will be certified. This version came about because the committee had been doing clarifications and enhancements for the new G2S 2.x versions (2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.3, etc.), and it became a bit confusing as to the correct behavior to implement. G2S 1.1 contains all of G2S 1.0.3 plus all of the clarifications from G2S 2.x. It was released in early March along with certification documents, and it will not be changing.

You can read more about G2S 1.1 and certification here:

• G2S 1.1 Protocol document and schema package
• G2S Technical Bulletin (additional clarifications to G2S 1.1)
• G2S 1.1 Certification Requirements

The next version of G2S will be G2S 2.1
G2S 2.1, currently being developed in committee, is due out toward the end of the year. This version will extend G2S 1.1, by adding functionality that satisfies a series of requests from GSA’s Operator Advisory Committee (OAC). The committee is also hoping to add Employee and Tournament classes to this version.

S2S

In the S2S world, S2S 1.5.1 has recently been released, which should make it much easier to build a site controller that receives G2S commands from EGMs and then sends them to a central system using S2S. The plan is to continue driving towards a complete rewrite of the protocol as follows:

• S2S 1.6 – addresses the OAC requests: download (SSMP-334), SDDP (443), new GAT class (447) and player class updates
• S2S 1.7 – redo the table games classes
• S2S 1.8 – redo the classes that overlap with G2S (voucher, wat, bonus, etc.)

Few would argue that the slot floor of the future will rely heavily on Game-to-System (G2S) and System-to-System (S2S) protocols to provide the immersive experiences desired by a new generation of computer- and social network-savvy players. Radical Blue Gaming plans to be at the nexus of this transformation with an array of critical tools for the development, testing and maintenance of tomorrow’s gaming floors. 

The company’s stable of products includes RadBlue System Tester, RadBlue G2S Scope and RadBlue S2S Simulator, which help game developers understand and implement Gaming Standard Association protocols, and devices such as RadBlue Protocol Analyzer and RadBlue Analysis Suite, which test and harden new applications to make them ready for real-world use. 

“What we offer our customers is expertise and efficiency that saves them money by helping them accomplish their goals with an eye toward future innovation,” co-founder Russ Ristine says. “Whether it’s helping to improve a G2S implementation with our test tools, helping a manufacturer or casino troubleshoot their G2S floor in real-time with RPA, or advising casinos on the most efficient way to move to an open-standard, high-speed slot floor, our goal is to give our customers the tools they need to succeed in the world of next-generation gaming.”

The word is spreading too. RadBlue products are now used by such leading manufacturers as IGT, Aristocrat, Bally and WMS. Operator clients include no less than Isle of Capri Casinos,
Kerzner International and Lotto-Quebec.

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?

The RadBlue Blog

First, the new RadBlue blog will feature insights and discussions from RadBlue experts as well as leaders in the world of networked gaming. It will address technical topics as well as forward-looking issues related to the real-world possibilities of this technology. We hope to inform as well as provoke discussion about the incredible potential – and yes, possible pitfalls, of networked gaming.

Networked Gaming Resources

Our Networked Gaming Resources page provides quality information that is of interest to the gaming technology community. For those of you who are new to networked gaming, the Networked Gaming Resources page contains articles, presentations and diagrams to help you get a handle on this new technology. If you’re simply looking for a place to find the latest news and discussions on networked gaming from around the Web, we’ve got that too. We’ll be updating this page with new information and resources, so check back often.

Our goal is to create dynamic spaces where the gaming technology community – whether vendor, operator or test lab - can find quality, thoughtful networked gaming information from a wide array of sources. With that in mind, we hope you’ll participate: ask questions, voice your opinions and suggest topics of discussion. Subscribe to our RSS feed. Send us an email. Leave comments. We look forward to hearing from you.

Here is where you put your test content. Right here!

• Test 1
• Test 2

Here is where you put your test content. Right here!

• Test 1
• Test 2