Providing a new channel for game developers to monetize content in the highly regulated casino gaming marketplace, GameCo Inc., creator of the world’s first Video Game Gambling Machine (VGM), announced today that it is offering its proprietary and patented video platform to select developers for game development. Engineered by GameCo, the company’s patented arcade-style VGM platform showcases 15-60 second single-player video games adapted from top console, PC, and mobile games that allow a player’s skill to determine the payout and winnings, while maintaining the same casino-based economics as slot machines. The VGM also handles all aspects of player interaction, device peripherals, casino accounting, and interface with the actual video games.
GameCo’s proprietary skill-based gambling platform is approved by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), the industry’s leading testing and compliance certification agency, under the GLI-11 v 2.1 standard, providing a clear path to market in most jurisdictions that currently operate electronic poker or blackjack machines. GameCo will provide its Application Programming Interface (API) with full documentation and technical specifications, testing tools and content guidelines as well as hands-on content development support to all approved developers. GameCo’s API utilizes TCP-IP for communication between the platform and the games that simplifies integration and ensures the integrity of the gambling experience. Creators of Unity and C++ based projects can apply by emailing developers@gameco.com.
“Opening up our proprietary Video Game Gambling Platform to select world-class game developers, allows us to offer a new way to create value for their games and further expand the visibility of their game titles,” said Blaine Graboyes, co-founder and CEO of GameCo, in noting the benefit to third-party developers. “For game developers, entering the highly regulated casino gaming marketplace is very challenging as there are complex compliance and licensing requirements, putting the lucrative casino gaming entertainment market out of the reach for many developers aspiring to create games for the casino floor. Developers can leverage our proprietary VGM platform, to gain access to a new channel through which they can introduce, market and monetize their games on the casino floor without bearing the expense of hardware design or manufacturing and logistical complexity and costs associated with casino gaming regulations. We’re looking forward to working with the many creative game developers in the marketplace to support their efforts to bring their exciting and engaging content to life in a skill-based casino gaming game.”
A number of game developers have already created or are currently working on games built on the VGM platform. Pursuant to a recent license agreement, GameCo is a licensee for Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.’s SoulCalibur II, and the two companies are jointly developing a skill-based gambling video game adapted from this extremely popular fighting title. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. is currently developing the game directly for GameCo’s VGM platform. Other game development studios working with the VGM platform include: Human Head Studios/Nine Realms Inc. (Danger Arena and the currently in development Terminator 2: Judgment Day game); Pirates Gold Studios (a Match 3 puzzle game, Pharaoh’s Secret Temple and the in development Poseidon’s Deep Sea Saga bubble shooter and “Cosmic Candy Heist” matching game); Free Range Games (Nothin’ but Net, basketball game); Absolutist (Twisted Worlds, hidden object game currently in development); and, Xix Interactive LLC (Steve Aoki’s Neon Dream, an infinite runner game).
Graboyes added, “In addition to the value we are providing game developers, enabling third-party development on our platform also offers significant benefits to casino operators. Similar to the huge industry development around app stores, sourcing creativity and ideas from an open market will bring some of the world’s most creative and entertaining skill-based entertainment to the casino floor and enable casino operators to offer their patrons unique and engaging gaming options. As skill-based slot machine technology emerges as the next generation of casino gaming, a more diverse portfolio of games will help attract new players and generate incremental casino revenue.”
GameCo has been issued U.S. Patent No. 9,530,282 for a “Video Game Gaming System,” which covers the system and method by which the VGM balances player skill while guaranteeing the Return To Player (RTP) and hold for the casino. The key claims of the patent are for a computer-implemented method of adapting games of skill into a gaming machine which combines the use of a random number generator, an input device (such as a controller, joystick, or touchscreen), and game design defining the maximum potential payout for each game.
GameCo changed history in November 2016 when it became the first skill-based gaming company in the world to debut its video game gambling machine on casino floors in Atlantic City. Since then, the company has moved into its second gaming jurisdiction in the U.S. by deploying VGMs at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, and plans to be operational in most major U.S. gambling jurisdictions by the end of 2017. In addition to these activations, GameCo is actively pursuing international opportunities across the world including in Europe, South America, and Asia.
