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Introducing G2S: GSA’s Game to System Protocol Russ Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming

Introducing G2S: GSA’s Game to System Protocol Russ Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming . What’s happening on casino floors?. Today’s Buzz - Game Download and Configuration Current floor technology is not adequate! Should you just pull more networks? Great Security Throughput argument

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Introducing G2S: GSA’s Game to System Protocol Russ Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming

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  1. Introducing G2S:GSA’s Game to System ProtocolRuss Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming

  2. What’s happening on casino floors? • Today’s Buzz - Game Download and Configuration • Current floor technology is not adequate! • Should you just pull more networks? • Great Security • Throughput argument • I need this new feature right away; but what about the next one??? • Goals • Don’t be left behind • Hope to minimize change • Hope to minimize costs CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  3. What Is G2S? • The gaming industry’s protocol for networked casino floors (Games to Servers) • Based on current, proven technology standards: XML, SOAP, Web Services, etc. • Messaging accomplishes everything from SAS + whatever else we could think of • Consists of three independent components: • G2S Message Standards (The contents of the messages) • Standards for Transport (XML over TCP/IP using SOAP) • Standards for Security (SSL - just like the Internet) CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  4. A Bit of History • Efforts towards a single Game to System protocol started in 1998 (Gamma C-Link) • XML / Web services model introduced in 2002 • Formal Standards (BOB) were released in 2004 • BOB Simulators were built in 2004 • IGT - Concurrent solution using SuperSAS • Goal - network based SAS protocol • Deploy new game features without delay • Reduce implementation problems • 2005 - IGT joins GSA - protocols are merged CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  5. The Merging of Two Protocols • IGT creates SuperSAS, GSA develops BOB • September 2005 - IGT rejoins GSA • IGT and GSA agree to merge their two protocols • Result is Best of Both = Game To System (G2S) • Seven months of Analysis and Design is complete • Protocol documents and schemas are finished • 3rd Party Development Tools are underway • Certification Program is being developed CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  6. Here is what is on the gaming floor today... [Looks like hex to me…] CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  7. Host Request <getMeterInfo> <getDeviceMeters deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor" deviceId = "1” /> </getMeterInfo> EGM Response <meterInfo meterSubType = "G2S_onDemand" meterDateTime = "2004-03-07T15:20:27” > <deviceMeters deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor" deviceId = "1" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyInAmt" meterValue = ”14000" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyInCnt" meterValue = "14" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropAmt" meterValue = ”14000" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropCnt" meterValue = "14" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_dropDoorOpenCnt" meterValue = "2" /> </meterInfo> A G2S Meter Request [A little easier to understand] CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  8. Companies involved in G2S development • Aristocrat • Atronic • Bally Technologies • IGT • Konami Gaming • Multimedia Gaming • Radical Blue Gaming • Rocket Gaming Systems • Seminole Tribe of Florida • WMS CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  9. Why do we need a new protocol? • Current protocols are fine for EGM to SMIB communications • Challenge is expanding beyond current model • EGM Configuration and Code download are coming • Can expand by adding additional wiring to your floor • New features must work with your existing system • It would be nice if all games and systems spoke the same language in this new world CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  10. Vouchers Bonusing Player Media Server Historic Approach to Adding Functionality Slot Floor System CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  11. Challenges of the Historic Model • New wiring infrastructure for each new feature • Lots of new gear needed between host and EGM • How many network ports does each EGM have? • Often new features don’t integrate with existing slot accounting system • Challenges with getting everything working together • Adding a new feature is like building a solution from scratch CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  12. Config Server Code Download Vouchers G2S (Web Services) Approach Slot Floor System Media Server Player Bonuses CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  13. Advantages of the G2S model • To implement a new feature • Plug in new server • Configure a group of EGMs • Try out the new feature • Get rid of it if you hate it • G2S is designed so every functional group could be owned by a separate server • G2S Protocol already accommodates new features • Configuration • A rich Accounting Model • All Messaging required to implement the feature CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  14. How fast is fast? Network Backbone = 1 Billion bps CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  15. Changes you’ll need to make • New Network infrastructure • 1 Gbps backbone • 100 Mbps to every EGM • Staff must transition from slot machine mechanics to network configuration and management • Slots + IT = Success • Don’t go cheap - like a computer, your network can’t be too fast • Can implement gradually, but your slot floor management system must get on board soon... CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  16. Benefits of a Standard Network • Off the shelf network hardware • Off the shelf network management software • Off the shelf security solutions • Internet technology on your casino floor • Load Balancers • Expertise (design, deployment, tuning) • Can easily add new features CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  17. Inside G2S: GSA’s Game to System Protocol

  18. The Core G2S Classes • Communication • Web services and multicast • New EGM says “Hi” to the hosts it knows • Cabinet • Owner Host can enable / disable play at an EGM • Reporting of cabinet door events • Event Handler • Any Host can subscribe to the events they need • Events can include associated data • All managed by subscriptions - one set per host CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  19. More Core Classes • Meters • Each host can request any meters + gets 2 subscriptions • Complete meter support for all of G2S features • Meters by Device and by Class • Game Play • Manage active games within EGM • See game play details (via event or log) on any system • Metering by device • Device = Theme + Paytable + one or more denominations CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  20. G2S Administrative Classes • Code download • Manage what code is on which EGM • Download new code / code updates for EGM or devices • Also allows Uploads of game logs, debug logs, etc. • Communication configuration - EGM communication (valid hosts and who owns what) • Option configuration - Configure EGM options and settings • Device configuration - Manage EGM functional resources CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  21. G2S Application Classes • Currency device classes - manage currency devices • Coin Acceptor - Which coins are currently accepted? • Note Acceptor - Accepted Notes; logs; events • Hopper - enable / disable; events • Note Dispenser - Dispensed Notes, logs; events • Printer class - manage printer, download templates • Handpay class - process hand paid wins and key offs CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  22. G2S Application Classes • Id reader class - magcards, RFID, SmartCards, etc. • Player class - the player tracking stuff customers love • Progressive class - run progressives over the network • Track Coin IN by Progressive Server • Bonus class - (roll your own bonuses) • Support for multiple Bonus Servers CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  23. G2S Application Classes • Voucher class • Support for ticket in / ticket out • WAT class - Wagering Account Transfers • GAT class - authenticate code running in EGM & devices • Central Determination - the world of Class II gaming CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  24. The first hour of a new EGM • Discovers Communications Configuration Server • Updated with Host info for that property • Receives Security certificates for that property • Discovers Option Configuration Server • Game and peripheral device configurations are updated • commsOnline message to all other hosts • Hosts ask EGM for supported features (classes) • Hosts discover which features they own • Hosts do command and control setup • Hosts grab meter snapshots; set subscriptions CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  25. The first hour (continued) • EGM gets voucher and player configuration information from hosts • Hosts indicate which features are enabled at the property • Game Play begins • EGM notifies hosts of events and meter updates as per subscriptions CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  26. Adding a new Feature to your casino • While travelling, you discover a new feature at a property • You meet with the vendor and sign up for a trial • Vendor brings in new server; joins your network • Casino extends configuration to include new server • EGMs in the test group are configured • EGMs initiate communication with new server • Try the new feature for 30 days • If you like it, you pay. If not, vendor removes server CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  27. Innovation! • With the web services model and standard protocols, anyone with web services expertise can get into the space • The compelling features of today (config and download) will be interesting history in 5 years CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  28. GSA Certification

  29. GSA Certification • GSA compliance – independent testing by 3rd party lab using GSA certified tools and pre-defined test scripts • If both devices are certified, they should work together the first time they are connected • All parties benefit through • Improved speed to market for products • Products work together when they show up on your floor • Plug and Play (easier installs, reduced service calls) CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  30. Testing Centers • Interoperability Centers will be available for manufacturers • Test Authority (Open Group) will certify Test Suites and Testing Agencies • Test Suites will be commercially available to anyone • Like UL testing, GSA testing can be done in any certified Test Agency • Test Labs • Casinos • Manufacturers • Update on latest efforts… CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  31. New Solutions for Old Problems

  32. Bonus Programs Now - Replace existing server with a new system In-house Player Promotion Now - No access to the data stream from the EGMs or SMIBs - need to get vendor to extend their software New - Bring in a new server and try the new features with your players New - Contract with third party, or innovate in-house; configure a test group of games and try it out. New Player Features CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  33. Try out a new game Now • Bring in a new model on trial • Meter readings to see which games players prefer • Buy more if they seem popular; if short term attraction, then you have “extra” EGMs New • Install new code on a few compatible EGMs • Yield Management - periodic meter reports to determine success • Expand to additional EGMs as desired CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  34. Detailed Game Performance Info Now • Most systems do cabinet level performance numbers • To get performance breakdowns for each game in cabinet - must manually read the game meters New • G2S has detailed performance information for every game in the cabinet • If existing system won’t extend, can buy (or build) a performance analysis system that gives all detail CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  35. New Note, bug in code, etc. Now • Someone goes to every EGM to install new code • Configuration changes are tracked manually, implemented on every EGM New • New note - download new code via G2S, validated by EGM, passes to Note Acceptor via GDS • Configuration change - make the change in the configuration server, automatically pushed to every EGM CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  36. A Word or two on GAT • GAT (Game Authentication Terminal) protocol is currently being used in several jurisdictions to validate game code • With New protocols, regulators are hoping to use GAT to validate game code stored in EGMs and on Code Servers • This methodology will dramatically speed acceptance of code download CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  37. Finishing Up

  38. Benefits of G2S • EGMs will be able to talk to multiple servers • More accurate info is available from every game • Option and Code changes can be made in one place, automatically distributed to all EGMs • Much more efficient casino slot operations • Much better use of resources • Try before you buy • Many new innovators will be able to enter this space CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  39. When can I get G2S? • G2S 1.0 Protocol is complete • Many GSA member companies are now figuring out how to get this new technology into their products • Third party development tools are in progress • Certification program definition is in progress • Start your strategic planning now • Start thinking about network infrastructure • [Start bugging your slot floor management provider] • Exciting times are ahead! CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

  40. For on-going questions or inquires on protocols, please contact info@gamingstandards.com This presentation is available on GSA’s Website: www.gamingstandards.com The Ending Note [Now is the perfect time for questions or comments] CasinoFest 2 San Diego 2006

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