Technological Aspects 

What are the fundamental ingredients that make up a server-based games’ solution in terms of the hardware and software requirements?

 “Server based gaming technology needs to be based on the same technology as used in the IT industry. This incorporates PC-based terminals, high speed networks, using TCP/IP as the network protocol. Ideally, the technology should be an IT infrastructure on which gaming applications are being run, probably using a Windows or LINUX environment.”

What level of infrastructure does an operator need to consider server-based gaming as a viable option?

"Typically, a high speed Ethernet or Wide Area network supporting TCP/IP protocols with the same level of redundancy found in today’s high speed networks."

What type of solution should operators be sourcing, an off-the-shelf complete solution from an external provider or a composite solution from many providers with an in-house technical team?

 “Operators should look at solutions that are based as far as possible on standard IT network technologies, hardware and databases. This will allow them flexibility in how the technology is going to delivered, and just as important as to how it is supported and maintained by the casino. At the gaming terminal level, this model needs flexibility. Even if the gaming terminals were based on PC technology the need to ‘harden’ them for gaming regulations would render them unique and would therefore they need to be developed and supplied by a licensed gaming machine manufacture.”

And should the solution come from a ‘gaming’ company rather than an outside technology provider?

See above

Will each solution share the same fundamental characteristics, protocols, hardware configurations, etc. to allow games from any source to be downloaded, or will games have to be specifically coded for each and every system on the market?

“DLS will use the G2S protocol to connect to gaming machines. These games will still be specifically coded for that particular gaming machine. SBG uses its own compact protocol. Games are ported onto the standard hardware using a SDK or GDK. Provided the content developer has developed the game to run in a Windows environment then it should be able to port it to the SBG technology.

The fundamental network infrastructure is shared by both DLS and SBG, but that’s where the similarity ends. DLS will use a specific protocol G2S and is constrained by its development and games will have to be specifically coded for the manufacturer’s platform.

SBG uses standard industry based XML protocols and is not constrained by the need for an industry-agreed protocol. The game behavior is abstracted from the platform meaning any vendor’s games can run in the environment.”

What are the technical challenges to creating downloadable networks, both locally and remotely – and have all these technological requirements been met?

“The biggest technology challenge for DLS is the definition of the communication protocol and the way that it can be implemented. Coupled with this is the development of the server functionality that allows the gaming machine to be re-configured or updated. The GSA has now published its G2S and S2S protocols and the Industry is poised to look at what work is required to implement these protocols and that all manufactures machines are compatible with it.

SBG technology is available and is already deployed in areas such as the CzechRepublic. The biggest issue with SBG is to modify the technology so that it is compatible with the current casino management systems and the casinos have a seamless way to deal with the gaming technologies.”

How does an operator differentiate their location from competitors in a downloadable environment?

“There will still be a myriad of ways that operators can differentiate their offering to players. Even if two venues run the same IT environment it does not mean that they have to run the same content or even present that content in the same way. As an example, one venue might view itself as very much a tourist venue and will want to emphasize fun and a holiday ambience. The second venue might see itself as a local venue and will want to deploy content that has mathematical ‘depth’. Either venue could deploy all content, tourist and local. They choose to differentiate simply in the way they present what is available.”