1. Gaming Standards Association
Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
The Year of Implementation and Value CreationApril 29, 2004
G2S – Game To System
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

2. 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
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

3. Gaming Standards Association
The Year of Implementation and Value CreationApril 29, 2004
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)
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

4. Game To System (G2S) Protocol
Gaming Standards Association
The Year of Implementation and Value CreationApril 29, 2004
Game To System (G2S) Protocol
S2S
Voucher Manager
Kiosks
GDS
G2S
Coin Acceptor
S2S
Coin Hopper
Player Tracking
Point of Sale
Game Control
Note Acceptor
S2S
Slot Accounting
Coin/Bill Counters
Printer
S2S
Touch Screen
Property
Mgmt
Progressive
S2S
EGM
Host Systems and other S2S devices
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

5. The Merging of Two Protocols
IGT creates SuperSAS, GSA develops BOB
September IGT rejoins GSA
IGT and GSA agree to merge their two protocols
Result is Best of Both = Game To System (G2S)
Ten months of Analysis and Design is complete
Protocol documents and schemas are finished
3rd Party Development Tools are underway
Certification Program is being developed
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

6. What’s in G2S? Communications and Security (including GAT)
Cabinet control (door tilts, “Last Call” features)
Event Subscriptions for any Host, any events + data
Meters – More than you’ve seen - for any host
Once per day
Once per hour
On events you care about, you can get affected meters
gamePlay control – available games & denoms
Currency Handling devices and Handpays
Vouchers and Cashless for all money types
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

7. What’s in G2S? (continued)
Progressives and Bonusing
Player Tracking for all types of Id Readers
Printer support (comps at the EGM?)
Central Determination Support
Code Download and Remote Configuration
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

8. Gaming Standards Association
Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
The Year of Implementation and Value CreationApril 29, 2004
G2S in Your Casino
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

9. Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Vouchers
Bonusing
Player Media Server
Slot Floor System
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

10. Challenges of the Historic Model
New wiring infrastructure for each new feature
Lots of new gear needed between host and EGM
Limits - EGM network ports, Slot System integration
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
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

11. G2S (Web Services) Approach
Config Server
Code Download
Vouchers
Slot Floor System
Media Server
Player Bonuses
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

12. 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 for most features is already in G2S
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

13. Network Backbone = 1 Billion bps
How fast is fast?
Network Backbone = 1 Billion bps
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

14. 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...
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

15. Gaming Standards Association
Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
The Year of Implementation and Value CreationApril 29, 2004
New Solutions for
Old Problems
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

16. 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
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

17. New Player Features 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.
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

18. 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
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

19. 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
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

20. 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, passed on to Note Acceptor
Configuration change - make the change in the configuration server, automatically pushed to every EGM
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

21. Gaming Standards Association
Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
The Year of Implementation and Value CreationApril 29, 2004
Finishing Up
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

22. 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, then automatically distributed to all EGMs
Much more efficient casino slot operations
Much better use of resources
Try before you buy
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

23. When can I get G2S? G2S 1.0 Protocol is complete
Many GSA member companies are now implementing G2S in their products
Third party development tools are available
Certification program is being developed
Start thinking about network infrastructure
Talk to your slot floor management system provider
Exciting times are ahead!
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006

24. [Now is the perfect time for questions or comments]
The Ending Note
For on-going questions or inquires on protocols, please contact
This presentation is available on GSA’s Website:
[Now is the perfect time for questions or comments]
The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Global Gaming Expo 2006