This article on
The Future of Gaming Technology is pretty interesting. It contains commentary from five gaming insiders including AGA’s Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. about the past, present, and future of the industry.
With the recent movements on Capitol Hill in the US and the expansion of gaming around the world, what would you suggest to the industry? What should the future of gaming be?
Share your views and recommendations in this thread please.
My thoughts:
Focus on innovation and development now. Worry about generating profits later.
Gaming companies thought internet gaming had no potential. Wrong. Gaming companies thought that poker would die out. Wrong. They thought internet poker would turn B&M card rooms into ghost towns. Wrong. These previous mentalities were driven mainly by their excessive concern with revenue, not with market demand and an understanding of consumer desires. The industry IMO has a tendency to try to push products that they wish for consumers to play forever, never get bored with, and never think about. Just play and give us your money.
Stop trying to design games that last forever and provide an endless steady stream of revenue. Stop being so afraid of the “swongs” when trying something new.
Stop building so many casinos.
Giant lavish hotels and resorts are popping up everywhere around the country and even the world. There is no way that this is sustainable. Too many casinos will destroy the allure of traveling for gaming. Too many of these properties will be the same without any unique attributes. Expand your product offerings and expand online before building more properties.
Hire younger employees.
I have nothing against older individuals, but everything about casinos and gaming seems “old”, especially in the B&M world. Racetracks, casinos, slots, and lottery tickets are for old people. Most of your products offered are geared towards them.
Replace half of your staff with younger people (30 years old and under) who aren’t afraid of the internet. So many of your failures in the past 10 years are because of your ignorance regarding younger generations and technology.
Create more options for skill games, competitions, and tournaments. Retain and develop new pure luck gaming options too.
Young people today know that “the house always wins”. You’re not going to get us to play slots, roulette, and craps for the next 50 years of our lives. If we are to part with our money, at least give us some sort of competition or thrill when we do so.
Use your casinos to host live events for the games that people play online. Not only poker though. Expand to other realms including PC gaming tournaments (see South Korea), classic game competitions like backgammon, chess, scrabble, mahjong, and gin rummy. Host events tied in with social gaming too (like the Palms did with Zynga players). Have online events with extra B&M components. Have live events with extra online components following the event.
Player reward programs - online and B&M customers should be equal.
Some players love online games. Some players love live gaming. Others like both. Reward programs should not discriminate or give preferential treatment to one type of player. Let customers choose when and where they play.
Most important - Don’t screw up POKER.
Due to your own actions, you are now 10 years behind the online poker industry. You have been wrong about the entire industry from the start. Humble yourselves and recognize this. How you perform in the poker industry will determine how and whether or not gaming expands online.
Honestly, seek out 2+2ers for advice. I guarantee that as soon as poker is available in the US, you are going to have some growing pains. Expensive ones. Simple comments and ideas from young ipoker players with regards to game structures, software, promotions, and the overall online poker customer experience can potentially result in millions of dollars earned or lost. Consult with 2+2ers on these items prior to the go ahead from Congress. I am not joking either.
Allow poker to evolve.
Numerous poker variants have come about and gained popularity throughout history. Usually this would occur in one region of the US and then spread. (Texas Hold’em was created in Texas etc.) With online poker you have an abundance of player data and consumer input. Don’t be afraid to create new poker variants. Think about how you can develop new games with input from people all over the US (and eventually the ROW).
I always thought it would be cool if Pokerstars or FullTilt implemented an “innovation corner” of sorts within their client. A new poker variant would be introduced every month or so and players could play cash games, STTs, and MTTs in that style. Players could vote and participate in surveys about the new game. Next month, a new form could be tried out. A tournament series at the end of the year could include all of the formats tried out that year. Maybe one of the poker variants would even become the next most popular poker game...
