At the 2018 edition of ICE Totally Gaming, a show that once again broke all records, Merkur Gaming and the entire Gauselmann Group presented a true ‘gaming experience’ as visitors from around the world gathered to see new games, new cabinets and new innovative solutions on what was the largest and best attended booth in London ExCel’s North Halls.
The ‘gaming experience’ was what the Gauselmann Group had promised ahead of the show. With Merkur Gaming leading the line and joined with Group subsidiaries Cashpoint and XTiP, edict, epg, GeWeTe, Blueprint Gaming from the UK and Spain’s Merkur Dosniha ‘all under one Sun’ the promise was delivered in full … and in great style.
Taking pride of place on the Merkur booth was a specially tri-theme area of gaming worlds, presenting games that took their inspiration from Egypt, from Asia and from the ever popular Fruit games sector. Fruit games remain an ever present classic, a firm players’ favourite that was now presented in a new, modern and refreshing style. To enhance the theme no less than 150 kg of fresh fruit was made available to stand visitors over the three show days: as much a treat for the palate as the games themselves were for the eye.
A Buddha effigy and the Mandarin character for ‘Luck’ greeted visitors to the Asia gaming world, where flying dragons, legendary jade treasures and Chinese lanterns combined to highlight the now-available ‘made by Merkur’ Asian games experience. Also a huge favourite with players across the globe are the games that have their origins in the fabled lands and endless deserts of ancient Egypt. The tombs of the ancient Pharaohs contain riches beyond dreams, mysterious symbols and threatening curses and, while the themes are truly ancient, the ICE presentation demonstrated the Merkur Games ultra-modern take on this ever popular gaming experience.
Brand new at ICE were the game creations of Merkur Gaming Americas Las Vegas based subsidiary, Sunshine Games. With a rapidly expanding game range that is ‘made in America, by Americans and for Americans’ the Sunshine Games portfolio will help spearhead Merkur Gaming Americas 2018 entry into United States markets.
In all, the Merkur Gaming display at ICE featured more than 100 pin-sharp games that together illustrate the depth of innovation and creativity that marks Merkur Gaming as a world leader. Great games deserve and demand great cabinets and, alongside the established stars Avantgarde, Avantgarde Trio, Merkurstar and Evostar (all of which are also available in Merkur Gaming’s elegant matt Black Series) ICE showed the launch of a brand new product designed specifically for the needs of the high street, gastronomy and mass market sectors: the G-Box. This truly compact and robust cabinet brings together utmost quality and excellent gaming comfort. Featuring two 21.5” wide screen full HD monitors the G-Box is the ultimate space saver solution for bars and smaller arcades.
Also on show at ICE was the all new Merkur Gaming Curved cabinet that will have its international launch during 2018. Sleek and stylish, the Curve offers a new highlight of the Merkur product portfolio and this was a presentation that attracted huge interest from visitors to the Merkur Gaming booth at ICE.
One real highlight of Merkur Gaming’s ICE 2018 was the visible increase in overseas visitor numbers. From all over Europe (including particularly eastern Europe), Africa, Asia and both the United States and countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, interest in Merkur Gaming was at an all time high and the show itself was described by senior executives as being the best ever in its history to date.
Merkur Gaming’s Chief Executive, International and Head of International Product Management Athanasios ‘Sakis’ Isaakidis succinctly summed up ICE 2018 and the Merkur Gaming experience by stating: “Our ICE success story is continued: more clients, more visiting jurisdictions and even greater market penetration.”
