Introducing G2S: GSAs Game to System Protocol Russ Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming

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Introducing G2SGSAs Game to System Protocol
Russ Ristine, VP, Radical Blue Gaming
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Whats happening on casino floors?

• Todays 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
• Dont be left behind
• Hope to minimize change
• Hope to minimize costs

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What Is G2S?

• The gaming industrys 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)

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Game To System (G2S) Protocol
Vouchers
G2S
GDS
CoinAcceptor
Player Tracking
CoinHopper
GameControl
Slot Accounting
NoteAcceptor
Printer
Progressives
TouchScreen
Wagering Accounts
EGM
Host Systems
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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

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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

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Here is what is on the gaming floor today...
Looks like hex to me
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A G2S Meter Request
A little easier to understand
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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

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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

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Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Slot Floor System
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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 dont integrate with existing
  slot accounting system
• Challenges with getting everything working
  together
• Adding a new feature is like building a solution
  from scratch

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G2S (Web Services) Approach
Slot Floor System
Media Server
Player Bonuses
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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

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How fast is fast?
Network Backbone 1 Billion bps
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Changes youll 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
• Dont go cheap - like a computer, your network
  cant be too fast
• Can implement gradually, but your slot floor
  management system must get on board soon...

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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

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Inside G2S GSAs Game to System Protocol
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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GSA Certification
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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)

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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

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New Solutions for Old Problems
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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.

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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

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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 wont extend, can buy (or
  build) a performance analysis system that gives
  all detail

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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

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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

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Finishing Up
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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

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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!

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The Ending Note

• For on-going questions or inquires on protocols,
  please contact
• info_at_gamingstandards.com
• This presentation is available on GSAs Website
• www.gamingstandards.com

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