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Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 – Progressive Gaming

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:33:10 +0000

Progressive Gaming will introduce its Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 and the new Progressive Gaming/Acres-Fiore jointly developed innovative mystery progressive game enhancement at the seventh annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) (Las Vegas Convention Center: Booth #3033) in Las Vegas, November 13-15. Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 is the latest version of Progressive’s innovative suite of gaming management system products that support every facet of a gaming operation including proprietary bonusing and progressive modules as well as consolidation of the management of slot machines, table games, server based gaming, account wagering, marketing and cage functions into one fully integrated system. Built on the Microsoft.NET Framework, Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 uses Microsoft’s business intelligence solutions, including Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Office PerformancePoint Server 2007, to create leading-edge analytic capabilities that provide management and end users with all of the tools needed to analyze and mine the wealth of data collected by the various systems throughout the casino. Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 effectively monitors membership and player tracking to validate identification, facilitates player rewards enrollment, analyzes player performance, automates reporting and helps ensure responsible gaming. In addition to its player management features, Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 also offers complete cage control functionality that supports multiple currencies, seamlessly integrates with RFID Chip Inventory Systems, controls credit levels, monitors foreign exchange and performs banking functions. Progressive will also be introducing a new high speed Player Interface Module in the first half of 2008 with high resolution LCD graphics and advanced multi-media capabilities designed to support GSA’s advanced protocols.

Russel McMeekin, President and CEO of Progressive Gaming, commented, ” Enterprise Edition 3.0 provides operators with an unparalleled, integrated casino management system that employs leading-edge technology to manage all aspects of a gaming floor on an individualized and highly scaleable platform. As customer management becomes an increasingly central component of maintaining a high quality game experience for players, Progressive has evolved our Casinolink system in order to provide innovative technology solutions that seamlessly serve as the essential connections between casino operators and their customers. We expect that the new functionality and benefits derived by our casino customers from Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 will stimulate an upgrade cycle for our current installed base while also helping to grow what is the industry’s largest systems presence outside of the U.S.”

“In the casino industry, differentiation is critical to stand out and compete, making advanced business intelligence tools a must,” said Sandra Andrews, U.S. industry solutions director for lodging, gaming & entertainment, Microsoft Corp. “Utilizing Microsoft’s business intelligence technologies, Progressive Gaming’s Casinolink provides the industry with an integrated gaming and player management solution with access to the right information that employees need to turn insight into action – and ultimately drive business success and guest satisfaction.”

In addition to the benefits operators derive from the system’s robust information analysis capabilities, Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 also enhances the player’s experience by delivering a full suite of custom branded and prepackaged Jackpot and Mystery progressives. Operators enjoy the simplicity of basic, intermediate, advanced and enterprise mystery jackpot tiers while players enjoy a wide variety of new progressive mystery jackpot innovations including Countdown Mystery, Scheduled Mystery, Happy Hour Bonus and the Acres-Fiore premium game enhancements featuring the Win Proximity Meter that adds a new level of anticipation for players when jackpot awards are close to being hit.

McMeekin added, “Our CJS mystery and progressive system has already established a strong track record for providing a high return for our casino customers that have deployed it to date. This new innovative mystery progressive feature that we developed with the team from Acres-Fiore will lead to an even higher level of entertainment experience for players and help to further grow the market penetration of CJS.”

John Acres, Chief Executive Officer of Acres-Fiore, commented, “I’m excited to work with the power of Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 and look forward to creating some great products that run on the system.”

Armin Karu, Chairman of the Management Board of Olympic Entertainment Group, added, “Casinolink provides us with a fully integrated system that has quickly become an integral aspect of our ability to manage each of our 116 casinos throughout Central Europe and the Baltic Region. Olympic Entertainment utilizes the full features of this robust system and we look forward to adding the additional functionality of Casinolink 3.0, which we expect will help us to continue to improve the overall experience of our customers.”

Players can enjoy this jackpot and bonus excitement more seamlessly through the convenience of the Cashless Wallet function that allows for account wagering by which customers transfer credits to/from a machine with a standard magnetic-strip player card.

Franco Malvestio, Gaming Director of Casino di Venezia, said, “Casino di Venezia is proudly one of Europe’s first cashless casinos thanks to Progressive’s Cashless Wallet technology. Our customers value the convenience and security of wagering though an account based system and the enhanced customer management capabilities and resulting personnel efficiencies create a seamless and efficient gaming experience for both us and our customers.”

Progressive will no longer individually sell or promote its various applications as stand-alone Casinolink systems. Instead, Casinolink 3.0 Enterprise Edition includes an all-inclusive suite of functions from which casino operators will license features on a per use basis.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Now Available

admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:37:17 +0000

Starting today gamers can enlist in Activision’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, a gripping modern-day action-thriller that deploys them into heart-stopping battles across the world’s most treacherous hotspots. Developed by Infinity Ward, the game is now available at retail outlets nationwide and delivers unprecedented high-definition graphics, piercing 5.1 surround sound and a dynamic community-oriented multiplayer experience. “We’ve set out to create the most intense, visceral experience in Call of Duty 4,” said Infinity Ward Studio Head Grant Collier. “From the beginning, our team has been focused on pulling players into an unfolding, well-paced and relentless action experience that includes: fast-roping from attack helicopters in the dead of night; utilizing a camouflage Ghillie suit as you inch behind enemy lines; or being immersed in fun, competitive action in multiplayer that enables gamers to create classes, unlock new abilities and taunt opponents as they level up.”

Featuring a tense storyline, filled with plot twists, the title thrusts players into battle like never before. With amazing special effects, including rim-lighting, depth of field, texture streaming and character self-shadowing, players are enlisted into one of the most photo-realistic gaming experiences imaginable. Famed composer Harry Gregson-Williams, whose credits include Enemy of the State, Man on Fire and Spy Game, directed a soundtrack featuring an original score by Stephen Barton that draws gamers harder and deeper into the epic experience.

The community-oriented Call of Duty 4 multiplayer gameplay features a robust leveling system, a variety of unlockable perks, hot-join and matchmaking, as well as create a class and party capabilities to ensure that players of all skill levels can join in the fun for up to 18-players on Xbox 360 or PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and 32-players on Windows PC. Additionally over 100 challenges and a host of new game environments and modes deliver unlimited possibilities. Infinity Ward has also included Kill-Cam, a fan favorite feature that they created in Call of Duty 2 which allows for spectator instant replays.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is rated “M” (Mature) by the ESRB for Intense Violence, Strong Language, Blood and Gore and is available now on Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system for a suggested retail price of $59.99; the Windows® PC version for $49.99. Also available for Nintendo DS™, developed by n-Space, the title is rated “T” (Teen) for Blood and Violence and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Gamers have the option to enhance the experience with a Limited Collector’s Edition for the Xbox 360 and Windows PC. Each Collector’s Edition includes a special hardcover book featuring never-before-seen imagery and artwork. The Xbox 360 version carries a suggested retail price of $69.99 and also features a bonus DVD exploring the British S.A.S. behind-the-scenes footage from developer, Infinity Ward. The Windows PC edition has a suggested retail price of $59.99 and includes a digital copy of the BradyGAMES Official Strategy Guide.

BradyGames’ Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Official Strategy Guide is available at electronics, book, and software retailers nationwide, and online at www.bradygames.com.

Newman’s Own Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Will Be Released in March 2008

admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:34:20 +0000

Newman’s Own has announced the introduction of two new premium wines—Newman’s Own 2006 California Chardonnay and Newman’s Own 2006 California Cabernet Sauvignon. In March of 2008, the wines will join ranks with Newman’s Own other distinctive products. It was only 25 years ago that Paul Newman bottled his first product—a salad dressing in old wine bottles with parchment labels. “We have come full circle. We are back to wine bottles but this time we are filling them with a wine that will complement my salad dressing and pasta sauce. Wine was the only thing missing at dinner time. Now the meal is complete…” says Paul Newman, founder of Newman’s Own. Since that humble start, the line of goods has grown dramatically and generated revenue to allow Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation to donate more than 200 million dollars to thousands of charities.

To realize his winemaking vision, Newman worked closely with the Rebel Wine Co., a collaboration of Three Thieves and Trinchero Family Estates, to create these new high-end California wines, which will have a suggested retail price of $16 per bottle. Both wines are made from hand-selected grapes from some of California’s premier coastal vineyards. Like all other Newman’s Own products, Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes to educational and charitable purposes.