Simon Liddle explores the ongoing success of skill-based amusement games
An element of skill has been at the very heart of amusements since the very first coin-operated games were brought to the marketplace. This has continued throughout the years, with many of what are regarded as ‘traditional’ amusement games still as popular as ever. The presentation and prizes may have changed, but often the simplest concepts prove the most enduring. Today, skill games come in various shapes and sizes in a variety of machine categories, and many are among the best performing games on the market.
But what makes a great skill game? They may come in many guises, but with skill games simplicity is key. LAI Games has enjoyed enormous success with its Stacker range of prize vending machines, with thousands of units sold worldwide. The aim of the game is to stack blocks directly on top of each other and reach specific prize levels. Its lack of complexity and strong prizes have made it a hit with players, the company’s Steve Bryant said.
“Essentially, a skill game has to be believable and achievable. If players think they can realistically achieve the task, they will play the game. It is important to keep it simple – the more obvious a game is, the better it will perform.” There are few countries in the world without a Stacker game, he said.
LAI’s latest effort is Balloon Buster, which as the name suggests, challenges players to burst balloons. The aim of the game is instantly recognisable, Bryant said, so immediately grabs the attention of players. “Balloon Buster is presented as a colourful, carnival-themed game that looks simple and is based on a straightforward X-Y mechanism,” he explained. “We think the theatre of the game will really attract players.”
This article can be read in full in the January issue of InterGame.
