Cashless specialist Embed had its product range on display at the recent IAAPA show. Among the offerings was newly released firmware for their smartTouch range of readers, which opens up the touch screen with more new features for the players.
“The reader should never be a barrier to the guest having fun, these new features improve the guest experience without the gimmicks“ said Daniel Hudson, account manager for the Timezone brand of FECs. This appears to be an ethos which Embed is basing the evolution of its products on and this is evident in the refreshed offerings for its range of readers.
Previously, the screens offered more for the operator than the player, but the new firmware is broadening the player appeal with a several new options.
Players no longer need to search for a kiosk or dedicated Check Balance Station to spot check their balances, with the smartTouch readers they can touch the screen to access their information such as play value, tickets, package remaining time, reward points and other custom messages directly on any reader without crediting the game.
Another new feature is the ability to dispense multiple batches of tokens on games which use them. Swiping or tapping a card two times within a set period will present the player with the option to receive five times the normal number of tokens at once. The card is debited and bulk tokens dispensed in one go. “The regular players love the convenience” said Hudson.
Attendant Reader Control is another new feature that allows an attendant to verify payment, primarily on manned attractions such as laser tag or midway games. The reader displays and glows a set color to show staff that the price to play has been paid and will stay that way until acknowledged. This allows one attendant to man many attractions.
It’s also a valuable feature in multiplayer midway games, by allowing guests to swipe or tap in at any time but the attendant controls when all positions are credited by just tapping their staff card on any of the player positions or their own dedicated smartTouch reader.
Along with customisable artwork, greetings and personalization per individual user, it’s options like this that Embed hope will improve the player experience.
More new firmware and features are on the way in the coming months.
