Foxwoods ‘Innovation Zone’ Tests the Appeal of Crash-Style Casino Games in a Retail Environment
Credit: Foxwoods
Foxwoods visitors can try experimental new games — including physical adaptations of the online “crash game” phenomenon — in an “Innovation Zone” that opened earlier this month. The area provides a trial run for games that “blend emerging technology with an elevated casino experience,” according to the property’s description.
Crash games were an emergent hit in the cryptocasino space a few years ago, but have begun to pop up on regulated online casinos in recent years. Seeing them at retail remains rare. The earliest such games simulated the boom and crash of crypto markets, but most contemporary crash games use aviation or space themes.
Bryan Hayes, senior vice president of gaming operations at Foxwoods, said that the space has been a year in the making. He told Gaming America in an email exchange that the space reflects Foxwoods’ commitment to remaining at the forefront of the industry. He called the early response “outstanding.”
“Guests have been genuinely excited from day one, and you can feel the energy the moment they step in,” he said. “Last week, we hosted a preview event, and even the reporters and content creators in attendance were in awe of the space and everything there is to explore. That reaction says it all. When people who see gaming floors for a living are impressed, you know you’ve built something special.”
If they succeed in the Foxwoods Innovation Zone, casino-goers could start to see them spread to more venues nationwide.
Eventually, games that take off in the Innovation Zone could move to the main casino floor. Foxwoods plans to continue evaluating and cycling games through the space to see which ones resonate most with customers.
How Crash Games Work
The mechanics of crash games differ from many other families of gambling games. They allow the user to determine how far to push their luck, as a payout multiplier builds before “crashing,” or zeroing out.
Many of the crash games in the Foxwoods Innovation Zone were designed and built by Interblock. Luka Podgoršek, director of product management for Interblock, explained the games further:
“Crash-style games are built around a simple risk-versus-reward mechanic. As a round begins, the multiplier continuously increases in real time, and players decide when to lock in their multiplier before the round ends at a randomly determined point. The longer a player waits, the greater the potential payout, balanced by the risk of the game ending before they can lock in their winnings.”
It’s sort of a progressive version of “Deal or No Deal,” or an ongoing decision between letting a sports bet ride and hitting the cashout button. The crash point is generally predetermined by a random number generator, and payouts can be as high as 10,000 times the bet.
Hayes said Foxwoods’ rollout of Interblock’s crash games marks an industry first outside of Las Vegas.
Successful Innovation Zone Games Could Move to Main Floor
While crash games are among the headliners in the Innovation Zone, organizers stressed that they’re merely one subset of the next-generation products there.
Customers will find several slot products there as well, built by a variety of providers. These include newer products from big-name suppliers like Light & Wonder, Adventure Game Studio (AGS), International Game Technology (IGT), and Aristocrat. Hayes noted available games include Battle 1-2-3, Chase the Flush, Double Hook Poker, and Party Pair.
Customers can also find some twists on more traditional games like Bubble Craps.
Asked whether Foxwoods plans to cycle any successful Innovation Zone games to the main casino floor, Hayes didn’t provide a definitive answer but hinted that it could happen.
“As certain games grow in popularity, it’s only natural to look at where they’ll make the biggest impact,” he said. “For us, it comes down to one thing: meeting guests where they are. So, think of The Innovation Zone as the place where the best debuts. From there, we let guest excitement guide what comes next.”
More games will debut there in the coming weeks and months, Hayes said. The space is “built to evolve,” but the constant will be the idea that it can provide customers with a unique experience, especially compared to competitors in the region.
“There is no other gaming floor in the Northeast — arguably in the country — where you’ll find a space this thoughtfully selected,” he said. “That distinction matters to us. It’s a reflection of Foxwoods’ commitment to consistently delivering experiences that our guests can’t find anywhere else.”
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