WOULD YOU GAMBLE ON THIS? Or are we about to lose our shirts

[peter.clayton]

Me and a few mates are thinking about setting up a new internet site that only has pub feature board fruit machines. Yes, it will cost a fortune to do but if the interest is high enough, we'll do it.

Not emulation, real machines played for money just like you get in pubs.

I know, I know, sounds idiotic and we could very well lose our shirts, but I am amazed no one has done this yet. All you get on line is crap vegas style video, 20 line win slots, and old stuff with 3 reels that maybe offers a nudge or two. Where are all the feature boards?

We're gauging interest at the moment, what do you lot think? Is there a market? We're concerned about the lack of fruities in pubs and it seems to be a dying market. Are we flogging a dead horse or can we bring it alive?

[feeder22]

think i read some where a while ago that barcrest was trying to do this, but stopped because they relised it would be to unrealistic

[peter.clayton]

Why would be unrealistic? Money? Content? Law?

[Dunhamzzz]

Not to beat you down but do you realise how much software development is involved in making fruit machines? It would take a whole team of developers a few months at least to make one machine (it would be quicker to make more after the first) as you'd have to completely redefine every aspect of the machine, Barcrest etc aren't going to take lightly to anything that even remotely resembles one of their machines.

Then theres online emptiers, laws, licenses etc which could ruin you.

Forgive me if you are a software development firm and its in your grasp but a bunch of "mates" are never going to be able to make anything like this without years of programming experience and/or a lot of money to get others to do it :P

[harry2]

Rope in admin, he runs Software Illusions.

http://www.software-illusions.com/products.htm

[kidgloves]

Well, there is a very skewed view of this style of machine already out on the net. If you try any of the Billy Hill's 'pub style' machines, yes you get the feature board but very soon realize that it's really a big con, no progression, just random number gen boards that frequently offer £1-£3 and nothing much more.
You would really have to demonstrate some savvy programming to convince players that they are not trying Physeptone (methadone) or some other hybrid.

[n1cky70]

Question for admin.....

Does anyone buy anything off your site? I played them a while ago cant remember if i paid for them though!

[Stopnstep]

If it was a money maker then surely one of the manu's would have done it by now as they have the resources and games to do it. The fact they haven't shows that it is not really feasible.

[bowie]

All the manu's would have to do is use the emulators, can't be too difficult?

[pokerpete]

Why would be unrealistic? Money? Content? Law?

all of the above.

[Drpepper]

a machine has an emptier, one person can play a machine at a time, and win a maximum of £250.

A computerised programme with an emptier.....

[Matt Vinyl]

I've often pondered this, as I'm a programmer and graphic artist (when not at work, lol) and have been working on a few concepts over the last couple of years. (I can post some examples some other time - when I'm not at work).

From speaking to certain people on here, I understand that you can make a very nice supplementary income from something like on-line / downloadable simulators.

But, I think that's as realistic as can be - simulators. Like mentioned above, if someone finds a loophole in your programming, you'll be broke before you even know it. I suppose you 'could' look at implementing some sort of maximum 'win amount' in a week or something, per person, but then the problem of multiple accounts etc. come into play.

I'm about 70% done on the 'machine' I'm making and my aim is to have it available for download at a small price (few quid) and leave it at that.

To sum up - would be a great idea, but I think there's far too many pitfalls to pull it off.

PS: If you need anyone to do any graphical work for you, for a nominal sum, PM me for some examples.

[milk monitor]

Agree with Mat on this your talking £100K minimum to get this baby off the ground.

As they say on Dragons Den.....

Am uuoottt

(I'm out in a Scottish accent)

[aaamusements.co.uk]

If you could get permission to use the manufacturers' actual roms in the form of a graphical emulation, it would be a possible.

But you won't get permission.

[Matt Vinyl]

Another problem that I've just thought of, is that people would try to get an edge by slowing down their PCs on 'skill' features etc. I guess that's why almost all on-line slots are completely 'spin and win' based, with not much at all else going on...