30 replies to this topic

[nails]

Barcrest will no longer manufacture reel-based machines, it was confirmed today. This leaves the UK industry with only one major analogue AWP manufacturer. Despite the upbeat nature of the official press release, which we attach below, this can only be seen as sad news for a company that once stood at the pinnacle of AWP manufacturing – for those who have lost their jobs, and for the suppliers who will have lost valuable business.
“Scientific Games Corporation today announced that its Gaming division, which includes The Global Draw, Barcrest and Games Media, has decided to withdraw from the manufacture of analogue AWPs for the UK pub retail sector in order to focus solely on its digital server-based supply model within this sector.
The determination to exit from the analogue AWP business was part of a comprehensive strategic review, following the Company’s recent acquisition of Barcrest in September 2011, which was designed to focus resources on those operations believed to have the greatest potential for both the Company and its customers. Based on the combination of prevailing conditions in the pub retail sector and the contracting business for analogue AWP products, the Company concluded that the most sustainable option as a long-term supplier of product to the UK pub retail sector was to focus its game design and other resources solely on a digital server-based supply model.
The Company’s strategic review will result in a reorganisation of the Games Media digital supply business which fully capitalises on the Barcrest acquisition. This reorganisation will enable Games Media to continue to work with leading pub operators in spearheading the transition of the pub retail sector to a more efficient and compelling digital supply model.
Ian Timmis, CEO of Scientific Games’ Gaming division commented, “We remain fully committed to the pub retail sector and to the other areas of our business: LBO, arcade and bingo, international and interactive. This reorganisation will enable our business to focus on driving innovation, improving operational delivery and enhancing the profitability of all of our customers.
“These actions are also designed to give our customers confidence and certainty that we are committed to the long-term development of both our operations and their businesses. As an organisation, we are dedicated to further building upon the strong partnerships we enjoy with our customers and helping them to capitalise on the exciting opportunities and potential for improved profitability that digital server-based gaming has to offer.”

[Daryl]

A sad, but inevitable fact… the younger generations have been brought up with everything computer/video-based, so this seems the most logical conclusion to ‘attract’ that generation.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, their fruit machines were the best going. MPU3 and MPU4 being by far the best generation of gaming machines ever created. But their desire to move to MPU5 and the continuous cloning of their machines (most similar to Bellfruit’s DOND) started their decline in my opinion on the AWP front… and as video gaming is more the in thing for casino-style games, it seems the logical thing to do.

I for one will be sad to see them go that way, but as they say: ‘times change, and we must change with the times…’

[ady]

Today?????

Tommy posted links to it yesterday nails.

[nails]

delete it then

[thunderstorm]

Barcrest will no longer manufacture reel-based machines, it was confirmed today. This leaves the UK industry with only one major analogue AWP manufacturer. Despite the upbeat nature of the official press release, which we attach below, this can only be seen as sad news for a company that once stood at the pinnacle of AWP manufacturing – for those who have lost their jobs, and for the suppliers who will have lost valuable business.
“Scientific Games Corporation today announced that its Gaming division, which includes The Global Draw, Barcrest and Games Media, has decided to withdraw from the manufacture of analogue AWPs for the UK pub retail sector in order to focus solely on its digital server-based supply model within this sector.
The determination to exit from the analogue AWP business was part of a comprehensive strategic review, following the Company’s recent acquisition of Barcrest in September 2011, which was designed to focus resources on those operations believed to have the greatest potential for both the Company and its customers. Based on the combination of prevailing conditions in the pub retail sector and the contracting business for analogue AWP products, the Company concluded that the most sustainable option as a long-term supplier of product to the UK pub retail sector was to focus its game design and other resources solely on a digital server-based supply model.
The Company’s strategic review will result in a reorganisation of the Games Media digital supply business which fully capitalises on the Barcrest acquisition. This reorganisation will enable Games Media to continue to work with leading pub operators in spearheading the transition of the pub retail sector to a more efficient and compelling digital supply model.
Ian Timmis, CEO of Scientific Games’ Gaming division commented, “We remain fully committed to the pub retail sector and to the other areas of our business: LBO, arcade and bingo, international and interactive. This reorganisation will enable our business to focus on driving innovation, improving operational delivery and enhancing the profitability of all of our customers.
“These actions are also designed to give our customers confidence and certainty that we are committed to the long-term development of both our operations and their businesses. As an organisation, we are dedicated to further building upon the strong partnerships we enjoy with our customers and helping them to capitalise on the exciting opportunities and potential for improved profitability that digital server-based gaming has to offer.”

Thats a shame, as Daryl says above times do change but i will also be sad to see them go but at least we probably wont notice it for a few years at least (i hope)
Just one thing i keep thinking is that if a reel breaks it is easy and cheap to source a replacement, but if the screen breaks that will be more costly?
Looks like Mr P needs to salvage as many oldies as he can and open up a bigger chain of classic arcades...

[Johnnyafc]

I Blame MFME, Wizard, Trouty, FME. FE, Etc ETc

[Daryl]

I Blame MFME, Wizard, Trouty, FME. FE, Etc ETc

Actually now… it is only the above lot (and many of the other resource gatherers and layout creators, like yourself ) that can save and maintain that era with the MPU3/4/5 systems, seeing as though the biggest player, Barcrest, are no longer part of that scenario anymore. At one time we would’ve looked at this news as a new beginning for the advancement of FME - how times change! lol

[paulMCS]

maybe,just maybe one of the poor unfortunate who will lose their jobs due to this will 'lend' someone a stash of roms,layouts and the rest of the stuff that needs to run recent fruities....

if barcrest are moving towards non-reel awp's now then what harm could it do??

Edited by paulMCS, 26 January 2012 - 12:01 PM.

[hurricane]

A full article of the above can be found at http://menmedia.co.u...poration-review .I'ts a shame really cause it truely will be the end of coin payout's. Looks like this could be Bellfruit's opportunity to shine even brighter.

[SourceLeisure]

Its A Sad Subject - Im Not As Keen On The Video Style Fruity/Slot's

& Would Rather See My Feature Board,Rather Than A Monitor

Plus Ive Noticed Most Video Themed Lost The (4 Trail Bonus)

[nails]

what concerns me is what will be left, i hate DOND with a passion. Bellfruit had some class releases over the years, but the latest re-badges of the same DOND machine are aweful.

So what's left? well, Electrocoin have tried so have a few others, but having the best brand removed from the pub/arcade is a thought not worth thinking of. that said it doesnt mean they wont produce machines anymore, far from it. What we sould see is the long widescreen monitor (haunted house/eggstravaganza) type cabinet that has say a video based rainbow riches hi-tech, alongside wild clover lo-tech.

a sad end of an era, and i hope barcrest either gets bought back or they see sense and continue the traditional seaside, arcade, pub and club sector.

[d0uga1]

maybe,just maybe one of the poor unfortunate who will lose their jobs due to this will 'lend' someone a stash of roms,layouts and the rest of the stuff that needs to run recent fruities....

if barcrest are moving towards non-reel awp's now then what harm could it do??

hummm... maybe the emulator they use to test the roms before there put into the machine ( if they use one that is)

[mart1711]

There have been these screen based jobbies in our pub for some time now, i play it as much as i did the old fruities (not a lot!) but i have no problem with it.. One thing it stops is the "pro's" smashing the DOND button out of machines so they can profit from a glitch in programming. For me this is a good point to be honest.. Hate the DOND as much as you like, there have never been a more sucessful range of AWP's in the UK market, and never has there been a more sucessful franchise in terms of cash box takings either.. Im sure it will all be video based within the next year or so...

[Bandits]

I hate video fruit machines, can't beat the old 3 reel fruities !

[nails]

sonce they are no longer in production, i see that as a valid excuse to emulate them as soon as..

do we have any barcrest members on here?

Edited by nails, 26 January 2012 - 10:33 PM.

[hurricane]

Just been on Barcrest's website and they have removed the Cat. C - Reel's section.

[Steveir]

don't tend to play anymore in the wild but what a shame... it may help out the likes of JPM with their reentry into the AWP market. Just hope their machines are better than the last crop they produced before they last exited

[mart1711]

Now this may be circumstantial etc... a very close friend of mine sits on a divisional committee of the gambling commision, i remember some long time ago giving an "exclusive" in chat of the re-introduction of the £2 stake and incresed jackpot machine levels a long time before it came into force so his credibility is not in question... seems there has been a lot of lobbying going on and there are already notions discussing ammending the current bill to pave the way for £250 jackpot ticket in ticket out fixed odds style machines being allowedin uk pubs etc.. The backbone of the argument is being made as there are many countries in the eurozone which can have similar machines that pay out 240 or 1000 euros, and also that the deal that was cut between uk casino operators and bookmakers that wished to site fobts in the early days is all but archaic today... Barcrest >>>> Scientific Games >>> Global Draw >>> Biggest selling fobt operator in the uk >>>> Makes sense to lose the reels!!!!

[paulMCS]

Just been on Barcrest's website and they have removed the Cat. C - Reel's section.

only reels fruity they have on there is this one:

http://www.barcrest....abinet.php?id=3