During their recent ‘Legends of Darts’ tour in Tenerife, former World Darts Champions Eric Bristow and John Lowe once again teamed up with Games Developer and SWP Manufacturer FatSpanner.

  The team started their successful relationship a few years ago with the release of the original ‘Legends of Darts’ Quiz game. This was quickly followed up with the innovative ‘Round the Clock’ SWP, based on the popular pub game of the same name. The latest incarnation (Available on O.P.E.N Menu 6) is a true skill darts game with a difference – there are no questions to answer! The game requires the player to complete a number of rounds against varying levels of opponent on a traditional style dartboard. If the player reaches the Semi Final, they will play either John or Eric in a head to head 301 leg of darts. The game is aptly titled ‘World Masters’ True Skill Darts.

  World Masters is rapidly becoming the SWP sectors No. 1 darts based game in Pubs and Clubs across the UK. Currently exclusive to all FatSpanner O.P.E.N based platforms (including the new D.I.C.E cabinet from Barcrest Group), players are finding the new format highly addictive. Fatspanner Content Director Paul Slavin stated: ‘Initial test figures have been very encouraging and the fact that it is currently outperforming the iconic Bullseye on many of our terminals gives us enormous confidence in the games future’. As joint developer of the original Bullseye SWP concept Slavin added: ‘We always new that the true skill part of the first Bullseye game was extremely popular with the player, probably more so than the trivia quiz or prize board elements and so far World Masters seems to be proving our theory correct’.

  World Masters can be played in 3 different ways, single player for cash, two players for fun or multi-player tournament. A local tournament can be set up to cater for a minimum of four players and can comfortably manage up to 32 entrants. Visit FatSpanner.com to find out how you can organize a simple 8 player tournament of your own. All game options are £1 Play, as are many other exclusive and exciting new games available on the O.P.E.N platform. Don’t forget, if you operate O.P.E.N terminals your Free, Reliable Menu 6 update disk is available direct from FatSpanner Now!

  Pictured: Paul Slavin (Director), Eric Bristow MBE (5 times World Darts Champion), Janet Wetherall (Sales Co-ordinator), Alistair Edwards (Director), John Lowe (3 times World Darts Champion), Lee Seabridge (Director)

  The new O·P·E·N Menu 6 will be shown on the O·P·E·N BLACK terminals located on the RLMS and Wessex stands at ATEI and InterGame Expo. Menu 6 offers 13 brand new games, including Family Guy, a licensed game based on the popular, animated TV series and True Skill Bingo, a game which is exclusive to the O·P·E·N platform and is currently the top performing game on test. These exciting new games will be available on all new O·P·E·N BLACK terminals and on the Menu 6 Game Update DVD for release in February.

   For the first time in a while SWP manufacturer FatSpanner Limited will not be taking a stand at this years’ ATEI. The decision was taken prior to last years Preview and was a decision which was not made lightly by the Company. FatSpanner Sales Director Alfio Monterosso commented ‘The ATEI has been great for us in the past but has steadily changed over recent years and we feel that with a market specific product line such as ours, that a dedicated stand is no longer the best way for FatSpanner to advertise our product range’. He added ‘Our products are currently distributed through RLMS and Wessex Coin, both of whom will be exhibiting our latest offerings plus a vast range of complementary products. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for our Sales team to work directly alongside our distributors to combine our individual strengths and market knowledge to enable us to offer the complete solution to our customers’.

   Ironically, FatSpanner believe that as a result of this decision and without the associated distractions, they have been able to focus on developing a more polished product for launch at this years ATEI. In fact the Company will be unveiling two new cabinet designs at this years show, O.P.E.N ‘BLACK’ and the eagerly awaited D.I.C.E. terminal. The O.P.E.N ‘BLACK’ completed a successful trial period throughout the last quarter of 2008 and has already proven that it is more than capable of holding it’s own in a highly competitive sector. The D.I.C.E terminal on the other hand harnesses all of FatSpanner’s SWP expertise together with the Industry’s largest and most respected manufacturer, Barcrest Group, a collaboration which both Companies believe will spark a much needed market revival over the coming few months.

   Both terminals will utilize FatSpanner’s successful O.P.E.N system software platform, albeit with some subtle functional and graphical differences between the two products. Both products will also benefit from an extensive portfolio of over 100 games currently available to O.P.E.N, many of which have been developed exclusive to FatSpanner. In addition, Barcrest Group has a huge back catalogue of both proven game formulas and licensed game titles to add to the mix. Alfio stated ‘At any time we will be able to call upon these where and when the time is right, it allows both parties concerned to keep all of our game options open’.

   The latest, eagerly awaited O.P.E.N game release is Menu 6 and will be available free of charge to all O.P.E.N customers in early February. Again, the latest update will provide operators with more new games than any other terminal on the market and without any of the associated software complications. New games include the new, exclusive and hugely successful test game ‘True Skill Bingo’, ‘Golden Gloves’ and a brand new version of Challenge TV’s ‘Take It or Leave It’. Third party games include the latest top titles ‘Family Guy’ from Bell Fruit Games and ‘Rocket Money’ a quiz game endorsed by snooker legend Ronnie O’ Sullivan. As you would expect, great new games are planned for the year ahead – May the Force Be With You!

   For more information contact FatSpanner Sales or visit a member of our Sales team on the RLMS, Wessex Coin or Barcrest Group stand ATEI 2009.

FatSpanner And Barcrest Group Team Up For The SWP Market.

   Fatspanner and Barcrest Group have entered into an agreement to jointly develop products for the SWP market.

   Barcrest Group, with over 40 years in the gaming and amusement business, will team up with Fatspanner, a leading independent designer and manufacturer with a strong track record of success with SWP products. The combined attributes of leading systems, robust technology and high quality manufacturing, access to a large number of the best games and highly recognisable licensed brands will revitalise and reshape the SWP sector.

   Tim Kennedy, Sales & Commercial Director for Barcrest Group explained: “Barcrest Group and Fatspanner will be working together to capitalise on opportunities in the SWP market. We believe that the combined strengths of the two companies and our shared passion for delivering great games will be a recipe for success in this market sector. We are looking forward to unveiling the first joint developments at the IGE in January 2009.”

   Alfio Monterosso, Sales Director of FatSpanner added: “We have worked with some of the industry’s biggest names over the years and achieved significant success in the SWP sector. Together with Barcrest Group we are aiming to take this success to a new level by providing our customers with the ultimate entertainment solution”.

   Terminal manufacturer FatSpanner is convinced that its programme of regular content updates ensures market leading performance but is concerned that the message isn’t always getting through. It has become generally accepted as fact that updating game content on a multi-game terminal will see an upturn in cashbox takings and therefore regular updates will help to optimise performance across the year. For example, FatSpanner reports an average cashbox increase of 20% following release of the latest V4 update for its OPEN terminal.

   Unfortunately, according to Sales Director Alfio Monterosso these updates are not always finding their way to site. “Many customers seem reluctant to implement these updates, largely due to bad experiences in the past when updates have brought faults with them, causing repeated fixes, subsequent site visits and all the costs associated with that.

    It’s for this reason that we have made great strides in recent times with our test procedures prior to release of an update. We have a small test bed of sites local to us which we can use to test new game content in a real world environment. We have a strict policy of at least 30 days testing prior to each update combined with extensive internal testing and monitoring as well. Since introducing these procedures we have had 2 releases with no faults reported so we’re very keen to get the message out to the market that every effort is being made to deliver the best games, on time and right every time.”

   The company believes OPEN Game Menu 5, being shown at Preview on Stand CH11, will prove further evidence of this. Due for release in October, Game Menu 5 will be the fourth update since the launch of the original OPEN back in June 07. The first 3 saw the release of 51 new SWP titles in one year, more than any of their competitors. This latest release sees the introduction of two additional new and exclusive games from FatSpanner: Open The Box and World Masters. The latter is a darts game endorsed by John Lowe and Eric Bristow and initial test figures indicate that FatSpanner may have hit the Bullseye once again. Both games are £1 play only.

   The other new titles on Game Menu 5 are: BFG’s Smarter Than a 10 Year Old, based on the successful TV Gameshow hosted by Noel Edmonds; Puzzler and Super Sports Challenge from RES; The Italian Job from Mazooma Games, licensed by Paramount Pictures; Hex Maniac, the sequel to the successful Hex Appeal from InGame and the latest game releases from Alternative Universe and Big Fizz, companies that produced hits such as Texas Hold’em and Word Up.

  FatSpanner Limited proudly presents The Best of British and The Main Event: Introducing ‘The Dark Destroyer’ The O.P.E.N ‘Black’ Entertainment Terminal.  The latest heavyweight contender for the British SWP title from the FatSpanner stable has a sleek and stylish new look, is more durable and hard wearing, with a proven track record.  All this of course, combined with that added touch of genuine British class.

 This latest incarnation of the successful O.P.E.N product will be available as a new machine (through distribution channels only) towards the end of October 2008, but more importantly in today’s economic climate will also be manufactured as a factory rebuild available directly from FatSpanners Sales Department.

  Having listened to numerous Operators over the years, we have attempted to provide the Independent Operator with a product that will truly stand the test of time and provide much needed value-for-money.  With this in mind, we have made sure that all of the technology inside our latest product remains compatible with previous Fatbox Slim products.  In turn, this decision should aid future spares support, ease product conversion and make life a lot easier for the much understated site service engineer.

  FatSpanner has in recent months taken a very close look at the UK market as a whole, and as a result decided to go back to the very basics.  The new focus is extremely simple, visit and talk to as many existing customers as possible and make sure that we understand how our products are performing – good or bad, and where necessary improve our services.  This has resulted in our Sales Manager Tony Broadwood visiting many more customers recently, and has seen the introduction of Janet Wetherall as FatSpanner Sales Co-ordinator.

  FatSpanner director Alfio Monterosso stated ‘As a result of our back to basics campaign, we have been offering the operator special monthly promotions for used product, which has been unbelievably well received during the traditionally slow summer period’.  He added, ‘As a result of this and due to the present economic climate, we will continue to offer our customers new promotions and special deals right up until the Christmas break’.

  The new focus at FatSpanner simply doesn’t end there and the Directors are convinced that their new O.P.E.N ‘Black’ terminal will be the undisputed No.1 earner in the SWP market.  There are several reasons behind this new confidence, a restyled cabinet perhaps? A new software shell maybe? Exclusive games possibly?  No, a brand new games team of industry experts with over 30 years combined SWP experience!  This FatSpanner believe will take their platform to new performing heights – you heard it here first!
Quote – ‘FatSpanner will provide the next free content update during October – Fact!’

Remember - Buy British, Buy Better, Buy Fatspanner!

Come and see us at the Novotel London west, Stand CH11.

   What has happened to the good old days when people were proud to buy British, when buying British meant buying the best. Almost everything we buy it seems is made in China, manufactured in Poland or owned by the Americans. FatSpanner like to think they are bucking that trend, proud to fly the flag, encourage homegrown talent and enthusiastically promote Great British design and manufacture.
   Director Dave Ash tells us the philosophy, which has evolved from the early days when FatSpanner were predominately a cabinet design company, is very simple, “We like to enthuse and back creative staff and source goods from like-minded local suppliers. Despite the much talked about demise of British industry we find many companies doing great work in all forms of manufacturing and while they may not compete with cheap imports on cost alone they make themselves competitive by means of innovation, quality and close working relationships. Wherever we can encourage this we will, it’s a simple principle which has helped FatSpanner grow into a genuine heavyweight manufacturing contender within the gaming industry and we have no intentions of resting on our laurels. From an initial group of six design creatives, the Fatspanner stable has now expanded to a dedicated group of over twenty five industry professionals with some exciting new appointments on the horizon.”
   As most industry folk will remember FatSpanner designed the hugely popular Paragon 1 and Paragon 2 cabinets before stepping into the manufacturing arena to create the next generation of  highly successful entertainment products: Fatbox Slim and Fatbox Ind:E.
   In June 2007, the company introduced the O.P.E.N terminal which has gone on to be a firm favourite with independent operators and distributors alike.  It has to date sold well over one thousand units, many of which sold during the industry’s ‘slow’ period and with the threat of recession on the horizon. 
   “ FatSpanner do not underestimate the competition, nor do we believe success is either easily gained or sustained.” states Ash, “ This is why on-going development of products and workforce is of paramount importance alongside good old-fashioned hard graft.  It’s with this in mind that we as a board are now investing heavily in new cabinet tooling, new game licenses and most important of all the right combination of raw talent and vital industry experience, watch this space!”

Where does all this lead you may well ask? 

To the Novotel London West of course, stand CH11…..Introducing the Main Event:
‘The Dark Destroyer’ O.P.E.N Black!  Remember the slogan? ‘Adjusted Thinking’
Buy British, Buy Better, Buy Fatspanner!

  The OPEN terminal from FatSpanner was designed to expand on the features of existing multi-game platforms, adding new and unique elements to enhance overall performance. OPEN is housed in a restyled version of the proven ‘Slim’ cabinet, driven by the reliable, Shuttle PC technology platform.

   The aim is to enhance the players overall experience by offering greater choice and personalised features, consequently increasing spend and ultimately cashbox performance. Thanks to extensive negotiation with other content providers OPEN carries more games than any other terminal, currently 100 from 19 different developers and including all the top titles. ‘Monopoly Hot Property’, ‘Deal or no Deal’, ‘Bullseye Super Smashin’ Great’ and latest number one ‘Heads Up Texas Hold’em Poker’ to name but a few.

   The OPEN main screen features the 15 top performing games for that particular site plus nine further ‘New Games’ featured on a rotational basis. Unlike other terminals the games which are not featured on the main screen are still available to play via the innovative ‘Similar Games’ and ‘My Games’ functions. After playing any game OPEN will offer the player a range of ‘Similar Games’ to that just played, from the extensive back catalogue. Additionally OPEN provides facility for the player to save games in the ‘My Games’ section accessible via a personal username and password, these remain available whether featured on the main screen or not. Designers at FatSpanner believe giving the player the facility to keep accessing their own personal favourites, regardless of the changing content of the main screen, leads ultimately to increased revenue as well as a good level of player loyalty.

   The OPEN content is licensed via a smart card charged at £400. The smart card offers a genuine 365 day license meaning working days not calendar days, so if the machine is out of action for any reason you will not lose those days. The content charge includes 3 free update DVD’s per year with a wealth of new content. So far FatSpanner have released 3 update DVD’s and each one has featured 17 new games, an unsurpassed level of new content.

   The favourably priced OPEN is already proving itself more than a match for its competition in the cashbox, bringing impressive feedback from operators, with some major retailers talking of increasing the density of OPEN on their estates. FatSpanner believe they have a terminal to tick all the boxes.