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Server Solutions: GSA’s new Game to System Protocol

Russ Ristine / Marc McDermott. Server Solutions: GSA’s new Game to System Protocol . Agenda. What is GSA? GSA’s three standards: GDS, G2S, and S2S An in-depth look at G2S GSA Protocol Certification General Q & A. What is GSA?.

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Server Solutions: GSA’s new Game to System Protocol

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  1. Russ Ristine / Marc McDermott Server Solutions: GSA’s new Game to System Protocol

  2. Agenda • What is GSA? • GSA’s three standards: GDS, G2S, and S2S • An in-depth look at G2S • GSA Protocol Certification • General Q & A G2E Institute 5/11/06

  3. What is GSA? The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an international trade association that benefits gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and regulators. GSA facilitates the identification, definition, development, promotion, and implementation of open standards to enable innovation, education, and communication for the benefit of the entire industry. G2E Institute 5/11/06

  4. Our Platinum Members G2E Institute 5/11/06

  5. Why Have Standardization? • Standardized power plugs • Standard screw sizes • USB standardization - lots of new gadgets for PCs • Plug and Play standards for PCs • Your e-mail client can read e-mails from others • Your browser can connect to any web-site • DVDs, CDs, etc. made by anyone can be read by anyone else. Standardization eliminates pain... G2E Institute 5/11/06

  6. GSA’s Three Standards

  7. Gaming Device Standard (GDS) Protocol CoinAcceptor GDS CoinHopper GameControl NoteAcceptor Printer TouchScreen EGM to Peripherals protocol G2E Institute 5/11/06

  8. Game To System (G2S) Protocol Vouchers G2S CoinAcceptor Player Tracking CoinHopper GameControl Slot Accounting NoteAcceptor Printer Progressives TouchScreen Wagering Accounts EGM Host Systems G2E Institute 5/11/06

  9. System to System (S2S) Protocol S2S Voucher Manager Kiosks CoinAcceptor S2S CoinHopper Player Tracking Point ofSale GameControl S2S NoteAcceptor Slot Accounting Coin/BillCounters Printer S2S TouchScreen Class IIServers Progressive S2S EGM Host Systems and other S2S devices G2E Institute 5/11/06

  10. G2S: GSA’s Game to System Protocol

  11. What Is G2S? • The gaming industry’s protocol for networked casino floors (Games to Servers) • Based on current, proven technology standards: XML, SOAP, Web Services, etc. • Expandable from low-speed (G2S messages between an EGM and SMIB over a serial link) to very high-speed communications (EGM to multiple back-end servers over Ethernet) • Consists of three independent components: • G2S Message Standards • G2S Transport Standards • G2S Configuration Standards G2E Institute 5/11/06

  12. Here is what is on the gaming floor today... [Looks like hex to me…] G2E Institute 5/11/06

  13. Host Request <getMeterInfo> <getDeviceMeters deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor" deviceId = "1” /> </getMeterInfo> EGM Response <meterInfo meterSubType = "G2S_onDemand" meterDateTime = "2004-03-07T15:20:27” > <deviceMeters deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor" deviceId = "1" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyInAmt" meterValue = ”14000" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyInCnt" meterValue = "14" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropAmt" meterValue = ”14000" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropCnt" meterValue = "14" /> <simpleMeter meterName = "G2S_dropDoorOpenCnt" meterValue = "2" /> </meterInfo> A G2S Meter Request [A little easier to understand] G2E Institute 5/11/06

  14. The Merging of Two Protocols • IGT creates SuperSAS, GSA develops BOB • September 2005 - IGT rejoins GSA • IGT and GSA agree to merge their two protocols • Result is Best of Both = Game To System (G2S) • Analysis is complete • Protocol documents and schemas are essentially finished • 3rd Party Development Tools are underway • Certification Program is also underway G2E Institute 5/11/06

  15. Why do we need a new protocol? • Current protocols are fine for EGM to SMIB communications • Challenge is expanding beyond current model • EGM Configuration and Code download are coming • Can expand by adding additional wiring to your floor • New features must work with your existing system • It would be nice if all games and systems spoke the same language in this new world G2E Institute 5/11/06

  16. Historic Approach to Adding Functionality Slot Floor System Vouchers Bonusing Player Media Server G2E Institute 5/11/06

  17. Challenges of the Historic Model • New wiring infrastructure for each new feature • Lots of new gear needed between host and EGM • How many network ports does each EGM have? • Often new features don’t integrate with existing slot accounting system • Challenges with getting everything working together • Adding a new feature is like building a solution from scratch G2E Institute 5/11/06

  18. G2S (Web Services) Approach Slot Floor System Config Server Vouchers Bonusing Media Server Download Server G2E Institute 5/11/06

  19. Advantages of the G2S model • To implement a new feature • Plug in new server • Configure a group of EGMs • Try out the new feature • Get rid of it if you hate it • G2S is designed so every functional group could be owned by a separate server • G2S Protocol already accommodates new features • Configuration • A rich Accounting Model • All Messaging required to implement the feature G2E Institute 5/11/06

  20. Challenges of the new model • Need new infrastructure (100Mbps to every EGM) • Staff must transition from slot machine mechanics to network configuration and management • Slots + IT = Success • Don’t go cheap - like a computer, your network can’t be too fast • Can implement gradually, but your slot floor management system must get on board soon... G2E Institute 5/11/06

  21. The Core G2S Classes • Communication - web services and multicast • Cabinet - allows host to enable / disable EGM • Event Handler - allows “guest” hosts to see events • Meters - complete meter support for all of these features • Game Play - manage active games within EGM - see all details of game play on any system G2E Institute 5/11/06

  22. G2S Administrative Classes • Code download - Download new code / code updates • Communication configuration - EGM communication (valid hosts and who owns what) • Option configuration - Configure EGM options and settings • Device configuration - Manage EGM functional resources G2E Institute 5/11/06

  23. G2S Application Classes • Currency device classes - manage currency devices • Printer class - manage printer, download templates • Id reader class - magcards, RFID, SmartCards, etc. • Player class - the player tracking stuff customers love • Handpay class - process hand paid wins and key offs • Progressive class - run progressives over the network • Bonus class - roll your own bonuses • Voucher class - ticket in / ticket out • WAT class - Wagering Account Transfers • GAT class - authenticate code running in EGM & devices • Central Determination - the world of Class II gaming G2E Institute 5/11/06

  24. Companies involved in G2S development • Aristocrat • Atronic • Bally • IGT • Multimedia • Radical Blue Gaming • Rocket Gaming Systems • Seminole Tribe of Florida • WMS G2E Institute 5/11/06

  25. GSA Certification

  26. GSA Certification Program • What does GSA Certification Mean? • A GSA certification means a game or a system has implemented a specific GSA protocol or specific portions of a GSA protocol to the standards established by the GSA. G2E Institute 5/11/06

  27. GSA Certification Program • Does GSA Certification Testing Substitute for Regulatory Approval? • No. GSA Certification testing is aimed specifically at the communication link. • GSA Certification does not check the RNG, payback percentages, odds limits, etc. that are specific to a particular jurisdiction. G2E Institute 5/11/06

  28. GSA Certification Program The Players • TA – Test Agency • Test Laboratories – GLI, BMM, Etc. • Test Laboratories could be run by manufacturer, operator, Regulator. • TAA – Test Agency Authority • Tests the Testing Agencies (TA) G2E Institute 5/11/06

  29. GSA Certification Program More Players • TSA – Test Suite Authority • Tests the Test Tools and Test Scripts • CA Certificate Authority • Administers the Certification Program • Administers the Problem Reporting Process G2E Institute 5/11/06

  30. GSA Certification Program • Goals: • Provide equipment that meets a specified level of functionality • Provide a plug and play environment for gaming • Provide a program that is accountable to the manufacturers and to the operators G2E Institute 5/11/06

  31. GSA Certification Program • Goals: • Provide an appropriate means of problem resolution • Provide a plan that is flexible enough to adapt to changing technology and changing customer requirements • Eliminate the need for compatibility testing G2E Institute 5/11/06

  32. GSA Certification Program • Why this will work – What is different from what has been done in the past? • There is accountability for the testing authority • TAA tests the Testing Laboratories • Manufacturers and Operators have input on the process • Tests are consistent among Testing Laboratories • TSA tests the testing tools G2E Institute 5/11/06

  33. GSA Certification Program • And Why is it Better? • This process reduces communication problems on a casino floor to only two possible causes. • The Testing Laboratory did not test the equipment properly • The Testing Tools or Scripts are not adequate to test the protocol G2E Institute 5/11/06

  34. GSA Certification Program • Why is this Better? • Both the Test Laboratory and the Test Tools require GSA Certification to be viable – If there are problems, GSA will require corrections to be made for continued Certification G2E Institute 5/11/06

  35. GSA Certification Program • Why is this Better? • The GSA provides Operators a reporting avenue for field problems • The GSA provides an appeals avenue for manufacturers • Test tool and test Script evaluation • Test process evaluation G2E Institute 5/11/06

  36. GSA Certification Program • Will this fix all the problems? • No, but it should significantly reduce the problems in the field and provide a means to correct problems in an accountable and timely manner. • No, GSA testing is related to protocol testing and will not discover all the regulatory problems G2E Institute 5/11/06

  37. GSA Certification Program • Where Are We Now? • An in-depth Draft Certification Program Document has been written. • A highly automated Draft Certification Application program is being developed • An interim Certification process has been put in place G2E Institute 5/11/06

  38. GSA Certification Program • Where Are We Now? • SAS Certificates have been issued • Selection process has been started for the TAA, TSA and the CA. G2E Institute 5/11/06

  39. For on-going questions or inquires on protocols, please contact info@gamingstandards.com This presentation is available on GSA’s Website: www.gamingstandards.com The Ending Note [Now is the perfect time for questions and comments] G2E Institute 5/11/06

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