The Story of one of the earliest online game developers - IGT Casino Software
Yuriy SheremetThe first recognised computer game was unveiled at the World Fair in New York in 1940, when Dr Edward Uhler Condon showcased a computerised version of the ancient game Nim. In six months on display, the mathematical game was played by approximately 50,000 people, less than 10% of whom were able to beat the computer. However, it took almost three more decades before a computer game system entered the market for commercial use at home. The Brown Box game system launched in 1967 and could be programmed to allow users to play a variety of simple games such as checkers and ping pong by connecting to a television set.
The true birth of electronic video games as something that piqued the imagination of the public can be dated back to Atari’s release of Pong in 1973, which led to huge increases in investment in game development for electronic games for use both at home and in amusement style arcade machines. Over the next decade, some of the earliest online games were produced, which could be played over networks such as ARPAnet. However, it was in the nineties, when home access to the internet became more accessible, faster and more reliable than ever before, that online gaming really began to take off. Advancements in technology have only increased the popularity of the pastime and the number of games available to play online today reaches millions.
One of the earliest proponents of online A1-Supply, established in 1975 by William Redd, popularly known as Si. The company name was changed in 1978 to Sircoma and again in 1981 to International Game Technology in 1981, at the same time as the business was made public. In 2015, IGT was acquired by Gtech, which has now adopted the name for its own services. IGT has remained at the top of the gaming market throughout its life and IGT casino sites are still very well regarded these days.
Si began working with video games in the sixties when he entered into a contract with Bally to distribute his own slot machines and jukeboxes to casinos. At the time, stand alone games such as these were seen as a pursuit mainly for women, as something to keep them occupied while the men in the casinos played games such as blackjack and poker. Si continued to develop his own games and ultimately launched a series of video poker games. When these proved popular among audiences in Las Vegas, the idea for IGT was born.
After forming IGT, SI spotted a gap in the market for games that combined current video games such as Pac-Man with arcade-style slot machines, creating a whole new experience for players everywhere. In 1984, following the acquisition by IGT of Electronic Data Technologies, the company became one of the first to introduce the still-popular programmes of frequent player rewards to casinos and video games. While Si sold his stake in the company between 1986 and 1981, the business has gone from strength to strength.
The 21st century has seen rapid expansion of IGT, with the company making several prominent acquisitions and growing both in terms of service offering and international reach. The company was granted several prestigious awards, including Best Gaming for 2010 from Casino Player Magazine. There are an estimated 1.5 billion consumers of the online gaming industry, approximately 4.2 billion people in the world who gamble at least once and year and 1.6 billion who gamble regularly. Demand for new and different games is therefore higher than ever. IGT, one of the first to enter the market, is still recognised today as a key player in terms of game development.
2010 was a positive year for IGT, with the company winning multiple awards, celebrating two million slot machines produced and installing the first of the sbX Experience Management Systems at locations across Europe. This was also the year that IGT launched a new interactive division, to help the company further develop its mobile and online presence.
IGT software is currently available at a range of online casinos and other gaming sites, using instant play without requiring a download. It is compatible with Windows, iOS and Android as well as being used in many land casinos. IGT is known for offering a broad portfolio of games featuring excellent graphics, which can be adjusted according to internet speed to optimise gameplay on any device or through any connection. Security is taken seriously and as a publicly traded company, IGT is known for transparency.
The online gambling market in the EU has been rising steadily for several years, with increases in revenues of approximately 10% year on year. Developments in technology that make it possible for almost everyone in the West to access the internet, whether at home or through smartphones or other mobile devices, have resulted in a surge in popularity for online versions of casinos and other games. IGT was one of the first to enter the market and is showing no signs of being overtaken by younger competitors after more than 45 years.
Yuriy Sheremet – Expert in mobile gaming and esports among shooters and MOBA games.
At EGamersWorld, Yuriy, as in 2020 when he joined the portal, works with content, albeit with adjustments to his area of responsibility.