After successfully completing a 6-month slot trial, on December 22, Competition Interactive‘s “hybrid” Running Rich Reels slot game received unanimous final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission.
The hybrid chance/skill game is billed as “the world’s first and only” slot game with a steering wheel “that allows players to use their skill in an arcade-style race” to determine bonus payback. “This unique arcade-style racing experience will enable players to drive for cash on 6 fairytale-themed courses with a modern twist,” the company explains the product.
Keith Winters, Chief Creative Executive of Competition Interactive, commented: “As a Las Vegas gaming manufacturer, we are thrilled that we brought the casino industry the first-ever gambling racing game. We are closer to merging the world of land-based casino gambling with the world of interactive video games. The time for next generation gambling games is now.”
The Las Vegas-based startup offers land-based and online social, competitive, skill-based products with “next-generation game designs,” which can be played in Las Vegas casinos including New York New York, and The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod. The firm seeks to bring “the familiarity of playing arcade and console-style video games to the exciting environment of the casino floor.”
Casino architect Paul Steelman acts as CEO of Competition Interactive while Keith Winters, a digital media and animation veteran, acts as Chief Creative Executive, leading the team. In addition, the small team consists of Robert Quinones, Lead Software Engineer, Roland Lavallee, Lead Hardware Engineer, and Connie Stafford, Director of Compliance.
“I always loved what Stan Fulton and Randy Adams created with the Wheel of Gold, now Wheel of Fortune slot machine. Why couldn’t the bonus be a video game driving experience? Keith Winters and I created and financed Running Rich, the first slot machine that features a video driving game bonus,” said Steelman. “It has been successfully evaluated in Nevada and California and has received approvals from the Nevada Control Board and Commission.”
