Multi-product strategy pays off: IMA and ATEI a grand success for funworld!

Many novelties were to be discovered at funworld’s IMA and ATEI trade fair stands this year. For the first time the producer of games systems, famous for their PHOTO PLAY terminals, presented themselves as a multi-product company complete with new products and design. In the process the two youngest business segments — BET.solutions and fun|select — were able to attract much attention for themselves and PHOTO PLAY, funworld’s core brand, too proved a magnet for many visitors with its attractive games innovations.

“Both fairs were a tremendous success for us and the results surpassed our expectations by far. The markedly good performance during both international fairs confirmed that our move to position ourselves as a multi-product enterprise was right. Compared to last year we were able to increase direct sales by 25% at both fairs, not to mention the very satisfactory follow-up sales”, said Josef Öhlinger, funworld ag’s CEO with obvious pleasure.

funworld’s trade fair highlights

PHOTO PLAY emphasized their System Update 2008 with its twelve new games, reworked graphics and numerous menu guidance novelties. “Pengu Flip”, the most popular net.game to date, and “Kick the Fish”, game of the year 2008, once again fascinated the audience.

“The new contents management system, which we presented in the frame of our ‘Server Based Gaming’ strategy, was a première at both fairs. The system allows us to meet individual markets’ needs ONLINE. Instead of launching twelve or more games in the scope of one update, we transmit new games and features on a continued basis. The 2^nd edition of ‘Pengu Flip’ will soon be available to our online-clients”, emphasizes funworld ag’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Norbert Langer.

The option of having up to FOUR players linked online to play for credits simultaneously was received with amazement. With this development, funworld once again proves its innovative capability while at the same time underlining the uniqueness of PHOTO PLAY.

The new Multiplayer Cup, which allows players from all over the world to challenge each other live in tournaments, too impressed the many trade fair participants. A new raking list in the multiplayer section makes this possible. “This unique extension allows multi-player meetings to be integrated in the successful PHOTO PLAY Masters tournament-system for the first time. Once it was activated on the online terminals, it didn’t take long for PHOTO PLAY’s player community to enthusiastically embrace this new option”, so Langer.

BET.solutions

The company’s new division, BET-solutions, provides the complete infrastructure required for sports betting operations. Above all, it was the innovative betting terminal, ‘touch2win II’, which convinced trade fair visitors. The terminal gained special attention for its diverse betting portfolio and its ergonomic design with new double monitor unit.

fun|select

Under its new brand, fun|select, funworld presented two products that score with a simple gaming concept and a high fun factor. ‘Stacker’ amazed the public as a motivating game of skill complete with winning option. “Stacker is an absolute must for every operator who already works with crane grip machines. Our test results show that turnover made with ‘Stacker’ markedly outstrips that of the classic crane grip automat”, explained Langer. funworld will take over the sole distribution of Stacker from LAI Games in almost all of Europe.

Another eye-catcher at the fair was the entertaining ‘Music-Changer’, which not only changes money but also plays music besides throwing out many a motivating surprise. With this tried and tested games concept, funworld rounds off its well-developed product range that guarantees high takings.

“We are more than pleased with our appearance at the two first fairs in 2008. They were a strong motivation, which spurs us on to even higher performance at the coming fairs.We are glad to accept this challenge because we regard the very pleasing results as interim and wish to cultivate them in the future”, sums up Öhlinger.