The Next Generation of Online Gambling
Online Gambling
Dec 8, 2000, 14:31
By Marc Lesnick http://www.gamblingonlinemagazine.com
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What is the New Internet Software Based on?
Today, new software platforms are becoming more popular for internet casino developers. If you've been surfing around looking at the more than 800 online casinos, you probably have seen some of them. If you've been gambling at the same site, some of the new technologies might interest you. According to StartCasino.com, there are 67 companies that develop the casino software for operators (licensees). The operators, in turn, make casino websites that you are familiar with. So, while there are more than 800 internet casinos, many are similar in the sense that they were designed by one of the 67 software development companies. Gambling Online Magazine has spoken with a few of the 67 internet casino sofware firms and wanted to see what their next generation software platforms are based on and why they chose it. Below is a list of what the software is and what some of them had to say.
DOWNLOADING: Prior to 2000, most if not all internet casinos were download based. You needed to have ALL the software installed on your computer to play online. How you got this was one of two ways: (1)download it from the website (known as file transfer protocol - FTP), or (2) you installed the CD (like the one included with this magazine). In the case of FTP, a major complaint of players is the time and space it takes to download the software. Still many companies, like www.poker.com, continue to develop using this software platform. Advantages are speed of play and security. The only data that is exchanged while playing these games are numbers (small packets of data) and NOT images (large packets of data).
FLASH: Flash is the latest software platform to enter the online gaming arena. Flash requires no software downloads. It's a graphical form of streaming, in which one starts receiving images and audio (sort of like watching TV, only a little bit slower). FLASH also requires a PLUG-IN which means if you don't have the plug-in, you can't play. Most new browsers like Netscape ask you if you want to install FLASH. (The Flash
Plug-in can be downloaded for free at www.macromedia.com.) Grandscale has spent its latest R & D efforts to employ a Flash based software platform. According to Tom Johnson at Grandscale, "Flash produces highly compressed, high quality 3-D renderings and sound. It creates a stable and quick platform, better playability, and a more enjoyable experience for the player." Sherri Paisley from SoftNet Gaming says, "Flash and Active-X allows us to utilize ASP, which we believe is one of the best techniques to use if the game is to be played in real-time against the server."
JAVA: Unlike FLASH, no software downloads or plug-ins are needed to play JAVA-based casino games. Only a Java compatible web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer is required. JAVA can also be used for streaming video and audio, as well as running numerous windows within a web browser. Paul Mendes at www.gamblingsoftware.com says, "Java is far more secure than traditional downloadable software. There is no chance for malicious codes, bugs or viruses to end up on the player's system. Moreover, there is no sensitive information, such as credit card account numbers or passwords stored on your system. If the player accidentally turns off the machine or is disconnected from the game, he or she can return to the same GamblingSoftware.com game and even the same hand on reconnection". According to Patrick Smyth at Wiremix (the marketing company for StarNet Communications International), "When we first looked at developing new 'quick load' games, a number of issues arose out of discussions. After months of testing and making comparisons, it was decided that JAVA was the way to go for our 'Beyond 2000' gaming software." FirstGenX (formerly E-VegasGaming) chose JAVA as well. Tony Markus at FirstGenX says, "Our Stealth 001 delivers multiple floating and resizable windows within one browser. The Internet user will be able to open one browser and position and resize any of the multiple windows contained within that browser again. Numerous games can be played at once." Whether it's JAVA, Flash or a DOWNLOADABLE based system, the future should prove interesting to see which becomes the more popular. Stay tuned to Gambling Online Magazine to find out.
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