After months of development and testing, leading I-gaming supplier Chartwell Technology today released an updated version of its casino software.
The company announced the launch of its Flash-based Version 4.0 games through a press release to analysts and shareholders. In that release, the company said the development of new software was a result of client growth in new global markets.
Like all previous versions of the Chartwell suite, Version 4.0 is server-side application that requires no software download and installation on the part of the player.
With a focus on globalization, the centerpiece of the upgraded software is its multi-language and multi-currency capabilities. It also features new games, including Red Dog and Casino War as well as new slots.
Darold H. Parken, president and CEO of Chartwell, said having a Flash-based suite of games shows the industry how determined the company is to remain an industry leader.
"We are extremely excited about this new version of our Flash product and once again feel we are setting the standard for online browser-based gaming software," he said.
Part of setting that standard, Parken said, is the beta launch of Chartwell's multi-player poker Web site. The company is rolling out the poker software for beta testing in conjunction with the release of its Version 4.0 games.
Bringing poker into the mix, he added, was a result of player demand.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Chartwell to break into new gaming verticals," Parken said. "Our clients are seeing explosive growth in their online gaming businesses and an excellent complement to their established player base is our multi-player poker suite."
The poker suite features five variations of the game, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Omaha high/low. The games are available to users as either ring games or in tournament mode. Players who opt for ring games get to choose their tables based on table limit, number of players, speed of player or a combination of those criteria.
While many in the interactive gaming industry have adopted multi-player capabilities, it has been a struggle for some to sustain player appeal. Multi-player games, particularly non-house-booked games like poker, succeed only if there are a high number of participants.
Parken doesn't see liquidity as a major issue for Chartwell, however, because many of its licensees, he said, are among the biggest operators in the industry.
"The success of a client's online poker business is largely dependent on the operator having built a critical mass of players to draw from," he said.
Parken said the biggest concern, then, was creating a system that was both user- and operator friendly.
"Our challenge was to deliver a product that not only provides a graphically satisfying experience but also is fast enough to accommodate a wide range of connection speeds while incorporating our industry-driven administration tools and maintaining seamless integration of this product into our clients' existing infrastructure," he said.
Parken added that despite committing many of its resources over the last quarter to developing new software, Chartwell continues to study new channels for delivery in an effort to expand its market share.
The company’s many projects on the horizon include bingo and kiosk-based gaming systems as well as Java-based games for the wireless market.