GZ Interview
 August 29, 2002

Take a look at Sierra’s Casino Empire with its executive producer
By Michael Lafferty

Calling all high rollers! Here’s your chance not to break the bank, but to own it.

How about this line (though it comes from a motion picture that had nothing to do with gambling): “If you build it, they will come.” (Pardon the paraphrasing.)

Casino Empire, from Sierra ( http://casinoempire.sierra.com ) puts players in the driver’s seat when it comes to casino management and gaming. The program features the opportunity to build eight authentic casinos (each with its own set of challenges), the opportunity to take on the clientele in a high-stakes game, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the business operations.

Oh, and there is that little side note to the game where you actually have the opportunity to run the other casinos on the strip out of business.

According to the Casino Empires press release: “Casino Empire is an in-depth simulation game that delivers all the glitz, glamour, sights, and sounds of Vegas. Players are immersed in the colorful world of ‘Sin City’ as they build, manage, and compete in an effort to rule the empire. Each level provides players with a new story and an opportunity to win big and increase their wealth and status.

“Along the way, gamers meet a host of helpful characters, celebrity impersonators, and have access to a full range of resources to attract and entice their growing clientele. From milking the high rollers and utilizing ties to the mob or positioning the most popular slot machines near the cash machines and adding décor and ambience to their eight unique casinos, it's all Vegas, all the time with Casino Empire.”

Steve Van Horn, who is the executive producer on Casino Empire, took time to talk with GameZone about this single-player PC program.

Question: There have been a number of games recently that have focused on one aspect of building an empire. How will Casino Empire distinguish itself from these other titles?

Steve: “It’s Vegas! Casino Empire is a simulation game where players get to turn the tables on ‘Sin City’ and run their own casinos. You place the gaming tables, hire the staff, build the attractions, and you run the show! This game has ‘attitude’ along with great game play, it is the first Vegas sim that truly captures the excitement of ‘the strip!’ “

Q: The game is Hoyle Casino Empire. Hoyle, being a very prominent name in the gaming world doesn’t seem a likely name to attach to a sim game. How is the brand name brought to play in this realm?

Steve: “Good question. This is an issue we initially struggled with – whether to brand the product under Hoyle. We did extensive focus group testing with ‘sim’ gamers, core gamers, and existing Hoyle users. They made our decision easy!! Across the board, they strongly felt that the Hoyle brand conveys quality and authenticity, both of which are important for a successful sim game.

“We had a similar dilemma five years ago when we developed a Casino product and were debating whether it should be branded under Hoyle. I think we made the right decision because Hoyle Casino now dominates the PC Casino market with over 50% market share.

“The Hoyle brand ensures that the experience is true to the game and that is very important for a successful sim.”

Q: The Web site mentions building eight authentic casinos - what are there?

Steve: “Our ‘strip’ features eight casinos that are owned by either the mob, corporations, or family-oriented businesses. You will recognize similarities with real-life casinos, however, we cannot mention their names here. The casinos are: Buddy’s Casino; The Egyptian; The Medieval; Solid Gold; The Big Top; Pirate’s Gold; The Poseidon; and the grand finale – The Grand Hoyle.”

Q: Can players create their own casinos?

Steve: “You are restricted to our eight casinos, however, each casino has its own unique décor for both interior and exterior views. Inside, in addition to positioning casino games, you can place plants, fountains, statues, et cetera…. And it is important where you place them, because they can improve the ‘appeal’ of your gaming tables. The exteriors can be spruced up with roller coaster rides, fountains, fireworks, spotlights, and statues – to name a few of the options. And it is important to ‘cheez up, ‘ ahem….. I mean spruce up your casino exterior, because you need the glitz to attract more patrons into your casino lair.
 
Q: How in-depth is the casino-building process?

Steve: “The casino building process is very comprehensive. There are 12 different floor games you can purchase as well as a gambling pit to place them in. You also have 5 gaming rooms and a variety of other casino attractions to lure patrons to depart with their cash. Certain games will attract a specific patron type. For example, you’ll see plenty of tourists at a blackjack table but will probably only see high rollers sitting down to a game of baccarat.”

Q: What kind of challenges will players face when building a casino?

Steve: “Players will have to find the right balance of building game tables, décor, services, casino staff, and hotel rooms to make sure patrons stay satisfied and spend their money. It is critical to provide the ‘basics’ for patrons early on; including a cashier and/or ATM to get money; a café for food; and a bathroom for well … you know. Gaming tables and slots need to be strategically positioned and betting limits need to align with the casino’s current clientele.”

Q: Once a casino is built, what are some of the hurdles players will have to overcome?

Steve: “Once you have built up most of your casino it is wise to beef up your staff. You can hire security guards and buy and place security cameras. These come in useful for catching cheaters and thwarting attacks from your neighboring competing casinos. Machine attendants are available for fixing broken slots, and waitresses are available to keep the patrons ‘watered/hammered’ at their tables. You can also hire custodians to pick up trash and clean up vomit from your drunken patrons.

“There will be occasional ‘special events’ that you must successfully navigate through to succeed.

“Your casino can also be upgraded to four different build levels unlocking the ability to purchase specific games and bring in a higher-class clientele. You’re not likely to spot a celebrity gracing a build level one casino, but achieve a higher build level and they’ll be happy to become part of the action.”

Q: Can players actually play casino games, or is this more of a strategic behind-the-scenes simulation?

Steve: “We felt it was important to be able to play some of the casino games, but not all. Therefore, the game allows you to host and play in blackjack and poker tournaments. However, if you want to play all of the casino games then you are of course encouraged to buy Hoyle Casino!”

Q: What kind of AI does the game have?

Steve: “Probably the best way to summarize our AI is to look at it from three perspectives: Patron AI, Staff AI, and Competition AI.

“The patrons, your customers, have specific needs that need to be addressed by your casino. These include: bathroom, thirst, satisfaction, sobriety (or in some cases, intoxication), hunger, and energy. The game offers charts and meters to track these needs and you must build your casino wisely to meet the patron’s demands. In addition, each patron can be selected and he/she will verbally tell you how he/she is doing and what he/she wants.

“Casino staff includes security guards (with security cameras), waitresses, custodians, showgirls, and machine attendants. These staff members have specific AI to make sure they efficiently carry out their responsibilities. Example: Security guards will track down cheaters, grab’em, and carry their screaming and kicking asses out the door!!

“You are always competing with other casinos. They will launch attacks on you that will drive you nuts!! However, spies can be hired to keep an eye on your competition and notify you when these other casinos are ‘coming after ya!’ In addition you can disrupt your competing Casinos by initiating ‘attacks’ on them.”

Q: Will newcomers to the genre get a break or is this more the style of game that veterans of the genre will have to undertake?

Steve: “Yes, this game will appeal to both casual gamers and hard core sim players. The user interface is very intuitive and the first Casino mission includes a tutorial. For the veteran sim player, the game offers numerous overlay modes, graphs, a patron data base, financial charts, variable bet limits, et cetera … to maximize efficient game play.”
 
Q: Does the game bring anything new, technology-wise, to the genre?

Steve: “Casino Empire features a new engine that leverages off of existing Sierra technologies. (Note: we have a pending patent that applies to our rendering technology within the game.)

“In addition to our patent pending technology, we are extensively using MMX technology in our rendering. Casino Empire also supports a sophisticated path finding algorithm not commonly found in sim games.”

Q: Is it goal-oriented, a one-session format, or can players play an evolving game over a period of time?

Steve: “The game offers two playing modes (Empire and Sandbox mode):

“In Empire mode (story mode), you progress down the strip achieving specific mission goals in each casino. Each casino owner has a story to tell, and you’re right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. You’ll find yourself paying off mob loans, buying out casino corporations, battling against other casinos, and getting caught up in some ‘family business’ if you know what we mean. Achieving the mission goals for a casino in Empire mode unlocks that casino for play in Sandbox mode. Here there are no mission goals and no constraints; just run your casino your way and enjoy the ride.”

Q: To whom do you think this game will appeal?

Steve: “The game is targeted at a very broad demographic. Essentially, Casino Empire will appeal to anyone that is interested in immersing themselves in the spirit of Vegas, casual and core gamers alike!”

Q: What do you think are the most appealing elements of the game?

Steve: “It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s Vegas baby!!”

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