Skill With Prize
Encyclopedia
A Skill With Prize or Skill With Prizes plural (SWP) is a gaming machine which provides a payout (the prize) and whose outcome depends in part on the player's skill (the skill). They are contrasted with Amusement With Prizes machines which, while interactive, do not depend on the player's skill in determining outcome.
SWP machines are a hybrid of games of skill and games of chance; the degree to which skill versus chance determines the outcome varies between machines, and may be set by operator parameters.
is a common free-standing merchandiser
SWP machine.
In the United Kingdom
, the most common class of SWP machines are quiz machine
s, on such platforms as the itbox
, and are widely found in public houses. Indeed, "quiz machine" is often used interchangeably with "SWP" for such counter-top machines, though not all games on these devices are quiz-based: other games include Crystal Maze, based on The Crystal Maze
, and Word Up.
Another class of SWP machines are free-standing machines, generally found in video arcade
s. These are frequently merchandiser
s – devices containing prizes – most commonly claw cranes, and more recently Stacker
. Other examples include Barber Cut and Barber Cut Lite by Namco Bandai Games
.
There are also a number of SWP games specific to Japan, such as Move Sector and Ring Magician. Another class are redemption game
s, which rather than containing prizes, instead dispense tickets which can be redeemed for prizes. Some machines, such as Flamin' Finger
and Stacker, can be configured as either merchandisers or redemption games.
A problem that some vendors identify is that players may be "skeptical of any chance at winning", since many SWP games can be and are rigged to only provide payout a fraction of the time;
thus evidence that suggests that a prize has been won "convinces players that it is actually possible to win."
While SWP machines are generally not intended to be winnable by skilled players – otherwise such a player could continue to play and win and causes losses to the operator – it is sometimes possible that player skill, or using the machine in a way not anticipated by the manufacturer, can result in the game becoming winnable. This may result in service updates by the manufacturer to close the exploit. Other methods to minimize losses are discussed at claw cranes.
s; see claw vending machine: legality for statutes pertaining to claw machines. (They are legal and regulated in the United Kingdom, for example).
Claims of being largely or entirely skill-based can expose the operator to accusation of unfair practices
; thus some lawyers advise operators to not advertise the machines as being skill-based.
As of November 1st 2010, all UK SWP machines must adhere to strict guidelines set down by BACTA (British Amusement & Catering Trade Association) & the gambling commission.These guidelines say that there must be NO element of chance within the game that can affect the outcome. There are also limits set on the level of skill needed to play, for example there must be a minimum amount of time for a player to react to the game. This is so that manufacturers & operators can't be accused of setting ridiculous skill levels that aren't physically possible.
SWP machines are a hybrid of games of skill and games of chance; the degree to which skill versus chance determines the outcome varies between machines, and may be set by operator parameters.
Examples
StackerStacker (game)
Stacker is a video game merchandiser manufactured by LAI Games. The goal of the game is to align rows of moving blocks on top of each other. A player who can stack 11 rows will win a minor prize, which is usually very low in value, sometimes lower in value than the amount of money the player paid...
is a common free-standing merchandiser
Merchandiser
A merchandiser is an arcade gaming device, which features a machine that contains a display of merchandise, which can be won by playing the game....
SWP machine.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the most common class of SWP machines are quiz machine
Quiz machine
Quiz machine is a term used in the UK for commercial coin-operated video quiz games that offer cash prizes for winning performances. These machines are usually found sited in pubs, bars and other places of entertainment...
s, on such platforms as the itbox
Itbox
itbox is a networked gambling games terminal which is found in thousands of pubs, leisure centres and amusement arcades in the United Kingdom. Classified as a "skill with prizes" machine, each itbox terminal typically includes 25 different games. Each game costs 50p or £1 to play and lasts between...
, and are widely found in public houses. Indeed, "quiz machine" is often used interchangeably with "SWP" for such counter-top machines, though not all games on these devices are quiz-based: other games include Crystal Maze, based on The Crystal Maze
The Crystal Maze
The Crystal Maze was a British game show, produced by Chatsworth Television and shown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom between 15 February 1990 and 10 August 1995. There was one series per year, with the first four series presented by Richard O'Brien and the final two by Ed Tudor-Pole, who made...
, and Word Up.
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
s. These are frequently merchandiser
Merchandiser
A merchandiser is an arcade gaming device, which features a machine that contains a display of merchandise, which can be won by playing the game....
s – devices containing prizes – most commonly claw cranes, and more recently Stacker
Stacker (game)
Stacker is a video game merchandiser manufactured by LAI Games. The goal of the game is to align rows of moving blocks on top of each other. A player who can stack 11 rows will win a minor prize, which is usually very low in value, sometimes lower in value than the amount of money the player paid...
. Other examples include Barber Cut and Barber Cut Lite by Namco Bandai Games
Namco Bandai Games
is an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
.
There are also a number of SWP games specific to Japan, such as Move Sector and Ring Magician. Another class are redemption game
Redemption game
Redemption games are typically arcade games of skill that reward the player proportionally to their score in the game. The reward most often comes in the form of tickets, with more tickets being awarded for higher scores. These tickets can then be redeemed at a central location for prizes...
s, which rather than containing prizes, instead dispense tickets which can be redeemed for prizes. Some machines, such as Flamin' Finger
Flamin' Finger
Flamin' Finger is an arcade redemption game and merchandiser released by Namco, notable for its retro design and electronic soundtrack.- Gameplay :...
and Stacker, can be configured as either merchandisers or redemption games.
Economics
SWP machines are generally intended to be profitable for the operator in their own right, rather than as loss leaders; sample economics are given in reference. For example, Barber Cut is advertised as "more addicting than any other prize redemption game, and those repeat-plays will land right in your cash box!"A problem that some vendors identify is that players may be "skeptical of any chance at winning", since many SWP games can be and are rigged to only provide payout a fraction of the time;
thus evidence that suggests that a prize has been won "convinces players that it is actually possible to win."
While SWP machines are generally not intended to be winnable by skilled players – otherwise such a player could continue to play and win and causes losses to the operator – it is sometimes possible that player skill, or using the machine in a way not anticipated by the manufacturer, can result in the game becoming winnable. This may result in service updates by the manufacturer to close the exploit. Other methods to minimize losses are discussed at claw cranes.
Regulation
SWP machines are in a legal gray area in the United States, due to containing elements of skill and of chance, particularly since payout percentages can to a large extent be set by the operator – such setting leads to machines being described as rigged. They are generally regulated separately from games of pure chance such as slot machineSlot machine
A slot machine , informally fruit machine , the slots , poker machine or "pokies" or simply slot is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed...
s; see claw vending machine: legality for statutes pertaining to claw machines. (They are legal and regulated in the United Kingdom, for example).
Claims of being largely or entirely skill-based can expose the operator to accusation of unfair practices
Unfair business practices
Unfair business practices encompass fraud, misrepresentation, and oppressive or unconscionable acts or practices by business, often against consumers and are prohibited by law in many countries. For instance, in the European Union, each member state must regulate unfair business practices in...
; thus some lawyers advise operators to not advertise the machines as being skill-based.
As of November 1st 2010, all UK SWP machines must adhere to strict guidelines set down by BACTA (British Amusement & Catering Trade Association) & the gambling commission.These guidelines say that there must be NO element of chance within the game that can affect the outcome. There are also limits set on the level of skill needed to play, for example there must be a minimum amount of time for a player to react to the game. This is so that manufacturers & operators can't be accused of setting ridiculous skill levels that aren't physically possible.