Voice-Over Online Poker From Playwize
Published: Thursday, September 14, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
VOICE-OVER ONLINE POKER
Playwize launches world's first 3D VoIP poker game
Entertainment industry software developer Playwize plc launched Pokerwize this week, which it claims is the world's first virtual reality 3D Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) poker game.
The AIM-listed Bits Corp subsidiary says that the combination of VoIP and video gaming technology will allow players to interact with each other by voice while playing poker online.
The new game, which is played online or on multiplayer PS2 or PSP video gaming hardware is available for a limited time as a free download in order to raise the profile of the company and generate enthusiasm for voice-over-Internet gambling, says Foo Katan, the chief executive officer. The game offers players four fully 3D virtual casinos to discover, packed with fellow gamblers to chat with and featuring multiple dice tables, poker games and slot machines.
Table games include roulette, craps, blackjack, baccarat and red dog. Poker fans are catered for in designated poker rooms away from the bright lights and razzle-dazzle of the casino floor and offer include favourites such as Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha High, Super Hold 'Em, Pineapple and Crazy Pineapple.
Starting off at the small "Egyptian Kings" casino, players earn stars by gambling smartly. As more stars are earned, ever more exclusive casinos become available to explore, culminating in the "Skies the Limit" venue where the rich and powerful play.
Players are also encouraged to customise their on screen alter egos from a selection of different player models and outfits when creating their character at the start of the game. In addition, each casino boasts a boutique where players can purchase designer couture and blinging accessories. Players will need to play smart though, because character animation and even on-screen stance and mood is affected by gambling success - or the lack of thereof. Lose too much too often and characters will slouch and slump, giving away their loser status. Conversely, play well and the player will be punching the sky with a spring in his or her step.
The game features an innovative context-sensitive control system that allows for the maximum amount of commands at the player's disposal. Commands range from raising and lowering bets, to taunting rivals, blowing on dice for luck, bluffing and even a spot of flirting with fellow players if the mood and atmosphere take you.
Playwize Poker and Casino is arguably the most complete and comprehensive gambling title available on home consoles and has an air of humour and playfulness to match its attention to detail that makes each of the games fascinating to explore. It also offers deadly accurate AI and faithfully recreated casino games to ensure the game appeals to experienced gamblers as well as more casual players.
Playwize is clearly hoping that the launch of the new product will turn its financial fortunes around. The company produced a thumping loss of GBP 1.84 million for the year to end-March 2006, including the write-off of historical video games costs, the investment in the new online gambling business and other re-focusing expenses. Everything now hangs on the success of the new games.
At the last count, the company had GBP 1 million in the bank (following its equity placings in the spring) and undrawn bank facilities of GBP 1.5 million. That gives it a breathing space. What the market now needs to see is how quickly revenues from the new games can be lifted to match outgoings.
