Ainsworth Game Technology (Ainsworth) announced it has named Mike Trask as Head of Studio. Trask will be based in Austin, TX, where he will lead a design team focused on creating strong performing game content.

An industry veteran, Trask has been with Ainsworth for more than eight years in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as VP of Marketing and Product Strategy in the company’s Las Vegas office.

“Mike was instrumental in the creation of our San Bao Pandas and San Bao Dragons games. The games premiered in Class II and HHR markets and performance was phenomenal. We debuted them in Class III late last year on our new A-Star RAPTOR cabinet and both titles appeared on the EKG Gaming Report as top new games in the country. This was made possible using Mike’s vision and contributions. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow leveraging instincts and industry knowledge leading the Austin team,” David Bollesen, Chief Technology Officer at Ainsworth, said.

During his time at Ainsworth, Trask has played key roles in the introduction of the company’s Historical Horse Racing product; created unique platforms for sharing Ainsworth’s games and message; and has led product management across multiple markets.

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Trask’s promotion to Head of Studio further solidifies the company’s recent focus on its product development efforts. Ainsworth has made several investments to protect and expand its legacy recently, including a 25% increase year-over-year in its product development efforts.

“I am excited and ready to take on this new challenge. My passion for games has grown and developed over my time in the industry, and I appreciate the confidence that Ainsworth’s leadership has shown in me as I transition to this new role,” said Trask.

Ainsworth Game Technology announced it has named Sean Evans as Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy. Evans will be based at the Company’s office in Las Vegas, NV.

A veteran gaming industry executive with more than 25 years of experience, Evans brings a broad base of knowledge across disciplines including sales, marketing, and product management to the Ainsworth team.

“Sean will be a steady and energizing influence on our marketing and product management teams,” said Deron Hunsberger, Ainsworth’s President of North America. “His vast knowledge and industry experience make him a welcome addition to Ainsworth, and further illustrates our commitment to hiring great talent as we continue to strengthen our position in the industry. Sean’s leadership will help bring our product offerings to the next level. We could not be more pleased to have him on board.”

Prior to joining Ainsworth, Evans served two years as Senior Vice President of Sales at Eclipse Gaming. Earlier in his career, Evans spent time as the Vice President of Sales – Western Region for Scientific Games; General Manager of AC Slots; Chief Operating Officer at Aruze Americas; and Senior Vice President of Sales for Aristocrat Americas.

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“It’s a great opportunity to join this dynamic team,” said Evans. “I look forward to contributing to the Company’s success and to spreading our message to the industry. We have a bright future. The recent launch of the top performing A-Star RAPTOR cabinet and popular San Bao games show the potential of Ainsworth’s next generation of products. I am excited to help guide the strategy as we continue to improve performance.”

Ainsworth Game Technology announced that its hotly anticipated new A-STAR RAPTOR (RAPTOR) cabinet, first shown at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in October, is built, approved in several North American markets, and ready for install by the end of this year.

The RAPTOR cabinet, a highlight of the Company’s G2E exhibit, features a unique cylindrical display for player tracking, along with a cylindrical above monitor speaker for enhanced player sound experience. The cabinet boasts a 49-inch J-Curve monitor with a 27-inch topper, alongside full high-definition graphics above an 18.5-inch touchscreen button deck with twin smash buttons.

The new cabinet will debut with San Bao Pandas and Dragons. Featuring a popular pot-filler mechanic in the form of growing pandas and hatching dragons, these games have already been released to massive player acceptance in Class II and Historical Horse Racing markets.

“Over the past few years, Ainsworth has made significant investments in product development. The RAPTOR cabinet and San Bao series exemplifies the best of those investments. We are committed to producing top-quality games and top-quality hardware to enhance not just player experience, but operator experience, as well, and this is just the beginning,” said Deron Hunsberger, president for North America.

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Further enhanced by an attractive new LED lighting package and premium surround sound, several new game families will be released on the RAPTOR in early 2024. These offerings include several games showcased earlier this year at G2E, including Oriental Gongs and Jackpot Kingdom, a pair of Australian-designed brands offering innovative twists on Hold and Respin play mechanics.

“The RAPTOR cabinet is the perfect hardware to pair with our new games. Every detail of the RAPTOR was carefully considered and designed for the optimal player experience. We know that players are looking not just for great games, but great gaming experiences, and hardware is just as important as the games themselves, both for drawing players to the game and for keeping them there. The RAPTOR cabinet is a demonstration of our commitment to delivering the best possible experience to players,” said David Bollesen, chief technology officer.