It’s time to put a bow on G2E 2025! The massive gaming expo is a whirlwind no matter the year, but this year was next level in the best possible way.
Although I look forward to G2E every year, I knew I was in for a real treat because this was the first year that I was fortunate to attend as a contributor for Flip The Switch. Going as part of the team meant that I had a higher level of access than ever before. Yes, in years past I have had more than my fair share of various meetings and meals with business partners and potential vendors, but this year all the attention was on what matters most to me- the games!
Like we’ve talked about in our earlier coverage, meetings with the manufacturer representatives and actual game developers gives an unparalleled level of access and attention to learn more about the titles and bigger picture for brands as a whole. Throughout the week Josh and I were able to tour many booths, including nearly all of the top players in the game, and have conversations about what games to look out for on the floor later on this year and next.
After being a gambler for a little more than a hot second, I am most interested in being surprised. I want to see elements added to cabinets that I have never seen before. I am looking for something to truly grab my eye and lure me (and my wallet) in to take a seat. What exactly lures a player in can look different for everyone. For me, I am looking for at least one of the following: cute animals, catchy songs, comfortable seating, and dynamic graphics. The more elements a game has off of my “lure list,” the longer I will linger in hopes of securing a big win.
With the exception of the new Sir Mix-a-Lot game from Bluberi, I didn’t encounter any truly memorable soundtracks. I love when I score a bonus and the music comes alive, it helps get me excited and locked into the bonus. The best example that comes to mind is the high energy feature song found in “Crazy Rich Asians.” As soon as I get a bonus on that game, volume goes to max, and I am jamming along, screaming about money (if you know the lyrics, this makes sense). I like that the song has actual lyrics that I can get into. For games still making their way down the pipeline, I am hoping for better and more entrancing music.
Moving onto another one of our senses, one of my earliest reports about this year’s convention included a blurb about a smell tactic that was being utilized by Eclipse Gaming. The company had smartly added some sort of fragrance diffuser that occasionally dispersed the sweet smell of bananas across their booth. Why bananas? The scent matched their new title “Banana Bash Monkey” and it was used as a way to entice visitors to get closer to the cabinet to learn more about the game. Although I was greatly disappointed to learn this smell enhancement was just for the tradeshow, it did give me hope for the future. I now know that manufacturers can add new elements, like fragrance diffusers, so hopefully we will see some new advancements hit floors in the coming years.
Something else to add to my “future game wishlist” is the request for more hidden Easter eggs! I love playing slots that include little hidden things like poking the title character and seeing them react. In some games this can look like the character winking or giving a casual shrug, other Easter eggs can be a little more obvious like showing them jumping into a bucket of coins or tossing sparkles into the air.
Thankfully, we did discover one hidden element while talking with Kelly, the game developer behind Lucky Lemmings Stampede. If in the future you encounter these adorable little creatures at your casino, hone in on the lemmings that are eagerly standing by the cliff. To discover the Easter egg, tap on various lemmings and make sure to fast tap the ones standing directly on the edge of the cliff. If you want to spoil the surprise about what exactly they do, click here.
My last thought about G2E 2025 is a note for the future. Although I do enjoy new twists on old classics, like adding a wheel to a previously wheelless game, there was something missing for me this year. I was left longing for a new character. Yes, the lemmings are incredibly cute but they have well known ancestors (the OG version of the game.) I was on the look out for a totally new persona that could hold their own against the ranks of greats like Buffalo or Cleopatra.
All in all, G2E 2025 was a great year! I am incredibly grateful to have been able to spend an entire week investigating and testing out new titles. It was truly remarkable being able to meet with the various representatives to learn more about the games and what makes them so special.
Let me know if you spot any of my top games out in the wild, they’ll start rolling out soon! Already have questions or requests for deeper looks at G2E 2026? Let us know in the comments, next year’s show will be here before we know it!
