Gamblor’s World :: March

CNW Ltée ,LAS VEGAS, NV, Feb. 27 /CNW/ - An item which aired on CBC’s “The

National” on February 26 is irresponsible, inaccurate and damaging, says slot

machine manufacturer Konami Gaming. The company will pursue legal action.

The report by journalist Dave Seglins claims that a few older Konami

machines contain a “subliminal message,” implying that this may affect the

behavior of the player but the story does not specify how, if at all, this

could occur. Mr. Seglins was told in an interview with Konami C.O.O. Steve

Sutherland that the machines in question are actually some of the lowest

performing machines, based on house averages, within the Konami game library.

“The performance of these machines directly disproves the CBC’s theory,

but the reporter conveniently neglected to mention that in his piece,” says

Sutherland. “The reporter did not ask for the data that shows these machines

generate less revenue than comparable machines. Broadcasting a story based on

controversial and vague theories, despite the facts which refute those

theories, is irresponsible and impugns the integrity of an honest company.”

In addition, the CBC reporter neglected to include that the psychologist

he interviewed for the story, Philip Merikle, wrote in the Encyclopedia of

Psychology that “there is no independent evidence indicating that embedded

subliminal words, symbols or objects are used to sell products. Furthermore,

even if such embedded subliminal stimuli were used, there is no evidence to

suggest this would be an effective method for influencing the choices that

consumers make.”

The CBC story was also misleading by creating the impression that

subliminal perception is a more powerful influencer. Merikle wrote in the same

encyclopedia, “A common theme that links all extraordinary claims regarding

subliminal perception is that perception in the absence of an awareness of

perceiving is somehow more powerful or influential. This idea is not supported

by the results of controlled laboratory investigations.”

The CBC presented no evidence and no first-hand accounts to support any

of its claims.

The report shows that five of the same symbol appear for 200-milliseconds

on the screen at the start of a game on four (three in Canada) game titles

developed in 2001. “Even though this has absolutely no effect whatsoever on

the outcome of the game, we have still offered conversion kits for every

machine,” adds Sutherland.

“Konami will pursue its legal options related to what it considers

irresponsible reporting on the part of CBC, and the resultant impact on the

integrity of Konami Gaming,” says Sutherland.

For further information: Steve Sutherland, Executive Vice-President and

C.O.O., Konami Gaming, (702) 616-1419

KONAMI GAMING - Renseignements sur cet organisme

Posted: March 1, 2007 Comments (0)