Altronic The Game of Life Setup guide

www.atronic.com
The Game of Life™
Setup and Configuration
(for APL™ based installations)
Rev. 1.0
May 2007

2
May 2007
The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
RELEASE INFO
Release Info:
The Game of Life™
Setup and Configuration
(for APL™ based installations)
Rev. 1.0
Rel. May 2007
Copyright Notice:
© 2007, Atronic. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be copied or distributed, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer language, in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, manual, or otherwise, or
disclosed to third parties without the express written permission obtained from a properly
authorized official of Atronic.
DISCLAIMER
Atronic makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, with respect to
this publication, or any product of Atronic, including but not limited to warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Atronic reserves the right to
make changes, enhancements, revisions and alterations of any kind to this publication
or the product(s) it covers without obligation to notify any person, institution or
organization of such changes, enhancements, revisions and alterations.
TRADEMARKS
This document may contain trademarks of Atronic. All other brand and product names
are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
THE GAME OF LIFE is a trademark of Hasbro and is used with permission.
© 2006 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

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May 2007
The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
CONTENT
• About this Manual ...........................................................
Overview
• Preface ...........................................................................
• Hardware Components / Package .....................................
• General Configuration Notes ...........................................
Setup
• Atronic Progressive Link™
What is APL? ..........................................................
Wiring Diagramm .....................................................
Commboard Wiring Diagramm ..................................
• Commboard Setup
Overview ..................................................................
Configure APL Mode .................................................
Communication to an Online System .........................
Dual Channel Mode ...................................................
• Media Controller Setup
General, Media Controller Location, Signage Cabling ...
Connect the Media Controller ...................................
Uninterruptible Power Supply ...................................
Shutdown Software .................................................
• Machine Setup
Overview ....................................................................
RAM Reset ..............................................................
Initial Setup ............................................................
Initial Setup / Required Settings ................................
Top Glasses ............................................................
Configuration
• Jackpot Configuration
Alink Config Installation .............................................
Jackpot Configuration Procedure ...............................
• Machine Configuration
Recommended Service Menu Settings ......................
Overview of Service Menu Settings ..........................
• Media Controller Configuration (Display Configuration) .......
Maintenance
• Jackpot Statistics ..........................................................
• Change APL Master Machine ...........................................
• APL Troubleshooting ........................................................
Appendix
• Commboard Connectors ..................................................
• Commboard DIP-Switch Table ..........................................
• Glossary .........................................................................
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THE GAME OF LIFE™ - SETUP AND CONFIGURATION

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Scope
This document describes how to set up and configure
a The Game of Life™ link. It describes how to set up
the participating gaming machines, how to link them
and how to carry out the jackpot configuration and
the display configuration. Information in this manual
applies to game titels of software level B1.2.3.
Target Audience
We address qualified technical personnel, who are
involved in setup and configuration of a The Game of
Life™ link. With this user group we assume that they
are basically computer literate and familiar with gaming
machine and progressive jackpot terminology.
Please read this document carefully before you start
the setup, to avoid incorrect configuration.
Related Publications
More detailed information about installation, basic
setup and operation of Atronic e-motion™ gaming
machines may be found in the following publications:
Installation Manuals
• Manual EMC HI Installation
Software and Basic Setup Manual
(Please refer to the manual version that corresponds
to a certain game software version)
• Manual HI Software (B1.2.3 STD)
Operation Manuals
• Manual EMC HI Operation (B1.2.3 STD)
Manual for SAS system based installations (optional)
• Manual The Game of Life™ - Set Up and
Configuration (for system based installations)
INTRODUCTION
Note:
EMC = e-motion™ cabinet
HI = Hi(!)bility™ platform

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
OVERVIEW
Preface
The Game of Life™ is a 5-level progressive jackpot
system based on HASBROs highly successful board
game The Game of Life™.
One out of 5 progressive jackpots can be won during
the The Game of Life™ bonus. This bonus feature is
triggered both via symbol (3x The Game of Life™ symbol)
or mystery trigger. It can be triggered with any bet,
but hits more often with increasing bets. Once you
entered the The Game of Life™ bonus the total bet
which triggered the bonus is not relevant anymore.
The chances to win any of the progressive jackpots is
the same for all bets.
The Game of Life™ is driven by Atronic's unique internal,
in-machine, progressive controller (APL™). This gives
the operator the option to operate each link without
any other equipment or infrastructure.
In addition The Game of Life™ can be operated based
on any SAS based progressive controller/system locally
or multi-site. The setup for system based installations
is described in a seperate document named
• Manual The Game of Life™ - Set Up and
Configuration (for system based installations)
OVERVIEW

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
OVERVIEW
Hardware Components / Package
The Game of Life™ packages are available tailored to
customer needs. The normal recommendation for a
The Game of Life™ core package* would consists of:
• The Game of Life™ games
• Signage including plasma (or LCD) display
• Media Controller including operating system and
The Game of Life™ display software.
• Media Controller connection kit
• UPS power backup unit for the Media Controller
• Cabeling
*Customized packages tailored to customer needs are available.
Game themed accessories such as base stands,
woodfillers, dividers, lightboxes, murals and chairs are
available optional.
OVERVIEW

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
GENERAL CONFIGURATION NOTES
When configuring a The Game of Life™ installation,
there are a few things to consider:
Progressive Calculation
The Game of Life™ progressive parameters are
calculated by means of the Atronic Progressive
Calculation Sheet. During order processing you
received a copy of this calculation sheet which
determines the parameters for a particular The Game
of Life™ installation. To avoid incorrect payout
percentages, please do not use any other values than
stated in this document. If an alteration of the pro-
gressive parameters becomes necessary, please ask
your local sales represantative for a recalculation.
Return to Player Percentage
The base values and increments of the progressive
jackpots are included in the Return to Player (RTP)
percentage calculated by means of the Progressive
Calculation Sheet.
Jackpots Handpays
In default configuration only the top progressive jackpot
level will trigger a handpay when hit. The lower pro-
gressive levels are machine paid.
When the top progressive jackpot level is hit during
the The Game of Life™ bonus feature, the machine will
lock and displays (AMOUNT) JACKPOT WILL BE PAID
AT THE END OF THE BONUS GAME.
An attendant needs to acknowledge the jackpot hit by
turning the jackpot key, but must not pay out the pro-
gressive amount at this stage.
The jackpot handpay has to be carried out when the
bonus feature has ended and the handpay amount is
displayed on screen. The handpay amount includes the
progressive amount plus additional wins from the bonus
feature and the base game (that triggered the bonus
feature).
Celebration Limit
(Optional) The Celebration Limit setting allows to enable
an additional threshold for jackpot handpays. See also
section Machine Configuration / Celebration Limit on
page 39.
OVERVIEW
Note: In case of a progressive
jackpot handpay the machine
will send two single handpay
messages to the accounting
system. One for the progres-
sive amount and one for the
additional wins.

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
ATRONIC PROGRESSIVE LINK™
What is APL?
The Game of Life™ links use Atronic Progressive Link™
(APL) technology to link the participating gaming
machines. APL provides a very simple way to link Atronic
games to a local area progressive.
Setting up a progressive using the APL is quite easy
as the internal progressive system is operated via the
Commboard of the machine. By simply linking directly
from one machine Commboard to another, up to 16
The Game of Life™ games can be linked to a progressive.
The APL requires no external controller.
The APL is designed to be flexible and user friendly and
operates with one machine acting as the master and
the other machines in the link as slaves. The decision
about which game is the master is not pre determined
and can therefore be selected via a dipswitch on the
Commboard. More importantly if the master machine
fails, another machine in the link can be appointed as
the master via the dipswitch so no data is lost and
the progressive remaines active.
The entire set up of the progressive jackpot and
configuration for all the machines in the link is carried
out on the master machine via a connection between
a PC and the main board.
The progressive jackpot is automatically displayed via
a on screen meter (utilising e-motion™ dual screen
technology) and one or more plasma screens.
The Game of Life™ Link Sizes
Minimum Link Size: 4 machines
Recommended Link Size: 8 - 12 machines
Maximium Link Size (APL based): 16 machines
(with B-Level game software)
SETUP

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
Wiring Diagramm
This figure shows a wiring diagramm of a typical APL™
based The Game of Life™ link with up to 16 machines.
The APL power supply can be connected to each end
of the link or within the link using a RJ-45 Y-adapter
(Adapter WE8 - 2 WE8).
EGM 1 EGM 2 EGM 16
APL Master
Display 1
Media
Controller
Converter
Display 2
(max.16 EGMs)
APL
Power
Supply
APL Slave APL Slave
Audio Out
Monitor Out
UPS
Unit
SETUP
ATRONIC PROGRESSIVE LINK™

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
P5
P18
P9
P10
P7
P3
P15
P12 P4
P19
P11
P14
P13
P2
P20
S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S5 S8
S9
5V
12V
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U28
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ON
12345678
ON
Battery 3.6V
+
P1
B1
CPU 68k
P17
P16
P4
P3
1
P2
Overhead Display Board
Commboard 68k
Rev. 2.10
Not connected
Converter
P5
P18
P9
P10
P7
P3
P15
P12 P4
P19
P11
P14
P13
P2
P20
S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S5 S8
S9
5V
12V
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U28
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ON
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ON
Battery 3.6V
+
P1
B1
CPU 68k
P17
P16
Commboard 68k
Rev. 2.10
P5
P18
P9
P10
P7
P3
P15
P12 P4
P19
P11
P14
P13
P2
P20
S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S5 S8
S9
5V
12V
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U28
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Battery 3.6V
+
P1
B1
CPU 68k
P17
P16
Commboard 68k
Rev. 2.10
APL Power Supply
MASTER SLAVE SLAVE
Machine
Data Controller
(MDC)
Machine
Data Controller
(MDC)
Machine
Data Controller
(MDC)
Commboard Wiring Diagramm
This figure shows how to connect the commboards.
connect to
Media Controller
CAT-5 network cable
Note:
As connectors P10 and P11 on
the commboard are wired par-
allel it does not matter which
one is used for input or output.
However it is recommended to
use this wiring pattern for ease
of maintenance.
connect to mains <--
SETUP
ATRONIC PROGRESSIVE LINK™
APL Master
The Media Controller has to be connected
to the APL master machine.
MDC
The use of a MDC that connects to the
floor network is optional.

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
COMMBOARD SETUP
This section describes how to set up the commboards
for a The Game of Life™ link. It describes required
settings to operate The Game of Life™ and optional
settings to connect to an online system.
The commboard is located inside the logic box (card
cage) of the gaming machine. It is the topmost board.
To remove the commboard for setup switch off the
machine and pull the green release lever.
Important: Do not remove, insert or
configure the commboard or the
mainboard with the machine switched on.
Following settings are described on the next pages:
Required Settings
• Activate APL mode and configure an APL ma-
ster machine.
Optional Settings
• Communication to an online system via a slot
machine interface board (SMIB).
• SAS dual channel communication.
• Lock machine, if the online system is not con-
nected.
SETUP
Commboard Release Lever

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
COMMBOARD SETUP
Required Settings
Following commboard settings are required to operate
The Game of Life™ via APL.
Activate APL mode and configure an APL master
machine
1. Set an APL Progressive Address with rotary
switches S1 and S2 on the commboard. Each
machine in the link must have a unique address from
"01" to "32". Address "00" is not valid.
S1: Set APL Progressive Address x10
S2: Set APL Progressive Address x 1
2. Configure commboard DIP switch S5 / 1 - 3.
(on all machines in the link)
Set S5 / 1 to OFF
Set S5 / 2 to ON
Set S5 / 3 to OFF
This activates the APL mode in general (slave mode).
3. Configure one machine in the link as APL master:
Set S5 / 4 to ON
This sets APL master mode and activates the
implemented jackpot controller functionality.
Note: The Media Controller has to be connected to
the APL master commboard.
On all other (APL slave) commboards S5 / 4 has to
be set to OFF.
APL Master
APL Slave
Commboard 68k
Example:
To set APL Progressive
Address "15", set S1 to "1" and
S2 to "5"
SETUP

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
COMMBOARD SETUP
Optional Settings
These settings are optional to enable communication
to an online system.
Communication to an online system via a slot machine
interface board (SMIB)
These settings apply, if the commboard is connected
to an Atronic Systems MDC (Machine Data Controller)
or a similar slot machine interface board (SMIB) which
provides the accounting system address. In this case
it is not necessary to set a unique accounting system
address on the commboard.
1. Set S5 /6 to ON
This enables communication to an online system in
general.
2. Activate SAS Channel 1.
Set rotary switch S7 to "1"
This enables communication on SAS channel 1 on
commboard connectors P12 (RS-232 interface) and
P2 (TTL interface).
3. Optional:
Close jumper B1 on the commboard.
This shortcuts digital ground on commboard
connector P12 to electrical ground.
You may use this option to enhance signal quality, if
the connected interface device provides galvanic
isolation of ground connection.
Note:
See appendix for a commboard
connectors layout.
SETUP
Note:
Close jumper B1 if you use an
Atronic Systems MDC.

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
COMMBOARD SETUP
Optional Settings continued
SAS dual channel communication
This section gives an overview of the SAS dual channel
settings.
1. Set S5 /6 to ON
This enables communication to an online system in
general.
2. Activate SAS Channel 1.
Set rotary switch S7 to "1"
This enables communication on SAS channel 1 on
commboard connectors P12 (RS-232 interface) and
P2 (TTL interface).
3. Activate SAS Channel 2.
Set rotary switch S4 to "1"
This enables communication on SAS channel 2 on
commboard connectors P4 (RS-232 interface) and
P19 (TTL interface).
Special Case :
If you connect to an Atronic fibre optics board that
links to a fibre optics ticketing network (TITO), you
have to set a unique address for SAS channel 2 on
each commboard.
S3: Set Accounting System Address x10
S4: Set Accounting System Address x 1
SETUP
Note:
See appendix for a commboard
connectors layout.
Note:
Address "00" disables a
channel.

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
COMMBOARD SETUP
Optional Settings continued
SAS Dual Channel Communication continued
4. Allocate SAS long polls to a SAS channel.
The Atronic commboard 68k allows to allocate par-
ticular SAS long polls to channel 1 or channel 2.
This is done with DIP switches S8 / 2 - 6.
Set S8 / 2 - 6 to OFF = SAS channel 1
Set S8 / 2 - 6 to ON = SAS channel 2
S8 / 2
Allocates Progressive Jackpot Polls
Affected long polls: 80, 86
S8 / 3
Allocates EFT Polls
Affected long polls: 22-26, 28, 29, 62-67
S8 / 4
Allocates Legacy Bonusing Polls
Affected long polls: 2E, 8A, 8B
S8 / 5
Allocates Control Polls
Affected long polls: 03-07, 0A-0C, 94, A8
S8 / 6
Allocates Ticketing Polls and Exceptions
Affected long polls: 4C, 4D, 57, 58, 70, 71, 7D
Affected exceptions: 3F, 57, 67, 68
Lock machine if the online system is not connected
Set DIP switch S8 / 8 to ON to force a machine
lock, if the commboard does not receive broadcasts
from the online system for more than 15 seconds.
In this case an error message is displayed on screen
and all play is locked.
With S8 / 8 set to OFF (default) the machine
remains playable without communication to the
online system.
SETUP

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
SETUP
Note: Although an APL slave
machine can send progressive
jackpot values to the Media
Controller, it has to be
connected to the APL master.
Only the APL master can send
the trigger signal to start the
jackpot hit presentation.
MEDIA CONTROLLER SETUP
This section describes how to connect the Media
Controller and the plasma/LCD display(s) and where to
situate the Media Controller.
General
The Media Controller is a small PC that provides video
animations and jackpot values which are displayed on
the plasma/LCD display(s). It comes with a pre-installed
Windows®XP Professional operating system (english
version required) and The Game of Life™ display
software. Two displays and a audio device can be
connected. The mains voltage for the Media Controller
is provided by an Uninteruptible Power Supply (UPS).
The Media Controller receives the jackpot broadcasts
from the APL master machine. It is connected by a
RS485-to-RS232 converter and a small commboard
add-on board, the OH Displayboard.
Media Controller Location
The Media Controller has to be connected to the APL
master machine. It is recommended to situate the
Media Controller and its UPS in the base stand of the
APL master machine.
Important: The base stand or box where
the Media Controller is situated has to be
actively vented to prevent the Media
Controller from overheating.
The environmental temperature must not
exceed 40°C/104°F.
Signage Cabling
The VGA cable, the audio cable and the signage mains
cable is usually threaded through one of the posts that
hold the signage. You may need to temporarily remove
the signage mains plug to thread it through the post.
The plasma/LCD display(s) which are connected to the
Media Controller have to support a 1024 x 768 pixel
display resolution at 60 Hz with highest (32 bit) color
quality via VGA (RGB) or DVI connector.
EGM 1
APL Master
Media
Controller
Converter
UPS
Unit
Mains
Logic Box
Audio
Device
Vented Base Stand
Plasma/LCD Display

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The Game of Life™ / Setup and Configuration (APL based)
MEDIA CONTROLLER SETUP
This section describes how to connect the Media
Controller. As the signage type may vary these steps
are described in general.
Connect the Media Controller
1. Determine which machine is the APL master ma-
chine (see also section "Commboard Setup") and
install the OH Display Board to connector P18 on
the commboard of the APL master machine.
2. Connect the cable that runs from the commboard
to the signal converter.
a) Connect the 6-pin terminal strip to connector
P3 on the OH Display Board.
b) Connect the 14-pin terminal strip to connector
P3 on the commboard.
c) Connect the other end of the cable to the si-
gnal converter. It is recommended to situate
the converter inside the master machine.
3. Connect the signal converter to the Media Con-
troller serial port using a serial cable.
Note: You may need to remove the cover from the
serial plug to thread the cable into the machine.
4. Connect the signage to the Media Controller.
a) Thread the VGA cable, the audio cable and the
signage mains cable through one of the posts
that holds the signage.
Note: You may need to temporarily remove the si-
gnage mains plug to thread it through the post.
b) Connect the signage display
In most cases you will use VGA socket (1) to
connect to the plasma/LCD display.
c) Connect the signage audio device cable to the
PC audio out socket.
P5
P18
P9
P10
P7
P3
P15
P12 P4
P19
P11
P14
P13
P2
P20
S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S5 S8
S9
5V
12V
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12345678
ON
12345678
ON
Battery 3.6V
+
P1
B1
CPU 68k
P17
P16
P4
P3
1
P2
OH Display Board
Commboard 68k
Rev. 2.10
S5 / 4 set to ON = APL master machine
P5
P18
P9
P10
P7
P3
P15
P12 P4
P19
P11
P14
P13
P2
P20
S1 S2 S3 S4 S6 S7 S5 S8
S9
5V
12V
U34 U35
U28
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12345678
ON
12345678
ON
Battery 3.6V +
P1
B1
CPU 68k
P17
P16
P4
P3
1
P2
Overhead Display Board
Commboard 68k
Rev. 2.10
Not connected
Converter
SETUP
Serial
Port
USB
Ports
Audio
Out
VGA(1)
VGA(2)
Mains
Input
Note: The connectors layout of
the Media Controller can differ
from the figure above.