By Clyde Mooney
Gaming manufacturer Aristocrat will continue its focus on building a strong product portfolio after a dramatically improved financial performance last year.
As Aristocrat released its 2011 Annual Report, Australia & NZ marketing manager Craig Blesson told TheShout the company will continue this year with its 'A Legend Returns' campaign, which highlights the company's commitment to returning some of its classic brands back to the Australian market.
"Alongside the Legends range we will continue introducing brand new product with innovative features and game play. An exciting new addition is 'Stuntman Sam' – an interactive Triple Standalone Progressive, with a show-stopping feature-top box," Blesson said.
"There are numerous new products on the horizon, including Amazon Cashman Fever and the latest Players' Choice offering, Players' Choice Grand."
"Players' Choice Grand is a multigame, featuring some of Aristocrat's favourite low- and mid-denomination titles, and will be the first Viridian WS game available with our 'Nteractive' LCD buttons."
The Viridian WS release was the mainstay of Aristocrat's turnaround last year, increasing revenues, margins and average selling price, and the sale of games in the latter half of the year with the expansion of game libraries.
Aristocrat in February reported its overall profit was up 21 per cent in the 2011 financial year to more than $66 million.
The company has taken a battering on the ASX in recent years, but paid a dividend of 4c per ordinary share in 2011, representing a 166 per cent increase on 2010.