Itbox

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itbox is a networked gambling games terminal which is found in thousands of pubs, leisure centres and amusement arcades in the United Kingdom. Classified as a SWP (Skill With Prizes) machine, each itbox terminal typically includes 25 different games. Each game costs 50p to play and lasts between 10 seconds and several minutes. From most of these games it is possible to win modest cash prizes. Although strictly the name 'itbox' refers only to Leisure Link-made terminals, however the name is often being casually applied to other SWP terminals such as Paragon SWP, Gamesnet, ind:e and Fatbox.

An itbox, displaying a game of Hangman 2 in progress

1 Games
2 Prizes
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Games

The games on itbox are largely question-and-answer based where the player will need to answer a varying number of questions (often from a range of subject categories) correctly before he or she can opt to collect a small prize (normally £1) or gamble for a chance to win a larger prize by answering further questions.

[edit] Question-and-answer based

Bullseye - This game is based on an old television programme of the same name. It became, and remains, one of the more popular Question and Answer games on the itbox. Players must skilfully throw darts into a dart board to achieve points towards their target score. If this score is achieved, then the player is entered into the prize round, where they are able to throw darts into a "prize" board to gain cash prizes.

Pub Quiz - Players must answer a series of questions from a randomly selected category, although there is the option to switch category (just the once). Once the third round of questions is complete, the player wins a guaranteed £1 and can continue to move up an animated pint glass in order to collect more winnings. A bonus round is available featuring a Cheat (Free Answer) and Extra Try Again - although a collect money option may appear, albeit rarely.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? - Based on the popular television programme, Millionaire enables gamers to sit with Chris Tarrant in order to win £20. The completion of the Fastest Finger First round opens up bonuses such as 'Ask the Audience' and '50:50', which can be invaluable in helper the player reach the payout questions. A recent 2006 edition has been launched, with less time available to answer individual questions but improved odds of gaining Fastest Finger bonuses, as well as more video footage of Chris Tarrant.

Monopoly - Based on the standard boardgame, Monopoly, gamers (as the dog) land on properties and answer questions to gain the property and points equivalent to the price. A certain number of points will bring up the prize money. Special games appear on Just visiting, Free Parking, and Go in which a scratchcard is played for the chance of guaranteed cash. 'Watch out for the golden dog' - found rarely in Community Chest or Chance he runs around the board collecting free properties and cash prizes.

TV Times Trivia Teaser - Players answer a series of questions (or complete specified picture tasks, e.g. completing a jigsaw) framed in stacked multiple TV screens as they advance up to the Cash Zone. Once here, the player pushes a button which can select a monetary prize, an extra question, or an arrow resulting in another question round. Answering all five categories of question leads to a bonus, typically a free try again/answer, but sometimes instant advancement to Cash Zone, or on rare occasions a Cash Prize (typically £1).

Cryptic Clues - In a similar fashion to the games of the Hangman's stable, the player must identify a phrase or a name derived from the category they have selected. The action takes place in an abandoned pyramid deep in the Valley of the Kings, and the more points gained leads to the location of the money.

Spider-Man II - The gamer takes on the mantle of Peter Parker, AKA Spider-Man. The game consists of a top down view of a city which Spider-Man has to navigate by way of a question grid based on the street layout. Bonuses include the 'Spider Sense' and 'Swing On'.

Deal or No Deal - A popular new addition to the Itbox selection. Presented by Noel Edmonds, the player must play a game of 'Deal or No Deal' by choosing boxes and answering trivia questions in order to advance to a cash round in which a maximum prize of £20 is easy to obtain and a minimum of 10p even easier. In some pubs the game has proved so popular that the minimum play is £1 and not 50p.

Other games include Hangman 2, Hangman's Haunted House, Donkey Derby & Mouse Trap.

[edit] Skill / card games

Some games on itbox do not involve questions at all; examples of these are:

Word Up - here the computer generates a random matrix of letters with different point values, players must form English words from adjoining letters in order to reach a predetermined prize target which ranges from 450-1520 points. see Word Up

Triple Towers - A card game in which a random sequence of playing cards are dealt face down in a tri-pyramid pattern. The player is then dealt 24 cards with which he must clear all the pyramid cards within a set time by creating sequential runs (in this game Ace is both high and low)

Trickshot Pool - A computerised simulation of 8-ball pool. Players must pot a pre-determined number of their own colour balls (between 4-8). If successful the player has a chance to win a cash prize by completing a trickshot by potting an awkwardly positioned black ball determined by the computer. (Standard 8-ball pool rules apply with the exception that potting the 8ball off the break is considered a foul.)

Crystal Maze - A game where the player must use various skills to win crystals and proceed to the 'Dome', in the same way that contestants did on the hit TV show - The Crystal Maze. Presented by Richard O'Brien, the player must torpedo ships, connect pipes and re-arrange words amongst mini-games to gain access to the final round where the amount of crystals collected translates as time. To win the prize the user must collect gold tickets whilst missing silver, which are deducted from the final total. The Itbox has been known to cheat the user in this last round by not accepting certain screen touches and therefore denying players the chance to win.

Itbox Soccer - A test of knowledge based on the sport of soccer, Itbox Soccer is a word based game where players must try to answer questions about soccer, then fill in the blanks to complete the name of a player or other soccer-related example.

The amount of money won is determined by the number of points the player accumulates by successfully answering questions and filling in the missing letters.

Past games that are no longer available, except on older machines, include The Two Towers, and Dungeons and Dragons.

[edit] Tournament games

In early 2006 a new style of game was introduced to itbox terminals. These tournament games pit players playing on different terminals around the country against each other for larger cash prizes than the stand-alone games. The national high score tables are reportedly updated in real time [1]

[edit] Prizes

SWPs are typically set to a payout percentage of 30% although operators can elect to set this at 40% or 50%. Many of the terminals were actually set as low as 27%, in an attempt to boost revenue. Each game has a prize structure which varies according to whether that game has recently paid out more than it should have according to the fixed payout percentage. Most games have a nominal jackpot of £20 although attaining this requires considerable skill from the player and cooperation from the software. Occasionally the operator underestimates the dedication of quiz machine players, or the software on a particular game is defective. When this happens, fast-acting players can empty machines of the jackpot with minimum difficulty.