On 11th April, it was revealed that GameCo had acquired the licence to create gambling based machines using the Star Trek brand, the first one they will make is based on Deep Space Nine, a favourite among many here in the UFP. These won't be slot machines, they will be skill based games, where you get control of the USS Defiant and take part in space combat. The difference between this machine and a traditional arcade game is that there is a monetary payout, though details of what it will be for this Star Trek game have not yet been released.

Part of the reasoning for the rise of skill based games in casinos is to try and attract a younger client base, those who aren't interested in playing slot machines and may also recognise some of the brands on offer. GameCo have a number of other licences to play with, such as Terminator, Paranormal and Mission Impossible, all of which could attract a younger gambling audience. The age range is still going to be those who are legally allowed to gamble, which in the US can vary state to state, but the hope wil be to get those people in.

When it comes to the Star Trek licence they acquired, it covers all of the series to date, but not any of the reboot films or the upcoming Discovery. Arguably, the reboots could have pulled in a younger audience, who do not have an interest in the older Star Trek series, though I guess you could say, what they have acquired the rights to is, a gamble!

What do you think? Would you gamble on something like this or would you hope that if the gameplay is good, it comes to an arcade or emulation? Drop your thoughts below!

WRITTEN & EDITED BY Three of Seven - rena.hobden@ufplanets.com