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 and Fatbox .
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.
- - 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.
- - Players must answer a series of questions from a randomly selected category, although there is the option to switch category (just the once). Usually once the third round of questions is complete (it can be two in rare cases), 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.
- - Similar to 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). The object however is to get the questions wrong once the third round of questions is complete the player wins a guaranteed £1 and can continue to move up the score board in order to collect more winnings. A bonus round is also available however this round also offers cash prices (£1, £2 & £3) as well as the options mentioned in pub quiz.
- - 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 helping 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.
- - Based on the standard boardgame, the current incarnation of this game is the fourth. Improvements to previous versions include a choice of counter (each of which makes a different noise), more subgames (e.g. a player landing on Waterworks must complete a simple plumbing puzzle) and a formulaic endgame. In normal gameplay, gamers land on properties and answer questions to gain the property and points equivalent to the price, once a player has landed on any given property, a house is built thereat, if a player has landed on all properties in a coloured set, hotels are built, again increasing points available for subsequent visits. A certain number of points will bring up the endgame in which players have to (blindly) choose three of all the properties accumulated on the main game, a cash amount is offered or players can gamble and pick one of the three cards (and typically win 50p). Special subgames appear on ''Just visiting'', ''Free Parking'', and ''Go''.
- - 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.
- - 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'.
- - 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.
- - A new version of the game for Itbox. Presented by Noel Edmonds , the player must play a game of ' Deal Or No Deal ' by choosing boxes and light up all the cash values before the time runs out, 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.
- - A honey-themed question-and-answer game
- - With every new release the itbox gains new games and loses underperforming older games. Few of these new games last long on subsequent issues. Current (Summer 2007) games include The X-Factor, a greyhound racing game, an update for Itbox soccer and a card game where the skill of making pairs is secondary to the skill of being Billy Whizz .
Other games include ''Hangman 2'', ''Hangman's Haunted House'', ''Donkey Derby'' & ''Mouse Trap''.
Some games on itbox do not involve questions at all; examples of these are:
- - (a new name for Word Up .) Here the computer generates a "random" matrix of letters with different point values based upon the machine's 'willingness' to pay out, players must form English words from adjoining letters in order to reach a predetermined prize target which ranges from 450-2100 points. ''''
- - 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)
- - 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.) Recent modifications appear to have reintroduced more skill into this title by tweaking the CPU player's shot choices.
- - 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. (This title has been largely superseded on later itbox releases.)
- - A test of knowledge based on the sport of football, Itbox Soccer is a word based game where players must fill in the blanks to complete the name of a player or other soccer-related term.
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.
- - A game where the player has a choice of rolls on a dice to choose from. The aim is to find out the suspect, the weapon and the room the murder took place. If this is done, the player wins £20. You can also win money for landing on all 6 suspects for £5 or the amount of rooms entered- The amount of rooms before money can be collected varies, it can be the 2nd to the 5th room entered. You must be in the correct room and guess the murderer and weapon correctly to win £20.
Past games that are no longer available, except on older machines, include The Two Towers , and Dungeons And Dragons .
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 {Link without Title}
In accordance with gambling legislation the machinces are fixed minimum payout as with all fruit machines. 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.
- http://www.leisure-link.com
- http://www.itbox.com
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