The Fruity Arcade - UK AWP Machines, Jamma, Emulators, Fruities and more...

We will take a look at a machine called Pie Factory - its a fairly popular pub / arcade fruit machine, made by a company called Vivid, which is a sister company to Barcrest (one of the larger manufacturers of AWP machines in the UK).



Some basic facts about this machine.

Launch Date 01/06/2001
Machine Type UK AWP
Game Style Hi Tech AWP
Cabinet style :Tall Genesis, front opening
Technology :MPU 5
Float value £125 (£250 note acceptor)
Stake options 5p, 10p, 20p, 25p, 30p
Prize options £5, £8, £15, £25
Cabinet Dimensions(HxWxD) 179cm x 68cm x 68cm
Cabinet Weight 120kg Max

As you can see from the stats, its a hefty machine, as are almost all UK AWP's, this one is currently set on 30p play and 25 pound jackpot. Dont worry if you dont understand some of the terms in the spec, I will go into details explaining them all in future posts.

The 3 main reels at the middle of the machine, are the main game reels, a better view is shown below.

You can see how these machines get the name "fruit machine" from the symbols on the reels, you can also see on this picture that two of the reels are showing little chefs on them.

Many machine use additional symbols like this, they differ according to each machines style, but the general principle is that you either have to get three on the winline, or often just 3 visible to enter the feature board above.

Some machines use numbers instead, but the principle is similar, get so many points, and you gain access to the features.

On the top of the machine, on the left you can see a trail of numbers starting from 1 pounds and going up to the Jackpot of 25 pounds. This is the cash trail, and you can gamble your way up it (if you have the nerve to do so, as its easy to lose!) by choosing higher or lower on a reel with 12 numbers. The machine contrary to popular belief does not randomly choose what number come next, if it wants you to win, you will win. If it wants you to lose you will - every time.

On the right side you see the feature trail, this has a number of different games on it, each game will award a cash prize (or nothing if you lose...) and the higher up the trail you get, the better the prizes can get..

In the middle, you have another set of 3 reels, with pies on them, these are the "super" reels, and when the machine gives you spins on these, you will always get a win from each spin. The win amount from these reels goes into the cash pot, which is the large display above these reels. You have the option of collecting this, or continue gambling for more.......

The only other reel on the machine is the higher lower reel, which although numbered from 1 to 12, is not numbered in order, which makes some of the skill features harder than they should be (for example sometimes you have to stop the reel from spinning, but stop it on a even number...)

Going to take a little break now, but when I return I will go into more details, I start by showing a quick overview of what is inside the machine.