Light & Wonder confirmed yesterday (3 October) that it is developing a new, legally compliant version of its Dragon Train offering.
Light & Wonder confirmed yesterday (3 October) that it is developing a new, legally compliant version of its Dragon Train offering.
In a recorded statement posted on Light & Wonder’s website, CEO Matt Wilson (pictured) outlined the company’s plans for its Dragon Train offering.
It follows competitor Aristocrat securing a preliminary injunction in federal court that prevented the business from profiting from the game last month, resulting in an approximately 20% share price dip.
Wilson said: “Our intention is to build out Dragon Train 2.0 in compliance with the order, and we’re working actively on this right now.
“It’s a very high priority for us, and we’re working quickly to get that out. We expect Dragon Train will continue to be a franchise in our portfolio for many years to come, the same way Dancing Drums, Huff and Puff and Ultimate Firelink are.”
Wilson argued only a small portion of the overall game, including aspects of the underlying math, are subject to the Nevada District Court’s order.
The Dragon Train secondary hold respin feature, the art, the sounds, the animation and the brand remain unaffected, he said.
Dragon Train designer terminated
This week NEXT.io reported the Dragon Train designer Emma Charles has departed the business, which Wilson confirmed.
He said: “You might have already seen the news of the departure of Dragon Train’s designer from Light & Wonder. Though we don’t discuss specifics of personnel matters, I can confirm the designer was terminated earlier this week.”
Addressing the North American market, Wilson highlighted there are currently 33,000 leased units with customers, and that Dragon Train represented a mid-single digit percentage of this total.
While he said the company is working hard to convert those games out in compliance with the judge’s order, no customers have so far made a removal request.
Wilson again reiterated Light & Wonder’s FY2025 $1.4bn adjusted EBITDA expectations, and said the business would move forward with its planned $1bn share buyback.
The CEO also confirmed the company stopped selling Dragon Train games in Australia following the order, and is in the process of replacing them in the sales pipeline with other offerings.
In terms of future plans, he said the company intends to present a roadmap for sustainable growth going forward at G2E.
Wilson added: “This is an isolated incident that we are mitigating effectively, the team’s galvanised, and they’re excited about G2E next week.
“We’re going to bring the best lineup the industry’s ever seen. We’re going to also continue the momentum that you’ve seen at Light & Wonder over the last five years.”