IGT Poker Bartop Product Design

IGT Peak Bartop

Sleek compact poker gaming unit.

Delivering casino grade immersion at the bar edge.

Traditional bartop gaming units lacked modern aesthetics, compact integration, and comfortable ergonomics. Senior stakeholders at IGT aimed to redefine the bartop experience for poker players and operators, elevating functionality, ambience, and usability in social gaming spaces.

Markets
Commercial
IGT Poker Bartop Product Design

Research Insights & Discovery

Key Outputs

  • User Personas
  • Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 Map
  • Benchmarking
  • Opportunity Areas & Design Criteria
  • How We Used Psycho-Aesthetics™ to Identify Unique Opportunities in the Project.

Applying our proprietary Psycho‑Aesthetics® framework, RKS mapped the emotional and functional needs of players, bartenders, and field technicians. We conducted focus groups with stakeholders including bartenders, casino operators, and players to understand ergonomics, comfort, and design integration. Findings drove an enriched zone experience featuring deeper visual immersion, modern aesthetics, and seamless service workflow.

How We Used Psycho-Aesthetics™ to Identify Unique Opportunities in the Project.

Using our proprietary Psycho-Aesthetics® 2.0 framework, we conducted in-depth interviews and ethnographic observation in diverse lab settings. We identified key emotional and usability pain points, such as intimidation with complex interfaces, workspace clutter, and trust in precision. These insights guided both the form and interface strategy, ensuring approachability and confidence in operation.

PA Map for the development of the IGT Poker Bartop Project with RKS Design
A collage shows the process of designing slot machines, including sketches on walls,…

Industrial Design Concept Development

Key Outputs

  • Form Factor Concepts
  • CMF Strategy
  • Refined Industrial Design Language

We designed a compact cabinet anchored by a 23″ curved, full‑HD “J‑screen” offering expansive game visibility and reduced glare, ideal for bar lighting. The unit features refined lines, low profile geometry, and hidden control decks to maintain a sleek countertop presence.

Sleek bartop gaming interface with curved touchscreen, control buttons, and IGT logo on display
IGT Peak Bartop Visual Essay Product Collage 1

Product Engineering & Development

Key Outputs

  • Engineering prototypes integrating hardware subsystems
  • Field test iterations on maintenance accessibility
  • Final CAD/CAM packages and service schematic support

We collaborated closely with IGT engineers to integrate components seamlessly, including the curved display, printer, USB charging, Bluetooth, and speaker systems. Serviceability was enhanced through fold-down doors and accessible filters. Feedback from bartenders and operators guided refinements to comfort, usability, and serviceability, especially in reach, screen readability, and glare reduction. The product’s aesthetic and technical excellence was confirmed through venue trials.

IGT Peak Bartop Visual Essay Product Graphic 1
IGT Poker Bartop Visual Essay Mockup Product Design
IGT Poker Bartop Research Images 06 Product Design

Key Outcomes and Results

Key Accomplishments

  • Players and bartenders praised ergonomic comfort
  • New design standards in the bartop gaming segment
  • Positioning as a leading bartop game cabinet

IGT’s Peak Bartop™ exemplifies RKS Design’s capacity to transform traditional electronics into emotionally resonant, high impact experiences. Through ethnographic research, refined industrial aesthetics, user focused ergonomics, and venue aware integration, the product emerged as a tactile and visual centerpiece that drives operator confidence, player engagement, and market differentiation in bartop gaming.

IGT Peak Cover Image // Product on bartop

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