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.

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.


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.


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.



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.











