I'm respectfully calling for someone that's an authority on WGT (WGTadmin, WGT(Stay Classy)Pizza, WGTIcon MisterWGT and so on...) to do the following:
Confirm whether the game uses a Virtual Equipment Model or not?
I for one am not against the fair use of a system like this which is indiscriminate and adds additional variables to the game to achieve more realistic outcomes.
Some players still believe it's just it Victim.Excuse.Mentality for less than satisfactory results, believing that there is no VEM.
At the other extreme there are many players who are convinced WGT is 'out to get them' and blame WGT for manipulating the game with VEM for financial gain.
I've seen so many threads discussing the topic of VEM, with players giving their input/opinions but WGT are very quiet on the subject and it just seems to go around in circles while new threads on the same topic appear. Here's one that went on for 7 pages and no definitive answer!
http://www.wgt.com/forums/t/8462.aspx?PageIndex=1
So once more what I am suggesting is to respectfully lay the whole topic of VEM to rest.
A straight answer. Is it used? Yes or No. If WGT does use is how do they feel it benefits the game?
Most people would like an official response from WGT, not just to satisfy their curiosity and shed some light on the topic but if nothing else to put a stop to the whingers and complainers rants.