WMS: A Leader in Interactive Entertainment

WMS has been a leader in interactive entertainment since Harry Williams founded the company in 1943. A Stanford University-trained engineer who devised the “tilt" mechanism for pinball machines, Williams changed the nature of pinball in wartime America. The company brought this spirit of innovation to the home video market in the 1980s and to the casino gaming industry in the early 1990s. This was their website.I recently discovered that this site's domain was available. I decided to buy it with the goal of recreating as much of its original content as possible from its archived pages. I did not want someone else to purchase the domain and re-purpose the site for something that had nothing in common with the original website.

WMS is now part of Scientific Games, a leading innovator in the global lottery and regulated gaming industries. The new WMS website is at: http://www.wms.com/ where you can find the most up-to-date information.

I must admit I am a slot game fanatic and have spent many an enjoyable hour playing on WMS slot and video slot machines. In fact all my co workers on the Salesforce customization team I work with share my passion - check us out. If you have a business you are probably aware of Salesforce customization services. We design specific apps to satisfy the needs and requirements of our clients based either on their existing work flow, or by helping them streamline their flow via business process re-engineering. All my team members have extensive development experience on Salesforce and Force.com. offering well-developed, customized, and integrated cloud-computing applications.

A while back I was on leave from work. I was recovering from an IVC filter implant. I entertained my self playing online slots, since I couldn't go to a land based casino. Then I started having issues with my IVC filter. It wasn't until I did some research online that I found out that certain IVC filters may have life-threatening side effects AND there are already numerous lawsuits, some of which have been settled and others are pending. I spoke to my surgeon and then called an IVC filter attorney. It turns out that my implnat was one of the Bard filters involved in a number of lawsuits. I was fortunate that although part of the filter had fractured, my surgeon was able successfully to remove it and the fractured pieces. My breathing was compromised for awhile, but I survived. My attorney who specializes in medical devicse lawsuits has added my case to a large class action against Bard. I am again recovering, this time from the removeal of the filter and additional surgeries to remove its pieces. I am planning with my co-workers, a trip to Los Vegas in 2-3 months as a celebration for surviving this ordeal. Looking forward to going back to work, but am looking forward even more to playing slots on some WMS built slot machines in Las Vegas!

 

The WMS Company

WMS has been a leading innovator of electronic game entertainment for more than 60 years.  With our uncompromising focus on Player Driven Innovation we combine advanced, groundbreaking technologies with engaging game content and product executions to create products that transform the player entertainment experience and elevate the casino operator's return on investment.

WMS’ core values of Innovation, Passion, Integrity, Quality and Respect have created a Culture of Innovation which fuels the imagination and creativity of our development teams and the introduction of unique, high appeal products that deliver dynamic entertainment experiences for slot players. 
Through our player-driven focus, WMS’ worldwide team of talented, creative employees produce new and differentiated gaming platforms that consistently set new standards in the industry.

As WMS continues to expand and evolve, we want to ensure that our focus remains clearly centered on our business strategy and innovation. Thus, we created an Office of Strategy and Innovation, which functions in association with the WMS' Executive Committee. Working together, this group has the breadth of experience and passion for WMS that will ensure the Company's growth, industry leadership and operating execution will continue.

WMS Mission Statement

Through imagination, talent and technology, we create and provide the world's most compelling gaming experiences.

We recognize that players have many choices in how they can spend their entertainment dollars and leisure time. By focusing on the player experience, we consistently generate new ideas that produce distinctive gaming experiences for players and operators.
At WMS, shared values help us define who we are and how we conduct our business. Our core values are:

  • Passion
  • Innovation
  • Integrity
  • Quality
  • Respect

Excellence is our guiding principle and it unites our company to pursue our mission and live our values.

 

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Our WAGE-NET® Portal Application Suite creates new value for operators by allowing them to mix and match our deep portfolio of video and mechanical reel base games with secondary integrated bonus applications. Not only do the Portal Application solutions allow our casino partners to keep base game themes fresh, boost games' performance, and deliver a superior experience to their players, but they provide hundreds of new ways for a casino to differentiate their floor.

Placements of Jackpot Explosion®, the first Ultra Hit Progressive® Portal Family theme, are generating coin-in average premiums of 33%* compared to games with the same base theme without UHP.

* Based on an aggregate of casino performance from multiple casinos/properties, December 2010/January 2011, 8 casinos, average of 96 days on floor, 119 units.

ULTRA HIT PROGRESSIVE®

Ultra Hit Progressive (UHP) is a mystery-triggered, multi-level progressive architecture that delivers an unprecedented player experience.

The UHP Configuration combines the UHP pay table with the base-game pay table to determine the game's ultimate return. Once UHP is enabled, the player is eligible for progressive awards simply by playing the machine.

WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

"The games with UHP Portal Applications average a 35% lift in coin-in with some going as high as 60%."

–ROB SINEWAY, SLOT DIRECTOR, TURTLE CREEK CASINO & HOTEL      

"The UHP product 'Jackpot Explosion' has noticeably improved the performance of our games. We have two identical themes in the same bank, and clearly the games with UHP are showing better coin-in results compared to the games without UHP."

–DARREN JANG, SENIOR PRODUCT SPECIALIST, BCLC

 

WINNER'S SHARE™

WMS is proud to introduce the second Portal Applicaton Family,
Winner's Share™! This Portal family adds a secondary, randomly awarded bonus opportunity on top of many WMS game themes, Video or Mechanical!
Winner's Share™ features a bonus experience engine that generates millions of different entertaining and exciting experiences to award the player from 1-200% of the progressive! 100% or more is awarded every 6th bonus on average.

MARKET RESEARCH

  •  "It's more like a pinball or video game. That's much more fun than other games!"
  •  78% players surveyed are likely to play, 81% would be likely to recommend the game

 

MEGA MULTIPLIER®
FUTURE PRODUCT

Launching with 4 individual themed skins that can be swapped out of any EGM connected to the Mega Multiplier® Central Game Controller, Mega Multiplier® randomly awards players credits that they can store and use to trigger the portal game. The player, at any time, can use this trigger to launch a pinball into the top screen for a chance to multiply their stored credits up to 100x!

METASCREEN™
FUTURE PRODUCT

WMS Metascreen™ Portal Family debuts with Pirate Battle, a 2-vs-2 competitive Community Gaming® theme available exclusively in banks of four BLUEBIRD xD™ cabinets with special 32-inch overhead monitors. These screens join to form a massive, singular screen on which a bonus cannon battle randomly occurs, in which red and blue teams, denoted by emotive lighting at the EGM level, compete for credit and jackpot awards!

Jackpot Explosion®
Piggy Bankin'®

Ultra Hit Progressive®, the first family of Portal Applications from WMS, launched with Jackpot Explosion®. This Portal Theme has players’ reels and top boxes filling with lava as coin-in builds and jackpot levels increase. Excitement intensifies at the bank level when one is closing in on the progressive trigger until the volcano dramatically erupts, awarding one lucky player 1 of 4 progressive awards.

Peng-Wins™

Winner’s Share™, launching with Peng-Wins™, features a randomly triggered bonus where one lucky player experiences an exciting progressive game with a penguin sliding, bouncing and slipping through an interactive environment, collecting credit awards until stopping on a platform to win from 1%-200% of the progressive jackpot!

Super Shot™

Launching with 4 individual themed skins that can be swapped out of any EGM connected to the Mega Multiplier® Central Game Controller, Mega Multiplier® randomly awards players credits that they can store and use to trigger the portal game. The player, at any time, can use this trigger to launch a pinball into the top screen for a chance to multiply their stored credits up to 100x!

Pirate Battle®

WMS Metascreen™ Portal Family debuts with Pirate Battle, a 2-vs-2 competitive Community Gaming® theme available exclusively in banks of four BLUEBIRD xD™ cabinets with special 32-inch overhead monitors. These screens join to form a massive, singular screen on which a bonus cannon battle randomly occurs, in which red and blue teams, denoted by emotive lighting at the EGM level, compete for credit and jackpot awards!

Wage Net Portal Applications, Discover The Value

Creates new value for operators by allowing them to mix and match our deep portfolio of video and mechanical reel base games with secondary integrated bonus applications to deliver coin-in premiums and differentiate slot floors.

 



 

More Background on WMSNetworkedGaming.com

WMSNetworkedGaming.com stands as a portal into the rich history and technological innovation of WMS Gaming, a pioneering company in the gaming industry with a legacy that spans over 70 years. Originally known as Williams Manufacturing, the company was founded in 1943 by Harry Williams, a Stanford-trained engineer who revolutionized pinball machines by introducing the "tilt" mechanism. Over the decades, WMS evolved from a manufacturer of pinball machines to a key player in the development of electronic gaming, particularly in the casino and online gaming sectors.

Historical Background

WMS Gaming began its journey in the 1940s, initially focusing on pinball machines. By the 1970s, the company had expanded into arcade games, and in the 1990s, it made a significant leap into the casino gaming industry with the introduction of video slot machines. One of its most notable early successes was the "Reel 'em In" video slot machine, launched in 1996. This game was revolutionary, introducing multi-line and multi-coin secondary bonus payouts, which became a staple in modern slot machines.

In 2001, WMS introduced its first branded slot machine based on the popular board game Monopoly. This move into licensed content set the stage for future collaborations with other major entertainment brands, including The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and Men in Black. These branded games were not only popular with players but also highly profitable for the company, contributing to WMS's reputation as an innovator in the gaming industry.

Technological Innovations

WMS has been at the forefront of several technological advancements in the gaming industry. One of its most notable contributions is the development of the Transmissive Reels gaming platform. This technology combines traditional mechanical reels with video overlays, creating a dynamic and interactive gaming experience. The platform was first introduced in the early 2000s and has since been used in various popular games, including The Wizard of Oz series.

Another significant innovation from WMS is the Sensory Immersion technology, which enhances the gaming experience through the use of surround sound, high-definition video, and immersive cabinet designs. This technology was prominently featured in games like Star Trek and Lord of the Rings, allowing players to progress through levels and unlock new bonuses, creating a more engaging and long-lasting gaming experience.

WMS also pioneered the concept of Community Gaming, where players in a bank of slot machines can participate in shared bonus events. This was a groundbreaking approach that added a social element to the gaming experience, making it more interactive and enjoyable for players.

Product Line and Market Presence

WMS's product line is diverse, covering both mechanical and video slot machines. The company's games are known for their high-quality graphics, engaging themes, and innovative bonus features. Some of the most popular WMS games include Raging Rhino, Monopoly, Goldfish, and The Wizard of Oz. These games are available in both land-based casinos and online platforms, where they continue to attract a loyal following of players.

The company's focus on player-driven innovation has resulted in a portfolio that caters to a wide range of players, from traditional slot enthusiasts to those who prefer more modern, video-game-like experiences. For instance, the G+ series of video reel slots and the Bluebird cabinets have been particularly successful in appealing to both demographics.

Cultural and Social Significance

WMS Gaming's impact on the gaming industry extends beyond just technological innovations. The company has played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of gaming. By integrating popular culture into its games through licensed content, WMS has helped bridge the gap between traditional gaming and modern entertainment. Games like The Wizard of Oz and Monopoly have become cultural icons in their own right, thanks in part to their successful adaptations into slot machines.

Moreover, WMS's focus on creating immersive and interactive gaming experiences has influenced the broader entertainment industry, setting new standards for how games are designed and marketed. The company's success in this area has not only driven its own growth but also pushed other companies in the industry to innovate and improve their offerings.

Press and Media Coverage

Over the years, WMS Gaming has received extensive coverage in both industry-specific publications and mainstream media. The company's innovations and product launches are regularly featured in gaming industry magazines like GGB Magazine, which has highlighted WMS's contributions to the development of server-based gaming and its leadership in introducing new gaming technologies.

In 2013, WMS was acquired by Scientific Games, a move that was widely covered in the media. The acquisition was valued at approximately $1.5 billion and marked a significant consolidation in the gaming industry. As a subsidiary of Scientific Games, WMS continues to develop cutting-edge gaming products, leveraging the resources and expertise of its parent company to maintain its competitive edge in the market.

Audience and Market Reach

WMS Gaming's products are available in casinos across the United States and internationally, with a strong presence in markets like the UK, Australia, and Canada. The company's online games are also popular, particularly in regulated markets where online gambling is legal. WMS's commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal customer base, and its games are often among the top performers in both land-based and online casinos.

 

WMSNetworkedGaming.com serves as a gateway to understanding the rich history and ongoing legacy of WMS Gaming. From its humble beginnings as a pinball machine manufacturer to its current status as a leader in the global gaming industry, WMS has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in gaming. Through its innovative technologies, iconic branded games, and commitment to creating engaging player experiences, WMS has left an indelible mark on the gaming world—a legacy that continues to evolve and inspire.

By providing detailed insights into WMS's history, technological advancements, product offerings, and cultural significance, this article aims to familiarize readers with the company's contributions to the gaming industry. Whether you are a gaming enthusiast or simply interested in learning more about the evolution of casino games, WMSNetworkedGaming.com offers a wealth of information that highlights the company's role as a pioneer in interactive entertainment.

 

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