As an ardent player, you might have some favourite gaming software developers whose games might be your top-picks. So, WMS has also acquired a unique place in online players’ hearts among the many leading game developers companies. WMS’s speciality lies in providing premium quality video slots and always coming up with extraordinary features and unique themes. And this is all the slot players need to have an engaging slot playing experience. If you have real money and free WMS slots on your top-pick list, why not know more about the company.

Top 5 Interesting Facts About WMS

Before tracing back its history, let’s begin with the interesting facts about WMS.

1. The company is around sixty years old.
2. It is one of the first companies to set the path for community-style slot machines, and its first-ever one was Monopoly Big Event.
3. WMS and IGT have been on an agreement, where WMS purchased a ‘Ticket In, Ticket Out’ license from IGT in the year 2006.
4. Translates the previous land-based casino games for the online space; thus, it maintains the traditions with the touch of innovation.
5. WMS won several awards, such as the America Business Award as well as Stevie Award for Management, New Products, and Product Management.

How It All Began at WMS?

WMS or William Interactive is one the oldest known game developing companies, and it was founded in 1943 as William Manufacturing Company. Back then, its main focus was on developing games for land-based activities, so at that time, it was well-known for developing pinball and arcade games. Later in 1974, we all saw the rise of William Electronics, which brought innovation in gaming.

In 1991, another important progress took place when William Gaming was introduced. In 1992, the first video lottery terminal was introduced for the Oregon market. From 1994 and onwards, the company has seen an era of development and progress with video slots’ launch. Reel’Em, which is a multi-coin, multi-line secondary bonus video slot, was introduced in 1996. Sooner, the company released some more famous titles, including Boom, Filthy Rich, and Jackpot Party.

So, as more states allowed gambling during the 1990s, the company marked huge progress in providing casino games. From 1999 and onwards, WMS was seen as the giant provider specialising in the sale, licensing, manufacturing, management, and leasing of gaming machines.

At the same time, there was a decline in the arcade industry, so the pinball business became unprofitable for the company, and in the year 2000, it sold its pinball line.

Beginning of Innovation

With the boom in the internet era, WMS started making progress towards online gaming. So, from 2009 and onwards, we see huge progress in the company’s profile, as it started offering games to the online casinos, mainly to the ones based in the U.K. Through its subsidiary, William Interactive, the company started delivering games to online casinos worldwide, making itself recognisable by delivering quality products.

If we look back into the land-based casino products, we find that some of the casino games, such as Star Trek, Bruce Lee, The Wizard of Oz, and I Love Lucy, have earned WMS a good reputation and maintaining the same popularity, the company has shifted its focus to the online casinos.

Huge Turn in Company’s History

All the business companies see ups and downs, and the same thing happened with WMS, wherein the year 2011 the company saw a huge development in its revenues that grew up to $783.3 million, but in the next year there was a huge decrease in its revenue that was of $698.7 million.

Consequently, in October 2013, WMS Industries decided to merge with Scientific Games Corporation, thus becoming its subsidiary. However, it got $1.5 billion in return, and it was permitted to continue under its original name.

WMS’s focus shifted towards mobile gaming after facing a decline in revenue. So, after 2012, they aimed for mobile software compatible options. So, the most popular games, such as Monopoly and Jackpot Party, were transitioned for the online mobile options, and it was a wise move that earned the company a massive following. Throughout time, the company keeps introducing updates to make their products user-friendly, and it keeps them active in the gambling world among the players.

Tools and Technologies at WMS

The company uses the following technologies:

• Operating Platforms. WMS uses a CPU-NXT3 operating platform that has an Intel Platinum IV class processor, a 40G.B.B hard disk, 2 GB RAM, An ATI 3D graphics chip-set. Since 2012, WMS has used this operating platform for new cabinets and participation games.
• Transmissive Reels. Employing CPU-NXT2 operating platform technology, transmissive reels are used in conjunction with the mechanical reels for video animation.
• Cabinets. In 2008, the Bluebird 2 gaming cabinet was incorporated, including H.D.D displays, a 22-inch dual-wide screen, an illuminated printer, bill acceptor, and Bose speakers. While in 2013, Gamefield xD and Blade cabinets were put into use.

Revenue and Distribution Locations

Although WMS operates worldwide and delivers its products following the local rules and regulations, and the major revenue it cashed out is from its US customer, which is up to 70%. Its manufacturing facilities and corporate offices are located in Las Vegas.

In contrast, field services, development, and sales offices are located in the US. Many countries such as Australia, Canada, Argentina, China, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, India, UK, Mexico, and Spain are the sites for its development and distribution facilities. While in Belgium, it has an online gaming centre.

Famous WMS Titles

Over the years, the company has released many titles that have gained popularity among the players. However, few are considered the favourite. So, you can always enjoy free WMS games on various websites that allow demo play.

Reel’Em In

It is a medium variance slot, provided with a bonus game, scatter, and wild symbol feature that can help you win the jackpot of $20,325. The game has 20 paylines allowed on 5 reels, while its RTP is 95.5%.

Monopoly Big Event

It is another title by WMS that has earned huge fame in the online casino games category. This slot is provided with 5-reels and 20 paylines. Multipliers, wild and scatter symbols in Monopoly Big Event are there to help you win the jackpot prize of 2,000 coins. It has 96% RTP and has medium volatility.

Bruce Lee

Based on the martial arts theme, the Bruce Lee video slot was launched for WMS players in 2012. It has no multiplier or bonus game option, but you can win a jackpot of 250,000 credits from this game by spinning the five reels provided with 60 paylines. This slot, too, has a medium variance, and its RTP is 95.9%.

Final Thoughts

Diversity is what WMS Gaming offers today to its players, so the users have the convenience to try its games across different platforms, such as mobile, desktops, tablets, for the online experience, and even they can visit a land-based casino. The company has survived the challenges of being a sufficient game provider keeping in view the rising demands of the players, who are always looking for something innovative.

Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say that WMS has employed the best use of technology and at the same time incorporated a fun aspect as well as gambling aspect for the players to double-up the pleasure of gaming.