“Customers recognize WMS as a leader in innovation”

WMS introduced a strong and diverse content portfolio this year at G2E.  What can you highlight in terms of new systems and games?
We are excited to introduce several new products to our customers in South America, including the MONOPOLY Party Train theme and Life of Luxury Deluxe theme.  With the MONOPOLY Party Train theme, we’ve taken player-popular mechanics from our MONOPOLY slots and enhanced them with new features including a dual machine marquee for heightened floor merchandising. 

The MONOPOLY Party Train theme is available in mechanical and video reel game versions and has a fun “Move” feature that randomly takes players around the MONOPOLY board for mini-bonuses, free spin enhancements and bonus triggers. Players love our successful Life of Luxury Local-Area Progressive (LAP) series, so we created  The Life of Luxury Deluxe game, which features a LAP free spin bonus randomly triggered during G+ Deluxe and G+ Deluxe 5X4 base gameplay.  In the progressive free spin bonus round, a max wager spin guarantees a progressive award if the picking bonus is triggered. 

We are also introducing BATTLESHIP in South America, which allows players to compete in teams to sink ships in three unique bonus rounds playing out on overhead screens.  The game features Bluebird xD cabinet base games and surround sound gaming chairs. It’s really a beautiful execution of a game.  At G2E, the customers lined up for a chance at a battle.

How was the feedback from visitors and customers?
Customers recognize WMS as a leader in innovation and say the other companies trail us in this respect.  They still feel that our vast product portfolio, which includes some of the games discussed above such as the MONOPOLY Party Train theme, showcases the types of products that keep players coming back to their casino floors.

Talking about the Latin American market, did the company release any specific development for that market?
We develop products that meet the needs of our casino partners and that players want to play – wherever they are. WMS game machines and themes are localized for most markets.

How did you see the show with this year’s new venue and dates? Do you consider that the changes have been positive?
We loved the space and the energy of the Sands Expo. The show was a success in our view, because of broad array of exciting products we were able to introduce to the casinos and because we were able to demonstrate our commitment to engage players and deliver results to our casino customers.

Getting closer to the end of a year affected by an important economic crisis, how do you evaluate 2011 for your company?
The gaming industry is certainly not the only one that continues to be impacted by the global economy. However by developing products that meet the needs of our customers, we have been able to support their growth objectives despite the economic circumstances. We have also seen good activity in Latin America as well as Western Europe and in various other new and established markets across the world.