Firm hopes to gobble up market with Pac-Man slot machine

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001 | 10:37 a.m.

WMS Industries Inc. said today it plans to release a line of slot machines based on the "Pac-Man" arcade game series.

WMS said it plans to submit the first slots in the series for regulatory approval in early 2002. Rights to the character were licensed from Namco Corp. of Tokyo.

The announcement comes several weeks after Alliance Gaming Corp.'s Bally Gaming & Systems said it would not introduce a slot machine in Nevada themed after the "Popeye" cartoon character because of uncertainties in Nevada's "slots for tots" slot machine regulations. The regulation prohibits the introduction of slot machines in Nevada based on themes "currently and primarily intended or marketed for use by persons under 21 years of age."

Pac-Man was first introduced in a 1980 arcade game, and quickly became the basis of one of the video game industry's most popular lines. Video games based on the Pac-Man character are still on the market, and the character has been used as the basis of numerous products, including a television cartoon series.

WMS didn't say if it would attempt to present the game to Nevada regulators for approval -- however, in a statement, the Chicago company's president emphasized Pac-Man's "nostalgic appeal."

"Pac-Man's nostalgic appeal and status as a pop-culture icon advances our commitments to develop the most entertaining gaming products in the industry," Brian Gamache said. "Today's 30, 40 and 50-year-olds immediately recognize the familiar sights and sounds of Pac-Man and we intend to embrace those nostalgic qualities that made the game a phenomenon and provide casino patrons with an entertaining and engaging gaming experience."